Matsyendranath

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Matsyendranatha
मत्स्येन्द्रनाथ
মছেন্দ্রনাথ
मछिन्द्रनाथ
बुंग द्यः
Macchindranāth, Mīnanātha
Swami Machindranath Mitmita Mandir.gif
Matsyendranātha
Religion Hinduism
Sect Nath, Kaula shaivism
Founder of Nath, Hatha yoga
Philosophy Hatha yoga, Tantra
Personal
Born 10th century c.e
Bengal, Chandradweep Now in Barishal, Bangladesh. [1] [2]
According to other sources Kamarupa [3]
Disciple(s) Gorakshanath, Jalandharnath, Kanifnath (Kanhoba), Gahininath, Bhartrinath, Revan Nath, Charpatinath and Naganath
Kaulajnan-Nirnaya, Akul-Viratantra [1]

Matsyendranātha, Macchindranāth or Mīnanātha (c. early 10th century) was a saint and yogi in a number of Buddhist and Hindu traditions. He is traditionally considered the founder of hatha yoga as well as the author of some of its earliest texts. He is also seen as the founder of the natha sampradaya , having received the teachings from Shiva. [4] He is especially associated with kaula shaivism. [5] He is also one of the eighty-four mahasiddhas and considered the guru of Gorakshanath, another important figure in early hatha yoga. He is revered by both Hindus and Buddhists and is sometimes regarded as an incarnation of Avalokiteśvara.

Saint one who has been recognized for having an exceptional degree of holiness, sanctity, and virtue

A saint is a person who is recognized as having an exceptional degree of holiness or likeness or closeness to God. However, the use of the term "saint" depends on the context and denomination. In Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, Oriental Orthodox, and Lutheran doctrine, all of their faithful deceased in Heaven are considered to be saints, but some are considered worthy of greater honor or emulation; official ecclesiastical recognition, and consequently veneration, is given to some saints through the process of canonization in the Catholic Church or glorification in the Eastern Orthodox Church.

Yogi practitioner of Yoga

A yogi is a practitioner of yoga. In Vedic Sanskrit, yoga means "to add", "to join", "to unite", or "to attach" in its most common literal sense, whereas in recent days, especially in the West, yoga often means only the physical exercises of hatha yoga, the asanas. The term yogi is used broadly to refer to sannyasi or practitioners of meditation in a number of Indian religions. The feminine form is yogini, but is not always used, especially in the West.

Buddhism World religion, founded by the Buddha

Buddhism is the world's fourth-largest religion with over 520 million followers, or over 7% of the global population, known as Buddhists. Buddhism encompasses a variety of traditions, beliefs and spiritual practices largely based on original teachings attributed to the Buddha and resulting interpreted philosophies. Buddhism originated in ancient India as a Sramana tradition sometime between the 6th and 4th centuries BCE, spreading through much of Asia. Two major extant branches of Buddhism are generally recognized by scholars: Theravada and Mahayana.

Contents

Early life

Little is known about the life of Matsyendra: his son is Minanatha and he is also associated with Lui-Pa, all of whose names translate as 'Lord of the Fishes'. Legends vary in describing his birthplace. [6] Giuseppe Tucci states, on the authority of two Tibetan works - the Siddha (Wylie : grub thob) and Taranatha's "Possessing the Seven Transmissions" (Wylie : bka' babs bdun ldan) - that Matsyendranāth, who is seen in Tibet as an avatar of Avalokiteśvara, was a fisherman from Kamarupa. [3] [1] [7] [8] [9] Other sources give his birthplace as Bengal. [1] [2] The Newar people of Nepal claim his birthplace is Bungamati near Kathmandu. [10] He is mentioned in the Sabaratantra as one of the twenty-four Kapalika Siddhas. [3]

Giuseppe Tucci Italian orientalist

Giuseppe Tucci was an Italian Orientalist, Indologist and scholar of East Asian studies, specialised in Tibetan culture and history of Buddhism. During its zenith, Tucci was a supporter of Italian Fascism, and he used idealized portrayals of Asian traditions to support Italian ideological campaigns. Tucci was fluent in several European languages, Sanskrit, Bengali, Pali, Prakrit, Chinese and Tibetan and he taught at the University of Rome La Sapienza until his death. He is considered one of the founders of the field of Buddhist Studies.

