Origin of nath-a history of spiritual path Dr. Srivastava Shreesh Chandra* Assistant Professor Department of History, Dhanraj Kunwar Girls Degree College, Pratatpgarh, Uttar Pradesh, India *Email: shreesh.lko@gmail.com
Online published on 6 October, 2020. Abstract The foundation of Shiva and yoga settled in India from the prehistoric age. At the very commencement of her recorded history the Vedic society was covered with spiritual and psychological symbols. The Munees of that age were spiritual prophets. In fact, Indian Dharma followed three courses Vedic, Buddhistic and Jaina. Nathyoga is purely Vedic. The Buddhist scriptures are bound with Yoga culture. The names of seventeen Tirthankaras, out of twenty-four, are seen endowed with the title Naths, Others take Prebhu, Deva and Pujya as their surnames. The Nathayogi Gurus also did the same. Samadhi with renunciation was their moksa. In this respect there is to some extent a similarity between the Nathayogis and the Jainas. But the Nathayogis are cent percent Yedists and theists while the Jainas are Non-Vedist and atheist. The first phase of Nathayoga dharma of Bengal was worshiped by at least two outstanding Nathayogi Gurus. They were Adi Nath and Matsyendra Nath. Contemporary to Matsyendra Nath, Goraksa Nath tops the list in name and fame. His span of life is divided into four parts the 14th century A.D. earlier than the 12th century A.D. from the 8th century A.D. to the 9th century A.D. at the beginning of the 11th century A.D. Some historical accounts showed that Goraksa Nath became a prominent religious mendicant in the 10th century A.D. The second phase of Nathayoga dharma falls within the 8th century A.D. and the 10th century A.D. when the Palas ruled in Vanga. In that social condition the Nathayogis successfully contested with the Brahmins as their origin was in no way-inferior to that of the Brahmins. It was known from Ananda Bhattas Vallalacharitram (e.1510 A.D.) that the Nathayogis were honoured as Rudraja Brahmins in Gouda-Vanga and in Trikallinga during the 11th century A.D. and the 12th century A.D. Top Keywords Shaiva, Yoga, Padmasana, Ashrama, Nathyogi, Sidhha. Top |