Maha Yogi Gorakhnath

Pranams at the lotus feet of Gorakhnath Maharaj!

Chapter - 11

King Bridhdhahari was a disciple of Baba Gorakhnath, he was tormented at the death of Queen Pingala, and took shelter under Baba Gorakhnath.  Still, people of this province beg for alms singing the glories of Queen Pingala.   It is believed that Baba Gorakhnath underwent Tapasya for twelve years in a place called Gorkha, in Nepal, later a clan in this name was originated and people of this family take up security guard/protector as their profession.

The famous scripture “Gorakh Vijay” describes that the installation of Goddess Kali in the renowned temple of Kalighat in Kolkata was performed by Baba Goraknathji.  He undertook several years of Tapasya in Gorakhpur.  There are no evident writings about the birth or Samadhi of Baba Gorakhnathji.  The Nath traditions believe that there is no death or birth for Gorakhnath Maharaj, he is immortal and many of his worshipers experiencing the same.   The holy men and saints are divine personified on Earth, their purpose of incarnations mainly to reinstate righteousness and guide the people with the knowledge of self and realization of God.  They continue to incarnate on Earth in all Yuga.  The supreme spirit is mercy personified, hence at his instructions, saintly people take birth on Earth and live like an ordinary human being, without showing their divinity to the world.  Their ultimate purpose will be the same; it will be to save the people from the miseries, sorrows, grief, afflictions, and pains.  The fortunate souls will attain the perpetual blessings of their preceptor and saintly men; they sincerely follow strict disciplines of their Varnna and Ashramadharma, religious and spiritual rites.  These righteousness and disciplines would liberate them from the miseries and sorrows of worldly existence; ultimately liberate the soul from repeated births.  All the Yogis, holy men and saints have affirmed that human can achieve a higher state of spirituality with intense devotion, faith, meditation, and Yogic practices, they all have strived hard to guide the soul in the righteous path, performance of daily rites according to their Varnna and Ashramadharma, follow strict discipline, the performance of religious and spiritual rites.

Maha Yogi Gorakhnath

Pranams at the lotus feet of Gorakhnath Maharaj!

Chapter - 10

Mathsyendhranathji was well known in Nepal, people of this province celebrate Mathsyendhranath Yathra elaborately, once King of Nepal harassed the disciples of Mathsyendhranathji.  Guruji was infuriated and assembled Navanag, due to this there was no rain in Nepal for twelve years, there was huge turmoil created due to famine and drought, and people started leaving this province.  King of Nepal understood his mistake, he sent an emissary to Mathsyendhranathji, at the request of the King the Navanag, was released and the country had enough downpour.  There is a cave Gorakhnath Siddh Gupha where Gorakhnathji used to conduct meditation and Yogic practices are still located in Nepal.  There is a cave in Ujjain too, people used to worship Gorakhnathji in this cave. 

There was a famous King Thilakchandhra ruled the city of Tripura in Bengal, his daughter was Shishumathi.  Baba Gorakhnath arrived in Tripura, he was stunned to see Shishumathi, he said he wanted to give Dheeksha to Shishumathi.  Thilakchandhra said, “ Baba, she is too young to receive Dheeksha from a great saint like you, this little girl child cannot understand a thing about Yogic practice.” Gorakhnathji said, “ I can read her future, and you are seeing her present, you kindly do not refuse.”  Gorakhnathji gave Dheeksha to Shishumathi and renamed her Mynavathi.  When Mynavati attained the age of marriage, she was married to King Manikchandra, and these couples had a son Govindachandra who was born after the death of Manikchandra.  After the death of her husband Mynavathi had to go through lots of struggle, she had to take care of the ruling of the Kingdom and the baby on her womb.  One day Gorakhnathji appeared before her and said “ Daughter, You need not worry about anything, you can very well take care of your two responsibilities, my blessings are always with you and you will succeed in your mission. Always remember one thing, when your son becomes a youth, take him to receive Dheeksha from Nath traditions, he will become one of the famous personality in the Nath traditions,”  Govind was married at the age of eighteen, eventually he was attained Dheeksha from the preceptor of Nath traditions.  The folklore of King Gopichand and Queen Mynavathi is well known in the rural areas of Bengal and people used to beg alms singing these glorious myths.

Maha Yogi Gorakhnath

Pranams at the lotus feet of Gorakhnath Maharaj!

Chapter - 9

Once Gorakhnath arrived at Jwaladhevi shrine on a Makara Sankranthi day, she asked him to remain his guest for the day.  Gorakshanath revealed his desire to consume Kicchadi as a meal, he put forward a condition, he will bring the rice received as alms for cooking Kicchadi, he conducted journey for receiving alms and arrived on the river banks of Airavathi in Gorakhpur, he started meditating on the beautiful river bank, after this incident people started offering Kicchadi on the Makara Sankranthi day to attain the blessings of Gorakhnath Maharaj.

