Nath

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Revision as of 14:27, 21 Oct 2004

The Sanskrit word Nath 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 Natha 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 magicians) and are credited with great powers.

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 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. Once you receive it you can pass it on to some other worthy person. And so, peace, freedom, and happiness can enter the lives of other people."

References

Adityanath (2002). Nath FAQ (http://www.mahendranath.org/faq.mhtml). Retrieved Oct. 20, 2004.
Mahendranath, Shri Gurudev. The Phantastikos (http://www.mahendranath.org/phantastikos.mhtml). Retrieved Oct. 20, 2004.

Retrieved from "http://thelemapedia.org/index.php/Nath"

 The '''Natha 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 [[Mahasiddha]]s (great magicians) and are credited with great powers.
+==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]] 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. Once you receive it you can pass it on to some other worthy person. And so, peace, freedom, and happiness can enter the lives of other people."
 ==References==
 *Adityanath (2002). [http://www.mahendranath.org/faq.mhtml Nath FAQ]. Retrieved Oct. 20, 2004.
+*Mahendranath, Shri Gurudev. [http://www.mahendranath.org/phantastikos.mhtml The Phantastikos]. Retrieved Oct. 20, 2004.