Matrika is a sanskrit word that symbolizes Motherly Energies whereas Bhairava means The fierce, powerful and fear-destroying form of Shiva.

Matrika Bhairava is the form of Swacchanda Bhairava Shiva Himself — who embodies within Him all the Matrikas, such as the Ashta Matrikas, the Shodasha Matrikas, and the Varna Matrikas.
He also embodies within Himself the power of the three great Shaktis — Brahmi, Mahalakshmi, and Mahagauri. Practitioners who wish to advance deeply in mantra siddhi, or those who want to elevate their spiritual practice through the power of mantras, regard Matrika Bhairav as their chosen deity (Ishta Dev). They worship Him specifically in this form as he is the supreme source of all mantra shakti.

The highest and most esoteric Tantric form of Matrika Bhairav embodies within Himself the three secret Tantric Matrikas — Kula Matrika, Deva Matrika, and Lopa Matrika. Because of this, Matrika Bhairav is considered an exceptionally elevated and supreme category of Bhairava. He holds the power to grant a seeker complete liberation, moksha, and the state of siddhatva (full spiritual accomplishment).

Matrika Bhairav is an intensely advanced and profoundly Tantric form of Bhairava. His methods of worship and practice are highly unique and mysterious, differing greatly from ordinary forms of sadhana.

In Siddha Dharma, the sadhana of Matrika Bhairav is divided into multiple stages (charanas). The highest and final stage is practiced only by Himalayan Siddhas. The first three stages, however, may be practiced by initiated Bhairavas and Bhairavis within Siddha Dharma.

Origin

There are 3 stories related to Matrika Bhairav in Siddha Dharma.

According to the first story, in the very beginning of the universe, when Bhagwan Brahma and Bhagwan Vishnu were present, a colossal pillar of divine light suddenly emerged. A celestial voice echoed through the cosmos, asking: “Can anyone discover the beginning or the end of this pillar?”

Brahma and Vishnu set out in opposite directions to search for its limit. Despite their efforts, neither could find the origin nor the conclusion of that infinite light.

Realizing the impossibility of their task, they returned and prayed to the radiant pillar, requesting it to reveal its true, manifest form.

Responding to their plea, the divine light took form as Swachchhanda Bhairava Shiva and told them that both of them have been brought forth for the purpose of creation of this universe.
Therefore Bhagwan Brahma will create the universe Bhagwan Vishnu will preserve and sustain it.

Hearing this, Brahma ji and Vishnu ji asked Swachchhanda Bhairava Shiva that how should we create and maintain the universe so that truth, balance, and goodness always remain?

In response, Swachchhanda Bhairava Shiva manifested a wondrous form. He appeared wearing a mystical kavacha—a divine armor.
As this kavacha opened, it released the primordial sound Om, and from it emerged countless vibrations, geometries, patterns, and mathematical principles, all shining forth like cosmic blueprints.

From within these sounds, divine goddesses began to appear—each letter giving birth to a specific Shakti.
This extraordinary form of Shiva is known as Matrika Bhairava.

Then Shiva declared that

“All the essential powers needed to create, sustain, and protect this universe—
all the energies that maintain truth, harmony, and positivity will be granted to Brahma ji and Vishnu ji through the Matrikas manifested within Matrika Bhairava.”

Thus, Matrika Bhairava became the source of all sacred sounds, all divine shakti, and all creative forces required for the functioning of the cosmos.

The second story unfolds on Mount Kailash.
One day, when Goddess Kurukulla and Swachchhanda Bhairava Shiva were in deep conversation, the Goddess expressed a profound desire to know all the supreme and ultimate knowledge of the universe.

Hearing this, Shiva explained to her that All such knowledge can be attained through the Matrikas.
Any seeker who perfects the Matrikas within their Brahma Kapala (the subtle cranial space of higher consciousness)
can access the entire wisdom and secrets of creation.

Shiva further revealed to her:

“You yourself are the Matrikas.
But because of the veiling power of your own Maya,
you currently remain unaware of your true nature.”

To help her remember and realize this truth,
Shiva manifested the divine form of Matrika Bhairava—
the sovereign source of all Matrika Shaktis.

He then guided Goddess Kurukulla through the sadhana of Matrika Bhairava,
so she could reclaim her inherent Matrika nature
and attain the highest cosmic knowledge hidden within the Matrika shakti.

The third story speaks about Mahasiddha Adi Hiranyagarbha Nath Ji, one of the earliest and most radiant Siddhas. During his intense spiritual journey, he constantly struggled with a single, profound question:

“What is the true essence of this creation?”

Despite deep tapasya and vast yogic knowledge, the complete answer remained elusive.
Seeking clarity, he undertook an extraordinarily powerful penance dedicated to Goddess Kurukulla, the giver of profound wisdom and esoteric insight.

Pleased by his devotion, Goddess Kurukulla appeared before him
and bestowed upon him the knowledge, secrets, and the entire sadhana system of Matrika Bhairav—
the path through which the fundamental essence of creation can be understood.

Receiving this divine revelation,
Adi Hiranyagarbha Nath Ji incorporated the teachings and practices of Matrika Bhairav into Siddha Dharma,
ensuring that this sacred wisdom would become a part of the lineage.

In later ages, the system was further refined, reorganized, and expanded by
Mahasiddha Koshir Nath Ji along with the 18 prime Mahasiddhas of Siddha Dharma,
giving the tradition its present structured form.

Thus, the Matrika Bhairav sadhana became a central pillar of Siddha Dharma,
preserved through the grace of Goddess Kurukulla and the realization of the ancient Siddhas.