Nagnath, also known as Vatsiddhi Nagnath was the 9th Navnath. He is especially worshipped in Central India, where several temples are dedicated to him, and several Sampradayas trace their origin to him. Vishnu’s command – Some part of the same semen was swallowed by a snake. The Brahmins sacrificed all the serpents in the serpent session of King Janamejaya. But on that occasion, knowing that the serpent had Brahma seeds in its stomach, the Astik Rushi hid it in the tree. At the end of nine months, the snake left the egg, and it is still there. Then Avihotra Narayan should enter it and become famous as ‘Nagnath’ or ‘Vatsiddhi Nagnath‘. Siddha Spirituality of Swami Hardas Life System is also based on the principles of Siddha Gorakshanath (Siddha Swaroop of Gorakshanath – one among Navnath).
The incarnation of Nagnath
The Astik Rushi
In the past, Brahma’s semen fell for the purpose of Saraswati and fell on the head of a serpent. The serpent ate it. As a result, the fetus began to grow in its womb. The Astik Rushi understood this by intuition. He also knew that one of the nine Narayanas would come to it and people would call him Nagnath. Then Astik Muni called the serpent and said that the fetus in your womb is not weak. He is Avihotra Narayan. Don’t worry. The reason I want to tell you now is that it is going to be a big tragedy for you in the future. At present, King Janmejay has started a big serpent session and with the help of great sages, he is sacrificing snakes in the Yajna Kunda instead of Samidha. So be careful, hide somewhere.
“But where will I stay?” It asked nervously. The sage said, “There is an old Vata tree nearby. Stay in that tree trunk. And don’t worry.” Then the serpent hid in the trunk of the tree, as the sage had told it.
Avihotra Narayan
The serpent season ended a few days later. And these serpents completed these nine months. Then the serpent gave birth at the right time. It laid an egg. It was many days in the tree. In that egg, Avihotra Narayan entered. Later, as Avihotra Narayana’s body grew, the eggs hatched and the baby began to appear. As soon as the baby was born, it started crying.
Then a poor Brahmin heard his voice. And he took the baby home. When he grew up, he was included in the Nath sect by Lord Dattatreya. He also had a special power. He could produce food as much as he wanted, at the right time. This power (Siddhi) was also due to the grace of Dattatreya.
Amazing miracles of Nagnath
Revan Nath and Nagnath
Lord Shankar’s guards battled fiercely with Revan Nath. But finally, everyone including the Lord fainted due to the effect of the Vatakarshan Mantra. When Gandharva called Lord Vishnu for help. Lord Vishnu asked Revan Nath politely, “Revan Nath, what is the reason behind the battle?” Revan Nath said, “The seven sons of a Brahmin from Vite village died at a very young age. The Brahmin is extremely sad. I want to take away that Brahmin’s sadness by making his sons alive again.”
Revan Nath to Mrityulok
Lord Vishnu said, “All those seven souls are in my contiguity. If you want to give them Sanjeevani then first prepare seven bodies.” Revan Nath agreed to it. He came back to Mrityulok and entered his own body. He narrated everything to the Brahmin. They wanted seven bodies. Revan Nath prepared seven bodies from the body of the seventh son. With help of the Sanjeevani Mantra, he put life into those bodies. All the seven souls came back from Heaven. Seeing the divine birth of their sons, the couple became very happy! Later Revan Nath gave those boys Diksha of the Nath community. (Even today in Vite village, Revan Nath has extreme respect.)
How did Avirhotra Narayan incarnate?
Illumination of Lord Brahma
The illumination of Lord Brahma which came to earth was gulped by a female snake hiding in the trunk of a Banyan tree (Vat Vriksha). The theist was aware of God’s plan. He told the female snake that a sage will incarnate from inside you and safeguard her. Later the snake laid an egg and it went away. From that egg was born a baby boy. A Brahmin named Koshdharma came there to collect the leaves of that Banyan tree to use as plates. He heard the cry of that baby boy. An oracle occurred, “Take this child home and nurture him. You will get bliss in it!”
The brahmin family lived in Kashi with Nagnath
That Brahmin without any doubt in mind took the baby home. His wife Suradevi rejoiced! The couple named the baby Vatasiddha Nagnath and at the right time did his Munja. The Brahmin lived in Kashi city. This boy used to play in the Vishveshwar temple along with other boys and would always pretend to serve food to them. Lord Dattatreya took the form of a boy and asked the boys around, “I am a guest. May I come to have food?”
