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Natha, also called Nath (Sanskrit: नाथसम्प्रदाय, romanized: Nāthasaṃpradāya), are a Shaiva sub-tradition within Hinduism in India and Nepal.[1][2] A medieval movement, it combined ideas from Buddhism, Shaivism and Yoga traditions of the Indian subcontinent.[3] The Naths have been a confederation of devotees who consider Shiva as their first lord or guru, with varying lists of additional gurus.[1][4] Of these, the 9th or 10th century Matsyendranatha and the ideas and organization mainly developed by Gorakhnath are particularly important. Gorakhnath is considered the originator of the Nath Panth.[4]
The Nath tradition has an extensive Shaivism-related theological literature of its own, most of which is traceable to the 11th century CE or later.[5] However, its roots are in a far more ancient Siddha tradition.[1][6] A notable aspect of Nath tradition practice has been its refinements and use of Yoga, particularly Hatha Yoga, to transform one's body into a sahaja siddha state of an awakened self’s identity with absolute reality. An accomplished guru, that is, a yoga and spiritual guide, is considered essential,[3] and the Nath tradition has historically been known for its esoteric and heterodox practices.[4][7]
The unconventional ways of the Nath tradition challenged all orthodox premises, exploring dark and shunned practices of society as a means to understanding theology and gaining inner powers.[8] They formed monastic organizations, itinerant groups that walked great distances to sacred sites and festivals such as the Kumbh Mela as a part of their spiritual practice. The Nath also have a large settled householder tradition in parallel to its monastic groups.[5] Some of them metamorphosed into warrior ascetics during the Islamic rule of the Indian subcontinent.[9][10][11]
The Nath tradition was influenced by other Indian traditions such as Advaita Vedanta monism,[12] and in turn influenced it as well as movements within Vaishnavism, Shaktism and Bhakti movement through saints such as Kabir and Namdev.[13][14][15][16]
- ^ a b c Jones & Ryan 2006, p. 308
- ^ Nesbitt 2014, pp. 360–361
- ^ a b Natha: Indian religious sect, Encyclopedia Britannica (2007)
- ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference
Mallinson_2011_p407-428was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b Mallinson 2012, pp. 407–421.
- ^ Muller-Ortega 2010, pp. 36–37.
- ^ Singleton 2010, pp. 27–39
- ^ Jones & Ryan 2006, pp. 169–170, 308.
- ^ Thapar 2008, pp. 165–166
- ^ Rigopoulos 1998, pp. 99–104, 218.
- ^ Lorenzen 1978, p. 61.
- ^ Lorenzen & Muñoz 2011, pp. 4–5
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
singleton28was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
beck117was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Lorenzen & Muñoz 2011, pp. xi–xii, 30, 47–48
- ^ Banerjea 1983, p. xxi.