India’s spiritual history is richly woven with tales of yogis, saints, and sages who embodied the highest ideals of realization. Among these, few lineages are as enigmatic and influential as the Nath Sampradaya, a tradition rooted in the teachings of Shri Datta, and made famous by the Navnaths and the 84 Siddhas. These great beings were not merely practitioners—they were living embodiments of yogic perfection, guardians of the esoteric paths of Tantra, Hatha Yoga, and Avadhuta Vedanta.
Who Are the Navnaths?
The Navnaths or Nine Nath Masters are considered the foundation stones of the Nath tradition. Though lists may vary by region and tradition, the most commonly accepted Navnaths are:
-
Shri Matsyendranath – The founder of Hatha Yoga and Tantric Nath practices.
-
Shri Gorakshanath – Disciple of Shri Matsyendra, systematiser of Nath teachings and yogic techniques.
-
Shri Jalandharnath (Hadipa) – A master of Kundalini and inner alchemy.
-
Shri Kanifnath (Kanhoba) – Often associated with the Maharashtra Nath lineage; a beloved figure in the Western Indian spiritual landscape.
-
Shri Gahininath – Guru of Shri Namdev and an exponent of inner devotion with yogic strength.
-
Charpatinath – A poet-yogi and philosopher of non-duality.
-
Bhartrinath (Bharthari) – King turned renunciate; symbolizes detachment and the inner path.
-
Revananath – Keeper of esoteric wisdom and initiator of alchemical teachings.
-
Naganath (Nageshwar) – A yogi associated with serpent power and subtle energies.
Each of these masters is said to have received divine knowledge from Guru Datta himself, or through a direct, mystical lineage of awakened Gurus. The Navnaths form the core structure of the Nath path and continue to inspire seekers to this day.
Navnaths as Aṁśa-Avatāras (Partial Divine Incarnations)
Many Nath traditions believe that each of the Navnaths embodies an aṁśa-avatāra—a partial or empowered incarnation of a specific deity. This profound belief emphasizes their divine origin and the extraordinary depth of their spiritual realization. For example:
-
Shri Matsyendranath is revered as an incarnation of Shri Vishnu, the preserver of the universe.
-
Shri Gorakshanath is often regarded as a divine manifestation of Shri Mahadev Shambho, embodying his yogic essence.
-
Shri Jalandharnath is traditionally associated with Agni Dev, the god of fire, symbolizing transformation and inner alchemy.
-
Shri Kanifnath is linked to Shri Kartikeya in some traditions and to Ganesha in others, embodying the qualities of wisdom, protection, and divine power.
-
Shri Gahininath is said to be a manifestation of Surya Dev, the Sun god, representing light, energy, and spiritual illumination.
-
Charpatinath is considered a manifestation of Shri Brahma, the creator, embodying the creative wisdom of the cosmos.
-
Shri Bhartrinath is associated with Indra Dev, the king of the gods, or in some traditions, Shani, the planet Saturn, symbolizing cosmic law and discipline.
-
Shri Revananath is seen as emanating directly from Guru Datta, the primordial guru, embodying the supreme teacher's energy and wisdom.
-
Shri Naganath is often linked to Ananta Shesha, the infinite serpent upon which Shri Vishnu rests, representing the eternal cycle of time and cosmic energy.
This understanding reinforces the idea that the Navnaths are not only spiritual masters but divine messengers who descended to guide humanity toward liberation.
The 84 Siddhas: Yogis of the Eternal Flame
Following the Navnaths, the Nath tradition honors a broader spiritual family known as the 84 Siddhas. These realized beings are not all from the same time or geography. Rather, they represent a spiritual archetype—the fully awakened master (Siddha) who has conquered the body, mind, and elements.
The number 84 is symbolic, often interpreted as representing the 84 lakh (8.4 million) birth cycles one transcends to attain liberation. A Siddha, therefore, is one who has completed the journey and returned—not to escape the world, but to guide others.
Some well-known Siddhas from the 84 include:
-
Shri Matsyendranath (also known as Bade Baba or the eldest baba of Navnaths and 84 Siddhas)
-
Shri Gorakshanath (a central figure in both the Navnaths and 84 Siddhas)
-
Shri Minanath
-
Shri Kakachandishwar
-
Shri Sabar Natha
-
Shri Nivrittinath – A bridge between Nath Siddhas and Varkari saints of the Bhakti tradition.
