The Sanskrit word nāthá or नाथ, is the proper name of a siddha sampradaya (initiatory tradition) and the word itself literally means "lord, protector, refuge". The related Sanskrit term Adi Natha means first or original Lord, and is therefore a synonym for Shiva, Mahadeva, or Maheshvara, and beyond these supramental concepts, the Supreme Absolute Reality as the basis supporting all aspects and manifestations of consciousness.
The Nath tradition is a heterodox siddha tradition containing many sub-sects. It was founded by Matsyendranath and further developed by Gorakshanath. These two individuals are also revered in Tibetan Buddhism as Mahasiddhas (great adepts) and are credited with great powers and perfected spiritual attainment.
Natha Sampradaya
The Natha Sampradaya Marathi: नाथ संप्रदाय is a development of the earlier Siddha or Avadhuta Sampradaya,[1] an ancient lineage of spiritual masters. Its founding is traditionally ascribed as an ideal reflected by the life and spiritual attainments of the guru Dattatreya, who was considered by many to have been a human incarnation of Lord Shiva.[2] The establishment of the Naths as a distinct historical sect purportedly began around the 8th or 9th century with a simple fisherman, Matsyendranath (sometimes called Minanath, who may be identified with or called the father of Matsyendranath in some sources).[3]
One story of the origin of the Nath teachings is that Matsyendranath was swallowed by a fish and while inside the fish overheard the teachings given by Shiva to his wife Parvati. According to legend, the reason behind Shiva imparting a teaching at the bottom of the ocean was in order to avoid being overheard by others. In the form of a fish, Matsyendranath exerted his hearing in the manner required to overhear and absorb the teachings of Shiva. After being rescued from the fish by another fisherman, Matsyendranath took initiation as a sannyasin from Siddha Carpati. It was Matsyendranath who became known as the founder of the specific stream of yogis known as the Nath Sampradaya.
Matysendranath's two most important disciples were Caurangi and Gorakshanath. The latter came to eclipse his Master in importance in many of the branches and sub-sects of the Nath Sampradaya. Even today, Gorakshanath is considered by many to have been the most influential of the ancient Naths. He is also reputed to have written the first books dealing with Laya yoga and the raising of the kundalini-shakti.[2]
There are several sites, ashrams and temples in India dedicated to Gorakshanatha. Many of them have been built at sites where he lived and engaged in meditation and other sadhanas. According to tradition, his samadhi shrine and gaddi (seat) reside at the Gorakhnath Temple in Gorakhpur. However, Nityananda stated that the samadhi shrines (tombs) of both Matsyendranath and Gorakshanath reside at Nath Mandir near the Vajreshwari temple about a kilometer from Ganeshpuri, Maharashtra, India.[4]
The Natha Sampradaya does not recognize caste barriers, and their teachings were adopted by outcasts and kings alike. The heterodox Nath tradition has many sub-sects, but all honor Matsyendranath and Gorakshanath as the founders of the tradition.
The twelve traditional Natha Panthas
The Natha Sampradaya is traditionally divided into twelve streams or Panths. According to David Gordon White, these panthas were not really a subdivision of a monolithic order, but rather an amalgamation of separate groups descended from either Matsyendranath, Gorakshanath or one of their students.[3] According to the Shri Amrit Nath Ashram website, the twelve Natha Panthi are as follows:
- Satya natha
- Dharam natha
- Daria natha
- Ayi Panthia
- Vairaga kea
- Rama ke
- Kapilani
- Ganga nathi
- Mannathi
- Rawal ke
- Paava panth
- Paagala panthi
However, there have always been many more Natha sects than will conveniently fit into the twelve formal panths.[3] Thus less populous sannyasin sub-sects such as the Adinath Sampradaya or Nandinatha Sampradaya are typically either ignored or amalgamated into one or another of the formal panths.
Reference to the Adinath Sampradaya is pointed out by Rajmohan Nath (1964) in the following list of the twelve sub-sects:[5]
- Adinath
- Minanath
- Gorakhnath
- Khaparnath
- Satnath
- Balaknath
- Golaknath
- Birupakshanath
- Bhatriharinath
- Ainath
- Khecharanath
- Ramachandranath
Modern Natha lineages
The Chitrakut Math parampara, made famous in the modern times by Shri Madhavnath Maharaj is currently being led forward by Shri Mangalnath Maharaj, who succeeded Shri Madhavnath Maharaj and has a large following. Shri Mangalnath Maharaj has established a Machindranath temple and Ashram at Mitmita, near Aurangabad, Maharashtra.[citation needed]
However, it can be safely paraphrased from Shree Nath Deepa-Prakash (Preface ;line14;7th edition) which directly contradicts the above statement. On 15th May' 1935 the Padukas of Maharaj were consecrated at Indore temple. On that occasion, he was questioned on appointment of a successor to carry forward the work of Nath Paramapara, he instantly replied "Nobody has given me this position, nor will I leave it for anyone." He further stated that a trust be formed to look after the Nath-Karya.
Initiation
The Natha Sampradaya is an initiatory Guru-shishya tradition. Membership in the sampradaya is always conferred by initiation (diksha) by a diksha-guru—either the lineage-holder or another member of the sampradaya whose ability to initiate has been recognized by his diksha-guru.
The aims of the Nathas
According to Paul Eduardo Muller-Ortega, the primary aim of the ancient Nath Siddhas was to achieve liberation or jivan-mukti during their current lifespan.[6]
See also
Concepts
Sub-sects
Legendary Naths
Past teachers
Living teachers
Notes
- ^ Deshpande, M.N. (1986). The Caves of Panhale-Kaji. New Delhi: Archaeological Survey of India, Government of India.
- ^ a b Mahendranath (1990), Notes on Pagan India
- ^ a b c d e f White, David Gordon (1996). The Alchemical Body. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
- ^ Shenoy, Gopalkrishna. Discipleship
- ^ Bandyopadhyay, P. K. (1992). Natha Cult and Mahanad. page 73, Delhi, India: B.R. Publishing Corporation.
- ^ Muller-Ortega, Paul Eduardo (1989). The Triadic Heart of Shiva. Albany, NY: State University of New York Press.
- ^ Shirvaikar, V. V. Yogiraj Shri Shankar Maharaj
- ^ Nath
References
Nathas' Temples in India
External links
