Sri Martanda Bhairava Dhyana
श्रीमार्तण्डभैरवध्यानम्
Sanskrit
हेमाम्भोजप्रवालप्रतिमनिजरुचिं चारुखट्वाङ्गपद्मौ चक्रं शक्तिं सपाशं सृणिमतिरुचिरामक्षमालां कपालम् । हस्ताम्भोजैर्दधानं त्रिनयनविलसद्वेदवक्त्राभिरामं मार्ताण्डं वल्लभार्धं मणिमयमुकुटं हारदीप्तं भजामः ॥
Transliteration
hemāmbhoja-pravāla-pratima-nija-ruciṃ cāru-khaṭvāṅga-padmau cakraṃ śaktiṃ sa-pāśaṃ sṛṇim-ati-rucirām-akṣamālāṃ kapālam | hastāmbhojair-dadhānaṃ trinayana-vilasad-veda-vaktrābhirāmaṃ mārtāṇḍaṃ vallabhārdhaṃ maṇimaya-mukuṭaṃ hāra-dīptaṃ bhajāmaḥ ||
Translation
We worship Martanda Bhairava, whose radiance resembles a golden lotus and coral, who holds in his lotus-hands the beautiful khatvanga staff and lotus, discus and shakti spear, noose and goad, the resplendent rosary and skull-cup, who is adorned with three luminous eyes and four beautiful Veda-faces, who shares half his body with his beloved consort, who wears a crown of precious gems and shines with brilliant necklaces.
Deep Meaning
This single dhyana verse is a complete visualization meditation for Martanda Bhairava, the solar form of Bhairava who combines the brilliance of the sun (Martanda) with Bhairava's fierce grace. His golden-coral radiance indicates his connection to the sun. The eight implements in his hands represent mastery over all dimensions of existence: khatvanga (ascetic power), lotus (purity), discus (time-cycle), shakti (energy), noose (binding illusion), goad (guiding devotees), rosary (mantra power), skull-cup (transcendence of death). His four faces represent the four Vedas. The ardhanarishvara aspect (vallabhardha) shows his inseparability from Shakti.
Benefits of Recitation
- ✦Powerful visualization for meditation on Martanda Bhairava
- ✦Invokes the solar-Bhairava energy for vitality and brilliance
- ✦Provides complete iconographic vision for dhyana practice
- ✦Combines Bhairava and Shakti worship in one meditation
- ✦Activates the inner sun (surya tattva) for spiritual illumination
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