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| :''This article is about a modern householder Nath sect.'' | |||
| The Sanskrit word '''Nath''' is the proper name of an initiatory ] tradition and literally means Lord, Protector, a Refuge. The Sanskrit term ] means first or original Lord, and is therefore a synonym for ], ], or ], and beyond these mental concepts, the Supreme Absolute Reality as the originator of all things. | The Sanskrit word '''Nath''' is the proper name of an initiatory ] tradition and literally means Lord, Protector, a Refuge. The Sanskrit term ] means first or original Lord, and is therefore a synonym for ], ], or ], and beyond these mental concepts, the Supreme Absolute Reality as the originator of all things. | ||
| ==The Nath Sampradaya== | |||
| The '''Natha Tradition''' is a heterodox ] tradition containing many sub-sects. It was founded by ], and further developed by ]. These two individuals are also revered in ] as ]s (Supremely Accomplished Beings) and are credited with great powers. | |||
| The Nath tradition (Sampradaya) is a timeless lineage of spiritual masters, connected with Infinite Consciousness through the greatest Yogi of all ages, Babaji Gorakshanath, (the same introduced in Yogananda's Autobiography of a Yogi). These ancient yogis discovered that the secret of cosmic consciousness is intimately linked with breath mastery. The life force, which is ordinarily used for bodily functions, can be channeled for higher activities by a method of calming and stilling the ceaseless demands of the breath. | |||
| As we peer into the akashic records of the misty past, we get a glimpse of the lineage of the Nath Yogis. It began from Adi Nath, Lord Shiva himself, who gave it to his consort, Parvati Nath. She gave it to Shanmuk Nath, Ganesh and Nandi Nath. | |||
| Then Lord Krishna as Vishnu initiated Lord Vivasvat, the Spirit of our sun. The lineage was later guarded by the kings of the solar dynasty. Then Vaivasvat Manu, King Ikshavaku down to Harishchandra, then to Lord RaghuNath (Rama), 47th in descent from Ikshavaku (He is the 8th Rudra, esoterically connected with Shiv Goraksha Babaji). | |||
| It is through this grand lineage of the Nath Yogis that the royal science of Kriya Yoga has been preserved and handed down through the corridors of time by the ever living Shiv Goraksha Babaji. | |||
| ] is descended from the solar Dynasty of Ikshavaku Ram. His spiritual lineage is also from the same source - blessed by Shiv-Gorakshanath Babaji ] to spread this Divine science of Shiva Shakti Kriya Yoga in the East and West. | |||
| The Nath 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 Gorakhnath and Matsyendranath as their originators and supreme Masters. | |||
| ==The Nath Initiation== | ==The Nath Initiation== | ||
Revision as of 06:44, 4 March 2006
The Sanskrit word Nath is the proper name of an initiatory siddha tradition and literally means Lord, Protector, a Refuge. The Sanskrit term Adinath means first or original Lord, and is therefore a synonym for Shiva, Mahadeva, or Maheshvara, and beyond these mental concepts, the Supreme Absolute Reality as the originator of all things.
The Nath Sampradaya
The Nath tradition (Sampradaya) is a timeless lineage of spiritual masters, connected with Infinite Consciousness through the greatest Yogi of all ages, Babaji Gorakshanath, (the same introduced in Yogananda's Autobiography of a Yogi). These ancient yogis discovered that the secret of cosmic consciousness is intimately linked with breath mastery. The life force, which is ordinarily used for bodily functions, can be channeled for higher activities by a method of calming and stilling the ceaseless demands of the breath.
As we peer into the akashic records of the misty past, we get a glimpse of the lineage of the Nath Yogis. It began from Adi Nath, Lord Shiva himself, who gave it to his consort, Parvati Nath. She gave it to Shanmuk Nath, Ganesh and Nandi Nath.
Then Lord Krishna as Vishnu initiated Lord Vivasvat, the Spirit of our sun. The lineage was later guarded by the kings of the solar dynasty. Then Vaivasvat Manu, King Ikshavaku down to Harishchandra, then to Lord RaghuNath (Rama), 47th in descent from Ikshavaku (He is the 8th Rudra, esoterically connected with Shiv Goraksha Babaji).
It is through this grand lineage of the Nath Yogis that the royal science of Kriya Yoga has been preserved and handed down through the corridors of time by the ever living Shiv Goraksha Babaji.
Yogiraj Gurunath Siddhanath is descended from the solar Dynasty of Ikshavaku Ram. His spiritual lineage is also from the same source - blessed by Shiv-Gorakshanath Babaji Mahavatar Babaji to spread this Divine science of Shiva Shakti Kriya Yoga in the East and West.
The Nath 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 Gorakhnath and Matsyendranath as their originators and supreme Masters.
The Nath Initiation
The Nath initiation is conducted inside a formal ceremony in which some portion of the awareness and spritual energy (Shakti) of the Guru is transmitted to the Neophyte. The Neophyte, now a Nath, is generally also given a new Name with which to support their new identity. This transmission or "touch'" of the Guru is symbolically fixed by the application of ash to several parts of the body.
In The Phantastikos, Shri Gurudev Mahendranath, the final Guru of the Adinath tradition, wrote,
- "The passage of wisdom and knowledge through the generations required the mystic magick phenomenon of initiation, which is valid to this day in the initiation transmission from naked guru to naked novice by touch, mark, and mantra. In this simple rite, the initiator passes something of himself to the one initiated. This initiation is the start of the transformation of the new Natha. It must not be overlooked that this initiation has been passed on in one unbroken line for thousands of years. Once you receive the Nath initiation, it is yours throughout life. No one can take it from you, and you yourself can never renounce it. This is the most permanent thing in an impermanent life."
The Aims of the Naths
In The Magick Path of Tantra, Shri Gurudev Mahendranath wrote,
- "The Nath Tantriks value the development of the three super-psychic faculties of Insight, Intuition, and Imagination. These three super-faculties or master powers also enable them to create their own texts, mantras, and rituals, all having utility and being in harmony with Cosmic Law. The faculties of Insight, Intuition, and Imagination are the building blocks on which we build our occult world and magick way of life.
- "The Tantra or Nath way of life can best be described as a state of mind. In no way can it be mistaken for an agglomeration of rules, morals, or prohibitions. It assumes that human beings can and want to live without them. Even when it advises you to do or not to do something, it is not a rule but a guideline to spare you trouble and pain. But you are still free to do and think as you wish.
- "Of course, our way of life has many physical aspects, but our minds still determine the success or pleasure of an act. Our life should have a plan and purpose, since most people blunder their way through life and generate misery for themselves and for others too. Our aims in life are to enjoy peace, freedom, and happiness in this life, but also to avoid rebirth onto this Earth plane. All this depends not on divine benevolence, but on the way we ourselves think and act."
See also
References
- 💕 of Thelema. Nath. Retrieved March 5, 2005.
- Adityanath (2002). Nath FAQ. Retrieved Oct. 20, 2004.
- Mahendranath, Shri Gurudev. The Magick Path of Tantra. Retrieved Oct. 20, 2004.
- Mahendranath, Shri Gurudev. The Phantastikos. Retrieved Oct. 20, 2004.