![]() ![]() ![]() On release from all the eight bonds the soul becomes sadāśiva and obtains moksha.Īn Aghori man in Badrinath smoking hashish or Cannabis from a chillum in 2011.Īlthough akin to the Kapalika ascetics of medieval Kashmir, as well as the Kalamukhas, with whom there may be a historical connection, the Aghoris trace their origin to Baba Keenaram, an ascetic who is said to have lived 150 years, dying during the second half of the 18th century. ![]() Sādhanā in cremation grounds destroys fear sexual practices with certain riders and controls help release one from sexual desire being naked destroys shame. The practices of the Aghoris are centered around the removal of these bonds. Consequently, everything that exists must be perfect and to deny the perfection of anything would be to deny the sacredness of all life in its full manifestation, as well as to deny the Supreme Being.Īghoris believe that every person's soul is Shiva but is covered by aṣṭamahāpāśa "eight great nooses or bonds" - sensual pleasure, anger, greed, obsession, fear and hatred. Although the Aghoris enjoy close ties with the Shivnetras, the two groups are quite distinct, Shivnetras engaging in sattvic worship.Īghoris base their beliefs on two principles common to broader Shaiva beliefs: that Shiva is perfect (having omniscience, omnipresence and omnipotence) and that Shiva is responsible for everything that occurs – all conditions, causes and effects. The purpose of embracing pollution and degradation through various customs is the realization of non-duality (advaita) through transcending social taboos, attaining what is essentially an altered state of consciousness and perceiving the illusory nature of all conventional categories.Īghoris are not to be confused with Shivnetras, who are also ardent devotees of Shiva but do not indulge in extreme, tamasic ritual practices. Because of this monistic doctrine, the Aghoris maintain that all opposites are ultimately illusory. This freedom is a realization of the self's identity with the absolute. Many Aghori gurus command great reverence from rural populations as they are supposed to possess healing powers gained through their intensely eremitic rites and practices of renunciation and tápasya.Īghoris are devotees of Shiva manifested as Bhairava, are monists who seek moksha from the cycle of reincarnation or saṃsāra. ![]() Because of their practices that are contradictory to orthodox Hinduism, they are generally opposed by other Hindus. They often dwell in charnel grounds, have been witnessed smearing cremation ashes on their bodies, and have been known to use bones from human corpses for crafting kapalas (skullcups which Shiva and other Hindu deities are often iconically depicted holding or using) and jewelry. The Aghori are known to engage in post-mortem rituals. The Aghori (Sanskrit aghora) are ascetic Shaiva sadhus. ![]()
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