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NathaSampradaya
Great
epics like Padma, Skanda, Shiva and Bramhand
Puranas, books on Tantra such as Tantra
Mahanarva, Brahadaranyak Upnishads and other
ancient scriptures have well described stories of Guru
Gorakshnath.
Goraksh
Nath ji taught the world how to develop and realize the super powers existing
in the human mind and body through yogic practices. He was the
originator of hatha yoga and initiated the process of teaching it to the
mankind to improve the mind and body, thoughts and actions, focused on leading
a better quality of life, to save them from terrible diseases and
misfortunes. For the welfare of humanity, he preached yoga through
all ages.
To maintain the
tradition of Guru-Sishya relationship, Goraksh nath became the disciple of
Baba Shri Matsyendra Nath ji.
Till eternity they clear all the doubts arising in a yogis mind
through the medium of question- answers between the guru and the disciple. Gorakh Bodh, a book written by
Goraksh Nath is an example. He wrote many books on the subject of yoga in
Sanskrit language.
Many have been published and many manuscripts still remain with the
yogis at their ashrams.
Impressed by
his super human feats and teachings, many kings became his
disciples. They gave up all the luxuries in life and became completely
devoted towards sadhana for the betterment of humanity. After performing
many austerities and penance, they mastered yoga and gained various Sidhis. They
attained sainthood and performed extraordinary deeds during their life times.
The
present form and rules set in the Nath Sampradaya is supposed to be 200 years
before Lord Shankaracharya’s birth. This is mentioned in the Hindu epic
Shankar Digvijay.
Gorakshnath
ji propagated the science of yoga by initiating Nav-Naths and 84
Sidhas on this path. The famous Nav-Naths of the Nath
Sampradaya are:
1. Goraksh
nath ji
2. Matsendra
nath ji
3. Chourangi
nath ji
4. Gyan
nath ji
5. Jalebi
nath ji
6. Achal
nath ji
7. Santosh
nath ji
8. Uday
nath ji
9. Omkar
nath ji
The
Barah Panth or the 12 sects in
the Nath Sampradaya are:
Satya nath
Dharam nath
Daria nath,
Ayi Panthi,
Vairaag ke
Ram ke,
Kapilani,
Ganga nathi
Mannathi,
Rawal ke
Paav panth
Paagal panthi.
There
are no major differences in the traditions and principles of these 12 sects.
A
disciple has mainly three Gurus in this Sampradaya:
Choti
Guru- The guru intiates the disciple in the Nath Sampradaya by
formally cutting some of his hair and granting the disciple symbolic saffron
clothes of the Sadhu asking him to follow the discipline of always
having self-control over all his senses.
There after
the disciple shaves his head completely and always wears saffron.
Chira
Guru- Is the Guru who tears the cartilage of his disciple’s ears with
a sharp knife. There after a disciple always wears kundals in his
ears.
Mantra
Guru or Updesh Guru- The Guru teaches the secret mantra and
gives all the knowledge and protection to his disciple. There after the
disciple promises to follow the Guru’s teaching and fulfils all his commands
till the end of his life.
Sri Guru
Goraksh nath ji made the piercing of the cartilage of the ear to wear the
Kundals popular in the Sadhus. Flat, large hoop rings made of earth,
gold, bone, horn of rhino (now even plastic) etc. are worn all the time by the
nath sadhus. This confirms the complete dedication and determination in
the disciple. To check the sense of deep detachment and the power to
bear pain, Goraksh Nath ji established this tradition as a test for his
followers and disciples. The disciples who remain as monks without
wearing their Kundals or Darshans, are called “Oghad” or half a Sadhu.
They are shown less respect accordingly.
The Nath
sadhu calls the name “Alakh” when they go for alms (bhiksha)
or when they meditate. Alakh meaning, invisible, imperceptible ultimate
spirit of the universe, this is another title of Lord Shiva. They greet
each other by calling out “Adesh” literally meaning, “will do as
you command”.
Nath
yogis wear Janeu (sacred threads) around their neck, which is called
“Singi-Seli”.
This
Janeu is made of 16 threads of black sheep wool. Each thread is woven
delicately by spinning eight threads of raw wool by hand. The total
length of a janeu is 18 feet. There is a Singh- Naad attached to
one end of the Janeu. This whistle is blown as salutations while bowing
in front of the Samadhis or owns own Guru or superior. There is a
small ring called Pavitri and a Rudraksha bead joined to this Naad.
While wearing the Janeu, the Naad ideally rests at the navel of the yogi.
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