History of Aghor

The word Aghor literally means, that which is not difficult or terrible. Aghor is simple and natural state of consciousness. There is no place for feelings of fear, hatred, disgust or discrimination in the eyes of an Aghor. A person who practices these virtues may be designated as an Aughar. With constant practice when the soul is established in that state, such a person becomes an Avadhuta regardless of his path.

An Aghoreshwar is an Avadhut who has gone through all the various stages of Aghor and then has returned to society for the benefit of others. Even though an Aghoreshwar remains above and beyond all social and material illusions, distinctions, and categories, he can bring many social reforms into effect. Realizing his divine nature, retaining the carefree, unattached Aghor state of being, he may have at the same time the appearance of one observing the contemporary social norm rather than a recluse.

The term Aghor goes back to the farthest reaches of time. One of the five faces of Shiva was known as Aghor. The word is as old as Shiva himself. In the SHIVA PURANA, one of India’s oldest legends, there is a hymn to the glory of Shiva by Pushpadanta, head of the Gandharvas, called the Shiva Mahimnah Stotram. One of its verses is:

                                                       Aghoranna paro mantro
                                                      Nasti tatvam Guro param.

The very name of Aghor (Shiva, or the one who has attained the state of Aghor) is a mantra that is above all other mantras. There is nothing higher to be known than the real nature of the Guru.

In the past the word Aghor implied something mysterious. Slowly, over centuries, its meaning came to include methods and practices used by sadhus to overcome their limitations. After the prehistoric association of Aghor with Lord Shiva, another legendary being was not only considered by the ancients to have realized the state of Aghor but was believed to have propounded and taught the knowledge of it to others. This was Lord Dattatreya. Many other saints and mahatmas who embodied this Aghor state arose at their destined times in history, while at other times the lineage became dormant, like embers hidden under ashes. Eventually the methods and means to achieve this Aghor state began to be communicated in guru-disciple relationships. However, the practices continued to be little known.