Maha Yogi Gorakhnath

Pranams at the lotus feet of Gorakhnath Maharaj!

Chapter - 5

Gorakhnath was too young to understand the life invested in the idol, Mathsyendhranathji advised him to focus on the contemplation upon Lord Shiva and attain his blessings to remain all his knowledge fruitful.  Mathsyendhranathji said “Son, all the wisdom and knowledge is futile if there are no blessings of Lord Shiva, you would not recite Sanjeevini Vidhya while making the clay idol if there were blessings of Lord Shiva upon you, Son, sometimes these kinds of impractical mistakes can bring disaster to human life,” Gorakhnath said “ Gurudev, kindly enlighten me with the knowledge of how to please Lord Shiva.”  Mathsyendhranathji said “Son, There is a Thapovan near Badrinath, you should undertake extreme penance, after that you should get the blessings of Lord Badrinath,  eventually all your wisdom and knowledge will become fruitful.”  Mathsyendhranathji took leave from Badrinath with a promise to meet Gorakhnath if there is the mercy of Lord Shiva, they will meet again. 

Gorakhnath went inside the forest in search of an appropriate place for Thapasya,  soon he found a several years old Vata Vruksha near a dilapidated shrine, he had intense faith upon Lord Shiva that he will protect him in the dense wood from the wild animals, he went into a transcendental state.   His Thapasya continued for twelve years without consuming water or meal, he lived on air and continued Tapasya.  Lord Shiva was highly pleased with Gorakhnathji and appeared before him; he informed him that he is too pleased with his Thapasya and would like to offer boons.  Lord Shiva said, “Son, ask for a boon.” Gorakhnath said “ Bhagavan, let all my knowledge and wisdom be flawless, bless I shall remain your sincere servant always,”  Lord Shiva said “ all that knowledge you have acquired from your preceptor Mathsyendhranath and  the knowledge you would gain from  the preceptors whom you meet in the future would bring an abundance of meritorious rewards to you.”

Maha Yogi Gorakhnath

Pranams at the lotus feet of Gorakhnath Maharaj!

Chapter - 4

Gorakhnath along with preceptor Mathsyendhranathji and his disciples arrived in Badri.  They underwent extreme Tapasya to achieve the blessings of Lord Mahadeva who symbolizes wisdom and knowledge.  Mathysendhranathji taught four Vedas, six Shasthra, eighteen Puranas, various Vidhya, meditation, the significance of Nath traditions, etc.. Once Gorakhnath was practicing meditation under a berry tree at the instruction of his Guruji , a few children were approached him with a plea to make an idol of cart and a child from the clay, he made the idol meticulously.   Soon the life invested in the idol of the infant and started crying, children ran off from the place calling Gorakhnath evil spirit.   Mathsyendhranathji arrived after receiving alms from the village, he saw an infant lying on the floor next to Gorakhnath, the child is crying and Gorakhnath was in deep meditation.   Guruji took hold of the crying child and said to Gorakhnath “It is the result of your Sanjeevini Vidhya. You must have memorized the lessons of Sanjeevini Vidhya while making the clay idols that the reason the life invested in the idol.” Gorakhnath was not aware of the fact that the Sanjeevini Vidhya could do a miracle like this.  Soon the villagers assembled before them and praised Gorakhnath and Guruji.  They want to remain in the association of these ascetics, so requested Mathsyendhranathji to reside in the village and conduct their spiritual practices, they were eager to know more about the origin of the child.   Guruji described everything in detail to the people assembled.   A childless pious Brahmin couple came forward and pleaded for the custodian of the child, they described their wretched life without any offspring, they were having a miserable life without any child for the longevity of clan or taking care of them in the old age, they promised to take great care of the child who was born as the essence of supreme spirit.  The infant was named as Ghehnenath and given to the pious Bhramin couple.  Mathsyendranathji said “ This is not an ordinary child, he will become a great Yogi, the infant should be taken care of as an incarnation of Lord.  This child will become the disciple of Guru Nivriththinath.”   After this incident, Gorakhnath felt that the crowd of villagers would take away their precious hours of meditation, so they had decided to leave Badri.

Maha Yogi Gorakhnath

Pranams at the lotus feet of Gorakhnath Maharaj!

