Bhairava is a manifestation of Shiva's wrath. According to the
Shiva Purana, the deities
Brahma and
Vishnu engaged in a debate regarding their superiority over the other. When Brahma resorted to dishonesty and proclaimed his victory over Vishnu, Shiva appeared and created Bhairava, who cut off one of Brahma's five heads. Brahma begged forgiveness from Shiva for his dishonesty, and he and Vishnu engaged in the worship of Shiva in the form of a
lingam. The head of Brahma was stuck to Bhairava's left palm due to the sin of killing Brahma, the most learned
Brahmin, called
Brahmahatya or Brahminicide. To expiate the sin of Brahmahatya, Bhairava had to perform the vow of a
Kapali: wandering the world as a
Bhikshatana with the skull of the slain as his begging bowl. Bhairava's sin was finally expiated when he reached the holy city of
Varanasi, where a temple dedicated to him still exists. In regional tradition, Shiva as Bhairava is considered to have been entrusted with the task of maintaining law and discipline amongst Hindus, as pertaining to their salvation in the city of
Varanasi, where the last rites of Hindus are performed in the holy river
Ganges, with accountability of their sins and good deeds. ==Practices==