Wylie transliteration

The Wylie transliteration system is a method for transliterating Tibetan script using only the letters available on a typical English language typewriter. It bears the name of Turrell V. Wylie, who described the scheme in an article, A Standard System of Tibetan Transcription, published in 1959. It has subsequently become a standard transliteration scheme in Tibetan studies, especially in the United States.

Taranatha Tibetan Lama

Tāranātha (1575–1634) was a Lama of the Jonang school of Tibetan Buddhism. He is widely considered its most remarkable scholar and exponent.

Legend

Legends tell that Matsyendra was born under an inauspicious star. This warranted his parents to throw the baby into the ocean. It is here that the baby was swallowed by a fish where he lived for many years. The fish swam to the bottom of the ocean where Shiva was imparting the secrets of yoga to his consort, Parvati. Upon overhearing the secrets of yoga, Matsyendra began to practice yoga sadhana inside the fish's belly. After twelve years he finally emerged as an enlightened Siddha. This is often given as the origin of his name 'Lord of the Fishes' or 'He Whose Lord is the Lord of the Fishes'. [11] Other versions of the legend exist, including one in which Matsyendra was born as a fish and turned into a Siddha by Shiva. [12] Tibetan renditions of the story tell of a fisherman turned Siddha named Mina who is eaten by a fish while working in the Bay of Bengal. [13] Some scholars draw parallels between this legend and the Biblical story of Jonah and the Whale. [14]

Shiva Hindu god, supreme being of the universe

Shiva also known as Mahadeva is one of the principal deities of Hinduism. He is the supreme being within Shaivism, one of the major traditions within contemporary Hinduism.

Parvati Hindu goddess

Parvati or Gauri is the Hindu goddess of fertility, love, beauty, marriage, children, and devotion; as well as of divine strength and power. Known by many other names, she is the gentle and nurturing aspect of the Supreme Hindu goddess Adi Parashakti and one of the central deities of the Goddess-oriented Shakta sect. She is the Mother goddess in Hinduism, and has many attributes and aspects. Each of her aspects is expressed with a different name, giving her over 100 names in regional Hindu stories of India. Along with Lakshmi and Saraswati, she forms the trinity of Hindu goddesses (Tridevi).

Siddha one who is accomplished in Indian tradition

Siddha is a term that is used widely in Indian religions and culture. It means "one who is accomplished". It refers to perfected masters who have achieved a high degree of physical as well as spiritual perfection or enlightenment. In Jainism, the term is used to refer the liberated souls. Siddha may also refer to one who has attained a siddhi, paranormal capabilities.

Another legend says that, when Gorakshanath visited Patan, he captured all the rain-showering serpents of Patan and started to meditate after he was disappointed by the locals as they did not grant him any alms on his request. As a result, Patan faced drought for a long time. The king of Patan, on the advice of his advisers, invited Matsyendranath, Gorakshanath's guru, to Patan. When Gorakshanath learned that his teacher was in Patan, he released all the rain showering serpents and went to see him. As soon as the rain showering serpents were set free, Patan again got plenty of rainfall every year. After that day, the locals of Patan worshiped Matsyendranath as the god of rain. [15] [16]


