'In the Shaivite tradition, the god's companions (kaulas) are described as a troupe of freakish, adventurous delinquent and wild young people, who prowl in the night, shouting in the storm, singling, dancing and ceaselessly playing outrageous tricks on sages and gods. They are called Ganas, the 'vagabonds', corresponding to the Cretan Korybantes and the Celtic Korrigans (fairies' sons). Like the Sileni and Satyrs, some of them have goat's or bird's feet. The Ganas mock the rules of ethics and social order. The personify the joy of living, courage and imagination, which are all youthful values. They live in harmony with nature and oppose the destructive ambition of the city and the deceitful moralism which both hides and expresses it. These delinquents of heaven are always there to restore true values and to assist the 'god-mad' who are persecuted and mocked by the powerful. They personify everything which is feared by and displeases bourgeois society and which is contrary to the good morale of a well-policed city and its palliative concepts.'
From Shiva and Dionysusby Shri Alain Daniélou
(reprinted as Gods of Love and Ecstasy) page 99
Tantrik texts almost always begin with a dialogue between Shiva and Shakti. One can infer from this that the human worshipper, whatever their gender, assumes the god-form of one of these, either Shiva or Shakti, in order to participate anew in the flow of knowledge from the divine.
As a cult or sect Tantrism is difficult to pin down. Like Hinduism it is really a collection of different practices and philosophical attitudes. To confuse things further some elements of Tantra can be found even amongst more orthodox worshippers. There are eight characteristic practices or techniques found in Tantra: They are sadhana, mantra, mandala, mudra, nyasa, dhyana, puja and diksha. If one understands the meaning of each of these unfamiliar Sanskrit words, one has a fairly good idea of what being a Tantrik entails.
There are many groups and individuals who claim to teach or practice tantrik methods of liberation. This fact-sheet was prepared by members of the Kaula Nath Gana (including AMOOKOS, the Arcane and Magical Order of the Knight of Shamballa.) This is an east-west magical tantrik group with a genuine line of initiation leading back to the Nath cult of Matsyendranath, who lived sometime between the years 700 to 900 of our era.
To find out more about the Kaula Naths visit some of the links given below. (please let us know if any are no longer working)
There are many goods books that can act as an introduction to magical tantra and Hinduism for
instance :
Gods & Myths of India - Hindu Polytheism by Alain Danielou
(Inner Traditions).
Shiva and Dionysus by Alain Danielou (Inner Traditions)
Tantra Sadhana (basic introductory practice to AMOOKOS sect)
PDF version for $10. Contains documentation on the 1980s schism between AMOOKOS and the International Nath Order - so you might like learn about all that sooner rather than later. (available from www.mandrake.uk.net)
Jan Fries book Visual Magick, although they are not written from the tantrik point of view,
contains many useful techniques of Magick that can be applied within any style of magick.
For more information on books visit the
Mandrake of Oxford homepage
Having looked at some or all of these books you may decide that you desire initiation. The Nath Gana is a small but growing band of initiates, about 200 throughout the world. There are one or two working groups and individuals in UK, Germany and America who can offer initiation and in some cases instruction, based partly on the book Tantra Magick although not exclusively so. Before referring you to one of these groups, we ask that you complete a questionnaire. If you would like to pursue this option, it is recommended that you become an associate member or 'mitra'. Where possible you will be told the name of a 'special friend' or sumitra, who will be a source of advice and information when you first join. The mitra receives mailings and newsletters through the year. There is no formal membership fee for the Nath Ganas, and the costs for accommodation at retreats or for copies of instructional papers or books are charged at standard rates. However if you want your sumitra to write to you and also to receive newsletters and information about the activities of the Nath Ganas, then a small regular donation may help things along
Atha! Svecchacara
Fact-sheet prepared by members of the Nath Ganas.© Nath Ganas
Hamsa Power Zone,
PO Box 250,
Oxford,
OX1 1AP (UK)
If you would like to send us an e-mail c/o
mandrake@mandrake[remove this bit].uk.net
Lokanath's
Tantrik homepage (USA mirror)
The office of AMOOKOS 'guru' ended with the death of Dadaji, even so the work of Lokanath is a wellspring of knowledge and wisdom concerning our inner teachings.
Nathsociety.org
This is the website of Lalita Mataji, one of Dadaji's first western initiates.
American.nathsociety.org/
Website of Shivanath, representative of a completely different lineage of the Nath tradition.
International Nath Order
Formerly MAGIKOS, although this name now reserved for an in-group within INO.
Uttara Kaulas & John Powers
The Uttarakaulas are one of two tantrik sects whose ideas melded with those of western occult via the agency of a tantrik guru known as Mahendranath or Dadaji.
Lalita Mataji writes:
'John Powers was entrusted with the Uttarkaula tantric aspect of our world and he has obviously nurtured and worked with his specialty for as he says 21 years. At the end of his analytical work he includes an original and very creative and fascinating ritual that possibly is a summation of his experience. It is quirky and personal and that adds greatly to its value. I have often gotten swamped by Mahendranaths large output of written words. To see a few of his major tantras reworded, discussed, analyzed and emotionally digested is so helpful. I recommend that those who are interested in the works of Mahendranath give this work more that a quick cursory glance. Discussion of his work will certainly help him to make some small changes in wording and emphasis so that when he does publish this book it will have the advantage of the input of those who are most deeply interested in the subject. Thank you John Powers....very good work! - Lal'
This is an elist for all Naths and Kaulas. Fluctuates between silence and energetic flamewars - but is one of the few online meeting points for this tradition. Send an blank email to wydglow-108-subscribe@gnostica.net
Other sites:There are several other AMOOKOS and Nath related site, well worth checking out - best google them by individual name, eg: Phil Hine, Garuda Nath.