Swarna Akarshana Bhairava, also known as Swarna Bhairava or Swarnakarshana Bhairava, is one of the most powerful and benevolent forms of Lord Bhairava. Unlike the fierce and terrifying manifestations commonly associated with Bhairava, Swarna Bhairava is a golden, auspicious, wealth-granting, and karma-cleansing form. His worship is deeply rooted in Shaiva, Tantra, and Agama traditions.
In Hinduism, Bhairava is the guardian of time, discipline, justice, and cosmic order. But in the form of Swarna Akarshana Bhairava, he becomes the bestower of prosperity, righteous wealth, stability, and divine radiance.
This article presents a complete understanding of Swarna Bhairava—his history, form, worship methods, benefits, mantra, symbolism, and temples.
Meaning of Swarna Akarshana Bhairava:
In Sanskrit, Swarna means Gold and Akarshana means attraction. Therefore, the meaning of Swarna Akarshana Bhairava is “Bhairava who attracts gold”.
Who is Swarna Akarshana Bhairava?
Swarna Akarshana Bhairava is a prosperity-giving form of Lord Shiva, manifested as Bhairava, whose energy “attracts gold,” symbolizing wealth, success, purity, and cosmic abundance.
Different Names of Swarna Bhairava:
1. Swarna Akarshana Bhairava.
2. Swarna Bhairava.
3. Golden Bhairava.
4. Kanaka Bhairava (in some Tamil traditions).
Role and Purpose:
Swarna Bhairava primarily governs:
1. Wealth accumulation.
2. Protection of assets.
3. Removal of karmic and ancestral poverty.
4. Business and career success.
5. Overcoming financial obstacles.
6. Purification of energy.
7. Attraction of opportunities.
Unlike Kala Bhairava (who controls time and karma), Swarna Bhairava controls prosperity destiny.
Iconography of Swarna Bhairava
Swarna Akarshana Bhairava is visually distinct because of his golden radiance. He has golden complexion or shimmering golden aura. He holds a Pasha, Ankusha, lotus, and golden pot filled with coins in his four arms. He is depicted as both seated or standing on a lotus accompanied by a divine dog, symbolizing loyalty & protection. Sometimes shown with Goddess Lakshmi, indicating shared prosperity blessings. He has a crescent moon placed on his head. In some traditions, he is shown to have six or eight hands also.
The Story & Origin of Swarna Akarshana Bhairava:
There are at least two stories about the origin of Swarna Bhairava.
The Story of Gold Hunt by Asuras:
Once upon a time, asuras plundered almost all gold in the world. They thought that the divine energy in gold would make them powerful. Therefore, they built many golden palaces, created golden weapons and armors. Thus, they made gold a symbol of their power and cruelty.
When gods decided to resist and touched their tainted gold, they became weak. They could not understand the reason behind it and went to Lord Shiva on Kailasa for protection and advice.
Upon hearing the gods, Lord Shiva smiled and said, ”Gold is not the master of radiance; Bhairava is its protector.”
Bhairava called upon his divine power and with the help of divine golden fire hidden in Shiva’s hair created Swarna Akarshana Bhairava.
As soon as Swarna Bhairava marched toward the asura kingdom, the tainted power of their gold vanished and all of their gold started melting. After this, he easily defeated all the asuras and made a rule: “The gold is for dharma and not for ego”.
He also clarified that wherever the gold is used for a good purpose, he will protect it; and wherever it becomes a cause for lust, ego, or cruelty, he will destroy it.
The Story of Kubera and Lakshmi:
According to the Rudrayamala Tantra, a great war between the gods (devas) and demons (asuras) lasted for many years, during which Lord Kubera, the treasurer of the heavens and the lord of wealth, lost all his riches. Consequently, Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of fortune and prosperity, also became impoverished.
Seeking a solution, both Kubera and Lakshmi approached Lord Shiva to ask how their wealth could be restored. Lord Shiva, the source of all prosperity, advised them to worship a specific, magnanimous form of himself at Badrinath Dham.
