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'''Matsyendranātha''', '''Macchindranāth''' or '''Mīnanātha''' (Newari ''{{IAST|Buṅga Dyaḥ}}'', c. early 10th century CE) was Buddhist scholar who composed some of the earliest texts on hatha yoga in Sanskrit. He was one of the eighty-four mahasiddhas and the guru of Gorakshanath, with whom he founded the school of hatha yoga. He is revered by both Hindus and Nepalese Buddhists, whom identified him with Vishnu and Lokeśvara, respectively, under the name Macchindranāth. Matsyendranatha is an important figure for the origin of the Nath, Hatha and Yogini Kaula traditions of Yoga.
'''Matsyendranātha''', '''Macchindranāth''' or '''Mīnanātha''' (Newari ''{{IAST|Buṅga Dyaḥ}}'', c. early 10th century CE) was a saint in the a number of Buddhist and Hindu traditions. He is credited with composing some of the earliest texts on hatha yoga. He was 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 [[Avalokitesvara]]. Matsyendranatha is the founder of the [[Nath]] sampraday and a central figure in Hatha and certain [[tantric]] traditions of Yoga.


==Early life==
==Early life==

Revision as of 17:29, 26 August 2015

Matsyendranatha
[मत्स्येन्द्रनाथ] Error: {{Lang}}: unrecognized language tag: sanskrit (help)
मछिन्द्रनाथ
बुंग द्यः
Matsyendranātha
Matsyendranātha
Born10th century c.e
Kamarupa[1]
Other namesMacchindranāth, Mīnanātha
Known forFounder of Nath
Notable workKaulajnan-Nirnaya, Akul-Viratantra[2]

Matsyendranātha, Macchindranāth or Mīnanātha (Newari Buṅga Dyaḥ, c. early 10th century CE) was a saint in the a number of Buddhist and Hindu traditions. He is credited with composing some of the earliest texts on hatha yoga. He was 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 Avalokitesvara. Matsyendranatha is the founder of the Nath sampraday and a central figure in Hatha and certain tantric traditions of Yoga.

Early life

Matsyendranath's name has its roots in Matsya or Fish, suggest that he is more associated with Tantrik side of doctrine.[3] 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 was looked upon in Tibet as an avatar of Avalokiteśvara, was a fisherman from Kamarupa.[1][2][4] [5][6][7] The statement of Haraprasad Shastri that Mīnanātha was a native of Bengal belonging to the "Nath" or weaver caste is evidently incorrect.[8] Mīnanātha is supposed to have been the author of a work known as the Akulaviratantra and he is mentioned in the Sabaratantra as one of the twenty four Kapalika siddhas.[1]

Legend

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 Gorakhnath 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.[9][10]

Divinised forms

Miniature statue of Macchindranāth (Bunga Dyah)

Macchindranāth or Bunga Dyah is a god of rain worshiped by both Hindus and Buddhists in Nepal. Hindus regard him as the reincarnation of Shiva while the Buddhists regard him as the reincarnation of Lokeśvara. The temple of Macchindranāth lies in the southern part of the Patan Durbar Square since 1673.[11]

Works

Minanatha composed tantric works such as the Kaulajñānanirnāya ("Discussion of the Knowledge Pertaining to the Kaula Tradition"),[12] and "Akula-Viratantra", some of the earliest texts on hatha yoga in Sanskrit in the eleventh century.[2] He was known to be sympathist of hermits and occultists.[3] Matsyendranath did a lot to bring about social and religious awakening by combining the best in Buddhism and Hinduism.[13]

Disciples

Matsyendranath had eight disciples namely Gorakshanath, Jalandharnath, Kanifnath (Kanhoba), Gahininath, Bhartrinath, Revan Nath, Charpatinath and Naganath. Along with Matsyendranath, they are called the Navnath.[14]

The Temples of Macchindranath

The Patan shikhara, known as the Rato Macchindranath Temple, is one of the oldest Matsyendranath temples, dating back from the 16th century.[15] It is one of the famous temples of the Kathmandu Valley. 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.[11] Rato Machchhindranath spends six months of the year in this temple.

The village of Bungamati, regarded as the birthplace of Matsyendranath, is a traditional Newar town located 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) from downtown Kathmandu. The temple of Rato Machchhindranath is located in the heart of this village and it is known as his second home.[15] After the chariot festival, Rato Machchhindranath spends the next six month in this temple.

