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==Early life==
==Early life==
Little is known about the life of Matsyendra and legends vary in describing his birthplace and Siddhahood. He is often conflated with the figures of Minanatha (who is also sometimes considered Matsyendra's father) and Lui-Pa, all of whose names translate as 'Lord of the Fish'. <ref>The Alchemical Body: Siddha Traditions in Medieval India" by David Gordon White, p. 91</ref>[[Giuseppe Tucci]] states, on the authority of two Tibetan works - the ''Siddha'' ({{bo|w=grub thob}}) and [[Taranatha]]'s "Possessing the Seven Transmissions" ({{bo|w=bka' babs bdun ldan}}) - that Matsyendranāth, who is seen in Tibet as an avatar of Avalokiteśvara, was a fisherman from [[Kamarupa]].<ref name="JPASB">{{cite journal |title= Asiatic Society (Calcutta, India)|work=Journal and Proceedings of the Asiatic Society of Bengal |volume=XXVI |year=1930 |number=1 |pages=133–141}}</ref><ref name=Indian_Civilization_and_Culture_-_Page_441 /><ref>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</ref>
Little is known about the life of Matsyendra and legends vary in describing his birthplace and Siddhahood. He is often conflated with the figures of Minanatha (who is also sometimes considered Matsyendra's father) and Lui-Pa, all of whose names translate as 'Lord of the Fish'. <ref>The Alchemical Body: Siddha Traditions in Medieval India" by David Gordon White, p. 91</ref>[[Giuseppe Tucci]] states, on the authority of two Tibetan works - the ''Siddha'' ({{bo|w=grub thob}}) and [[Taranatha]]'s "Possessing the Seven Transmissions" ({{bo|w=bka' babs bdun ldan}}) - that Matsyendranāth was a fisherman from [[Kamarupa]].<ref name="JPASB">{{cite journal |title= Asiatic Society (Calcutta, India)|work=Journal and Proceedings of the Asiatic Society of Bengal |volume=XXVI |year=1930 |number=1 |pages=133–141}}</ref><ref name=Indian_Civilization_and_Culture_-_Page_441 /><ref>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</ref>
<ref>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).</ref><ref>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.</ref><ref>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.</ref> [[Haraprasad Shastri]] and others state that Mīnanātha was a native of Bengal belonging to the "Nath" or weaver caste.<ref>{{cite book |first1=M. M. |last1=Pandit |first2=H. P. |last2=Shastri |title=Bauddha Gan O Doha}}</ref> The Newar people of Nepal claim his birthplace is [[Bungamati]] near [[Kathmandu]].<ref>Rato Matsyendranath of Patan and Bungamati, Tribhuvan University. Institute of Nepal and Asian Studies, 1973 by John Kerr Locke</ref>
<ref>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).</ref><ref>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.</ref><ref>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.</ref> [[Haraprasad Shastri]] and others state that Mīnanātha was a native of Bengal belonging to the "Nath" or weaver caste.<ref>{{cite book |first1=M. M. |last1=Pandit |first2=H. P. |last2=Shastri |title=Bauddha Gan O Doha}}</ref> The Newar people of Nepal claim his birthplace is [[Bungamati]] near [[Kathmandu]].<ref>Rato Matsyendranath of Patan and Bungamati, Tribhuvan University. Institute of Nepal and Asian Studies, 1973 by John Kerr Locke</ref>


Revision as of 19:04, 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) is a saint in 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

Little is known about the life of Matsyendra and legends vary in describing his birthplace and Siddhahood. He is often conflated with the figures of Minanatha (who is also sometimes considered Matsyendra's father) and Lui-Pa, all of whose names translate as 'Lord of the Fish'. [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 was a fisherman from Kamarupa.[1][2][4] [5][6][7] Haraprasad Shastri and others state that Mīnanātha was a native of Bengal belonging to the "Nath" or weaver caste.[8] The Newar people of Nepal claim his birthplace is Bungamati near Kathmandu.[9]

