Ashtottara Shatanama
Every question on the site tagged Ashtottara Shatanama, each answered from a timestamped source rather than a summary written from memory.
A recitation of a deity's 108 names — shorter than a Sahasranama (1000 names) and commonly used as the accompanying Havan or daily Japa count.
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Why shouldn't the popular Batuk Bhairav Aapaduddharana mantra be chanted on its own, and who can give initiation into it?
The widely circulated Aapaduddharana mantra of Batuk Bhairav is bound and bears no fruit chanted alone — even though its individual phrases are legitimately cited within Ashtottara Shatanama or Brahma Kavach recitation, only a Guru who has personally unbound and completed a Purashcharana of it can properly initiate someone into it.
Can a male practitioner continue his daily mantra practice while his wife is menstruating?
Yes — he may continue his daily recitation, but must not touch or consume food or water prepared by her before performing rituals, and must maintain physical cleanliness and a separate worship space.
How does one seek release if a bound Goddess (Devi Tattva) is the household deity?
Take refuge in Lord Bhairava and perform His Anushthana — in severely adverse conditions, perform the Anushthana of the Bhairava residing at the nearest Siddha Peetha, such as Nakuleshwar Bhairava for Goddess Kali at Kalighat, reciting the Bhairava Ashtottara Shatanamavali and Bhairava Kavach while praying for release.
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