-
Shri Loharipa – Known for integrating blacksmithing with inner alchemy.
-
Shri Tantipa – A master who practiced sadhana in extreme cremation grounds.
-
Shri Virupa – A Siddha who drank oceans and taught the path of direct realization.
These Siddhas are not just historical saints—they are tantric alchemists, sky-walkers (khecharis), and miracle-working yogis, many of whom appear in both Hindu and Buddhist Vajrayana traditions, especially in Nepal, Tibet, and Bengal.
Guru Datta, the Siddhas, and the Avadhuta Ideal
The thread that weaves the Navnaths and the 84 Siddhas together is the Avadhuta ideal—a yogi beyond conventions, one who lives by the rhythm of the Self alone. Guru Datta is often regarded as the Adi Siddha, the first yogi, the teacher of teachers, the origin of the Nath path.
In many Nath temples and texts, Guru Datta is not merely revered—he is invoked as the eternal inner Guru, the one who whispered the secrets of immortality and inner fire to the first Siddhas.
The Avadhuta Gita, attributed to Guru Datta, echoes the state of these Siddhas—free from ego, free from ritual, rooted in pure awareness.
The Cry of the Nath Yogi: Alakh Niranjan
One of the most powerful expressions in the Nath tradition is “Alakh Niranjan!”
-
Alakh means the unseen, the invisible—that which cannot be grasped by the senses or the mind.
-
Niranjan means the spotless, the pure, one who is beyond maya (illusion).
Together, “Alakh Niranjan” is both a mantra and a declaration—a call to the formless, pure consciousness that the Nath yogis perceive and embody. It is the call of the Siddha, the war cry of the yogi who has gone beyond, yet chooses to serve the world.
This phrase becomes a reminder to seekers: seek not the form, but the essence; seek not the image, but the light behind it.
The Greeting of the Nath Yogi: Ādesh
Another profound and sacred expression among Nath yogis is “Ādesh!”—a word that is far more than a greeting; it is a mystical salutation.
Ādesh translates roughly as “command” or “divine instruction,” but in the Nath context, it signifies the recognition of the Guru, the Self, and the Divine as One. When two Nath yogis meet and say “Ādesh,” they are not merely acknowledging each other—they are affirming the unity of Guru, God (Ishwar), and Atman (the Self).
This single word is a spiritual code, a reminder that the divine truth is not elsewhere but already present within. It dissolves the boundary between seeker and sought, declaring that the highest teaching is not separate from the one who receives it. In saying "Ādesh," the yogi invokes awareness, reverence, and realization—a subtle bow to the eternal Guru within all.
Like “Alakh Niranjan,” “Ādesh” is both a mantra and a mirror—pointing inward to the silent command of the Self, echoing across lifetimes.
The Development of Sabar Mantras in the Nath Tradition
The Sabar Mantras are powerful and esoteric invocations that form an integral part of the Nath tradition’s practices. These mantras, named after Sabar Natha, who is believed to have revealed these potent spiritual tools, are regarded as a way to connect deeply with the primal forces of the universe.
Unlike traditional mantras, Sabar Mantras are often simple, yet profoundly effective, with their origins shrouded in secrecy and transmitted orally from teacher to disciple. These mantras are believed to possess the power to awaken kundalini energy, transform the practitioner’s mind and body, and guide them toward moksha (liberation).
The use of these mantras is not only about invoking divine power but also about spiritual transformation—awakening the divine consciousness within and transcending the limitations of the material world. Shri Sabar Natha, a central figure in this practice, embodied the essence of these teachings, and his influence continues to permeate the practices of the Siddhas and Navnaths today.
Legacy and Influence
The teachings of the 84 Siddhas permeated Hatha Yoga, Kundalini science, Ayurveda, alchemy (Rasayana), and even folk healing and sacred arts. Their lives are mystical blueprints—not merely for renunciates, but for anyone seeking inner freedom while walking through the world.
Even today, caves, shrines, and samadhis of these Siddhas are places of pilgrimage, meditation, and quiet reverence, especially across Maharashtra, Nepal, Karnataka, and Bengal.
The Navnaths and 84 Siddhas are not just names on a list—they are living presences in the Nath path. They inspire the modern seeker to go beyond theory, to embody yoga, and to live a life of freedom, inner fire, and fearless compassion.
In their memory, one doesn’t merely bow—they listen, walk, and one day, awaken.
Alakh Niranjan, Ādesh!