Everybody said no but Nagnath pretended to serve food to him too. By seeing his hospitality Lord Datta immediately recognized that he is the Avirhotra Narayan. He said to Nagnath, “Henceforth whichever food you wish to eat will appear in front of you that very moment. And you will be able to serve food to these children in reality.” Saying this Lord Datta in the form of a child went away from there.
Miracle of making food appear with Siddhi
After that Nagnath would just wish for and the best of food would appear in front of the boys. All of them stopped eating at home. Everyone was surprised! Koshdharma Brahmin gathered all information from Nagnath and came to know that it’s the grace of Lord Datta. He told Nagnath, “That boy was Lord Datta indeed!”
Nagnath was desperate to meet Lord Datta. He left Kashi and also came to the South. Someone told him, “Lord Datta comes to Kolhapur every afternoon to solicit alms, but secretly.” So he thought that if he gives a feast to the whole village then no one will eat at their homes. And if Lord Datta didn’t get any food in the village then he would also come there for the alms and could meet him.
Invitation for a feast
Nagnath met the temple priest and told him of his Siddhi. He expressed his wish to give a feast to the whole village. The priest was surprised. Nagnath was young but had an astonishing grace. The priest sent a message across the village for the villagers to come for a feast in the temple.
Lord Dattatreya, Lord Brahma, and Nagnath
Nagnath would give a feast twice a day
Every day in Kolhapur Nagnath would give a feast twice a day. He had the hopes that someday Lord Datta would come there to solicit alms from him and he would obtain his divine sight. One day Lord Datta arrived there and understood that Nagnath from Kashi is giving a feast here. He asked for arid alms and left. On enquiring, the people told Nagnath about a man who had asked for arid alms.
Refusal by Lord Dattatreya to take alms
Nagnath gave everyone some food grains. He said, “If anyone comes to ask for alms give him these food grains and tell him that these are given by Nagnath. And after telling him this, if he refuses to take alms, then inform me immediately. I have some very important work with that man.”The next day a sage came to one of that person’s houses to solicit alms. That person gave him arid alms and said, “Due to the grace of the great sage Nagnath I have so many food grains in the house. And so I could give it to you!” On hearing this, the man moved back.
I do not want food coming from Nagnath
The person in the house asked, “What happened? Why are you refusing the alms?” The man seeking alms replied, “I do not want food coming from that Nagnath!” People gathered around him. One of them went and informed Nagnath, “That man has come to solicit alms. He is not accepting the arid alms. He is saying I do not want food that has come from Nagnath.” Nagnath went hurriedly and hugged the man’s legs crying, “Guruji why did you leave me and go? You left me in a dense jungle! You met me in Kashi and then left me alone!”
Lord Dattatreya hugged Nagnath
He was Lord Datta. He hugged Nagnath with love and took him along to a place where he gave him the Diksha of Knowledge. Shri Dattatreya made sure that supreme truth and knowledge took the place of his ignorance.
Nagnath went on a pilgrimage
In Kolhapur, the feast preparations were done for the day. People came to know and felt sad that Nagnath will be leaving Kolhapur. But he was not going to wait! Lord Datta and Nagnath went to Kashi with the help of the Vyanmantra and worshipped Lord Vishwanath. After that, they went to Badrikashram which is the home to all ascetics and the most respected place of all sages. Lord Shiva recognized that he is Avirhotra and so gave him all the knowledge and made him an accomplished sage. He urged all the Gods to bless his Mantras and Weapons. After that as directed by Lord Datta, Nagnath went on a pilgrimage. And Lord Datta went to the Girnar Mountain.
Nagnath reached the Wadwal village
While on a pilgrimage, Nagnath reached the Wadwal village. When meditating he would keep guards on the door of the monastery so that no one can disturb him. Macchindranath came to the same village. The guards stopped him. Out of necessity, he showed them a glimpse of his power. Nagnath had to come out and they met with unique love in their hearts. Then Macchindranath asked him the reason behind having guards at the entrance. Nagnath replied, “I didn’t want people’s disturbance while meditating.” Macchindranath said, “Don’t do that! We have incarnated to serve the people! Then how can you be unavailable for them? Let everyone have the freedom to meet you.”
