1240. Naga Sadhu, the Warrior of Sanatana Dharma

Naga Sadhus are Shaivite warriors said to have formed by Sri Sri Shankara to safeguard Sanatana Dharma. They live in the caves of Himalaya and come down only at the time of Kumbh Mela. They are naked sporting long matted hair. They have their whole body smeared with ashes of dead bodies. They carry weapons like tridents, swords and canes but do not harm any innocents. They never get in contact with mundane life and live in Akhada (Monastery). They possess divine powers which they use only to safe guard Dharma and they have no fear of death or anxiety over life.  

The Naga Sadhus have a long history; they existed since Indus Valley Civilisation. There is a mention of Alexander III of Macedon meeting Kalanos (Kalayana), a Naga Sadhu from Punjab during his stay in the sub-continent. Their way of life and the devotion towards Sanatana Dharma had influenced Bhagvan Buddha. The Digambara tradition of Jainism was inspired by these Naga Sect. Naga Sadhus are very well versed in the art of warfare archery, swordsmanship wrestling and cane twirling. Their training is not over the weapons which are just matters.  

Once an ace archer came to Kumbh Mela and met a Naga Sadhu who was hold bow and arrow. The bow and arrow of the Naga Sadhu looked ancient compared to the sophisticated Recurve bow sight. The archer had won many international tittles and was proud of his archery skills.

He wished to exhibit his skills to the Naga Sadhu. He shot an arrow and it hit the bulls eye. He turned back smiled at the Sadhu and shot another arrow which split the first arrow. “Can you shoot like this?” he asked the Naga Sadhu.

The Naga Sadhu did not say anything he sign the archer to follow him and went up the mountain. He came to a gorge which was bridged by a wooden structure. The bridge was very wobbly and could fall anytime. Naga Sadhu walked to the middle of the bridge which started shaking violently. He stood at the centre took his traditional bow paired it with an arrow and pulled the string to his ear. Looking at the archer he let the string go, for the arrow to fly swift past to hit the distant tree. He came back and asked the archer to go to the centre of the bridge and shoot at the same tree.

As the archer walked to the edge of the bridge his legs started to tremble looking at the deep chasm. He felt dizzy and started shaking violently he stumbled and fell on the bridge. The plank on the platform of the bridge could not hold his weight he was about to slip and fall. Hugging the rope tightly he shouted for help. The Naga Sadhu picked up the archer put him on his shoulder and walked calmly back. 

While giving him water to drink the Naga Sadhu said, “All the skills you have practised pertain to the bow and arrows. Your practice has made you rule over them and you do have full control on them. You don’t rule the mind that takes aim and shoots the arrow. Your mind is not under your control. The bow, arrow, the target, the aim, the shooting everything is from the mind. You control your mind and rule over it!”