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The many streams of the aghora tradition
The Aghora tradition is also related indistinguishably with the sarbhang sect, mostly found in Bihar. Shastri enumerates six streams of this tradition started by six different preceptors, namely, kinaram of kashi (Varanasi); Bhinakram, Bhinakram, Tekmanram, sadanand Baba and Balkhandi Baba of champaran district in Bihar, and lashmisakhi.
The Aghora tradition is also related indistinguishably with the sarbhang sect, mostly found in Bihar. Shastri enumerates six streams of this tradition started by six different preceptors, namely, kinaram of Kashi (Varanasi); Bhinakharam, bhinakharam, tekmanram, sadanand Baba and Balkhandi baba of champaran district in Bihar. By enumerating these names separately it does not imply that they these traditions are totally different or exclusive from each other. At most, Baba kinaram’s tradition can be regarded as different from rest of the five traditions because it is widely prevalent and influential. Within the sarbhang sect, the tradition started by Baba Bhikhamram is old and popular. Baba Bhikhamram was born in champaran district of Bihar and one of his disciples, tekmanram is very well known. These sarbhang ascetics are said to perform their penance in the cremation grounds whereby they begin to control various kinds of ghosts and spirits, and become endowed with many kinds of miraculous powers. Those Aughar or sarbhanga ascetics who have obtained these powers are called siddha (the realized ones) and the populace expects them to help in curing many kinds of physical and non physical ailments. In the Atharva Veda, rudra has been portrayed as a great ‘doctor’ who is sought after to cure troubles caused by ghosts. Dogs are regarded as his companions. This representation of rudra translates into the persona of the present day sarbhang or Aughar saint.
Aughars can be further divided into two categories, Nirnavi (nirvana) and Gharbari. While the Nirvani stress renunciation and lone practices in places like the cremation ground, the Gharbari can be married householder ascetics who continue their practices in the tantric way at home. Baba kinaram and Baba Bhinakram belonged to the Nirnavi category, while the tradition started by Bhinakram had householders in it.
The Aghora tradition is also related indistinguishably with the sarbhang sect, mostly found in Bihar. Shastri enumerates six streams of this tradition started by six different preceptors, namely, kinaram of kashi (Varanasi); Bhinakram, Bhinakram, Tekmanram, sadanand Baba and Balkhandi Baba of champaran district in Bihar, and lashmisakhi.
The Aghora tradition is also related indistinguishably with the sarbhang sect, mostly found in Bihar. Shastri enumerates six streams of this tradition started by six different preceptors, namely, kinaram of Kashi (Varanasi); Bhinakharam, bhinakharam, tekmanram, sadanand Baba and Balkhandi baba of champaran district in Bihar. By enumerating these names separately it does not imply that they these traditions are totally different or exclusive from each other. At most, Baba kinaram’s tradition can be regarded as different from rest of the five traditions because it is widely prevalent and influential. Within the sarbhang sect, the tradition started by Baba Bhikhamram is old and popular. Baba Bhikhamram was born in champaran district of Bihar and one of his disciples, tekmanram is very well known. These sarbhang ascetics are said to perform their penance in the cremation grounds whereby they begin to control various kinds of ghosts and spirits, and become endowed with many kinds of miraculous powers. Those Aughar or sarbhanga ascetics who have obtained these powers are called siddha (the realized ones) and the populace expects them to help in curing many kinds of physical and non physical ailments. In the Atharva Veda, rudra has been portrayed as a great ‘doctor’ who is sought after to cure troubles caused by ghosts. Dogs are regarded as his companions. This representation of rudra translates into the persona of the present day sarbhang or Aughar saint.
Aughars can be further divided into two categories, Nirnavi (nirvana) and Gharbari. While the Nirvani stress renunciation and lone practices in places like the cremation ground, the Gharbari can be married householder ascetics who continue their practices in the tantric way at home. Baba kinaram and Baba Bhinakram belonged to the Nirnavi category, while the tradition started by Bhinakram had householders in it.
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