Adiyogi – the First Guru
Lord Shiva was the first Yogi or Adiyogi. He was also the Adi Guru or the first Guru, who gave yogic science to the world. Adiyogi appeared 15,000 years ago, in the Himalayan heights. His origins are unknown. Seeing him dance ecstatically on the mountains, people gathered around him to find out what was happening. However, they were unable to approach him as he was blazing like a flame. So, they waited for a while. As time passed, many of them left until only seven people remained. Being determined seekers, they insisted that they wanted to learn from him, but Shiva did not pay them any heed.
They begged him to share his knowledge with them, but he ignored them. Finally, after 84 years of dedicated sadhana, he decided to become a Guru. This happened on a full moon day, which has come to be known as Guru Purnima. Adiyogi became the Adi Guru, thereby marking the advent of the first Guru ever. Adiguru then took the seven disciples to Kantisarovar, where he began a systematic and scientific exposition of yoga. He began to explain the whole mechanics of life to the seven disciples in an experiential manner, exploring every aspect of creation with them. He showed them how yoga could be used to help people evolve. This continued for an extended period. Several years passed, and finally, he had produced seven enlightened beings who came to be called the Sapta Rishis.
The Sapta Rishis
Adiyogi sent each of the Sapta Rishis to different parts of the world. One went to Central Asia, another to North Africa and the Middle East. The schools they established exist even now. Others went to South America and East Asia. However, one among them stayed back with Adiyogi. Another went to the lower Himalayan region and launched Kashmiri Shaivism. It was sage Agastya who went south into the Indian Peninsula. Among the seven Sapta Rishis, it was Agastya Muni who was most effective when it came to embedding the spiritual process in practical life. Thus, it became more than mere teaching, philosophy, or practice; instead, it was life itself. He also produced many other yogis to disseminate his knowledge. Even today, the Indian people, as well as the rest of the world, are enjoying the benefits of what he did.
Supposedly, Shiva first imparted his knowledge to Parvati, his wife. Later, to benefit humankind, he taught yogic science to the Sapta Rishis who shared this knowledge with the rest of humanity. For all yogic and tantric systems, he is the first Guru. His teachings are called Agama Sastras. From them came various traditions which still exist. One such is the Nava-Nath Tradition founded by Matsyendranath, Gorakshnath and the seven other Gurus of the Nath Tradition, which is still found in North India. Gorakshnath is regarded as an incarnation of Lord Shiva. In the South, it was Siddha Agastiyar or Agastya Muni (sage), who spread this knowledge, creating a lineage of Siddhas who specialized in Medicine, Yoga, Tantra, Astrology and other sciences. South India had 18 Siddhas in all.
The Importance of Sage Agastya
To Tamil Hindus, Agastya is the first and foremost Siddha. The word, Siddha comes from the Sanskrit root Sidh meaning "to accomplish or succeed." As the first Siddha, Agastya is regarded as the first master and sage who had a consummate knowledge of the natural and spiritual worlds. He is one among the eight or twelve remarkable sages of Hinduism. Sage Agastya finds mention in all the different Puranas of Shaivism, Shaktism, and Vaishnavism. For all these reasons, Sage Agastya is worshipped on Guru Purnima. He is one of the Sapta Rishis, the seven disciples of Adi Guru, the first teacher in the universe. Guru Purnima is the day to worship and pay homage to all gurus, teachers, and preceptors.
Invoke Head Siddha Agastya at His Eternal Living Powerspot
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