what are bhairavs in jainism

The term 'Bhairavs' in Jainism refers to a category of supernatural beings or deities who embody fierce and protective qualities. Unlike the more commonly discussed classes of celestial beings such as devas or gandharvas, Bhairavs are less prominently featured in the primary Jain scriptures. Their role is generally linked to guarding and maintaining cosmic order, often depicted with formidable attributes to ward off evil influences. However, Jain texts primarily emphasize the path of liberation through self-discipline and non-violence rather than focusing extensively on such deities. Consequently, detailed descriptions or doctrinal significance of Bhairavs are sparse, and they do not hold a central place in Jain philosophical or theological discourse. The understanding of Bhairavs may also be influenced by cross-cultural interactions with Hindu traditions where Bhairava is a well-known fierce form of Shiva, but in Jainism, their identity and functions remain comparatively understated.