ਮਾਛਿੰਦ੍ਰਾ (maachhindraa)
Meaning: noun: Machhendra-nath, the guru of the famous yogi Gorakhnath.
Quote:
ਸੁਣਿ ਮਾਛਿੰਦ੍ਰਾ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਬੋਲੈ॥ ਵਸਗਤਿ ਪੰਚ ਕਰੇ ਨਹ ਡੋਲੈ॥
ਹੇ ਮਾਛਿੰਦ੍ਰ ਨਾਥ! ਸੁਣ, ਨਾਨਕ ਆਖਦਾ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਜੋ ਪੰਜਾਂ (ਕਾਮਾਦਿਕ ਵਿਕਾਰਾਂ) ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਵੱਸ ਵਿਚ ਕਰ ਲੈਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਕਦੇ ਡੋਲਦਾ ਨਹੀਂ।
suṇ maacchiňdraa naanak bolai.
vasgat paňch kare nah ḍolai.
Listen, O Machhendra-nath! Nanak says that one who subdues the five vices does not waver. -Guru Nanak Sahib, Guru Granth Sahib, 87
Message: Machhendra-nath, born in the 10th century, was the guru of Gorakhnath, the founder of the Nath tradition. The janam sakhis mention him having met Guru Nanak and conversed with him. The reference, however, is to a contemporary member of his school of yogis, as Guru Nanak was born in the 15th century.
The verse of today is addressed to him. The Guru says that true spiritual elevation is attained by overcoming evil passions, and not through bodily postures, rituals and austerities.
The true ascetic is not one who renounces the world but one who remains socially active and engaged while keeping his mind focussed on the Divine.
Such a person does not beg alms but seeks Divine love and wisdom. He keeps his mind attuned to the Divine and rejoices in the invaluable gift of contentment.
Notes: Machhendra-nath or Matsyendranatha is also known as Minanatha (Fish-Lord), Minapa, Luipa (in Tibet), and Avalokiteshvara (in Nepal). He lived in the 10th century and is considered to be one of the eighty-four Siddhas or perfect yogis of Tantric Buddhism.
According to Tibetan-Buddhist belief, he was a fisherman who, while being devoured alive by a large fish (matsya or meen in Sanskrit and machchhee in Punjabi), was initiated by Mahadeva or Adinatha himself.
