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The Avadhuta is equally unaffected by Tyag or Bhog. The Natha Yogis adopted some mystic procedure in performing certain Mudras (gestures) for spiritual realisation which consisted of Bhog and Tyag at the same time. These procedures, however, remain obscure to the uninitiated.
The beginnings of the Yoga system can be traced back to ancient times, but the path is not an easy one. It is only through self-discipline that one can rise above the empirical self and be one with Siva. A course of both physical austerities and mental discipline has to be followed to achieve this state of Bliss and forsake the outer world which binds us in its alluring snares. Mystic syllables such as OM help the Yogis to achieve this state by concentration on the Mantras (i. e., the sacred text or syllable). The Yogi forgets the outer world and is in Union with the Unseen. The Natha Yogis advocate this practice as is seen from their works. The concentration and constant repetition of the Mantras leads one to the state of Ajapa-jap which means that one has entered internal life. The mantra is spontaneously repeated all the time. Such a Yogi with the help of Hatha Yoga gains control over the vital airs, the Prana and Apana and is able to perform miracles. It would be an injustice to say that the Natha Yogis Hadipa, Gorakhnath etc. practised control over the vital airs to gain some occult powers only. Their final aim was higher. It was the attainment of Sivahood, with Hatha Yoga as the means. The vital airs are often termed as the Sun and the Moon. These terms have been used both in the Buddhist and Bramhinical texts of mysticism. There are other synonyms as found in the Caryapadas. In Hatha yoga Candra (Moon) is the nerve on the left of the body and is nown as Ida and Surya (Sun) is Pingala on the right. They are also known as Ganga and Yamuna (the name of the two important rivers in India). An individual soul can attain Sivahood by abandoning the left and the right through Yogic practices and bringing them under control. Hadipa makes the Sun and Moon his earrings i. e., in other words, he has controlled them. The Sun and the Moon are the symbols of day and night, the Prana and Apana or inspiration and expiration are the two important functions of the body, on which depend the notion of time. So when a Yogi controls
