The First Yogi: Part 4 The Wanderer’s Legacy

Part 4: The Wanderer’s Legacy

As the teachings of the first yogi began to ripple through the valleys and villages of the Himalayas, the world would never be the same. Shiva’s 112 techniques, once shared with Parvati, had become a sacred guide for those who sought not just an escape from suffering, but a profound connection to the universe. Parvati, ever the compassionate consort, had ensured that this knowledge was not kept secret, and through the holy men, it was shared far and wide. But what happened after Shiva disappeared into the ether? What legacy did the first yogi leave behind for humanity?

The sages who learned the secrets of the Vigyan Bhairav Tantra carried it like a torch through the ages, lighting the way for spiritual seekers. These weren’t just ordinary men; they were ascetics, mystics, and philosophers who had forsaken the material world in search of something deeper. As they traveled, they encountered kings and commoners, traders and warriors, all eager to know the secret of this inner peace, this state of Bhairava.

But like any treasure, the teachings faced their own trials. As time passed, interpretations of the techniques varied, and misunderstandings spread like wildfire. Some saw the power of the Tantra as a means to control others, while others, in their fear, saw it as a threat. Kings feared the growing influence of these wandering yogis, who spoke of a reality beyond riches, beyond power, beyond control. There were whispers of conspiracies, rumors that the yogis were teaching rebellion, that they could topple entire kingdoms by simply uniting minds in meditation.

But the true students of Shiva remained undeterred. They knew that the journey was internal, that Bhairava could not be confined to temples or palaces. Bhairava lived in the silence between breaths, in the stillness of the heart, and in the space between thoughts. This is what the first yogi had tried to teach. To those who were ready to listen, the teachings were clear as day.

Yet, as more and more people sought the yogis, the question arose: Was this practice meant for everyone? Could every person truly elevate themselves to this divine state, or was it reserved for the few who were dedicated, disciplined, and detached from worldly desires?

Parvati, watching over from her place alongside Shiva in the cosmos, would often smile at these questions. After all, hadn’t Shiva himself said that the doorway to Bhairava was open to all who could still their minds and open their hearts? Yet, in their haste to transcend, many people missed the simplest truth: It wasn’t about abandoning the world; it was about transcending the attachment to it.

The wandering yogis who followed in Shiva’s footsteps became known as Nathas, "those who have mastered themselves." These masters, though few in number, kept the flame of the first yogi alive. The Nathas were wild, just like Shiva—untamed by society’s expectations and uninterested in power or wealth. Their only concern was the inner journey, the exploration of consciousness.

And so, the first yogi’s legacy continued to flow through time like an underground river, hidden but always present. Even today, as we sit in the comfort of our modern lives, the call of the first yogi remains the same. It whispers in our moments of stillness, in the quiet of the early morning when the world is still asleep. It beckons us to turn inward, to find the union within ourselves.

This is the essence of Shiva’s teaching. Not a religion. Not a doctrine. But a practice—a way of living in harmony with the infinite, while still walking the earth as a human being.

"Truth is a pathless land, and you cannot approach it by any path whatsoever, by any religion, by any sect. That is my point of view, and I adhere to that absolutely and unconditionally."

- Krishnamurti

Zahir Akram - eternal seeker

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