Yoga and the Nath Sampradaya
The success of this (Natha) sect was partly due to
the fact that its teachers did not recognise caste barriers, and their
teachings were adopted by outcastes and kings alike." -
Encyclopedic Dictionary of Yoga, Georg Feuerstein.
The heterodox Natha tradition has many sub-sects but all
honour Gorakhnath and Matsyendranath as their originators. Here you will
find original material, translations and other works relating to this
pan-Indian tradition.
The Nathas are believed to be the descendants of
earlier cults including the Pashupatas, Kapalikas and Siddhas. They were
also intimately connected with the alchemical tradition of Rasayana.
There is much more information on this site about the Nath tradition.
The
Adinatha Tradition. Discover more about the Nath sect of yogis and
yoginis. HH Shri Mahendranatha Paramahamsha Dadaji was the 23rd Adiguru
of this tradition. The Nathas are still active to this day. See the eight lotus chakra system
of the Kaulas.
Kaula
Jnana Nirnaya. English translation of chapter three of this
important tantra, attributed to Siddha Matsyendranath.
Ecstasy, Equipoise and Eternity. Written by Mahendranath (Dadaji),
explores the origins of the Nathas and their relationship to freedom.
Dattatreya. Written by Mahendranath (Dadaji), covers the great guru
of the Nathas and includes valuable material on sama, samarasa and
pratibha.
The
Naked Saints of India. Written by Mahendranath (Dadaji), and covers
the ancient tradition of the naked Indian sadhus.
Dadaji Dhuniwala. Another article by Mahendranath (Dadaji); a
fascinating account of Indian sadhu life.
The Yoga Vishaya.
Attributed to Minanath (Matsyendranath), this short work deals
succinctly with guru, disciple, path, chakras and the Hamsa 21,600
mantra.
The
Gorakh Shataka. An ancient text of the Natha tradition, written in
the form of a dialogue between Gorakh (Gorakshanath) and Macchendra
(Matsyendranath).
Analysis of the Siddha Siddhanta Paddhati by Gorakhnath. This is an
important work of the Nathas. It covers the different parts of the
psycho-physical organism, shows the relationship between the microcosm
and the macrocosm, and the importance of the guru to the tradition. Also
view here the remarkable story of the current Nepalese one rupee coin
and how it connects to the Nath tradition.
