sandeyeYoga Styles: Pâshupata-Yoga
May 15th 2009 17:44
Pashupata Yoga stems from the word pashupati, which can be translated as lord of souls, one of the names given to the Hindu deity Siva. Among the practices of the Pashupatas you will find the thrice-daily smearing of the body with ash, meditation, and 'OM' chanting. Practice of Pashupata Yoga also includes vows, puja and penance, and the rejection of mainstream society. It is a religious practice that uses the Pashupata Sutras as its main scripture, which are said to originate from Lakulisha. Since these teachings, Kaundinya's commentary has been added to their recognized scriptures. Also, Panchartha Bhashya from around 500 and the Mrigendra Agama are taught. The Pashupatas are mentioned within the Mahabharata. The Vayu Purana contains chapters on: music, Vedic shakhas, Pashupata-yoga, and the duties of various castes.
The Pashupatas were the oldest established group of Saivite ascetic monks. With their hair unkempt and tied or coiled, they foccussed on Siva and his commpassion, rather than the world about them. They were alienated from the rest of Vedic society. Akin to Buddhists, the Pashupatas accepted any caste within their society.
These original practitioners adhered to practice of ethics in the form of yamas and niyamas, brahmacharya, ahimsa, and asceticism. At first, they took on vows and practice among themselves, inclusive of Siva-based ecstatic merriment - laughter, dancing, and singing. After this, they became hidden within society, where they would shock by such as babbling and snorting, limping and garbling, for the purpose of self purification. This was purposeful, in that it alienated them from the mainstream and taught lessons such as recognition of the valuelessness of 'like' and 'dislike'. Next, they began the practice of austerities, using Kundalini Yoga to closen to Siva and eventually attain special powers such as omniscience.
Claiming to date back in time to Lord Siva's own establishment, the Pashupatas famed personages include Lakulisha, from circa 200. Pashupata places of worship throughout India recognize Lakulisha as an incarnation of Siva. It is said in the Vayu-Purana and the Linga-Purana, that Shiva decided to make an earthly appearance when Lord Vishnu incarnated as Krishna, by entering a dead body. This is said to be that of Lakulisha, otherwise known as Lakulin in texts of the 10th and 13th century, who was born in Kayavarohana. He can be found in shrines as a naked being, seated in the lotus position holding a citron in his right hand and a danda in this left. Two specific branches - the Kapalika and Kalamukha - came from the original Pashupatas, as well as the Shaiva-siddhanta group. In the 8th century, the practices spread from India to Nepal. In today's world, Pashupata monks live mostly in Nepal and Northern India, but have grown a worldwide following.
The Pashupatas were the oldest established group of Saivite ascetic monks. With their hair unkempt and tied or coiled, they foccussed on Siva and his commpassion, rather than the world about them. They were alienated from the rest of Vedic society. Akin to Buddhists, the Pashupatas accepted any caste within their society.
These original practitioners adhered to practice of ethics in the form of yamas and niyamas, brahmacharya, ahimsa, and asceticism. At first, they took on vows and practice among themselves, inclusive of Siva-based ecstatic merriment - laughter, dancing, and singing. After this, they became hidden within society, where they would shock by such as babbling and snorting, limping and garbling, for the purpose of self purification. This was purposeful, in that it alienated them from the mainstream and taught lessons such as recognition of the valuelessness of 'like' and 'dislike'. Next, they began the practice of austerities, using Kundalini Yoga to closen to Siva and eventually attain special powers such as omniscience.
Claiming to date back in time to Lord Siva's own establishment, the Pashupatas famed personages include Lakulisha, from circa 200. Pashupata places of worship throughout India recognize Lakulisha as an incarnation of Siva. It is said in the Vayu-Purana and the Linga-Purana, that Shiva decided to make an earthly appearance when Lord Vishnu incarnated as Krishna, by entering a dead body. This is said to be that of Lakulisha, otherwise known as Lakulin in texts of the 10th and 13th century, who was born in Kayavarohana. He can be found in shrines as a naked being, seated in the lotus position holding a citron in his right hand and a danda in this left. Two specific branches - the Kapalika and Kalamukha - came from the original Pashupatas, as well as the Shaiva-siddhanta group. In the 8th century, the practices spread from India to Nepal. In today's world, Pashupata monks live mostly in Nepal and Northern India, but have grown a worldwide following.
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