Yet another legend[ citation needed ] says, the Virya or Sperm of Brahma is responsible for birth of various saints and prophets on earth. The Brahma Virya is unlike human beings. It was said to fertilise any living form and carried within it the utmost principles and moral values. It fell on various parts of earth at the advent of Kali Yuga (i.e. age of machines in Hindu scriptures). It was decided so to spread moral values on earth by the Supreme Godhead, Brahma. The Virya fell into the mouth of a fish and it became pregnant. Once inside the egg, flowing through the river, the fish and egg inside reached to a secluded spot where Lord Rudra Shankar was teaching the principles of creation to Mother Parvati. When Parvati asked Shankara, "What is the base of all Illusionary Creation", an answer came from the Egg, "Brahma Tatva" or "God Element". Stumped by the right answer, Lord Shankara started looking into the river, and he saw the child inside the egg. He immediately recognised the child as "Kavi Narayan", the poetic Avatar of Lord Krishna or Hari. He then blessed the child and told him that he would give him the benediction once he was 12 years old. When its egg was fertilised, the fish was washed ashore on the banks of a sea in Maharashtra. A fisherman couple who had no child saw the egg being pecked by storks. As soon as the egg cracked the baby came out crying loudly. The fisher man then realised this miracle and with compassion in his mind, took the baby home. The baby was named Machhindranath - Macch (meaning) fish, Indra means (God Indra) Nath (meaning) Lord - thus lord of the Sea Fish. Machhindranath grew up to be compassionate, aloof from material things. His fisherman foster father insulted him once over throwing caught fish back into water. He said to him that he would become a beggar if he didn't know how to make a living. The enlightened child judged it better to beg and eat sinless food then to make a sinful living in killing. After that Machhindranath ran away from home and went to Badrinath and meditated there living on fruits and water for 12 years continuously. What remained out of him was his skin sucked-up to his skeleton. Then he was greeted by Lord Datta and Lord Shiva (Rudra) and taught all mystics of warfare and miracles which he used for uplifting mankind and saving them from evil that Kali Yuga has spread. From then on, Machhindranath became a Siddha who could see Time from Time Beginning till Time End.

Kali Yuga in Hinduism is the last of the four stages the world goes through as part of a 'cycle of yugas' described in the Sanskrit scriptures. The other ages are called Satya Yuga, Treta Yuga, and Dvapara Yuga. Kali Yuga is associated with the demon Kali. The "Kali" of Kali Yuga means "strife", "discord", "quarrel" or "contention". According to Puranic sources, Krishna's departure marks the end of Dvapara Yuga and the start of Kali Yuga, which is dated to 17/18 February 3102 BCE.

Works

Matsyendra is credited with composing Hatha and Tantric works such as the Kaulajñānanirnāya ("Discussion of the Knowledge Pertaining to the Kaula Tradition"), [17] the Matsyendrasamhita and "Akula-Viratantra", some of the earliest texts on hatha yoga in Sanskrit in the eleventh century. [1] James Mallinson, Alexis Sanderson, David Gordon White and others theorize that many works were attributed to him posthumously. [18] [19]

Hatha yoga branch of yoga, focusing on physical techniques

Haṭha yoga is a branch of the south Asian tradition of yoga practice. The Sanskrit word हठ haṭha literally means "force" and thus alludes to a system of physical techniques.

Alexis G. J. S. Sanderson is an indologist and Fellow of All Souls College at the University of Oxford.

David Gordon White is an American Indologist.

Disciples

Matsyendranath is typically listed as having eight disciples. The list of his disciples varies between different temples and lineages, [20] but commonly includes Gorakshanath, Jalandharnath, Kanifnath (Kanhoba), Gahininath, Bhartrinath, Revan Nath, Charpatinath and Naganath. Along with Matsyendranath, they are called the Navnath. [21] While Gorkshanath is generally considered a direct disciple of Matsyendranath, it is likely they lived hundreds of years apart. [19]

Matsyendranath in Nepal

Miniature statue of Macchindranath (Bunga Dyah) Bunga dyah statue.jpg
Miniature statue of Macchindranāth (Bunga Dyah)

