Revan Nath

Shri Revan Natha, also known as Revan Siddh,[1] Kada Siddha,[1] and Kaadhsiddheshwar,[2] Siddharaj was the 7th[3] or 8th[4] Navnath. He is especially worshipped in western India, where several temples are dedicated to him, and several sampradayas trace their origin to him, the best-known being the Inchegeri Sampradaya.

Etymology

KadSiddha

According to one account, Revan nath derived the name Kada Siddha from his siddhi, powers:

A woman [called "maiee"] was against all saints in "karver" province. She used to trouble the saints who had acquired Siddhi (God gifted powers) and hence Revananath was requested by his disciple (Marul Siddha) to stop Maiee by using powers given to Revananath by Shree Datta. Revananath accepted this request, [and] converted "maiee" to a musical instrument, which is said that, he used to play until his death. Due to his very kind heart [and] great powers with which he stopped "maiee", people started to call him Kada Siddha.[1]

Kaadhsiddheshwar

According to another account, Revanath settled on the Siddhgiri hill for ascetic practice, living on whatever the jungle, gave him. He became famous as Kaadhsiddheshwar:[2]

  • "Kaadha" = jungle;[2]
  • "siddha" => siddha, siddha guru, "one who is accomplished";
  • "ishwar" = Shiva, the "Supreme lord".

Meaning "the one who attained supreme realization in a forest".[2]

Biography

Revan Nath was born at the bank of Reva River (Narmada River ), and was brought up at a farmer’s house.

Mahima Siddhi

One morning when he proceeded to his farm, Lord Guru Dattatreya gave him darshana, revealing himself to Revan Natha. Guru Dattatreya recognised the boy as an Avatara being incarnated on earth, and gave him special siddhi, divine powers, called "Mahima". After receiving this siddhi, the farmer’s house was flourished with plenty of food grain and prosperity, and Anna Chatra[note 1] was also started.

Machchindra Natha, the first Nath of the Navnath Sampradaya, visited the village when he came to know about Mahima Siddhi. Machchindra Natha recognised Revan Natha that as a Narayana Avatar, but warned that if he kept stuck in a cage of popularity due to this Mahima Siddhi, it would create an obstacle in his Avatar Karya.[note 2] Machchindra Natha prayed to Lord Dattatreya to give the status of Brahma Sanatana to this boy. Revan Natha realised his Satya Swaroopa,[note 3] and proceeded to work for the welfare of the world, and the upliftment of poor and needy people.

The seven dead children

While on pilgrimage, he arrived at one village by name VITA (Near sangli , in Maharashtra). In that village there was a name ceremony function at one Brahmin family. They said Brahmin saw Revan Natha and cordially invited Revan Natha on the holy occasion of name ceremony of his son. Revan Natha decided to stay at Brahmin’s residence for a while when Revan Natha saw his love and respect. A strange thing happened on the night that the kid whose name ceremony solemnised, was suddenly expired over the midnight itself. The mother of the dead kid started weeping. Revan Natha heard voice of her weeping and asked the Brahmin, who is crying, what happened? That Brahmin elucidated all his story to Revan Natha and explained about past history of his son that all the kids who took birth at his home were dead and this recently expired kid was his 7th son. After listening the story Revan Natha interact with himself in his mind that how it could be happened when I was present in the Brahmin’s house! After doing condolence there, Revan Natha assured the Brahmin and straight way approached to Lord Shiva and brought Chaitanya[note 4] of the seven dead kids there from. Revan Natha made seven pieces of the dead kid and reinstated the Sanjivan Chaitanya therein,[note 5] made alive the seven dead kids and gave them rebirth by using spiritual power. The weeping Brahmin family got showered with the intense happiness and joy. Shri Revan Natha stayed for some more days in that village and thereafter proceeded for pilgrimage for divine duties i.e. welfare of needy people.[note 6]

Temples
See also: Sidhhanath Temple

Several temples are dedicated to Revan Nath.

Siddhagiri Math
Main article: Siddhagiri Math

Revananath is considered to have established the Kaadsiddheshwar temple and math in the 7th century CE.[2] Other accounts mention a history of "more than 1300 years",[5] and the 14th century CE, when a Lingayat Priest established a Shivling at the hill, which became Kaneri Math.[6]

It is located on Siddhagiri hill[1] in Kanheri village, Karveer tehsil, Kolhapur district, Maharashtra state, India.[6] It is also called "Siddhagiri Math"[7] The Siddhagiri Math was established around the Moola-Kaadsiddheswar Shiva temple in the Shaiva-Lingayat tradition. It is a vast campus with the central Shiva temple.[2]

In the 12th century the Math came under the influence of Basaveshwar, who established the Lingayat tradition of south India.[2] Nowadays the influence of the math exceeds to most of the districts of Maharashtra and Karnataka, and also to some places in Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh.[2]

Part of Siddhagiri Math is the "Siddhagiri Gramjivan Museum", a wax museum dedicated to Gandhi's ideal of rural life. It was established by the 27th Mathadhipati, H.H. Adrushya Kadsiddheshwar Swami Ji.[6]

Waarshik Maha Utsava (Annual Ceremony) is being celebrated continuously for 3 days over here and the said practice is observed in Revan Natha Darbar Kolhapur since 33 years regularly with all joy.

All spiritual rituals of Natha Sampradaya are being arranged. The Annual ceremony comes in Margashirsha, Vadya Ashthami Navami and Dashami as per Hindu calendar which normally comes in the month of December every year as per English calendar.

Besides Annual Maha Utsava, the other important Utsavas like Guru Pornima, Shri Krishnashtami are also celebrated in Revan Natha Darbara enthusiastically. Spiritual guidance is being rendered to the devotees in Revan Natha Darbar Kolhapur.

Other temples

Sampradaya

Inchageri Sampradaya

The Inchageri Sampradaya honours Revan Natha as the (mythological) founder of their sampradaya.

See also

Notes
  1. Maha Prasada, i.e. meal distribution to a large number of people with spiritual intentions
  2. Divine practice for the welfare of the down trodden people in society
  3. true self entity
  4. Live substance i.e. Atma Jyothi
  5. Live substance i.e. Atma Jyothi
  6. The bringing back to life of the seven dead kids may be interpreted as follows: everyone has seven chakras. All these seven chakras are activated in enlightened persons, c.q. saints. The Brahmin of Vita village achieved the divine happiness, because Shri Revan Natha activated all seven Chakras in the body of that Brahmin. To achieve this is the goal of human life.

References
  1. "Gurudev R.D. Ranade, ''Kada Siddha''". Gurudevranade.com. Retrieved 2019-06-24.
  2. http://www.siddhagiri.org/?page_id=371
  3. Frydman 1987.
  4. Boucher.
  5. "siddhagirimath.org, ''Siddhagiri Math – History''". Siddhagirimath.org. Retrieved 2019-06-24.
  6. Siddhagiri Gramjivan Museum Kaneri Math
  7. Kaneri Math Kolhapur

Sources
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