The famous composition “Gorakhvijay” describes an incident, once Baba Gorakhnath was meditating under the Bahula tree, he realized Siddh Krishna path was traveling on the sky route, Baba Gorakhnath brought Siddha Krishna path on the Earth with his Manthrasiddhi, Krishna path said “ You are meditating here, your preceptor Guru Mathsyendhranathji is in Kadhali Van taking immense pleasure in the association of thousands and six hundred women and Maharani Kamala and Mangala, he completely forgot his personality and wisdom, he has three days left to live on Earth,”  Baba Gorakhnath said “ Your preceptor’s condition is really bad, King of Gaud Gopichand imprisoned your preceptor and he is suffering hellish torture in the prison,”  These two holy men after knowing the pathetic state of their preceptor rushed to their places.  Goraknath with his disciple Lang and Mahalang, assumed the form of a twice-born and arrived in Kadhalivan.  Seeing the charming appearance of Gorakhnath, one of the servants in the royal palace fallen in love, she informed him that Mathsyendhranathji is in the palace, but none of the men are allowed to go inside the palace.  At that moment, a group of dancer girls was going towards the palace; he assumed the form of a woman dancer and followed them to the assembly hall.   Gorakhnath informed his purpose of arrival through the sounds of percussion to Mathsyendhranathji, and requested to leave the association of women and sensual pleasures.  Mathsyendhranathiji realized his disciple Goraknath and both of them disappeared from the Kadhali province, they traveled through the sky route and arrived in Girinath Mountain, there was a hermitage where Mathsyendhranathji was present and he was surrounded by disciples, Goraknath was awestruck at the sight, disciples said Guruji is living here for several years now, it is believed that in order to destroy the ego of his disciple Mathsyendhranathji played a drama in Kadhali Province.

Maha Yogi Gorakhnath

Pranams at the lotus feet of Gorakhnath Maharaj!

Chapter - 8

Gorakhnathji was Hathayogi Purusha, therefore it is believed that he lived long years and spread righteousness and imparted knowledge of Nath traditions which has the similarities of Pashupath Sampradaya. He established Nath monasteries, they worship Navnath as deities, supreme among the Nath is Lord Shiva.  Mathsyendhranath initiated the Nath traditions; he was born in Bengal.  Gorakh philosophies describe the fact that Lord Shiva and Goddess Shakti is inseparable, they together created the Universe and its living beings, Shiva assumes the form of Shakthi whenever he feels.  It is believed that pronunciation of the name of this Mahayogi would bring piousness, he achieved the highest of the spiritual state with his constant meditation and Yogic practices.  His fame spread across Nepal, Tibet, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, and Bengal.  Gorakhnath symbolizes Lord Shiva, he was well known for Hatha Yoga and Sahaja Yoga which is the spontaneous union of the self with the supreme spirit.  The Nath Sampradaya was established during the period of the excessive influence of BaudhaTantric, Aghori, and Kapli’s in society.  This tradition was introduced to reduce the disproportionate authority of these sects, and there were many people who struggled with no spiritual guidance.  The Nath tradition was introduced by the saint who was the follower of Pashupath sampradaya, and they worship Lord Shiva as the supreme deity.  There is a disagreement prevailed about the birthplace of Gorakhnath Maharaj, some believe that he was born in a village in Rawalpindi later the village was named as Gorakhpur.

Yoga has tremendous benefit to human body and mind; Yogis are supplemented with Ashtasiddhi and Navanidhi.   Yogis in the Nath traditions influenced the ordinary people; he enlightened people with the benefits of Yoga and taught them the beliefs in the faith of Lord Shiva.   Gorakhnath who reinstated righteousness and protected people of four eras, witnessing his divine form and pronouncing his name would make everything possible.  Gorakh Dham houses shrines of all the deities which is located in Gorakhpur, Luck now,  Uttar Pradesh. 

Maha Yogi Gorakhnath

Pranams at the lotus feet of Gorakhnath Maharaj!

Chapter - 7

Gorakhnathji preceded his journey towards the woods, there he met a holy man Khanifnathji, he received Gorakhnathji with all respects, he asked Gorakhnathji to eat mangoes which he can pluck with the Manthrasiddhi, Yogi said: “These mangoes are very tasty and sweet, kindly have it.” They together ate the mangoes,  Gorakhnathji said: “ I had a stomach full of Mangoes, please keep these remaining mangoes back on the tree.” The Yogi said “What? How can I keep the remaining mangoes back on the tree, I think you are a disciple of an inefficient preceptor that is why you are talking like this.”  Gorakhnathji got angry; he said “My preceptor taught me how to keep these mangoes back on the tree. I will show you.” Yogi started pouring harsh comments on Mathsyendhranathji, it infuriated Gorakhnathji, and he said: “Your preceptor Yogi Jalandharnathji is in prison, if you have enough skill why do not you release him from the prison?” Yogi said “do not argue, kindly do something,” Gorakhnathji said, “I will show you how to keep back these mangoes on the tree.”.  All the remaining mangoes were miraculously restored on the tree. Yogi Khanifnath said, “You have passed the test, I am failed, and I am not greater than you in wisdom or knowledge.” Gorakhnathji humbly said “No, No,” later they parted ways amicably.

Maha Yogi Gorakhnath

Pranams at the lotus feet of Gorakhnath Maharaj!

Chapter - 6

Gorakhnathji arrived in the Kingdom of King Gopichand, he asked the King’s men about the welfare of the country and its people, he was so scared to utter anything about the imprisonment of Yogi Jalandharnath by King Gopichand.   He explained the pathetic state of Yogi Jalandharnath in the prison.  Gorakhnathji was in a rage, arrived at the King’s place calling out for alms “Alak Niranjan”, soon Queen arrived and ordered her servants to offer alms to the Saint, but Gorakhnath refused to accept alms from the servant, he wants to receive the alms from the Queen.  She was so surprised and she went to meet the Saint, she reverentially greeted Gorakhnathji.  He asked the Queen why did they arrest the pious man Yogi Jalandharnath, and revealed his desire to free this pious man.   Queen said she does not know anything about the matter, she wants her son Gopichand to attain fame and appreciation from its subjects.   Gorakhnath said “ Sadhus and saints are divine personified on Earth, cruelty to the holy men would bring inauspiciousness to the Kingdom, therefore never hurt Saints and holy men”  Queen said “ Maharaj I want to be your disciple, I want to make my son Gopichand bring in this spiritual path and want him to be a Yogi,  I will always remember your words.”  Gorakhnathji accepted Queen as his disciple.

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.”