Chapter – 3

Gorakhnath asked “ Guruji who created this Universe? Why this is called Prithvi Lok?” Mathysendhraji replied “ son, the Universe and its living beings are created by the supreme spirit/Paramathman, further the  five essential elements are known as space, air, water, fire, and Earth came into existence in order to protect the living beings on the Earth, all the living beings on the Earth has to die therefore it is called Prithvi Lok.”  Gorakhnath became one of the famous Yogis who is prominent in Hatha Yoga in Nath tradition and Shivaite religious leaders.

Once Mathsyendhraji advised Gorakhnath to go for begging alms, he returned with various types of delicious meals and offered to Guruji.  Guruji asked “How did you manage to get various kinds of meals?” Gorakhnath said, “There was some ceremony held in a house, they offered these savories and sweets.”  He liked all the meals but he liked Dhahibada very much.  Seeing that, Gorakhnath asked “Shall I go for alms again.” Guruji said, “Yes, but do not bring anything other than Dhahibada, you have enough food here.” Gorakhnath went to the same house and asked for alms “ Alak Niranjan”, the lady from the house rushed out and said, “ Just now only I have offered various meals, you are back again, you have no other work other than begging for alms.” Gorakhnath said “Matha, I did not come for myself, my preceptor liked your Dhahibada, he asked to bring some more, and could you please give me some more Dhahibada.” Lady poured out harsh words “ You are  fooling around in the name of your preceptor, you want to fill your stomach right,” Gorakhnath said “ I am a yogi from Nath traditions, I won’t tell lies, believe me, my preceptor asked for your Dhahibada,” Lady continued “ people like you fooling the public by changing consumes, I have several years of experience, I have not seen any saint doing good for others,” Gorakhnath said “ Matha, you are too angry now, please give me Dhahibada for my preceptor, I will resolve all your problems,” the lady said “ You do not have a thing to fill your stomach, how can you resolve my issues.” Gorakhnath said, “ Ask me, I will do anything.” Lady said “ Oh! Are you Siddhapurusha? Then give me your eyes in return for Dhahibada.” Gorakhnath pleasantly said “ Matha, you have asked a very silly thing,  you have asked for my eye, I can sacrifice my eyes and even my life for my preceptor. I will give you my eye, kindly bring Dhahibada.” Saying so he pulled out his right eye, the lady went in an utter shock.  When Gorakhnath returned after begging for alms, Mathsyendhranathji noticed bleeding on his eye and enquired the reason, he elaborated what had happened in the village, he pleaded his preceptor to forgive that lady, Gorakhnath was already pardoned her. Soon Mathsyendhranathji restored the eye of Gorakhnath with his Yogic powers.

Maha Yogi Gorakhnath

Pranams at the lotus feet of Gorakhnath Maharaj!

Chapter - 2

The Yogi appeared before the female was Mathsyendhranath and the child initiated from the cow dung was Gorakhnath who became one of the disciples of Mathsyendhranathj. There is another legend about the birth of Sri Gorakhnathji mentioned in “Navnath Bhakthisar”.  It is mentioned in Srimad Bhagavath that Navaranarayan took the form of humans in the Kali era, Kavi Narayan as Mathsyendranath and Harinarayan as Ghorakhnath.    Mathsyendhranath Maharaj traveled extensively through Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Burma, Nepal and various parts of India; he visited Mathura, Ayodhya, Avanthika, Kashi, and finally arrived in a small village Chandragiri in Bengal.  He begged for alms in that village, he came in front of a house, suddenly he could recollect some incident that happened before twelve years.  When the lady came out of that house, he could recognize her as Saraswathi and her husband Dhayalpathi, this couple had no children, and he gave some sacred ashes for virtuous offspring and blessed her.  Mathsyendhranathji after twelve years arrived in the same house for alms and asked about the child, Saraswathi got sacred and wept bitterly “ Maharaj, kindly do not curse me, I have committed severe sin, I have heard that the curse of saints  could bring destruction to the clan, kindly forgive me, I have thrown away the sacred ashes you have given me.” Saraswathi took Mathyasendhranathji with her to check the place where she had washed off the ashes; the place was full of dirt, cow dung and waste.   Mathysendhranathji called out “Child Gorakhnath, kindly come out, I am here for you.”  Soon a twelve-year-old child appeared out of the cow dung.  The writer has described the splendor of Gorakhnath from head to toe, he had the effulgence of Sun, he had a lustrous charming face resembles autumn moon, his eyes were marvelous, he had a beautiful waist, arms, hands, legs and fingers.  Gorakhnath bowed down before Mathsyendranathji, “Oh! Child, you have lived in this cow dung for twelve years, therefore you are the protector of cows, you will be known as Gorakh/Gorakshan Nath.”  Mathsyendhranath placed his hand on the head of the child and offered Manthradheeksha.  Gorakhnath became a disciple of Mathsyendhranathji, further they conducted spiritual journey to various places.

