His origin story is interesting, though I couldn’t verify it’s authenticity, so not sharing the story here. He’s shishya of Machamuni Siddhar and also learnt from Agasthiya Siddhar.
Unlike other Siddhars, he is depicted as either with a Tiger or seated & wearing Tiger skin. While I couldn’t find any explanation for this. My interpretation is as follows:
Tiger is a predator that lurks around and attacks unexpectedly.
Our 5 indriyas and 5 vikitis also similar to Tiger, they lurk around and attacks our thoughts when we’re least expecting. Gorakkar is said to have mastered these aspects, thus to denote this, he shown with Tiger.
Gorakanathar or Gorakshnath (as he’s known in the Nath Sampraday) is celebrated Guru in both Northern and Southern part of India. He’s one of the NavNath in Nath Sampraday and also 18 Siddhars of Tamil tradition. During his life, he’s travelled Indian subcontinent extensively +
+ and has influenced the Spiritual growth at that time.
Here I’m naming a well-known place in Northern India that is influenced by Gorakanathar. The famous Gorakhpur in UP and Gorakhnath Math – to which current UP CM (@myogiadityanath ji) belongs to, +
+ derives it’s name from Gorkanathar or Gorakshnath.
There’s a district in Nepal named ‘Gorkha’, which also is believed to derive it’s name from Gorakshnath. There is a cave with his paduka (footwear) and an idol of him there.
Every year on the day of Baisakh Purnima there is a great celebration in Gorkha at his cave, called Rot Mahotsav. It is said that the festival has been celebrated since last seven hundred years.
Similarly, in Southern India, a village by the name Akkarai Village (Sucheentharam Taluk, Kanyakumari Dist) celebrate Gorakkar as their ‘Kula Guru’. They celebrate him by the name ‘Yogeeswarar’. People of this village believe that Gorakkar Samadhi is in Korrandy, Therur and +
+ still conduct pooja there. This is because people of the village saw Gorakkar disappear from the temple when they followed him.
As other Siddhars, Gorakkar also contributed in Siddha medicine, Alchemy, Ascetics. Apart from that he also wrote texts on Hath Yoga,
instructions to Sadhakas of various stages, documentation of his own experience.
It’s believed that Agasthya Siddhar gave Gorakanathar the duty to safeguard the secrets of Alchemy. Thus, even today, people pursuing Alchemy is advised to pray to Gorakanathar Siddhar in order +
+ to unlock the secrets of Alchemy. Thus, similar to other Siddhars, Gorakanathar wrote in Sandhya Basha. In the below poem, he welcomes and advises Seekers:
I have hid many secrets in the cave.
Oh Son, I have signified your name!
Go to your section and take it!+
+ Do not speak of it, for it isn’t appropriate.
If you follow the proper instructions,
The Sages and Siddhas shall shower praises.
Understand completely, oh my son!
May you live for eternity!
There are many stories that talks about Gorakkanathar’s Guru Bhakti, it’s said that he used to follow vigorously and extensively, every instruction from his guru Matsyendranatha Siddhar. You can read about one such story in below link:
Though in Tamil tradition, it’s believed that Gorakkar Siddhar attained mukti and his Jeeva-samadhi is believed to be in Vada Poigainallur, Nagapattinam.
There’s another belief that he’s still observing humankind and from time to time reveals himself to teach people.
There’s so much to talk about Gorakkar Siddhar, however I’ve only included tidbit of information. Hope you enjoyed reading about Gorakanathar or Gorakshnath.
Till next time, take care and most importantly – Be Happy! ☺️🙏
In Siddhar series, today I bring to u a Siddhar, who’s known across bhAratvarsh and also in Nepal.
#Thread on Siddhar Machamuni or as he’s known in Northern part of India – Yogi Matsyendranath. He’s traditionally considered to be the founder of Nath Sampradhaya.
He is also seen as founder of Hath Yoga as well as the author of some of its early texts.
Machamuni Siddhar is believed to be brought up by Siddhar Pinnakeesar, who also happened to be his first Guru. Now there are couple of stories as to origin of Machamuni, + @HelloNNewman
+ however I’m skipping them for now and focusing on the Siddhar instead.
In the 523rd song of “Karuvoorar Vadha Kaviyam“, Karuvoorar Siddhar says that Machamuni is a Sembadavar. Sembadavar’s are the traditional fisherman.
In Siddhars series, today I bring to you interesting information about the Guru of Pambatti Siddhar and Shishya of Bogar Siddhar. Let’s get to know about Sattaimuni Siddhar – who had immense bhakti towards Shiva & Narayana and blessed by both.
Sattaimuni Siddhar is said to be born in a Tamil speaking family in Sri Lanka. His parents worked in farm and himself lived life as a mendicant in front of temple. He left his family life to be a Seeker and travelled extensively, +
Abhinavgupta is believed to have lived between 924 to 1020 CE. He was a great philosopher, mystic, aesthetic, theologian, exegete, poet and some even claim him to be an influential musician & dramatist during his time.
He’s attributed to have come up with an original thought of one can attain ‘Mukti’ even while living a life of a ‘Gruhasta’. Though, not much is known about his life, however according to information available on internet, Abhinavgupta had as many as 19 gurus.
AdiMurai is believed to be developed and introduced in Tamil Nadu by Siddhars (my main reason for interest in this topic). As mentioned in my previous thread, AdiMurai was patronized by the ‘Moovendhars’ (three great Kings) or in this case dynasties: Pandyas, Chozhas, and Cheras.
AdiMurai can be broken into three different components as below:
1)Adithadi (Unarmed Combat)
2)Aayuthamurai (Armed Combat)
3)Varma Adi (Pressure points attack – this is the principal reason, Adi Murai was hailed as Combat Science)
There are two versions of the story, but the climax is same for both. A man by name Datta renounced the world and performed intense Tapas to transcend to greater existence. However, Leela (one account refers to her as Datta’s wife, +
+ while another refers to her as daughter of Datta’s Guru) is in love with Datta and wants to start family with him. Once when Datta was in an intense meditation, Leela disturbed him. In a fit of rage, Datta cursed Leela to lose her beauty and become a buffalo headed being.
Today, am not sure how many of us have heard about Varma Kalai. Even if one were to have heard about it, they’d only know Varma Kalai as a form of Martial arts, thanks largely to the silver screen representation (Kamal Hassan’s character in Indian).
What many might not know is Varma Kalai at its core is a healing art form.
Varmam are the points where life force resides and flows in the human body. Varmam also means where breathing energy resides in the body (Vaakata Nithanam : Verse 31). @anexcommie@shreekanth2020@shri_v
Varmam are scattered over various parts of body like in nerves, nerve joints, bones, muscles, ligaments and inner organs.
Based on where varmam is located in the body, it has gathered various names like Vasi, Puravi, Kaalam, Uyir, Mayakkam, Pranan, Kalai, Suvaasam, Saram, Yogam,