Macchindranāth (or Bunga Dyah in Newari) is a god of rain worshiped by both Hindus and Buddhists in Nepal. Hindus regard him as an incarnation of Shiva while Buddhists regard him as an incarnation of Avalokiteśvara. The temple of Macchindranāth lies in the southern part of the Patan Durbar Square since 1673. [22]

Rato Matsyendranath of Patan, Nepal

Rato Machhindranath Temple Rato Machhindranath Temple, Patan, Lalitpur 02.jpg
Rato Machhindranath Temple

Hyangu (red) Macchindranath temple also known as Temple of Bunga: Dyaa: as it resides in Bungamati and also in Patan, [23] also known as the Rato Macchindranath Temple, is one of the oldest Matsyendranath temples, dating back from the 16th century. [24] It lies in the southern part of the Patan Durbar Square. Each of the four well-crafted wooden doors of this temple is guarded by two lion figures while the four corners of the temple are guarded by khyah, a yeti-like figure. [22] The murti of Rato Macchindranath (Matsyendranath) spends six months of the year in this temple. The village of Bungamati, regarded in Nepal as the birthplace of Matsyendranath, is a traditional Newar town located 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) from downtown Kathmandu. The temple of Rato Macchindranath is located in the heart of this village and it is known as his second home. [24] After the chariot festival, Rato Macchindranath spends the next six month in this temple.

Seto Matsyendranath of Kathmandu, Nepal
Toyu (white) Macchindranath temple also known as JanaBaha: Dyaa: as it resides in JanaBaha: in Kathmandu in another important Macchindranath temple in Nepal. White Machhindranath(Matsyendranath) is also known as Jana-baha Dyo since the temple is located at Jana Baha(Bahal). [25]
Bhote Jatra (भोटे जात्रा)/ Chariot Festival

Rato Macchindranath Chariot at Patan, Nepal Rato Macchindranath Chariot.jpg
Rato Macchindranath Chariot at Patan, Nepal
Showing the vest to the crowds Bhoto jatra.jpg
Showing the vest to the crowds

The most important event connected with the deity is the annual chariot procession known as Bunga Dyah Jatra or Rato Macchindranath Jatra. Each year, the locals of Patan, Lalitpur celebrate the festival in order to show respect to the rain god. This festival is one of the oldest and the longest festival celebrated in Patan and is celebrated in April–May. [15] [26]

It is celebrated just before the monsoon season starts so that the city will get plenty rainfall for good growth of crops. During the procession, the image of Bunga Dyah is placed on a tall chariot about 65 feet high and pulled in stages through the streets of Patan for a month.

Before the chariot festival starts the ritual of Mahasnana is conducted in an auspicious hour as indicated by the astrologers about 15 days before the chariot festival. The deity is taken to a platform at Lagankhel which is about 200 meters away from the temple of Machindranath at Ta: bahal Lalitpur. There in front of a huge crowd, the god is given a bath with the sacred water mixture of honey, milk, and water fetched by the panejus or priests in the four silver kalasa(vessel). The four priests then pour the sacred water or jal from four directions in the platform to the deity and it is believed that from whichever direction 1st the jal touches the deity from the same direction monsoon will start or first rain will be granted.

After the mahasnana, the repairs are done to the idol of the deity if required and the new face is painted. After the face painting is over various ritual are performed to the deity-like Bareychukegu; Ihi; Bara tyegu as done to a human and at the end Dashakarma vidhi is performed. While these all are going to the temple premises, the chariot or ratha is made at Pulchowk by the Barahi and Yawal clans, amongst which one only does the rope work and other only the woodwork. In the construction of the chariot, no nails are used to connect the joints of the huge chariot but are only tied with ropes and veds. The only part that uses an iron to hold are the four wheels. After the construction is finished the deity is ascended in the divine vehicle i.e. 3 days before the pulling of the chariot.

