Dr. Robert Svoboda visited Shri Mahendranath several times in India. He is the author of the Aghora books, which record the words of his mentor Vimalananda.
No, an Aghori is not a Nath. This question, if you think about it, is much like asking, “Is a Catholic a Unitarian?” These are two different names for two different things. In both instances we are referring to distinctly different sects. They may have things in common, but they are different names for different things.
The name Vimalananda is not an “initiation” name, but a chosen name he desired to be associated with. While Vimalananda had several highly advanced Gurus he himself never claimed initiation into any Aghori “sampradaya” or sect that I am aware of. Shri Vimalananda chose to refer to his teachings as Aghora, because this he felt was the clearest way to express it.
Shri Vimalananda was a very advanced spirit and capable of teaching, blessing, guiding. In contrast to many “teachers,” Shri Vimalananda had done a great deal of practical sadhana “spiritual exertion” and could rely on his own experiences and accomplishments to help others. As in the case of all important Guru-shishya relationships, there was a karmic bond between the two parties which was being played out in the current lifespan.
In the case of Vimalananda and Dr. Svoboda, three books were written and published on the subject. These were Vimalananda’s words to Dr. Svoboda. Third party readers such as the rest of us can be confident that volumes were “lost in translation.” That is, the books reflect the words of Vimalananda to Dr. Svoboda and not the rest of us, though many things come through nicely.
Dr. Svoboda is not a “Nath” nor has he ever been initiated into any Nath sect. I don’t recall that Dr. Svoboda has ever claimed to be an Aghori, but he might identify himself as one if pressed.
Kind regards,
Kapilnath
