Adesh

Adesh

आदेश, ādeśa (or ādeś in Hindi)

Adesh is the word with which Natha-yogis greet each other and can be literally translated as "will", "order", "instruction".

Natha Sampradaya has its own nirukta (interpretation of terms), according to which Adesh means the following:

"Adesh is the name of the Lords of Yoga and yoga as such, the true form of the Nathas. Adesh is the name of the completed siddhas, the unity of Atma (the individual soul as such), Paramatma (the omnipresent soul) and Jivatma (the soul embodied in the body). Adesh is the name of the unity of one soul (within a person) with another soul, reverence for the luminous nature of the soul. Adesh is the name of the non-dual Atman, beyond qualities, formless, indestructible. This is the full meaning of the term Adesh. May there be respect and will (teachings) of Shri Nath ji Guruji!"

In "Siddha-Siddhanta_Paddhati", Gorakshanath defines Adesh as a designation of unity and interconnection of Atma, Jivatma, and Paramatma.

Will is the focus on comprehending the unity of Atma, Jivatma, and Paramatma, which is, from the point of view of the Nathas, yoga and sadhana itself. The level of awareness of the Atman directly depends on the relationship with Paramatma, and awareness of Jivatma, first of all, means awareness of the body, which is identical with the entire universe – brahmanda. According to the philosophy of Natha Yogis, the material world is a state of one’s spiritual energy. However, such a perception of the world, soul, and oversoul does not come immediately but gradually reveals itself in the process of yoga practice. Direction towards this path, towards such a mystical vision, when all illusory limitations disappear, is Adesh. 

Adesh is also the will of Shiva. But this should not be confused with the desire for power and egoistic "command". This is the perception of the will from above in a state of complete openness to the descending energy of Anugraha Shakti, enlightening the entire existence, this is the ability to learn, develop, and follow the path of a Natha-yogi.

When the Nathas greet each other with the word Adesh, they are declaring the Supreme Will in the one they greet. In this way, they signify the manifestation of the Supreme Will, establish it, and honor the Adesh in each other. It is also a declaration of intention to follow the Higher Will and spiritual path.

According to "Machhindra Gorakh Bodha" we come across the following explanation of what Adesh is:

मछिंद्र: अवधू आदेस  का अनुषम उपदेस, सुंनि का निरंतर बास |
सबद का परचा गुरु कथंत मछिन्द्र नाथ

"O disciple, instruction (upadesh) in immeasurable (anupam) transmission (ādeś), where immutability (nirantar) lives (vās) in emptiness (śūnya). Speech is a manifestation of the Guru (śabd kā paricaya guru) (obviously, the connection of the Guru with the bija aiṃ), says Guru Matsyendranath."

Commentary by Guruji Sri Yogi Matsyendranath Maharaj:

"Adesh or Adesha (in Sanskrit) means a certain transmission from Guru to disciple or from Deity to a practitioner in a special form, where instruction and the highest essence, meaning are inseparable. This is the subtle knowledge that the Guru reveals in the disciple and which, in essence, is the yogic experience. Since this is not ordinary knowledge obtained in universities, it is revealed in a meditative state, in a state of extreme peace of mind and feelings, often this transmission can be non-verbal. Such transmission occurs silently between some yogis or gurus and the one who receives Shaktipat from them. This is the kind of relationship when a student understands the Guru from a half-hint, half-word, on a deeply intuitive level. As a rule, this is accompanied by a deep psychophysical transformation of the student’s nature. This means the transmission of essential knowledge, for a profound spiritual transformation, where the disciple, in a state of deep respect and utmost mindfulness, both towards himself and the Guru, discovers the silent Truth. We can say that this is the highest form of mystical experience, leading to total transformation, the transformation of man into the God-man. This is the state of yoga in its essential, unified form and also many of its basic aspects, therefore there can be a connection with any type of traditional yoga and religious practice."