| Matsyendranatha | |
|---|---|
Vishvayogi Svami Machindranath |
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| Other names | Swami Machindranath, Matsyendranath, Macchindranath |
| Known for | Founder of Natha Pantha |
Matsyendranatha (Sanskrit: मत्स्येन्द्रनाथ, Bengali: মৎস্যেন্দ্রনাথ) or Machindranath (9th-10th century) was one of the eighty-four Mahasiddhas. He was the guru of Gorakshanath, with whom he founded the school of Hatha yoga. He is considered as the author of the Kaulajñānanirṇaya ("Discussion of the Knowledge Pertaining to the Kaula Tradition"), one of the earliest texts on Hatha Yoga in Sanskrit.[1] He is revered by both Hindus and Buddhists.[2] Machindranath is believed to be the founder of the Natha Pantha. Machindranath is called "Vishwayogi" because his teachings are universal.[3]
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According to the popular belief, Swami Machhindranath was created from a fish. But the fact is that neither was he created from a fish nor was he born from a womans' womb because Lord Shiva wanted to create him from absolute purity and absolute purity can be found in the five elements of life: fire, water, sky, earth and air. Lord Shiva took a certain percentage from each of the 5 elements and created Swami Machhindranath and gave Him a human form. Another reason why he created Swamiji from the 5 elements was because Lord Shiva wanted his creation to be more powerful than Lord Brahma (one of the gods of the Hindu trinity) . Since Swamiji was created from the 5 elements he is indestructible. After creating Swamiji Lord Shiva gave him all his knowledge, thoughts, philosophies. Swamiji is a Sanyasi in the true sense because apart from being born out of purity he was endowed with pure qualities like 'Tyag' or 'Sacrifice'. 'Bhakti and Shraddha', 'Gyan or Knowledge', 'Yog and Rishimayta'.
He was popularly known as Minanatha and was an inhabitant of either Chandradwip (Barisal) or sandwip in Bengal.
. Machhindra Nath Mandir, Inside Ambagate, Amravati.
There are a few films about this legend in Indian cinema.
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