[Aditya Koirala]

Up

1

::

Aghoris are an interesting topic that come into the most bizzare form of lordship and spiritual practice. A number of set images about the practices of the Aghoris are set in the minds of the people while they fail to understand their very wide range of practices and beliefs, often oversimplifying their knowledge and their view towards the world. Here we shall understand the true concept about the life of the Aghori Sadhus and the meaning to their very different lifestyle.

 

History of the Aghoris

The Aghoris are a community of ‘monks’ who are the devotees of Lord Shiva manifested as Bhairava, one of his many incarnations. The origin of the Aghori Sadhus can be traced back to between the 7th or 8th century. The originator of the Aghori Sadhus is believed to be Baba Keenaram. He was considered to be the reincarnation of Lord Shiva himself. Since the old times, they have followed the same paths and their destination has always been the same.

 

Overseeing the Aghoris

 

A set of beliefs loom around in the society about the crude nature of the Aghoris. The very specific practice of cannibalism practised by the Aghori Sadhus have earned them the title of freaks in the society. They are also often engaged with the context of ‘Black magic’ or worshipping a dark power associated with rage and aggression. The Aghoris use human skulls for performing certain rituals and eating ,which to some may seem rather fearsome than a way of attaining something. They often dwell around the cremation sites and cover themselves in the ashes of the burnt bodies. Aghoris can be found mostly naked or just a piece of cloth around their torso. One can visit ‘The Kumbh Mela’ to see the Aghori Sadhus and experience their unique spiritual practices and rituals. It is also believed that the Aghoris can summon the dead.

 

Understanding the Aghori Sadhus

 

Aghoris, the devotees of Bhairava, tend to challenge societal norms and pay homage to their Lord in every unconventional way that the society has always backed off from. Not all of them are illiterate or had been backed off from the society because of which they chose to be Aghoris. Some of them are highly educated people who at some point in their life heard their calling and decided to join the path of the Aghoris.

 

The Aghoris seek salvation and spiritual enlightenment (moksha) by practising extreme and often taboo rituals. They refuse to follow the societal path. To attain the meaning of the existence of the universe, the life and of themselves is the divine aim of the Aghoris. Through a non dualistic approach, they aim to break down the conventional boundaries and materialistic attachment of the social world to achieve a higher level of consciousness. They lay down their desire, ego, love and hatred. They believe that the distinctions we spot in the world are ultimately illusions, and true understanding comes from realising the fundamental unity of all things. This approach encourages individuals to surpass dualities such as good and bad, sacred and temporal, and recognize the underlying interconnectedness of all existence.

 

The Aghoris eat human flesh because they believe that distinctions create a false reality which is why they do not differentiate between the good and the bad,shame and pride, beauty and the beast, the necessary and the useless and ultimately the human flesh and the animal’s. It is a form of creating oneness. For the Aghoris, clothing are materialistic things and an attachment with the material world is a hindrance to achieving Moksha. They intentionally engage in such activities.

 

The true Aghoris who are in their path to attaining Moksha can be found deep into the mountains of Himalayas. They live solitarily and are always deeply rooted into meditation as a part of their spiritual practice. Meditation plays a very significant role in their quest for self-realisation and spiritual enlightenment. Through meditation, Aghoris aims to transcend the limitations of the mind, dissolve ego boundaries, and attain a direct experience of the ultimate reality.

Conclusion

To sum it up, Aghoris follow an unconventional path in Hindu spirituality, seeking deep spiritual insight through practices that challenge societal norms. Their philosophy centres on oneness and a non-dualistic perspective. While their beliefs may be controversial and not easily proven, exploring the Aghori worldview provides a glimpse into diverse spiritual journeys and how individuals pursue a deeper understanding of existence.

Share

[Author]

Posts