The route of the chariot procession starts at Pulchwok and passes through Gabahal, Sundhara, Lagankhel and ends at Jawalakhel.Previously the festival was called the festival of three states viz. Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Lalitpur as the deity was brought by the alliance of these three states. So, previously the 1st day of the festival was to be carried on by people of Kathmandu then by Bhaktapur and then 3rd by Lalitpur, and on last day all three sister cities come together for Jawalakhel Jatra with other nearby city people from Kirtipur and others from the valley. [15]

After the chariot reached Jawalakhel, this festival concludes with Bhoto Jatra, which literally means "vest festival". During the ceremony, a government official holds up a sacred jewel-studded black vest from the four sides of the chariot so that all the people gathered around can have a look at it. [27]

After the festival, the chariot is dismantled and Rato Macchindranath is taken to a temple in the nearby village of Bungamati, also known as the second home of the rain god. Rato Macchindranath spends the next six months in that temple. [28]

Matseyendranath Temples

In the Dasam Granth , Guru Gobind Singh narrated a huge discourse between Matsyendra Nath and Paras Nath on Intuitive (Bibek) and Non-Intuitive Mind (Abibek). Parasnatha subdued kings of the world and turned egoistic, and was broken by Matsyendranatha's spiritual preachings. This granth is regarded among Spiritual warriors of Khalsa Panths called Nihang Singhs.[ citation needed ]

There are a few films about this legend in Indian cinema.