Following Shiva’s instructions, Kubera and Lakshmi performed intense penance and deep meditation (tapas) for this specific deity. Pleased by their devotion, the deity appeared before them. This benevolent manifestation of Shiva was Swarna Akarshana Bhairava, meaning the “gold-attracting Bhairava”. He showered gold upon them from his four hands, restoring their wealth and making them rich and affluent once more.
There are multiple traditional accounts explaining the origin of Swarna Bhairava.
The Shaiva Agama Version:
According to the Agamas, Shiva took this golden form when devotees prayed for relief from:
- poverty,
- misfortune,
- and karmic obstacles.
He manifested as Swarna Akarshana Bhairava to purify the karmic roots of scarcity.
The Tantric Tradition:
Tantras describe Swarna Bhairava as the ruler of the Swarnaloka, where karmic codes related to wealth are governed. Through his grace, devotees receive:
- righteous wealth,
- protection of existing resources,
- spiritual brilliance.
The Kubera Connection:
Some Puranic traditions say that Swarna Bhairava energizes Kubera’s treasury. Kubera gives wealth, but Bhairava grants the karmic eligibility to receive it. Thus, Swarna Bhairava is the root source of all prosperity blessings.
Difference Between Swarna Bhairava and Kala Bhairava:
| Aspect | Swarna Akarshana Bhairava | Kala Bhairava |
| Nature | Benevolent, prosperity-giving | Fierce, protective, karma-correcting |
| Colour | Golden | Black or dark blue |
| Purpose | Wealth, abundance, purity | Protection, time control, karma correction |
| Energy | Auspicious, calm, radiant | Fierce, assertive, disciplining |
| Worship Benefit | Financial improvement, stability, opportunities | Removal of obstacles, protection from evil |
| Planetary Influence | Jupiter (Guru) & Sun | Saturn (Shani) |
In essence, Kala Bhairava controls time and Swarna Bhairava controls prosperity. Both complement each other.
How to Worship Swarna Akarshana Bhairava (Puja Vidhi)
Home Puja Method (Simple & Powerful)
1. Place an image or idol of Swarna Bhairava on a golden or yellow cloth under the idol.
2. Light a ghee or a sesame lamp in front of it.
3.Offer yellow flowers, jaggery, turmeric mixed rice, saffron milk, fruits, coins.
4. Chant the MantraOm Swarnakarshana Bhairavaya Namah 108 times.
5. Feed a dog. The highest and most authentic offering to Bhairava is feeding a black or street dog with roti, biscuits, or any veg food.
6.Sit in silence and meditate for 3–5 minutes to absorb the energy.
Auspicious Days to Worship Swarna Bhairava:
1. Ashtami (Krishna Paksha) – highly powerful
2. Saturdays
3. Tuesdays
4. Bhairava Ashtami (major annual festival)
5. Deepavali night – for wealth and light
6. Guru Pushya Yoga day – extremely auspicious for prosperity
Auspicious Nakshatras:
1. Mula
2. Purvashada
3. Uttarashada
4. Punarvasu (prosperity star)
Festivals Dedicated to Swarna Akarshana Bhairava:
1. Bhairava Ashtami
The most important festival for all Bhairava forms, including Swarna Bhairava.
2. Diwali / Deepavali:
Laxmi Puja day is considered the most auspicious day for worshiping him along with Goddess Laxmi.
