Gorakhnath and the Kanphata Yogis c12.2

c12.2

Yogīs are essentially Śaivites. The range of their interests and of their historical connections includes, however, other elements. In the first place, Viṣṇu is not without attention. The images on the face of the *Dharamśāla* on the top of Dhinodhar serve as an illustration. Hanumān and Rām Chandra have their shrines at certain monasteries, such as that at Ṭilla, and both, together with aspects of Vaisṇavism, and even Viṣṇu himself, are assimilated to certain divisions of the Gorakhnāthīs and are constantly noted in the legends.¹ The image of Garuḍa is found in the establishment at Purī. Hanumān is represented in certain forms of the ṭīkā. The rudrākṣa of ten faces symbolizes the ten *avatāras* of Viṣṇu. Many of the Vaiṣṇavite Bhaktas of Western India trace their doctrines through Gorakhnāth. At Gorakhpur the decorations on the *samādhs* and shrines contain many Vaiṣṇavite symbols and images. According to the *Śiva Saṃhitā* the chanting of the name of Viṣṇu is necessary in Yoga practices when the attention is directed to the *cakras*.²