Maha Yogi Gorakhnath 

Pranams at the lotus feet of Gorakhnath Maharaj!

Chapter - 1

“Alak Niranjan’ is a term addressed to Nirguna Bramham which is beyond attributes.  One day a saint arrived in front of a house and pronounced “ Alak Niranjan”, a female voice answered, “ Babaji, kindly wait, I am coming.” She came out with the alms to Babaji, her face was dull and depressed.  Babaji asked “ Daughter, why are you so distressed? a lady  with an unhappy face should not give alms to a Saint.” The lady from the neighborhood answered, “ Babaji, she is married so long, but the couple has no children, so she is considered as inauspicious in the village, she is very much upset about it, therefore she has reduced to come out in the public.”  Babaji said “ Don’t worry daughter, consume this sacred ash, you will become a mother of a virtuous child with the grace of Lord Shiva,” Babaji blessed her and after giving ashes he left the place.  She stood out of the house holding sacred ashes in her hand,  her mind was full of joy.  The neighborhood lady said “ Do you think this sacred ash works wonders for you? he is a beggar living on alms, children are blessings of God, and nothing will work without his grace,”  She got frustrated, immediately threw away all the sacred ashes behind her house where there was a cow dung pit surrounded by dirt, she lost her faith in the sacred ashes given by Babaji.  

Years passed, the same Yogi arrived in front of her door and asked for alms, he had seen the same dull face of the female.  He was shocked and asked “ Daughter, where is your son? call him I wanted to meet him.” female stunned and said “ Son? I do not have any son.”  Babaji said " I have given sacred ashes some twelve years before to consume, and I have told you that you will have a virtuous son with the grace of Lord Shiva, Isn’t it?” she said, “ Forgive me Babaji, my neighbor discouraged me to consume, so I have washed it away.”  Babaji said “ Then take me the place where did you shove off the ashes.” she brought Babaji in the exact place where she left the sacred ashes some twelve years before, Babaji said “ Alak Niranjan” instantly a child of twelve years with fair complexion appeared from the heap of cow dung and bowed his head down before Babaji.   She was awestruck, before saying anything Babaji and the child vanished from her sight.

Yogiraj Sri Shyamacharan Lahiri Mahashay

Pranams at the lotus feet of Yogiraj!

Chapter – 31

Lahiri Mahashay, The King of Yogis was attained the highest of the spiritual state known as supreme bliss.  He proved that the Kriya Yoga /Raja Yoga, meditation is for all who want to achieve self-realization and the realization of God in them.   Mahashay affirms that every human on the Earth has the right to learn the supreme knowledge of self-realization, it does not matter whether the person belongs to Hindu, Muslim or Christian, it does not matter whether he is professional, non-professional, labor or ordinary men.  He performed the role of a husband to Kashimoni Devi, father to his children and a sincere Accountant in the British Military Engineering Department, and rose to the status of King of Yogis.  He taught the ordinary people how to nullify the balance sheet of Karma with the practice of Pranayama and meditation.  He immensely served the distressed people, saved many lives, with the peaceful tool of Kriya Yoga.  Yogiraj had gone through various troubles in the family life, one of his sons had the attack of insanity, one of his daughter married died of cholera, another daughter became widow at a young age and returned to home, but Yogiraj with firm determination performed service to humanity and spiritual practice, he had silently allowed himself to take up the Prarabdhakarma.  Lahiri Mahashay was born on 30^th September 1828, it was on the day of Dussehra one of the most auspicious days of worship of Goddess Durga in the village of Ghurni, West Bengal.  His mother died during his childhood days when he was not even five years old.  The family lost all its properties in the natural calamities when Jalangi River changed its watercourse.  Thus, King of Yogi proved to the entire world that steadfastness, intense faith, and devotion, are the essential requirements to reach the highest state of spirituality and achieve supreme bliss.   This great Yogi who was humility personified is inspiring us to follow the practice of meditation and Kriya Yoga in order to achieve union with the Bramham. 

