Naga Sadhus are ascetic saints in Hinduism who are devotees of Lord Shiva. They have sacrificed all material possessions for their spiritual growth. They worship Lord Shiva and they live in ashrams, mountains, caves or forests far away from social life.
They are a major attraction of the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela at Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj.
Meaning of Naga Sadhu
The term “Naga” refers to their practice of going nearly “naked” (nagna) and “Sadhu” means “ascetic”. Many believe that it also means Naga – a guardian serpent deity who worship Lord Shiva. They are known for their mysterious life style, they lead life free from material comforts, focusing on sacrifice with a deep religious devotion towards Lord Shiva.
They are considered as guardians of Hindu culture and faith. As they live far away from society, they are visible among common people only during the Kumbh Mela. They cover their bodies in ash, they carry tridents and wear Rudraksha beads, with long matted hair, often dress in traditional attire like animal skins.
Naga Sadhus lead the sacred procession during the Maha Kumbh Mela and regular Kumbh Mela’s, especially during the Shahi Snan which is also known as Amrit Snan (holy bath). They have fought in battles to defend sacred cities and Hindu culture. Hence they are considered as protectors of Hindu culture.
They often considered as a “warrior-saint” who are known for their extreme asceticism, they sacrifice worldly possessions and always live naked with ash covered body. They engage themselves in intense meditation, chanting mantras, and various other practices to achieve spiritual enlightenment.
They have existed in Indian culture for thousands of years. History indicates their relationship with Lord Shiva and their ascetic spiritual practices through the collection of paintings and coins discovered at Mohenjo-Daro which was the ancient city of the Indus Valley Civilization.
During ancient times, Naga Sadhus were taught to fight anti-Vedic invaders ferociously. They were equipped with tridents (trishul), talwars, gadas and teer Dhanush to protect temples (mandir). They successfully protected Lord Shiv temples from invaders and Mughals. Aurangzeb’s army was attacked hindu temples and Shiv mandirs during ancient times. Courageous naga sadhus defeated Aurangzeb’s army many times and protected mandirs from invaders.
Naga Sadhus, who remain without clothes, are capable of surviving in extreme coldest whether conditions. They perform spiritual practices known as Sadhana. They perform three types of Sadhana that helps them to survive in all seasons.
Nadi Shodhan: They perform Nadi Shodhan pranayama, by balancing airflow within their body. This spiritual practice helps them to keep their body temperature regulated and warm.
Chanting Mantras: Naga Sadhus generate energy in their body by chanting mantras. This practice generates heat in their body, allowing them to survive in cold temperatures.
Agni Sadhana: Naga Sadhus practice a form of meditation that includes accumulating the fire element inside their body. This internally generated heat allows them to keep their bodies warm in extreme cold conditions.
Apart from these spiritual practices, Naga Sadhus covers their bodies in ash. This ash acts like an insulating layer on their bodies. Ash contains minerals like potassium, phosphorus and calcium, which help to regulate the body temperature and keeping them protected from coldest weather conditions.
Many of them live in freezing snow packed mountains or dense forests without shelter. These rigorous spiritual practices and ash covered on their body helps them to survive in extreme weather condition changes on mountains, caves and forests.
They must leave behind their families, personal belongings and all form of worldly pleasure. After proving their dedication, they undergo an initiation ceremony which is also called as a “Diksha” where they officially become Naga Sadhus.
Naga Sadhus eat minimal food and sometimes survive only on fruits or milk. This sattvic diet produces purity in their body and perform many spiritual practices including deep meditation, yoga, worshipping Lord Shiva by chanting Vedic Mantras to attain a spiritual enlightenment.
