1. Goraksha 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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