Yogiraj was fallen severely ill  on September 26th, 1895, he was silently bearing all the sins of his disciples, he remembered the verdict of Mahapurusha Babaji Maharaj, which was conveyed by Yuktheshwarji after coming back from Allahabad Kumbha Mela “ Time is limited, energy is draining.” One day Panchanan Bhattacharya, the disciple of Mahashay saw his Gurudev standing before him and asking him to hurry to Kashi.   Swami Pranavanandh in Udaipur also received the same instruction from Yogiraj.  In this way, many disciples received the message from Yogiraj.  All the disciples arrived at the home of Yogiraj and saw he was reading scriptures and the recitation continued for several days,  One day he said “ I have finished my work, I am leaving to my home,” all the disciples started crying,  Yogiraj consoled them “ No need to cry, I am leaving this perishable body, but I will remain next to you always.” He seated in a Padmasana posture and in a few minutes he immersed in Mahasamadhi.  In the year 1895, September 26^th  Lahiri Mahashay attained Mahasamadhi, his mortal coil was cremated followed with elaborate Bhraminic rite at the Manikarnika Ghat, Varanasi.

Yogiraj Sri Shyamacharan Lahiri Mahashay

Pranams at the lotus feet of Yogiraj!

Chapter – 30

During this period of time, Mahashay came to visit Thrailanga Swamiji who was known as living Lord of Kashi, people persistently talk about the supernatural powers of Swamiji.  One day Yogiraj with four of his disciples came to Panchaganga Ghat to meet Thrailanga Swamiji.  Seeing Mahashay coming closer, Thrailanga Swamiji rushed towards him and embraced him, he took Mahashay to his place. They discussed for a few minutes, and after that Yogiraj left the place.  One of the devotees who was assembled before Swamiji asked “ Maharaj, you are an eminent Yogi, surprising to note the way you have welcomed another noble-soul.  I did not understand anything.  Usually, people respect people of their own rank isn’t it?”  Thrailanga Swamiji said “He is not an ordinary soul, he is a renowned personality in Yogic practices, he is a Yogi of high rank, he achieved highest of the spiritual state as a Grihastha, I had to abandon even my loincloth in order to achieve that highest state, you cannot understand that.” Eventually, Mahashay’s fame spread across Kashi with the great admiration of Thrailanga Swamiji, people crowded to meet Mahashay.

Once a disciple asked Maharishi Angirass, “ Gurudev, how did humans get rid of the darkness of ignorance and purify his intellect?.”  Maharishi said “Son, It is easy to practice for the person who is steadfast and willing to follow, otherwise not.  The sincere practice of learning Upanishads and practice Upasana/worship, meditating upon the supreme Bhramam would remove the darkness of ignorance and leads to liberation from worldly existence.  The Universal spirit is supreme bliss, the spiritual seeker should learn from the qualified preceptor, never be suspicious about the preceptor and do not expect that the preceptor will show supreme spirit and he will take you to the highest state of spirituality.  A preceptor can guide a disciple; he cannot fulfill all the desires of the disciple.  The disciple should take sincere initiative to learn, the preceptor cannot quench his thirst to envision the supreme spirit, it is the responsibility of the disciple to put sincere effort and constant practice in search of it, earnestly follow the instructions of the preceptor, only truthful and righteous would attain the supreme bliss, eventually it will take the disciple to the state of liberation.  Whoever witnesses the supreme spirit with his divine sight would automatically leave the attachment to senses and worldly desires, he will not worry about the physical body, and ultimately the mind will remain calm and serene.  Once the illusion goes away from the mind, all the fickleness will destroy and all the Karma ends.  It is true that a Jeevathma cannot be a Bramham, but it can transform into a form of Bramham.  In this way, a soul attains supreme bliss.”