YOU ARE THAT: NAVNATH SAMPRADAYA

Hinduism comprises numerous sects, creeds and cults and the origin of most of them is lost in antiquity. The Nath Sampradaya, later known as Navnath Sampradaya is one of them. Some scholars are of the view that this sect originated with the teachings of the mystical rishi Dattatreya, who is believed to be a combined incarnation of the holy trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. The unique spiritual attainments of this legendary figure are mentioned in the Bhagavata Purana, the Mahabharata and also in some later Upanishads. Others hold that it is an offshoot of the Hatha Yoga.

Whatever be its origin, the teachings of the Nath Sampradaya have over the centuries become confused and complex and have assumed different forms in different parts of India. Some Gurus of the Sampradaya lay stress on Bhakti (Devotion), others in Jnana (Knowledge), still others on Yoga, the Union with the Ultimate. Svatmarama Swami, through his work "Hatha Yoga Pradipika" lit the lamp to dispel the darkness arising out of multiplicity of opinions.

According to some learned commentators, the Nath gurus propound that the entire creation is born of Nada (Sound) the divine principle, and Bindu (Light) the physical principle and the Supreme Reality from which these two principles emanate in Shiva. Liberation according to them is merging of the soul into Shiva through the process of laya, dissolution of the human ego, the sense of "I"-ness.

Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj, though belongs to Navnath Sampradaya, said that it is just a tradition, a way of teaching and practice. It does not denote a level of consciousness. If you accept a Navnath Sampradaya teacher as your guru, yo ignorance o=u join his Sampradaya. Your belonging is a matter of your own feeling and conviction. After all, it is all verbal and formal.

In reality, there is neither guru nor disciple, neither theory nor practice, neither nor realization. It all depends on what you take yourself to be. Know yourself correctly. There is no substitute to Self-Knowledge.

The teachings of Nath Sampradaya offers the Seeker the royal road to liberation, a road in which all the four by-lanes of 'Bhakti, Jnana, Karma and Dhyana seem to unite. Adhinath Bhairava, said to be a manifestation of Lord Shiva, in his hagiography entitled Nathlingamrita, claims that the path shown by the Nath sect is the best of all and it leads to direct Liberation.

(Pleaseclick here for a detailed exposition of the subject.)