ॐ
Nepal JyotishTraditional Science
Deity Names

Aakash Bhairav (Aajudyo)

The story of how the severed head of the Kirat king Yalambar flew into the sky and became Aakash Bhairav.

FacebookX (Twitter)WhatsApp

Aakash Bhairav (Aajudyo)

Before the terrible war of the Mahabharata began, Yalambar, the first Kirat king of Nepal, went with his army of four akshauhinis to watch the battle at Kurukshetra.

Lord Shri Krishna asked King Yalambar: "O Kirat king, on whose side will you fight in this great war?"

The valiant Yalambar replied with pride: "I shall first remain neutral and watch the war. But at the end of the war, I shall take the side of the weak and fight for whoever is on the verge of defeat."

Shri Krishna reflected — though the victory of the Pandavas was certain, if the mighty Yalambar took the side of the Kauravas, the entire Pandava army would be destroyed. So, to preserve the balance of the war, Shri Krishna hurled his Sudarshan Chakra and beheaded Yalambar.

Yalambar's severed head flew into the sky and, in a supernatural manner, watched the entire war of Kurukshetra and returned to his own country through the sky, coming to rest at Indrachowk in Kathmandu.

Because he was a portion of Shiva, that wondrous countenance of his was installed in grandeur at Indrachowk as 'Aakash Bhairav', or among the Newar community as 'Aajudyo', in the form of an ancestor.

Note: These are traditional Nepali folk tales (kimbadanti), passed down orally through generations. They may or may not reflect actual historical events, but they are told and believed as part of Nepal's cultural heritage.

Related stories

More from Deity Names and the threads this story shares.

BaghbhairavThe story of how the clay tiger made by shepherds came to life, ate the sheep, and became Baghbhairav.PashupatinathThe story of how the Jyotirlinga of Pashupatinath was found when a cow spilled its milk on the earth, and how the land came to be named Nepal.GokarneshwarThe story of how Shiva's horn, in deer form, broke and the Gokarneshwar linga was established.IndreshwarThe story of the Indreshwar linga, where Indra and Shachi performed penance for the atonement of Ahalya's curse.IshaneshwarThe story of Ishaneshwar appearing through a ploughshare and granting Ghimire a son.Bhimeshwar (Bhimsen)The story of how Bhimsen, when the porter's secret was revealed, appeared in stone and became Bhimeshwar.