A History of the Mahrattas v1.c5.s3.50

v1.c5.s3.50

He is now regarded as an incarnation of Siva, under the names Malhārī or Mārtand. According to the *Kshetra Khand* of the *Brahma Purān*, Siva assumed the form of Mārtand Bhāirav and accompanied by two female attendants, dogs, and a vast array of *bhūts* (ghosts), defeated and slew two demons, Mani and Mal, who had harassed the seven Rishis. The name Malhārī enshrines the story of his defeat of Mal, on which occasion Khandoba rode a yellow horse, fought under a yellow flag, and slew yellow demons. After his victory Siva remained on the hill of battle at the Rishis' request in the form of a *svayāmbhu lingam*. Hence Khandoba is worshipped at Jejuri under the form of the *lingam* (phallus), the peculiar emblem of Siva. The story may perhaps be taken to indicate the method by which the aboriginal Khandoba was absorbed into the neo-Brahmanic pantheon, in precisely the same way as tales were manufactured in order to prove the identity of aboriginal goddesses like Kālī, Chāndika and Chamūnda with the Brahmanic Mahādēvī, consort of Siva. The name Mārtand, which is a synonym of the sun, coupled with the yellow horse and yellow flag, may enshrine a reminiscence of sun-worship, superimposed upon or blended, like the worship of Siva, with the cult of an aboriginal guardian or protector.