When the inner sun rises, darkness has no choice but to flee.
Shri Martandabhairava, rider of radiant fire, answers before the call is complete.”
This image of Shri Martandabhairava with a 2:3 aspect ratio is offered with devotion for personal use and altar placement. May his solar presence clear obstacles swiftly and illuminate your sādhana with courage, clarity, and protection.
The Solar Guardian of Bhairava Tattva
Among the countless forms of Bhairava, Shri Martandabhairava blazes as the brightest, the one who carries the radiance of Mārtāṇḍa, the Vedic name of the Sun.
Here, Bhairava appears as the Solar Warrior, the Rider of the Dawn, and the Lord of Swift Intervention.
He is worshipped for:
- fast results
- rapid removal of obstacles
- clarity in confusion
- fiery protection
- guidance during crossroads
Like the rising sun, his presence is immediate — transforming the seeker’s state within moments. Please perform this Sadhana for a minimum span of 21 days.
The Form of the Solar Rider
Shri Martandabhairava appears in a radiant yet fierce form, riding the divine horse that symbolizes speed, purity, and unstoppable movement:
- His complexion glows like molten gold.
- His eyes shine with dawn-like brilliance.
- He rides a white or golden horse, the vāhana of light and direction.
- A loyal black dog accompanies him, the eternal companion of Bhairava and guardian of subtle realms.
- He may hold:
- a trishula – cutting away obstacles, karmic blocks, and ignorance
- a khadga – the sword of truth and discrimination
- a damaru – the beating rhythm of time, dawn, and cosmic order
- a kapala – surrender of fear and ego
Behind him shines a halo of the twelve suns (Adityas), linking him directly with solar divinity.
This is Bhairava as sunlight: fearless, precise, fast.
His Link With Khandoba (Malhari Martanda Bhairava)
In Maharashtra, Shri Martandabhairava is closely linked to Khandoba, also called Malhari Martanda Bhairava.
- Both ride the divine horse.
- Both are accompanied by a dog.
- Both embody a fusion of Shiva’s destructive clarity and Surya’s illuminating brilliance.
- Both are protectors of light, justice, and dharma.
- Khandoba is often worshipped as an avatar or regional manifestation of Martandabhairava, blending the fierce grace of Bhairava with the solar energy of Martanda.
For devotees whose kuladaivatam is Khandoba, Martandabhairava responds even faster — because the lineage connection is ancient and powerful.
His Relationship With the Sun God
The name Martanda appears in the Vedas as a form of Surya.
In Tantra and regional traditions, Martandabhairava is understood as:
- Bhairava infused with Surya’s radiance
- Shiva manifesting as solar awareness
- The light that burns away inner darkness
- The sun before sunrise — the first spark of awakening
Thus he is not “separate” from Surya; he is Shiva as the Sun — the fiery consciousness that illuminates all realms.
Meditating on him is like meditating on the inner sun (antar-surya), the seat of clarity and courage.
The Symbolic Teachings Hidden in His Form
- Horse — rapid movement of divine grace; quick results
- Black Dog — alertness, loyalty, unseen protection
- Sword — clarity; decision-making without hesitation
- Trishula — mastery over body, mind, breath
- Damaru — alignment with cosmic rhythm
- Kapala — dissolution of ego, fear, and karmic residue
- Solar Halo — awakening of inner radiance
Martandabhairava teaches that true protection is awareness, and true clarity is inner light.
Offerings and Devotion
Shri Martandabhairava responds beautifully to simple, sattvik, heartfelt offerings:
- Red flowers (especially hibiscus)
- Fresh fruits
- Dry fruits & seeds
- Jaggery
- Saffron or turmeric
- A ghee diya at sunrise or sunset
- Coconut —
the most important offering, symbolizing the breaking of ignorance, ego, and inertia.
Offering a coconut is symbolic of cracking open the shell of darkness so the inner sun can shine through.
The Essence of the Sādhana
This sadhana awakens solar clarity, courage, and rapid divine assistance.
Preparation
Sit upright.
Visualize Martandabhairava riding his radiant horse through the golden dawn, the black dog running beside him.
With every inhalation, feel his light enter your chest.
With every exhalation, release confusion and heaviness.
Foundation Practice
Shri Bhairavaya Namaha
Chant softly for 3 to 5 malas.
With every repetition, imagine golden light spreading through your thoughts, emotions, and energy.
The Circle of Guardians: Ashta Bhairavas
Visualize the eight Bhairavas forming a brilliant solar circle:
Asithanga — Ruru — Chanda — Krodha — Unmatta — Kapala — Bhishana — Samhara
Chant their names in sequence, one cycle per bead.
This step creates a blazing shield of light around you.
Optional Invocation (Only if Khandoba is your Kuladaivatam)
मल्हारीं जगन्नाथं त्रिपुरारिं जगद्गुरुम्।
मणिविघ्नं म्हाळसाकान्तं वन्देऽहं कुलदैवतम्॥
This connects the Solar Bhairava with Malhari Martanda, strengthening lineage protection and guidance.
Final Continuous Chant
Now let the mind rest in devotion:
Shri Martandabhairava Jai Martandabhairava
Let the chant rise like the sun.
Let it flow like breath.
Let it brighten your inner world effortlessly.
Allow it to fade naturally into silence.
What remains is radiance and clarity.
The Inner Realization
Martandabhairava reveals the truth that:
Light does not struggle — it simply arrives and transforms everything.
His blessings come:
- fast,
- precise,
- and often unexpectedly,
like the first ray of dawn breaking through darkness.
He brings direction where there was confusion, strength where there was fear, and certainty where there was hesitation.
The Radiant Rider Beside the Seeker
To invoke Martandabhairava is to awaken the inner sun — a fire that never fades, a clarity that never wavers.
May his horse clear your path.
May his dog guard your steps.
May his solar fire guide you from within.