Naga Sadhu - A Warrior Tribe

Naga Sadhu, one of the warrior communities that this country has witnessed in ancient times, a tribe that hasn’t ceased to exist. Have you ever been to Kumbh Mela? Well, if yes, then some of you might have witnessed a group of worshippers, Sadhus, who wear nothing except the infamous langot and are the hardcore worshippers of Lord Shiva. Who are Naga Sadhus? Based on various sources from India, Naga Sadhus are a sect of Hindu ascetics who are devoted to Lord Shiva. They are known for their deep renunciation, strict adherence to ascetic practices, and associated with Hinduism. This particular cult is known for their valour and war skills. They can particularly be found wandering around in groups during Hindu festivals especially Kumbh Mela and MahaShivratri. This cult of Naga Sadhus has drawn attention due to their lifestyle, particularly what they chose to wear. Group of men, who are seen in large numbers during Kumbh Mela, suddenly vanish after the festivities, definitely got the eye brows raised. Many, including me, wanted to know more about them.

Naga Sadhus are the followers of Lord Shiva and are believed to be God’s representatives. They abstain from any materialistic happiness, including stitched clothes. They have renounced worldly attachments to devote their life to God and Hinduism. Infact they perform their last rites before beginning their journey to become a Naga Sadhu, which is mainly to depict that they are cutting off all worldly ties. Their skin is mostly covered with ashes which makes them unique among people and they often wear Rudraksha beads which symbolises their devotion towards Lord Shiva. Some of their key practices includes – Nudity, which symbolises renunciation of all materialistic comforts, knotted hair, ashes and holy beads of Rudraksha which symbolises their devotion, and their presence during important festivals which demonstrates their dedication to their religion and culture. Basically, their life consists of two things – devotion to God and service to mankind when required.

Naga sadhus are renowned warriors who have played a crucial role in defending Hinduism and relentlessly fighting against invaders. Throughout history, they have fearlessly engaged in battles, wielding spears and tridents as their weapons of choice. These warriors have displayed unwavering courage and determination in protecting the principles and values of their faith. The Naga Sadhus' fearless spirit and dedication to their cause have made them an integral part of Indian history, serving as a symbol of strength and resilience.

To become a naga sadhu, one must renounce all worldly ties and perform their own last rites, symbolizing detachment from materialistic existence. Afterward, they embark on a rigorous journey of intense meditation to cleanse their mind and soul. The path to becoming a naga sadhu also entails practicing celibacy for a minimum of twelve years before being initiated into the sect. These ascetics are predominantly found in the Himalayas, where they devote themselves to practicing hatha yoga and meditation for extended periods of time. While it may seem like a simple task, reaching this state of being requires an unwavering commitment. Even the slightest distraction can derail years of dedicated practice. Achieving this level of devotion and dedicating oneself solely to the betterment of humanity necessitates immense selflessness and unwavering dedication.

Legend says, their origin is dated back to Vedic times whose references can be found in Rig Veda. Dattatreya, the God who is believed to be the incarnation of the trio – Bramha, Vishnu and Maheshwar, is believed to be the Guru of the Naga Sadhus who has also founded the order of Naga Sadhus. Our mythology hasn’t recorded the exact dates though. Dattatreya had only one principle – austere life and refraining from sensuality. When one is distracted by worldly pleasures, mind tends to get polluted with such thoughts. Dattatreya, therefore, used to tell his followers to follow other Sadhus and to lead a hard life, to live under the open sky and to make a fire in order to ward off the cold. Later, Shankaracharya organised this tribe during eighth century to fight for safeguarding Sanatan Dharma against evil invaders.

We should not confuse between an Aghori and a Naga Sadhu. An Aghori is a believer in the concept of salvation, which can be attained by pleasing Lord Shiva. To achieve this, they follow extreme and unconventional methods of worship, including eating flesh. On the contrary, Naga Sadhus believe in serving mankind by renouncing relationships, family, and other comforts of life. They prefer to live in their dedicated 'akharas', specially built for their residence. Within these akharas, they have a leader who heads their cult and can define rules and punishments as and when required. It is important to understand and differentiate between these two distinct paths of spirituality, as they have different beliefs and practices.