Famous Temples of Swarna Akarshana Bhairava:
1. Sri Swarnakarshna Bhairavar Temple, Sembiyavarambal, Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu.
2. Swarnakarshana Bhairava Swamy, Aryapuram, Rajahmundry.
Mantras of Swarna Akarshana Bhairava:
1. Main Mantra
“ॐ स्वर्णाकर्षण भैरवाय नमः”
Om Swarnakarshana Bhairavaya Namah
2. Wealth Attraction Mantra:
ॐ ऐं क्लां क्लीं क्लुं ह्रां ह्रीं हुं सह वं
आपदुद्धारणाय अजमलवधाय लोकेश्वराय
स्वर्णाकर्षण भैरवाय मम दारिद्र्य विध्वेषणाय
ॐ ह्रीं महाभैरवाय नमः
Om Aim Klaam Kleem Klum Hraam Hreem Hoom Sah Vam
Aapaduddharanaaya Ajamalavadhaaya Lokeshwaraaya
Swarnaakarshana Bhairavaaya Mama Daaridrya Vidhweshanaaya
Om Hreem Mahabhairavaaya Namaha
Symbolism of Swarna Akarshana Bhairava
Just as gold is refined through fire, Swarna Bhairava purifies ancestral karma, financial blocks, and mental fears. He does not represent greed but dharmic prosperity. His presence removes the fear of loss, failure, and poverty. He bridges spiritual growth and material success.
Benefits of Worshipping Swarna Akarshana Bhairava
1. Financial Prosperity
- Increases income
- Enhances savings
- Removes debt
- Attracts opportunities
2. Protection of Wealth
- Guards property and assets
- Prevents sudden losses
- Neutralizes evil eye and negative energies
3. Business & Career Success
- Sharpens decision-making
- Opens new paths
- Gives clarity, discipline, and courage
4. Ancestral & Karmic Cleansing
- Removes poverty karma
- Breaks generational scarcity patterns
5. Inner Strength & Self-Confidence
- Builds fearlessness
- Brings mental calmness
- Strengthens willpower
6. Spiritual Growth
- Increases focus in meditation
- Awakens higher consciousness
- Grants blessings of Shiva in a radiant form
Who is the wife of Swarna Bhairava?
In traditional Shaiva and Bhairava worship, Swarna Bhairava does NOT have a specific wife or consort exclusively associated with him. However, there are three important theological connections you should know:
Every form of Bhairava is conceptually paired with a form of Bhairavi, the Shakti aspect. For Swarna Bhairava, the corresponding Shakti is sometimes referred to as:
- Swarna Bhairavi
- Akarshana Bhairavi
- Lakshmi-Bhairavi (in some traditions)
But this is not widely depicted in temples. Some Tantric traditions pair him with Bala Bhairavi or Aakarshana Bhairavi.
Planets Associated With Swarna Akarshana Bhairava
1. Jupiter (Guru / Brihaspati) – Primary Planet
Swarna Bhairava is most strongly linked with Jupiter, because Jupiter rules wealth, expansion, prosperity, fortune, intelligence and Swarna Bhairava controls righteous wealth and abundance. This is why worship on Thursdays (Guruvar) is extremely beneficial. His energy feels “golden,” similar to Jupiter’s colour and aura. Their vibrations match perfectly.
2. Sun (Surya) – Secondary Association
The Sun rules radiance, authority, vitality, gold itself.
Since Swarna Bhairava is the golden radiant form, he draws directly from Surya’s inner light, courage, protection, and brilliance. Many tantric sources describe Swarna Bhairava as “Surya Tejas Samaprabhaha” (equal to the brilliance of the sun).
3. Mercury (Budha)
Because he grants:
- sharp intellect
- business clarity
- communication skills
- financial decision-making ability
4. Rahu (in some tantric contexts)
Not as a benefic connection, but because:
- Rahu rules sudden wealth
- Rahu amplifies “attraction” (Akarshana) energy
- Bhairava is the ruler of transitions and intensity
Swarna Bhairava’s mantras are sometimes used to neutralize negative Rahu effects.
Conclusion:
Swarna Akarshana Bhairava or Swarna Bhairava is one of the most benevolent and radiant forms of Lord Shiva’s Bhairava energies. His worship is ideal for those seeking financial stability, prosperity, protection, discipline, and spiritual growth. With his golden aura and compassionate power, he removes karmic blocks, attracts righteous wealth, and guides the devotee toward abundance and inner radiance.