International Nath Order Lineage

The International Nath Order traces its lineage through a succession of teachers who transmitted the practices of the Adinath and Uttara Kaula streams. The key figures below represent the main links in this transmission, leading to the founding of the INO and its continuation today.

Shri Dattatreya

Adiguru of the Adinath Sampradaya.

Shri Dattatreya is a historical figure about whom much could be written. For our purposes however, we will confine his depiction here to those features important to the International Nath Order.

A digitally created representation of Shri Dattatreya.

Shri Matsyendranath

Founded Nath sect combining Siddha, Kaula, Tantra.

Shri Matsyendranath is a historical figure said by some scholars to have lived about 1,000 years ago. (1000 C.E.) He is considered by many to be the founder of the broader Nath Order as a distinct sect.

Shri Sadguru Lokanath

Initiated Mahendranath into Adinath Sampradaya in 1953.

Shri Sadguru Lokanath was a Nath guru and avadhut from the area of Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, India.

Shri Pagala Baba

Tantric guru of Ranchi, initiated Mahendranath into Uttara Kaula.

Shri Pagala Baba, born Panchanan Mitra, was a revered sadhak and the guru of the Uttara Kaula sect, holding its ancient parampara with great spiritual authority.

Shri Gurudev Mahendranath

Current leader guiding INO as Imperator Magus Mundi.

Shri Gurudev Mahendranath (April 29, 1911–August 30, 1991) was a Nath guru, tantric guru, sadhu, sannyasin, writer, poet, and Avadhut.

Sri Kapilnath I.M.M.

Founded International Nath Order in 1978.

Sri Kapilnath was born in Washington, USA, in January 1958 as John Pilskog. He is a disciple of Shri Gurudev Mahendranath, from whom he received the Nath initiation name of Kapilnath.