Navanatha Sampradaya


The Navanatha, also spelt as Navnath in vernacular languages, are the nine saints, Masters or Naths on whom the Navnath Sampradaya, the lineage of the nine gurus, is based. They are worshipped collectively as well as individually, and belongs to the Nath-tradition.

Nine gurus

Nath Sampraday believes that Rishi Dattatreya, an incarnation of the Hindu trinity Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, was its first teacher. Other traditions hold that Matsyendranath received initiation directly from Shiva, also known as Adi Nath. In many modern Nath groups, worship of Gorakshanath and Shiva is primary. The nine teachers, collectively known as Navnaths, are considered representative of great teachers in this tradition or parampara.
Several lists are known:

Nisargadatta Maharaj

According to both Maurice Frydman, translator of Nisargadatta Maharaj's I Am That, and Saumitra K. Mullarpattan, Maharaj's primary interpreter,
"the most widely accepted list" is as follows:
  1. Machindranath or Matsyendranath, "who was said to be initiated by Shiva in the science and teaching of Yoga."
  2. Gorakshanath or Gorakhnath
  3. Jalandranath or Jalandranath
  4. Kanifnath or Kanhoba
  5. Gahininath or Gehininath
  6. Bhartrinath or Bhartarinath or Raja Bhartari or Bhartṛhari
  7. Revananath or Revan Siddh or Kada Siddha or Ravalanath
  8. Charpatinath or Charpatakshnath
  9. Naganath or Nageshnath

List 2

Matsyendranath, Gorakshanatha, Charpatinatha, Mangalnatha, Ghugonatha, Gopinatha, Prannatha, Suratnatha and Cambanatha. They are not related to the divisions of the orders.

List 3

In another list each Natha is identified with a Hindu god:1. Aumkar Adinatha, Siva; 2. Shelnatha, Krisna or Rama Chandra; 3. Santoknatha 4. Acalacambhunatha, Hanuman or Laksman; 5. Gajbali Gajkanthnatha ) Ganesa Gajikarna ; 6. Prajnatha, or Udaynatha, Parvati; 7. Mayarupi Macchendranatha, Guru of Gorakhnatha; 8. Gathepinde Ricayakari, or Naranthar, Sambhujaiti Guru Gorakhnatha; 9. Gyansarupe, or Purakh Siddh Cauranjwenatha, or Puran Bhagat.

List 4

Orhkarinath, Visnu; Samtokanath, Visnu; Gajboli, Gajana, Hanuman; Acalesvar, Ganpati; Udayanatha, Surya; Parvati Prem, Mahadeo; Santhanatha, Brahma; Gyaniji Siddhacewarafigi, Jaggannath; Mayarupi, Matsya. The Nathas are also the guardian spirits of the Himalayan peaks.

List 5

1.Adinath 2. Udaynath Parvati 3.Satyanath Brahamaji 4.Santoshnath Vishnuji 5.Achabhenath Shesh 6.Kanthadnath Ganeshji 7.Chaurangi Chandrma 8.Matsyendranath 9.Gorakhnathh.

List 6

Omkarnath, Udaynath, Santoshnath, Achalnath, Gajbalinath, Gyannath, Chauranginath, Matsyendranath, Gorakhnath.

List 7

Macchendranatha, Gorakhnath, Jalandhernath, Kanifnath, Charpatinath, Naagnath, Bhartrharinath, Gahininath, Ravennath.

List 8

Shri Gorakhnath, Javaalendranath, Kaarinanath, Gahini nath, Charpath nath, Revan nath, Naag nath, Bharthari Nath, Gopichand Nath.