Gorakhnath and the Kanphata Yogis c13.2

c13.2

FROM medieval times onward, Gorakhnāth (Gorakṣa Nātha) is the well-known wonder-worker and master Yogī of northern and western India; and he, and members of his order, are celebrated in legend and song in countless villages. From Nepāl to Rājputāna, from the Panjab to Bengal, from Sind to the Deccan, tradition and folklore are full of allusions to Gorakhnāth and recount his wonderful deeds. He is the famous saint and worker of miracles; the founder¹ and outstanding teacher of the Śaivite sect of ascetics, practicers of the Haṭha Yoga, who are vulgarly called Kānphaṭas; the great teacher of the Śaivite faith, the Brāhmanical opponent of the Vaiṣṇava reformers of northern India of the school of Rāmānanda;² the patron saint and tutelary of the state of Gorakṣa,³ whose royal house now rules in Nepāl;⁴ and, finally, the rival, and eventually victor over Matsyendranāth, the ancient Buddhist¹ protector of Nepāl.