Sandha-bhasha

Sandha-bhasha

संध-भाषा, saṃdha-bhāṣā

Sandha-bhasha (sandha-bhashya, sandha-vachana) is a symbolic language of the siddhas, sometimes also called a mystery, mixed or "twilight" language, etymologically derived fr om the word "sandhya", i.e. the connection of time intervals suitable for sadhana.

According to one version, sandha-bhasha comes from the mixing of numerous languages existing in the vast Indian subcontinent, as well as in the trans-Himalayan region, that is, in places wh ere there was a mutual exchange of experience among mystics belonging to various faiths and schools.

Thus, in the Nath Tradition, shabar-mantras composed in sandha-bhasha have become widespread. It is believed that these mantras were received directly from Shiva-Adinath by the great Siddha Yogi Matsyendranath, and later were passed on to his disciple Gorakshanath.

Many yoga-tantric writings use encrypted allegorical language in their arsenal to express spiritual experiences received in transpersonal states of consciousness, thus preserving mystical knowledge from the uninitiated. Sandha-bhasha also gained great fame among Buddhist siddhacharyas, numerous Tantric poets, among yogis and wandering sadhus. In line with the "paradoxical language", numerous doha-songs have been composed, characteristic of both Indian Tantrism and Vajrayana. The strength of this language lies in its imagery and the multitude of meanings that color words and sentences.