Gurunatha, Gurunātha, Guru-natha: 3 definitions
Introduction:
Gurunatha means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
In Hinduism
Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)
Source: Google Books: ManthanabhairavatantramGurunātha (गुरुनाथ) refers to the “first teacher” [?], according to the Manthānabhairavatantra, a vast sprawling work that belongs to a corpus of Tantric texts concerned with the worship of the goddess Kubjikā.—Accordingly, “Now I will tell (you) the teaching concerning Gurunātha, merely by knowing which the tradition of the teachers functions. O Śambhu, the teacher is established in the three divisions and has emerged as the three lineages. The three-fold Vidyā, Ātman, and Śiva (manifest) as the division of the Moon, Fire and Sun. O god, (he is) associated with the eighty-one parts (of Navātman) and has eight lotus-like faces and sixteen arms. (This is the) sakala (form of the teacher), which is endowed with energy. Each part of (his) body is (like a shining) lamp within (his) maṇḍalas. (He is) the first teacher adorned with the Krama and (accompanied) by the Siddha couples of the Transmental (that constitutes the Divine Current) [...]”.
Shakta (शाक्त, śākta) or Shaktism (śāktism) represents a tradition of Hinduism where the Goddess (Devi) is revered and worshipped. Shakta literature includes a range of scriptures, including various Agamas and Tantras, although its roots may be traced back to the Vedas.
Yoga (school of philosophy)
Source: ORA: Amanaska (king of all yogas): A Critical Edition and Annotated Translation by Jason BirchGurunātha (गुरुनाथ) refers to the “lord of Gurus”, according to the Śivayogadīpikā, an ancient Sanskrit text dealing with Yoga possibly corresponding to the Śivayoga quoted in Śivānanda’s Yogacintāmaṇi.—Accordingly, [while describing a sequence of Haṭhayoga practices]: “Thus, by means of this Haṭhayoga which has eight auxiliaries, those [students who are] life-long celibates obtain the Siddhis of the [best of Sages] because of their untiring practice. [...] In the twelfth year, he is an equal to Śiva and he himself is the creator and destroyer [of the universe]. Thus, within twelve years, he easily becomes a perfected one of steady mind because of his devotion at the feet of the true lord of gurus (sad-gurunātha). This is well attested. [...]”.
Yoga is originally considered a branch of Hindu philosophy (astika), but both ancient and modern Yoga combine the physical, mental and spiritual. Yoga teaches various physical techniques also known as āsanas (postures), used for various purposes (eg., meditation, contemplation, relaxation).
In Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)
Source: OSU Press: Cakrasamvara SamadhiGurunātha (गुरुनाथ) refers to a “Guru protector”, according to the Guru Mandala Worship (maṇḍalārcana) ritual often performed in combination with the Cakrasaṃvara Samādhi, which refers to the primary pūjā and sādhanā practice of Newah Mahāyāna-Vajrayāna Buddhists in Nepal.—Accordingly, “Homage be to you, homage be to you, homage be to you, homage, homage, With devotion I bow to you, guru protector (gurunātha) be pleased with me”.
Tibetan Buddhism includes schools such as Nyingma, Kadampa, Kagyu and Gelug. Their primary canon of literature is divided in two broad categories: The Kangyur, which consists of Buddha’s words, and the Tengyur, which includes commentaries from various sources. Esotericism and tantra techniques (vajrayāna) are collected indepently.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Ends with: Sadgurunatha.
Full-text: Tryuli, Candrabheda, Agnibheda, Tribhedastha, Ulitraya, Ravibheda, Kramamandita, Shodashabhuja, Vaktrashta, Pankaja, Pradipaka, Ekashitipada, Pindakhanda.
Relevant text
Search found 2 books and stories containing Gurunatha, Gurunātha, Guru-nātha, Guru-natha; (plurals include: Gurunathas, Gurunāthas, nāthas, nathas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Amarakoshodghatana of Kshirasvamin (study) (by A. Yamuna Devi)
Kṣīrasvāmin and other schools of Sanskrit grammar (Introduction) < [Chapter 6 - Grammatical Aspects]
Naishadha-charita of Shriharsha (by Krishna Kanta Handiqui)
Introduction to Cāṇḍūpaṇḍita’s commentary < [Introduction]