The Nath Sampradaya Diksha Mantra is a sacred formula used for initiation (diksha) into the Nath tradition, a lineage of yogis founded by the legendary master Gorakhnath. This mantra is not a single fixed text but a class of mantras transmitted orally from guru to disciple during initiation. The primary deity of the Nath Sampradaya is Adinath, an epithet of Shiva as the first lord, with Gorakhnath revered as the foremost human guru. According to the Goraksha Samhita, the initiation mantra typically includes the beej (seed) syllable 'Om' followed by the name of the Nath guru, such as 'Om Adinathaya Namah' or 'Om Gorakhnathaya Namah'.
The phoneme 'Om' (ॐ) is considered the primordial sound, representing the union of Shiva and Shakti, and is central to Nath practice. The purpose of this diksha mantra is to transmit the shakti (power) of the Nath lineage, awaken the dormant kundalini energy, and bestow the blessings of the lineage for spiritual progress. The Siddha Siddhanta Paddhati, a key Nath text, describes that the mantra purifies the disciple's subtle body, aligns the chakras, and facilitates the rise of kundalini through the sushumna nadi. Traditionally, the mantra is chanted during a formal initiation ceremony (diksha) conducted by a qualified Nath guru, often at a Nath matha (monastery) or sacred site.
The recommended count is 108 repetitions (mala) daily, preferably at dawn or dusk, after purification rituals. The disciple should face east or north, sit in a comfortable asana, and use a rudraksha mala. Cautions include that the mantra should never be chanted without proper initiation, as it is considered a powerful transmission that requires the guru's grace. Unauthorized repetition may lead to spiritual imbalance.
The Nath Sampradaya emphasizes secrecy of the specific mantra, so only the general form is disclosed here. The mantra is also chanted during Gorakhnath Jayanti and other lineage festivals to honor the gurus.
Salutations to the primordial lord, Adinath.
The mantra begins with the seed syllable 'Oṁ' (ॐ), which is the primordial beej-akshara representing the union of Shiva and Shakti and the source of all creation.