Meaning of Aghor According to Aghor Tradition

Meaning of Aghor

The term Aghor was chosen because of multiple reasons, one of which is the meaning it conveys. The letter अ, when used as a prefix, denotes an antonym of a concept before which the term is used. Ghor means extreme, hard, and terrifying; thus, Aghor means easy, simple, and not terrifying or pleasing. The symptoms of a kulayogi and Aghor Sadhak are just like this: while they indeed appear as fierce, their mind is at peace and existence is in bliss due to the grace of Shivji. Aghoris don’t wish harm upon anyone and thus are internally pleasing despite extreme appearances. A deeper explanation of this concept also exists.

Aghor

The term Aghor has two parts, the अ and घोर.
The अ represents singularity while घोर represents apparent duality, thus implying that in reality the origin is one yet we appear as different and multiple beings.
Also, the term अघोर can be used to show a paradox, just like the Aghori Sadhakas practice extremely difficult sadhanas, yet their nature is simple and pleasant.
In the same way, the term अघोर can be interpreted; if the stress is made on अ, it denotes the peaceful aspect, while if the stress is made on घोर, it denotes the fierce aspect. अ is primary in the same way our inner being is the primary focus of spiritual progress; this part is ever blissful.

घोर is the 2nd part; it is secondary, just like our external appearance, which is terrible for those who don’t understand us. Moreover, if one repeatedly chants घोर, it finally sounds like अघोर, but when one chants अघोर repeatedly, it starts to sound like घोर। In the same way, one who seeks the fierce aspect shall ultimately understand the true nature of Aghor, which is eternal bliss; however, one who is a coward and tries to flee from that aspect shall be crushed by that aspect till he understands the truth, just like in the case of chanting अघोर।. The paradoxical nature of the term अघोर makes it so special.

Meaning of Aghor in Mantra

While the previous paras had a philosophical interpretation of the term Aghor based on grammar, 3 main Aghor mantras contain deep philosophy.

• The 1st mantra is a Ved mantra, thus, it won’t be quoted; however, its explanation shall be provided. The mantra translates as “to those who are pleasing/non-terrible (अघोरेभ्यो) and those who are terrible (घोरेभ्यो) and to those who are even beyond terrible (घोर घोरतरेभ्यः) I offer my salutations to that Rudra (नमस्ते अस्तु रुद्ररूपेभ्यः) who dwells everywhere (सर्वेभ्यो सर्व सर्वेभ्यो) there are yet 2 other mantras which needs to be discussed.
• The 2nd mantra translates to “salutations to Shiv (नमः शिवाय) who is capable of taking the terrible form (घोररूपाय) the pleasant form (अघोर) and the one which is beyond the most terrible (घोरघोरतराय च) he is calm (शान्ताय) and even beyond the state of calmness (शान्ततमाय च)”.
• The 3rd mantra goes as “I salute the most terrible (अघोराय नमस्तुभ्यं) one who is even beyond the most terrible (घोरघोरतराय च) he is the destroyer of even the most terrible death (घोर मृत्यु विनाशाय) pray to that Aghora (अघोराय च ते नमः) Now that the mantras have been explained, their implication must be discussed.

The Siddhanta of Aghor and the meaning of the term can be understood only when the 3 mantras are taken together. Together they make the statement that Shivji is the one who is terrible, non-terrible, and beyond both; he is capable of being the most fierce as well as the calmest one; he dwells everywhere in everyone and is the one who can destroy even death. These don’t only describe the qualities of Shivji and the philosophical explanation of Shiva tattva in tradition but also discuss the qualities of an Aghori.

Aghori Appearance

Aghoris are beyond dualities but yet exhibit fierceness in appearance and calmness in mind. They consider Aatma to be indwelling inside everyone; they are beyond even the fiercest forms and yet the calmest. They can rid one of any sin, reverse any Vidhi, and protect anyone even against death. Aghori can turn even a weapon launched against them into a pleasant trophy, such is the character of Aghori. This is why the 3 mantras are necessary to explain the true meaning of Aghor and Aghori.

Specific Meaning of Aghor and Aghori

While the general meaning of the term Aghor has been discussed, one may ask why the specific name Aghor was chosen. There are many reasons for this. First,  as the shastras named Aghor, Bhavishya Puran Pratisarga Parv Khand 4 Adhyaya 13, while talking about the Sampraday founded by Kaalbhairav and Sri Vednidhi, states, “अघोरं कठिनं मार्ग” Aghoracharya Shri Vednidhiji himself, while commenting on this shloka, stated that “the 5 sampradayas founded by Bhairava by the grace of Shiva are to be known as the Panchaghor sampradayas.” His bhasya on Bhavishya Puran is called Bhavishyakalpam. Thus it was the shastras themselves that named us Aghor.

The other reason is that Aghori exhibit symptoms the same as described in Aghoratryam (the 3 main Aghor mantras); Aghori nature and philosophy are essentially derived from those 3 mantras and inspection of the very term Aghor.

Real Aghori

Aghor is a stage, a state of being achieved through rigorous sadhanas and a specific set of rituals. Paramhans, Abhadut, etc. are states of being. However, one can’t be hailed as Aghori unless they perform the sadhanas that must be performed to become Aghori. Aghor is an amalgamation of three things: the sect and the stage, or state of being. 
One can’t be termed Aghori unless they do sadhanas that are necessary for being qualified to obtain the title. A person can’t do such sadhanas unless they are from a sect where the sadhana karma as required for obtaining the title of Aghori is followed.
One can’t get to the state of Aghor without doing the sadhanas, and for that one needs to be part of the sect.

Conclusion

Thus an Aghori is essentially one who is dikshit in a sect of Aghor, who completes the sadhanas in the kram necessary to be qualified as Aghori and must achieve the state of Aghor.

I’ve already discussed the meaning of Aghor, which also gives us an idea of what the state of Aghor is. I shall discuss the topic of the various stages within Aghor who is qualified to be called Aghori and when which will give us a clear idea of the aspect of Sadhana kram.