Legend

Legends tell of Matsyendra's birth under an inauspicious star warranting his parents to throw the baby into the ocean. It is here that the baby is swallowed by a fish where he lived for many years. The fish swam to the bottom of the ocean where Shiva was imparting the secrets of yoga to his consort, Parvati. Upon overhearing the secrets of yoga, Matsyendra began to practice yoga sadhana inside the fish's belly for twelve years, finally emerging an enlightened Siddha. This is the origin of his name, meaning 'Lord of the Fishes' or 'He Whose Lord is the Lord of the Fishes'.[10] Other version of the legend exist, including one in which Matsyendra was born as a fish and turned into a siddha by Shiva.[11] Some scholars draw parallels beween this legend and the Biblical story of Jonah and the Whale.[12]
Another 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.[13][14]

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.[15]

Works

Matseyendra is credited with composing hatha and tantric works such as the Kaulajñānanirnāya ("Discussion of the Knowledge Pertaining to the Kaula Tradition"),[16], the Matsyendrasamhita and "Akula-Viratantra", some of the earliest texts on hatha yoga in Sanskrit in the eleventh century. [2] James Mallinson, Alexis Sanderson and others theorize that many works were attributed to him posthumously. [17][18] He was known to be sympathist of hermits and occultists.[19]

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.[20] While Gorkshanath is generally considered a direct disciple of Matsyendranath, it is likely they lived hundreds of years apart. [21]

The Temples of Matseyendranath

The Patan shikhara, known as the Rato Macchindranath Temple, is one of the oldest Matsyendranath temples, dating back from the 16th century.[22] 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.[15] The murti of Rato Macchindranath (Matsyendranath) spends six months of the year in this temple.

The village of Bungamati, regarded in Nepal as the birthplace of Matsyendranath, is a traditional Newar town located 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) from downtown Kathmandu. The temple of Rato Macchindranath is located in the heart of this village and it is known as his second home.[22] After the chariot festival, Rato Macchindranath spends the next six month in this temple.

Other temples of Minanatha are Toyu (white) Machindranath temple in Kathmandu, Macchindranath 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,[23] 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.[13][24]

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.[13]

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.[25]

After the festival, the chariot is dismantled and Rato Macchindranath is taken to a temple in the nearby village of Bungamati, also known as the second home of the rain god. Rato Macchindranath spends the next six months in that temple.[26]

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 "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. ^ The Alchemical Body: Siddha Traditions in Medieval India" by David Gordon White, p. 91
  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. ^ Rato Matsyendranath of Patan and Bungamati, Tribhuvan University. Institute of Nepal and Asian Studies, 1973 by John Kerr Locke
  10. ^ http://www.lorinroche.com/yoga/yoga/matsyendra.html
  11. ^ Light on Yoga, BKS Iyengar
  12. ^ Buddhist Reflections By Lama Anagarika Govinda, Maurice O'Connell, ISBN 978-81-208-1169-0, p.119
  13. ^ 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
  14. ^ 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
  15. ^ 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
  16. ^ 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)
  17. ^ "Hathayoga's Philosophy: A Fortuitous Union of Non-Dualities" by James Mallinson, University of Oxford
  18. ^ "Saktism and Hathayoga" by James Mallinson, 6th March 2012
  19. ^ Cite error: The named reference Seven_Secrets_from_Hindu_Calendar_Art_p.150 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  20. ^ Frydman, Maurice (1987). "Navanath Sampradaya". In Dikshit, Sudhakar S. (ed.). I Am That: Talks With Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj. Acorn Press. ISBN 9780893860462.
  21. ^ "Saktism and Hathayoga" by James Mallinson, 6th March 2012
  22. ^ a b Rato Machhendranath Temple. (2013, 19 Feb). Retrieved from http://buddhanepaltrek.blogspot.com/2013/02/rato-machhendranath-temple.html
  23. ^ "Historical Monuments & WHS". Lalitpur.org.np. Lalitpur Sub-Metropolitan City Office. Retrieved 2015-03-22.
  24. ^ 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/
  25. ^ "Bhoto Jatra marked amid much fanfare". The Kathmandu Post. 28 June 2011. Retrieved 23 May 2013.
  26. ^ Rato (Red) Machhendranath. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Rato+Machhendranath
  27. ^ Maya Machhindra (1932) at IMDb
  28. ^ Maya Machhindra (1939) at IMDb
  29. ^ Maya Machhindra (1945) at IMDb

Further reading

Websites

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