Nagnath started solving people’s problems
Accordingly, Nagnath dismissed the guards and started solving people’s problems. Once he vivified a dead man using the Sanjeevani Mantra as he felt pity for him. As this news spread people started getting corpses to him and rapidly people started coming back to life. Due to which Lord Yama’s work was in complete disarray. He took his complaint to Lord Brahma who then came to meet Nagnath in microform and dissuaded him from using the Sanjeevani Mantra frequently.
Later Vatsiddha Nagnath took Samadhi.
After the Samadhi of Nagnath
Shri Vishwanath Maharaj
Nagnath initiated many into the Nath sect, one of them being Vishwanath Maharaj. Vishwanath Maharaj was born in In the year 1707, on the ninth day of the month of Poush, a Brahmin family was born in Nashik. Once when Nagnath came to Nashik on pilgrimage, he met Vishwanath. As the saying goes, the relationship between a Guru and a disciple is one of birth and rebirth.
At Shri Kshetra Tryambakeshwar, Nagnath initiated him into Nathpantha and guided him to seat for the penance. After completing the penance, he went to the villages and spread the propaganda of the Nath sect. He visited the holy places of pilgrimage in India and also initiated many to the Nath Sampraday. Eventually, Vishwanath Maharaj came back to Swasthani i.e. Tryambakeshwar Kshetra, and started doing Sadhana, penance, and doing public welfare till he took Samadhi.
Miracle of Vishwanath Maharaj
One day a Gujarati couple came to visit him. He was sad because his children were not happy after marriage. After his wish was fulfilled with the blessings of Vishwanath Maharaj, he decided to build an Ashram for Vishwanath Maharaj. He built an ashram according to the Hemadpanthi structure and asked Vishwanath Maharaj to stay in that Ashram. Hearing their words, “Sit in the monastery that I have built”, Vishwanath Maharaj realized that the couple had become egoistic and preferred to rest outside without going to the Ashram. He insisted on his decision.
Later, when he passed away at the age of 80, his Samadhi was built at the same place (Ganga Ghat, Tryambakeshwar). Even today, devotees visit Samadhi and take vows to attain His grace.
Shri Eknath Maharaj
Navnath initiated many devotees into Nathpantha, one of the important Nath being Nagnath. Like Vishwanath Maharaj, Nagnath initiated Shri Eknath Maharaj on May 1, 1978, who was born on 11th November 1942 in Chalisgaon. Eknath Maharaj is a householder. This story is also very interesting.
The tragedy with Shri Eknath Maharaj
On May 1, 1978, while Mr. Eknath was visiting a farm in the village of Shirasgaon (Takli) in the Jalgaon district of Maharashtra for a personal program, he inadvertently sat down at the place of Nagnath’s place of worship, which was unknown to the local people. After this, when Mr. Eknath reached home, some unique troubles started with him. After nearly a month of medical treatment, he was unable to speak. Later, after 15 days, he started speaking in Kannada. After getting complete information from a person who knows this language, everyone was convinced that something wonderful has happened. Then only, it was realized that Nagnath’s grace had come to him.
Construction of Nagnath Temple
After the grace of Nagnath and Shri Vishwanath Maharaj, Eknath Maharaj started solving the problems of the devotees under the guidance of Nagnath. Vishwanath Maharaj (his Guru) also started guiding him to make this task easier. For this, Eknath Maharaj built a small temple at his residence. A temple was built there for the devotees to know the place of receiving the grace of Nagnath. Till such time it was not even known to the local villagers.
In the year 2005, a magnificent temple was built at Chalisgaon, Dist Jalgaon in Maharashtra state with donations received from the devotees. Even today, the welfare work of Shri Eknath Maharaj is going on here tirelessly. People or devotees visit the temple for solving all their problems and seeking guidance from Shri Eknath Maharaj. Thousands of devotees have experienced miracles and solved their problems.
Temples of Nagnath
Nagnath Temple (Wadwal)
This is a well-known temple all over Maharashtra. Wadwal, Taluka: Mohol, District: Solapur (Maharashtra). Out of Navnath, this one is mainly known as Nagnath. All religion’s people come for fulfilling their promises. Faith and trust in the Nagnath are very high in all near areas people. Maharashtra Govt. also awarded this temple a C Category tourist place. The environment of the temple area is very silent and good, which creates peace of mind. There are various festivals celebrated regularly.
