Tuesday, February 18th, 2025

4000 Nagas saved God from Muslim invaders, performed Shraddha-Pind Daan while alive and then became sadhus in Kumbh.


New Delhi: About 1700 years ago, when the Muslim invader Muhammad bin Qasim attacked Sindh, India, a saint was rising in South India. he/she was Adi Guru Shankaracharya. This is the same Shankaracharya, born in the eighth century, who, seeing the threat of Huns, Shakas, Buddhism and Islam to the eternal culture of India, traveled across India on foot and established 4 monasteries in 4 corners of the entire country. At that time Shankaracharya asked to prepare such an army of saints who were proficient in both weapons and scriptures. In common parlance it is said that a Naga Sadhu should have a rosary in one hand and a spear in the other. This is very important to protect Sanatan. Do you know how Naga Sadhus are made and what are Akharas, what is the purpose of these Nagas? Know the untold story of Nagas from Professor Yogeshwar Tiwari, former Head of the Department of Medieval and Modern History at Allahabad University, Prayagraj.

While alive, we do our own Shraddha and Pind Daan.

Dr. Yogeshwar Tiwari tells that the history of Nagas is strange. They live in the mountains, caves and caves of the Himalayas. But, whenever Kumbh takes place or Magh Mela takes place, these Naga Sadhus come. Here, covered in ashes, he/she keeps discussing God and spirituality. These Naga Sadhus perform their own Shraddha and Pind Daan while they are alive. Apart from this, they perform rigorous penance for 12 years. After this, they get the status of Naga Sadhu only after bathing in Kumbh.

What was called Akhara, how did it come into existence

The meaning is clear that if the problem is not solved as per the scriptures then weapons will be taken up. Akharas means wrestling. Here Akharas mean that the sadhus were trained as warriors. Whenever there was a crisis on Sanatan and culture, these Akharas came forward united. From the medieval period till 1857, these Akharas have been trying political tricks.

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4 thousand Nagas clashed with Abdali for Gokul

Shankaracharya suggested the Akharas to use force if necessary to protect the monasteries, temples and devotees. In this way, these Akharas acted as a protective shield during that period of external attacks. Many times the local kings and emperors used to take the help of Naga warrior sages in case of foreign invasion. There are descriptions of many such glorious wars in history in which more than 4 thousand Naga warriors took part. When Afghan invader Ahmed Shah Abdali attacked Gokul after Mathura-Vrindavan, 4 thousand Naga Sadhus defeated the morale of his/her 30 thousand Muslim-Afghan army and protected Lord Krishna’s Gokul.

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Shankaracharya established these four Peethas

In fact, Shankaracharya began to feel that in that era of social turmoil, spiritual power alone was not enough to meet these challenges. he/she stressed that the young sadhus should strengthen their bodies by doing exercises and also acquire proficiency in using weapons. Therefore, such monasteries were formed where such exercises or weapon handling were practiced. Such monasteries came to be called Akhara. Shankaracharya established these four Peethas – Jyotishpeeth Badarika Ashram, Shringeri Peeth, Dwarka Sharda Peeth and Puri Govardhan Peeth. The monks sitting on these are called Shankaracharya.

The story of Maha Kumbh1

Propagation of religion from Kashmir to Kanyakumari is the main objective.

These Akharas have been at the forefront in propagating the Vedic religion of Acharya Shankar. he/she has been at the forefront in propagating religion from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. The head of these Akharas is Mahamandaleshwar. Kumbh is the biggest festival for these Akharas. It is here that these Naga monks are made. Naga Sadhus eat tubers, roots, fruits, flowers etc. They eat food only once during Kumbh. They remain wrapped in the ashes of dhuni at various places. There is no clothes on their body.

13 Akharas in the country, 14th Akhara for eunuchs too

According to Dr. Yogeshwar Tiwari, the ultimate goal of Sanatan is freedom from traffic. That means freedom from being born again and again on earth. It is believed that by taking bath in Kumbh one attains salvation. There are 13 Akharas across the country. The 14th Akhara, Kinnar Akhara, is also included in these. Their chiefs are called Mahamandaleshwar. Which are generally considered to be the form of God.

The story of Maha Kumbh

Akharas are divided like this, Shaiva-Vaishnav and indifferent

Talking about 13 Akharas, they can be divided into three sects: Shaiva, Vaishnav and Udasin. Nagas are considered to be a sect of sages in the Shaiva sect. There are 7 Akharas – Mahanirvani, Juna, Atal, Agni, Aavahan, Niranjani and Anand. Although people of Shaiva sect believe in the Advaita theory of Adi Shankar, they worship Shiva in a secular form. There are 3 Akharas of Vaishnav sect – Nirmohi, Digambara and Nirvani. There are two Akharas of Udaasin sect – Bada Udaasin and New Udaasin. The 13th Akhara belongs to the Sikh community. It is called Nirmal Panchayati Akhara.

Professor Yogeshwar Tiwari.

What is the difference between Peshwai and royal procession?

In Kumbh, two types of processions of 13 Akharas are taken out. One is called Peshwai and the other is called royal procession. During Peshwai, the processions of these Akharas leave their main place and go to their ashrams on the banks of Ganga after getting properly dressed up. At the same time, the royal procession goes in decorated clothes on the day of Makar Sankranti and Mauni Amavasya, which is called the royal procession.

There was a conflict between the Akharas in 1906, since then the administration has been alert.

In 1906, there was a fierce fight between the Akharas for the first place, since then the administration remains alert to prevent any kind of fight. The administration clears their path so that the general public does not come in their way. It is the Akhara Parishad that decides who will take the bath first. This council, with the help of the administration, settles all types of disputes of the Akharas.

How do Nagas become Sanyasi or Sadhus, know the interesting story

According to Professor Yogeshwar Tiwari, the sadhus who want to become Naga Sannyasi will participate in the Kumbh Mela. One has to meditate for 12 years. It is in Mahakumbh that the initiation of Naga Sadhus is completed after 12 years of rigorous penance. Then during Kumbh they are dressed in white clothes. Then the seeker has to chant Gayatri Mantra for three days. Then their Mundan ceremony takes place. During this time, their Shraddha rituals and Pind Daan also take place. On the day of Pind Daan, Acharya Mahamandaleshwar gives initiation to the seeker to become a Naga. Only after this the seeker becomes entitled to take Kumbh bath.

These are the 17 adornments of Nagas, know

Generally there is talk of 16 adornments for women, but Naga Sadhus do 17 adornments. These are – Bhabhut, loincloth, sandalwood, iron or silver bracelet on the feet, Panchkesh, ring, garland of flowers (to tie around the waist), tongs in the hands, Roli paste on the forehead, damru, kamandal, braided hair, Tilak, Kajal, hand bangles, Vibhuti paste and Rudraksh.

What happens after the death of Naga Sadhu

Naga Sadhu’s Shraddha ritual and Pind Daan are performed while he/she is alive, hence, he/she is not cremated after his/her death. Their dead bodies are either thrown directly into the Ganga or their mausoleum is made. Attaining salvation is their ultimate goal.

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