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Suhas Chatterjee (1998), Indian Civilization and Culture, P.441 Vajrayana Buddhist cult flourished in Kamarupa in the 10th century. It is locally known as Sahajia cult. The celebrated Buddhist monk Minannatha of Tibet happeneed to be a son of a fisherman of Kamarupa. However, some scholars say that Minanatha was a native of Bengal. Another monk in Tibet, Rahula was an Assamese from Kamarupa. Akulaviratantra, a text on tantra worship was compiled by Minanatha.
  2. 1 2 Feuerstein, Georg (2013-09-11). The Yoga Tradition: Its History, Literature, Philosophy and Practice (Kindle Locations 12785-12786). Hohm Press. Kindle Edition. "Hindu tradition associates the creation of Hatha- Yoga with Goraksha Nâtha (Hindi: Gorakhnâth) and his teacher Matsyendra Nâtha, both of whom were born in Bengal."
  3. 1 2 3 "Asiatic Society (Calcutta, India)". Journal and Proceedings of the Asiatic Society of Bengal. XXVI (1): 133–141. 1930.
  4. ↑ Feuerstein, Georg (2013-09-11). The Yoga Tradition: Its History, Literature, Philosophy and Practice (Kindle Locations 12788-12789). Hohm Press. Kindle Edition. "Matsyendra was a chief representative, if not the originator, of what is known as Nâthism. But Shiva himself is considered as the source of the Nâtha lineage and is invoked as Adinâtha or 'Primordial Lord.'" (Kindle Locations 12825-12827). "Using his third eye, Shiva gazed straight through the mountain of flesh into the fish’s stomach, where he saw Mina. He was thrilled at the discovery, saying, “Now I see who my real disciple is.” Turning to his sleepy spouse, he said: “I will initiate him rather than you.”"
  5. ↑ Feuerstein, Georg (2013-09-11). The Yoga Tradition: Its History, Literature, Philosophy and Practice (Kindle Locations 12803-12804). Hohm Press. Kindle Edition. "He is specifically associated with the Kaula sect of the Siddha movement, within which he may have founded the Yoginî-Kaula branch."
  6. ↑ The Alchemical Body: Siddha Traditions in Medieval India" by David Gordon White, p. 91
  7. ↑ Kamrupa Anusandhana Samiti (1984), Readings in the History & Culture of Assam,p.201 it is stated that a Siddha, named Minanatha, was a fisherman from Kamarupa
  8. ↑ Institute of Nepal and Asian Studies, Tribhuvan University, Nepal (1996), Contributions to Nepalese Studies - Volumes 23-24,Page 93 Matsyendra was a resident of Kamrup-Kamakhya (today's Assam in East India).
  9. ↑ Pandit, M. M.; Shastri, H. P. Bauddha Gan O Doha.
  10. ↑ Rato Matsyendranath of Patan and Bungamati, Tribhuvan University. Institute of Nepal and Asian Studies, 1973 by John Kerr Locke
  11. ↑ http://www.lorinroche.com/yoga/yoga/matsyendra.html
  12. ↑ Light on Yoga, BKS Iyengar
  13. ↑ Feuerstein, Georg (2013-09-11). The Yoga Tradition: Its History, Literature, Philosophy and Practice (Kindle Locations 12817-12820). Hohm Press. Kindle Edition. "In the Tibetan hagiography of the eighty-four mahâ-siddhas, the following story is told of Mina Nâtha (who probably is identical with Matsyendra). The fisherman spent most of his time in his small boat in the Bay of Bengal. One day, he hooked a huge fish that pulled so hard on his fishing line that he was thrown overboard. Like Jonah in the biblical story, Mina ended up in the fish’s enormous stomach, protected by his good karma."
  14. ↑ Buddhist Reflections By Lama Anagarika Govinda, Maurice O'Connell, ISBN   978-81-208-1169-0, p.119
  15. 1 2 3 When does the procession of Rato Macchendranath of Patan take place? (2007, 28 Oct). Retrieved from "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 28 May 2013. Retrieved 4 May 2015.
  16. ↑ Rato machendraNath Festival: Month-long chariot procession over. (2011, 26 June). Retrieved from http://www.ekantipur.com/the-kathmandu-post/2011/06/25/metro/rato-machendranath-festival-month-long-chariot-procession-over/223276.html
  17. ↑ Bhattacharya, edited by Gerald James Larson, Ram Shankar (2008). Yoga : India's philosophy of meditation (1st ed.). Delhi [India]: Motilal Banarsidass Publishers. p. 436. ISBN   978-8120833494.
  18. ↑ "Hathayoga's Philosophy: A Fortuitous Union of Non-Dualities" by James Mallinson, University of Oxford
  19. 1 2 "Saktism and Hatha yoga" by James Mallinson, 6th March 2012
  20. ↑ The Alchemical Body: Siddha Traditions in Medieval India" by David Gordon White, p. 92
  21. ↑ Frydman, Maurice (1987). "Navanath Sampradaya". In Dikshit, Sudhakar S. I Am That: Talks With Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj. Acorn Press. ISBN   9780893860462.
  22. 1 2 Lonely Planet review for Rato Machhendranath Temple. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.lonelyplanet.com/nepal/around-the-kathmandu-valley/patan/sights/religious-spiritual/rato-machhendranath-temple
  23. ↑ "Historical Monuments & WHS". Lalitpur.org.np. Lalitpur Sub-Metropolitan City Office. Retrieved 2015-03-22.
  24. 1 2 Rato Macchendranath Temple. (2013, 19 Feb). Retrieved from http://buddhanepaltrek.blogspot.com/2013/02/rato-machhendranath-temple.html
  25. ↑ http://arkonetwork.com/news/nepal/seto-machhindranath-chariot-procession-concludes/
  26. ↑ Rato Macchendranath Jatra – The Rain God’s Chariot Festival Begins. (2011, 8 May). Retrieved from "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 16 October 2014. Retrieved 4 May 2015.
  27. ↑ "Bhoto Jatra marked amid much fanfare". The Kathmandu Post. 28 June 2011. Retrieved 23 May 2013.
  28. ↑ Rato (Red) Machhendranath. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Rato+Machhendranath
  29. ↑ Maya Machhindra (1932) on IMDb
  30. ↑ Maya Machhindra (1939) on IMDb
  31. ↑ Maya Machhindra (1945) on IMDb

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