Frequently asked questions
Before posting your query, kindly go through them:
| Who is Nagnath?
Nagnath, also known as Vatsiddhi Nagnath was the 9th Navnath. He is especially worshipped in Central India, where several temples are dedicated to him, and several Sampradayas trace their origin to him. |
| How Nagnath was incarnated?
In the past, Brahma’s semen fell for the purpose of Saraswati and fell on the head of a serpent. The serpent ate it. As a result, the fetus began to grow in its womb. The Astik Rushi understood this by intuition. He also knew that one of the nine Narayanas would come to it and people would call him Nagnath. Then Astik Muni called the serpent and said that the fetus in your womb is not weak. He is Avihotra Narayan. |
| Who is Shri Eknath Maharaj?
Navnath initiated many devotees into Nathpantha, one of the important Nath being Nagnath. Like Vishwanath Maharaj, Nagnath initiated Shri Eknath Maharaj on May 1, 1978, who was born on 11th November 1942 in Chalisgaon. Eknath Maharaj is a householder. |
Reference:
- https://spiritualcave.com/stories-of-navnath-9-yogis/
- http://wikimapia.org/2873049/Vatsidh-Nagnath-Mandir-Temple
- https://navnath.net/Chapter_eng_37.html
- https://navnath.net/Chapter_eng_38.html
- https://navnath.net/Chapter_eng_39.html
वटसिध्द नागनाथ जी के बारे में आपके द्वारा साझा की गई जानकारी अत्यधिक महत्वपूर्ण है। आपके इस महान कार्य के लिए मन:पुर्वक धन्यवाद। मुझे प्राप्त हुई जानकारी प्रस्तुत करने का प्रयास कर रहा हूं, आशा है पाठकों को अच्छी लगे।
नाथ संप्रदाय में प्रसिद्ध एक प्रमुख नाथ-योगी और रससिद्ध। उन्हें नाथ संप्रदाय में नागनाथ या नागार्जुन के नाम से जाना जाता है। नवनाथ भक्तिसार में उन्हें ‘अविर्होत्र’ नारायण का अवतार कहा गया है। सा-स्क्य-विहार (11वीं-13वीं शताब्दी), वर्णरत्नकर (14वीं शताब्दी), तत्त्वसार (14वीं शताब्दी), शिवदीन-मठ-संग्रह सोची (17वीं-18वीं शताब्दी) आदि। उनका नाम सिद्धों की सूची में आता है। इन सभी सूचियों में उन्हें ‘नागार्जुन’ कहा गया है।
भारतीय इतिहास में, नागार्जुन नाम के कुछ विद्वानों के बारे में कहा जाता है कि उनका निधन हो गया, विशेषकर बौद्ध और शैव परंपराओं में। हालाँकि, चूंकि नाथ संप्रदाय का उदय आमतौर पर 11वीं-12वीं शताब्दी में हुआ माना जाता है, कुछ विद्वानों ने बौद्ध महायान परंपरा में नागार्जुन (150-250 ईस्वी) और नागार्जुन, प्रारंभिक के एक समान शिष्य का सुझाव दिया है। 7वीं शताब्दी, नाथ संप्रदाय के मान्यता प्राप्त नागार्जुन नहीं रहे होंगे।एक मत है। वह बाद में नौवीं शताब्दी में, आमतौर पर नागार्जुन बन गया, जो कीमिया का विशेषज्ञ था। आदि। एस। 1030 में इस विदेशी यात्री अलबरूनी के वर्णन से यह समझा जाता है कि उसका नाम नागार्जुन 100 साल पहले प्रसिद्ध हुआ था। 16वीं शताब्दी के प्रभुलिंगली के अनुसार, इस तेलुगु ग्रंथ के अनुसार, नागार्जुन और गोरक्षनाथ को श्रीपर्वत पर रासविद्या की कला में भगवान आलमप्रभु द्वारा दीक्षा दी गई थी।
