A Wisdom Archive on Natha

Natha: (Sanskrit) "Master, lord; adept."
 
Names an ancient Himalayan tradition of Saiva-yoga mysticism, whose first historically known exponent was Nandikeshvara (ca 250 bce). Natha - Self-Realized adept - designates the extraordinary ascetic masters (or devotees) of this school. Through their practice of siddha yoga they have attained tremendous powers, siddhis, and are sometimes referred to as siddha yogis (accomplished or fully enlightened ones). The words of such beings naturally penetrate deeply into the psyche of their devotees, causing mystical awakenings. Like all tantrics, Nathas have refused to recognize caste distinctions in spiritual pursuits. Their satgurus initiate from the lowest to the highest, according to spiritual worthiness. Natha also refers to any follower of the Natha tradition. The Nathas are considered the source of hatha as well as raja yoga.
See: Kailasa Parampara, Natha Sampradaya, siddha yoga.

(See also: Natha, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul )

For more dictionary entries, see » Natha Dictionary

Siddha Siddhanta: (Sanskrit) Siddha Siddhanta, also called Gorakhnatha Saivism, is generally considered to have come in the lineage of the earlier ascetic orders of India. Its most well-known preceptor was Gorakshanatha (ca 1000) a disciple of Matsyendranatha, patron saint of Nepal, revered by certain esoteric Buddhist schools as well as by Hindus.
 
The school systematized and developed the practice of hatha yoga to a remarkable degree. Indeed, nearly all of what is today taught about hatha yoga comes from this school. Among its central texts are Hatha Yoga Pradipika by Svatmarama, Gheranda Samhita, Siva Samhita and Jnanamrita. Siddha Siddhanta theology embraces both transcendent Siva (being) and immanent Siva (becoming). Siva is both the efficient and material cause of the universe. Devotion is expressed through temple worship and pilgrimage, with the central focus on internal worship and kundalini yoga, with the goal of realizing Parasamvid, the supreme transcendent state of Siva.
 
Today there are perhaps 750,000 adherents of Siddha Siddhanta Saivism, who are often understood as Shaktas or advaita tantrics. The school fans out through India, but is most prominent in North India and Nepal. Devotees are called yogis, and stress is placed on world renunciation - even for householders. This sect is also most commonly known as Natha, the Gorakshapantha and Siddha Yogi Sampradaya. Other names include Adinatha Sampradaya, Nathamatha and Siddhamarga.
See: Gorakshanatha.

(See also: Siddha Siddhanta, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul )

For more dictionary entries, see » Natha Dictionary

Natha (Sanskrit) [from nath to be master]
 
Lord, protector; title of gods and men, as Badrinatha (lord of mountains), a famous place of pilgrimage; and Gopinatha (lord of the shepherdesses), of Krishna.

 
(See also: Natha, Mysticism, )

For more dictionary entries, see » Natha Dictionary

Natha:
 
Natha ("lord"): appellation of many North Indian masters of yoga, in particular adepts of the Kanphata ("Split-ear") school allegedly founded by Goraksha

 
(See also: Natha, Yoga, )

For more dictionary entries, see » Natha Dictionary

Natha Sampradaya: (Sanskrit) "Transmitted doctrine (or theology) of the masters."
 
Sampradaya means a living stream of tradition or theology. Natha Sampradaya is a philosophical and yogic tradition of Saivism whose origins are unknown. This oldest of Saivite sampradayas existing today consists of two major streams: the Nandinatha and the Adinatha. The Nandinatha Sampradaya has had as exemplars Maharishi Nandinatha and his disciples: Patanjali (author of the Yoga Sutras) and Tirumular (author of Tirumantiram). Among its representatives today are the successive siddhars of the Kailasa Parampara. The Adinatha lineage's known exemplars are Maharishi Adinatha, Matsyendranatha and Gorakshanatha, who founded a well-known order of yogis.
See: Kailasa Parampara, Natha, Saivism, sampradaya.

(See also: Natha Sampradaya, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul )

For more dictionary entries, see » Natha Dictionary

Natha Matha: (Sanskrit) "Adepts' monastery." As a proper noun, a synonym for Siddha Siddhanta.
See: Siddha Siddhanta.

(See also: Natha Matha, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul )

For more dictionary entries, see » Natha Dictionary

Jagan-Natha (Sanskrit). Lit., "Lord of the World", a title of Vishnu. The great image of Jagan-natha on its car, commonly pronounced and spelt Jagernath. The idol is that of Vishnu Krishna. Puri, near the town of Cuttack in Orissa, is the great seat of its worship; and twice a year an immense number of pilgrims attend the festivals of the Snana yatra and Ratha-atra During the first, the image is bathed, and during the second it is placed on a car, between the images of Balarama the brother, and Subhadra the sister of Krishna and the huge vehicle is drawn by the devotees, who deem it felicity to be crushed to death under it.

 
(See also: Jagan-Natha, Theosophy, Spirituality, Body mind and Soul,  )

For more dictionary entries, see » Natha Dictionary

Vaikuntha-natha
Narayana, “the Lord of Vaikuntha.”
Vaikunthanatha
Lord of Vaikuntha.

 
(See also: Vaikuntha-natha, Bhakti, Bhakti Yoga, Body Mind and Soul )

For more dictionary entries, see » Natha Dictionary

Adi-natha (Sanskrit). The "first" Lord" - Adi "first" (masc.), natha "Lord".

 
(See also: Adi-natha, Theosophy, Spirituality, Body mind and Soul,  )

For more dictionary entries, see » Natha Dictionary

Prana-natha - literally means the Lord of one’s life, but it carries the sense of one who is infinitely more dear than life itself.

 
(See also: Prana-natha, Bhakti, Bhakti Yoga, Body Mind and Soul )

For more dictionary entries, see » Natha Dictionary