Difference Between Naga Sadhu and Aghori Baba

There are different types of sadhu and saints in the Hindu religion. Sadhus are the religious holy person in Hindu religion and also in Jain religion who used to renounce worldly life. These religious saints follow sadhana (spiritual path) and regain their inner peace. The sadhus used to be completely dedicated to gaining moksha. Sadhus wear simple clothing. The traditional saffron-coloured clothing in Hinduism, white or nothing in Jainism, is the symbol of their being sanyasi. A female mendicant in Hinduism is called a sadhvi. 

Sadhu is a Sanskrit word that means good man, and the term sadhvi means good woman. It is believed that Sadhu used to be always right, straight, and leading straight to the aim l. The term sadhu has appeared in Rigveda and Atharvaveda, which are the ancient Indian collection of Vedic Sanskrit hymns. According to different assumptions, there are approximately 4-5 million sadhus in India.

Who are Naga Sadhus?

The Most panoramic gathering of Naga sadhus is witnessed during the time of Mahakumbh. The herd of Sadhus comes to Mahakumbh to take a holy bath. In the early days of his life, a Naga sadhu lived in akharas along with other Naga Sadhus under the guidance of his Guru. Once he received his training and gained knowledge, he used to visit Himalayan for their meditational practices. They roam throughout their life. They hardly settle in any place. They eat only for a living. In Kumbh Mela, they eat whatever is offered by the pilgrims.

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Who are Aghori Babas?

Aghori is a Sanskrit word that means fearless. Aghori babas are the devotees of Lord Shiva. Aghori Baba believes that humans are souls and have many flaws. Humans are born with these flaws, or they get them from the materialistic world. These flaws are materialistic tastes and pleasures such as pleasure, greediness, hatred towards everything, lust, rage, etc. These flaws come under the major eight Ashtamahapasa (the other name for flaws). 

Their aim is to get rid of these flaws and to attain the supreme powers of Lord Shiva. They stand on one leg on the corpse. Their inspiration for doing this is as Parvati standing on the chest of Shiva. They offer human Flesh as prasad in shava sadhana. They sleep in the daytime and search in crematorium grounds at night for the dead bodies because their shava (corpse) is related to the corpse. So, they prefer living on the crematorium grounds.

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Difference between Naga sadhu and Aghori baba

Many people get confused that Naga Sadhu and Aghori Baba aim the same, but they have some major differences. The main differences between naga sadhu and Aghori baba are given below.

1. Examination and Practice: Naga sadhu and Aghori baba have to go through very difficult examinations and practices. They follow a very difficult Tapasya. It takes around 12 years to complete their Tapasya and become a Naga Sadhu and Aghori. Naga Sadhu lived in the Akhara and it is mandatory to pass different difficult examinations of Akhara to become a monk. The procedure of becoming Aghori baba is different. They perform penance in the crematorium, and they spend many years of their life in the crematorium with difficulty. 

2. Requirement of Guru (Mentor): It is necessary to have a Guru to become Naga Sadhu. The Guru mostly used to be the head of the Akhara or any other scholar of Akhara. One becomes a Naga sadhu when he gains all the proper knowledge from his Guru. Naga Sadhu follows the instructions and orders of their Guru throughout life. Naga Sadhus are trained warriors. Their mentors give them training. On the other hand, there is no need of having any mentor or guru for becoming an Aghori Baba. They consider Lord Shiva as their Guru. The Aghoris are believed to be the fifth incarnation of Lord Shiva. Aghori in crematoriums sit near the cemetery ground and do their sadhana (penance). It is also believed that Aghori’s gain divine powers during their Tapasya.

3. Dietary Habits: Naga Sadhu and Aghori baba are both non-vegetarians. There are some Naga Sadhus who are vegetarian also. But Aghori Baba consumes humans’ flesh. They focus on inner peace. Aghoris are the Kalyugi form of Lord Shiva.

4. Appearance: The basic difference between Naga Sadhu and Aghori baba is in their form of appearance. The Naga Sadhus usually live naked, and the Aghori baba used to wear some animal skin clothing or normal cloth to cover the lower part of the body. Aghoris engaged themself in post-mortem rituals. They are mostly found in crematorium grounds, smear cremation ashes on their bodies, and use bones from human corpses for wearing kapalas and jewellery.

5. Civilisation Visit: We see many of the Naga Sadhus in Kumbh Mela or Akharas. Aghori Babas are not found everywhere. They do not attend Kumbh Mela. It is their wish to attend Kumbh Mela, whereas Naga sadhu waits for the Kumbh, and this is mandatory for them to attend Kumbh as it is instructed by their Guru’s of Akharas. Aghor Baba resides in the crematorium. After taking part in Kumbh Mela, Naga Sadhu moved to the Himalayas. Naga Sadhus living in Akharas or Himalayas visit the civilisation during the Mahakumbh festival in India. They come to Mhakumbh to take bath in the holy deep. Aghori live the life of nomads and live near the crematorium, take baths in the cremation ashes, eat the flesh of corpses, and drink out of human skulls. They meditate on the corpses, which are a symbol of their rise from 'Shava' to 'Shiva'. 

6. Powers: People believe that Naga Sadhu and Aghoris have spiritual and wonderful powers. Naga Sadhus teach humans about the kindness and greatness of God, while Aghoris also have some black magic dark powers, and with the help of these magical powers, they help humans. Naga Sadhus and Aghori baba, through their sadhana, have spiritual powers, which they often use to help people, but the power of Aghori Baba is related to black magic. Nagas are known as warrior Sadhus and are compatible to fight intellectually or wrestle. 

Aghori Baba does not get such training because they do not have any gurus. It is believed that their power is in their Dark magic.

7. Relinquishment of the Family: Naga Sadhus and Aghori baba accept Brahmacharya and stay away from their families. They have to sacrifice their families in the process of becoming a saint. Aghori Baba performs their shraadh (the Hindu rituals which are performed after death). They never meet their families. Both Naga sadhu and Aghoris don’t want any type of disturbance in their meditations. Aghoris possess inner intents like good-bad, love-hatred, jealousy; they and anger are gone when they leave their families and loved ones.

Did You Know?

• It is believed that Dattatreya was Adi Guru of the Aghor tradition. Dattatreya has been mentioned in the Hindu scriptures as Aghori. So, he is the founder of Adi Guru of Aghori Babas.

• Aghori Sadhu performs three types of Sadhana. The first one is Shiv Sadhana in which is related to Lord Shiva, the second is Shav Sadhna, which is related to corpses, and they eat human flesh as the prasad of Shav Sadhna. The last one is Samashaan Sadhna, where they do meditation and use their power.