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The Kapalika tradition was a Tantric form of Shaivism which prevailed in India during 7th Century AD. The word kapala, means “skull”, and kapalika represents the “skull-people”. They are also popularly called as Bhairavas or Kalabhairavas, since they worship Lord Shiva in the form of Lord Kala Bhairava.
The Kapalikas used to smear their body with ashes from the cremation grounds, their hair found to be long and matted, and they used to involve themselves in peculiar form of rituals such as having sexual relationship with lower-class women, performance of animal and human sacrifices, consumption of lot of meat and drink alcoholic beverages and they strongly believe that doing like this, would give them great spiritual satisfaction.
Kapalikas used to drink animal as well as human blood like water with the belief that they quench their spiritual thirst. The Kapalikas who used to call themselves as Tantric saints didn’t observe cleanliness, but their main aim is to keep on thinking their beloved god Lord Bhairava, and to reach Kailasa, after their death, and they strongly object the activities of the orthodox Hindu Brahmins like chanting of Vedic Mantras and performance of fire sacrifices.
Kapalikas used to repeatedly chant the “JAI KALA BHAIRAVA” mantra, and they used to frequently perform meditation on Lord Kala Bhairava on the cremation grounds. Kapalikas believe that Bhairava is responsible for our each and every act, and he is the creator, protector and the destroyer of the entire universe.
Some Kapalikas also worship Lord Narasimha as their secondary god, and some of them even used to worship the pious demons like Prahalada and Mahabali. Most of the Kapalikas lives in the dense forests, and also in Varanasi, and some of them even lives in the Holy Himalayan Mountain Ranges.
It is also believed that Kapalikas are the blessed souls, and they are sent by Lord Kala Bhairava, to spread the Bhakti Spirit of Lord Bhairava in a different manner. It is also believed that if we are blessed by a Kapalika, we would lead a prosperous life, and since Kapalikas are the worshippers of Lord Kala Bhairava, black magic and enemy related problems would never arise in our life.
Let us praise the great Lord Kala Bhairava and let us be blessed.
“JAI SRI KALABHAIRAVA MOORTHY NAMO NAMAHA”
WRITTEN BY
R.HARISHANKAR