तेरहवीं शताब्दी के ‘ लीलाचरित्र’ ग्रंथ में नागार्जुन का उल्लेख मिलता है । 511, 541, 542 (दूसरा भाग)। इसमें चक्रधर ने अपने बारे में दो कहानियां भी बताई हैं। लीला नं। 511 में, चक्रधर नागार्जुन के शिष्य कनेरी को गुरु-भक्ति के उदाहरण के रूप में संदर्भित करता है। इस कहानी से पता चलता है कि कनेरी ने अपने गुरु के लिए अपनी आंखों की बलि दे दी थी।
लीला नं। 541 और 542 में, वर्तमान अहमदनगर जिले के ‘लाड-जलगाँव’ गाँव में नागार्जुन के विवरण का उल्लेख मिलता है। इसमें चक्रधर अपने शिष्य दाइम्बा को बताते हैं कि नागार्जुन का विवर नदी के किनारे पश्चिम की ओर है। चक्रधर ने उस विवरण का दौरा किया था। इस कथा के अनुसार, यहाँ विवरण में नागार्जुन का सिर और धड़ अलग हो गया था। जब वे वहां जाएंगे और अपने सिर और धड़ को आपस में मिलाएंगे, तभी वे उठेंगे, और वह व्यक्ति विवरसिद्धि को प्राप्त करेगा। अगर दाइंबा वहां जाती है, तो उसे भी विवरण मिलेगा, यह वर्णित है।
Nityanatha के Rasaratnakar Sriparvata पर Rasashala का उल्लेख है। रससिद्ध नागार्जुन ने आंध्र प्रदेश में श्रीपर्वत पर अपनी रासशाला बनाई थी। तेलुगु पुस्तक नवनाथचरित्रमु में यह भी उल्लेख है कि नागार्जुन के शिष्य ‘अत्रेय’ ने श्रीपर्वत पर पातालगंगा के पास एक गुफा में एक रासशाला का निर्माण किया था और उनकी महत्वाकांक्षा पूरे श्रीपर्वत को सोने में बदलने की थी। कुल मिलाकर, 9वीं-10वीं शताब्दी के रससिद्ध नागार्जुन को बाद में नवनाथों के बीच ‘नागनाथ’ के रूप में जाना जाने लगा।
महाराष्ट्र के कुछ मंदिरों में सांपों के साथ कुछ योगी भी हैं। ये मूर्तियां नागनाथ की होनी चाहिए। क्योंकि इन मूर्तियों के साथ-साथ कुछ स्थानों पर मत्स्येन्द्रनाथ और अन्य नाथ-योगियों को उकेरा हुआ देखा जा सकता है। इन मूर्तियों में, उन्हें आमतौर पर सांप, झुमके, बाजूबंद, हार, कंगन और डंडे के साथ चित्रित किया जाता है। उनके चित्र तिब्बत में सिद्ध के चित्रों में भी पाए जाते हैं। सिद्ध कनेरी सिद्धों की सूची के साथ-साथ लीलाचरित्र में संदर्भों के अनुसार नागार्जुन का शिष्य बन जाता है।
लातूर जिले में नागनाथ-वडवाल नागनाथ का प्रसिद्ध स्थान माना जाता है। यहां 13वीं-14वीं सदी का एक मंदिर भी है। इस क्षेत्र की पहाड़ियों में कई औषधीय पौधे पाए जाते हैं।
सन्दर्भ:
एलिएड, मिर्सिया, एड., दी इनसाइक्लोपीडिया ऑफ रिलिजन , वॉल्यूम 10 , न्यूयॉर्क, 1987।
व्हाइट, डीजी द अलकेमिकल बॉडी (मध्यकालीन भारत में सिद्ध परंपरा), शिकागो, 1996।
कोल्टे, वि. वी एड., लीलाचरित्र , महाराष्ट्र राज्य साहित्य संस्कृति मंडल, मुंबई, 1978।
डेरे, रा. चौ. नाथ सम्प्रदाय का इतिहास , पुणे, 2010 (पुनर्मुद्रण)।
द्विवेदी, हजारी प्रसाद, नाथ संप्रदाय , इलाहाबाद, 1950।
समीक्षक: प्रमोद जोगलेकर
Thanks for the precious information provided by you, Vishal. It would be useful for the people in addition to the information provided in the article. Readers should avail of the benefits and enhance their knowledge regarding Navnath, which has become very rare nowadays. Intensive research is required to e carried out so that some of the confusion regarding the active period of Navnaths can be ascertained. However, you can, if desired, can be of immense help. Thanks and stay connected!!!