Other temples of Minanatha are Toyu (white) Machindranath temple in Kathmandu, Machhindranath temple in kille-Machhindragad Tal: Walwa (Islampur) Dist :Sangli, Maharashtra, Macchendranath Guru Peeth in Sri Guru Parashakthi Kshethra: Madyar: Mangalore, Hyangu (red) Machindranath temple in Patan,[16] Vishwayogi Swami Machindranath Mandir, Mitmita: Aurangabad, The samadhi place of Machindranath is in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, Mayamba Temple (Garbhagiri Pravat as mentioned in Navnath Grantha) at Shri Kshetra Machindranath Devasthan at Sawargaon: Tal: Ashti, District: Beed, Machhindra Nath Mandir, Inside Ambagate, Amravati and Machindra Nath Tapobhumi,Devacho Dongar, Kudal, Maharashtra, Dist Sindhudurg.(This Holy place is mentioned in the 6th Chapter of Navnath Grantha) Lord Shiv Shankar Bholenath & Lord Machindra Nath have both together meditated at this place for three days.

Chariot festival

Main article: Bunga Dyah Jatra (chariot festival)
Rato Macchindranath Chariot at Sundhara, Patan
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 Machhindranath 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.[9][17]

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 direction in the platform to the deity and it is believed that from which ever 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 on 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 wood work. 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 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 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 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.[9]

After the chariot reacher 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.[18]

After the festival, the chariot is dismantled and Rato Machchhindranath is taken to a temple in the nearby village of Bungamati, also known as the second home of the rain god. Rato Machchhindranath spends the next six months in that temple.[19]

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.

References

  1. ^ a b c "Asiatic Society (Calcutta, India)". Journal and Proceedings of the Asiatic Society of Bengal. XXVI (1): 133–141. 1930.
  2. ^ a b c 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.
  3. ^ a b Devdutt Pattanaik (2009), Seven Secrets from Hindu Calendar Art,p.150-151
  4. ^ 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
  5. ^ 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).
  6. ^ Trilok Chandra Majupuria, Trilok Chndra Majupuria (1987), Holy Places of Buddhism in Nepal and India: A Guide to Sacred Places in Buddha's Lands, P.152 At the request of the King, Matsyendranath himself came to Nepal from Kamrup (Assam) in India to ask Gorakhnath for mercy and give up the stubborn stand he was taking. To pay respect to his Guru (teacher), Gorakhnath got up.
  7. ^ Atul Krishna Sur (1973), Dynamics of Synthesis in Hindu Culture, P. 100 Matsyendranath started teaching the mysteries of yoga as learned by him from Siva, from house to house in Kamrup. Thereafter it spread to other regions of India.
  8. ^ Pandit, M. M.; Shastri, H. P. Bauddha Gan O Doha.
  9. ^ a b c When does the procession of Rato Machhendranath of Patan take place? (2007, 28 Oct). Retrieved from http://exoticbuddha.com/when-to-go/festivals/when-does-the-procession-of-rato-machhendranath-take-place
  10. ^ 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
  11. ^ a b 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
  12. ^ 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. {{cite book}}: |first1= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  13. ^ History of Hindi language and literature (1978), Page 36
  14. ^ Frydman, Maurice (1987). "Navanath Sampradaya". In Dikshit, Sudhakar S. (ed.). I Am That: Talks With Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj. Acorn Press. ISBN 9780893860462.
  15. ^ a b Rato Machhendranath Temple. (2013, 19 Feb). Retrieved from http://buddhanepaltrek.blogspot.com/2013/02/rato-machhendranath-temple.html
  16. ^ "Historical Monuments & WHS". Lalitpur.org.np. Lalitpur Sub-Metropolitan City Office. Retrieved 2015-03-22.
  17. ^ Rato Machhendranath Jatra – The Rain God’s Chariot Festival Begins. (2011, 8 May). Retrieved from http://www.explorehimalaya.com/blog/rato-machhendranath-jatra-the-rain-god%E2%80%99s-chariot-festival-begins/
  18. ^ "Bhoto Jatra marked amid much fanfare". The Kathmandu Post. 28 June 2011. Retrieved 23 May 2013.
  19. ^ Rato (Red) Machhendranath. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Rato+Machhendranath
  20. ^ Maya Machhindra (1932) at IMDb
  21. ^ Maya Machhindra (1939) at IMDb
  22. ^ Maya Machhindra (1945) at IMDb

Further reading

Websites

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