Matsyendranātha,
Macchindranāth or
Mīnanātha (Newari , c. early 10th century) is a saint in a number of
Buddhist and
Hindu traditions. He is traditionally considered the founder of
haṭha yoga as well as the author of some of its earliest texts. He is also seen as the founder of the
natha sampradaya, having received the teachings from
Shiva. He is especially associated with
kaula shaivism. He is also one of the eighty-four mahasiddhas and considered the guru of
Gorakshanath, another important figure in early hatha yoga. He is revered by both Hindus and Buddhists, and is sometimes regarded as an incarnation of
Avalokiteśvara.
