Gorakhnath and the Kanphata Yogis c5.196

c5.196

Yogīs have a reputation for certain habits and practices which are not well thought of, some of which are quite common amongst them, and some of which are confined to the few. Not all that is said and written about Yogīs applies to the Kānphaṭa. But the following practices are found to a greater or less extent amongst the Gorakhnāthīs. They make charms for themselves, and some sell them to others;² they pronounce spells and practice palmistry and juggling,³ tell fortunes,⁴ and interpret dreams; they sell a woollen amulet to protect children from the evil eye;⁵ and they pretend to cure disease,⁶ muttering texts over the sick, and practising medicine and exorcism, and vending drugs. Russell says that Nandia Yogīs lay claim to supernatural and magic powers. This is, of course, involved in their practice of medicine and exorcism and belief in Yoga. Some are reputed to have transmuted base metals into gold or silver. There is a legend of such transmutation in the times of Altamsh.⁷ Others, for fraud, impersonate members of families on pilgrimages.⁸ Still others resort to gambling and swindling and the three card game. Some are said to be able to control hail storms. In Siālkot there was once a Yogī (rathbana) who could impose a check upon hail, or direct it into waste land.⁹ There are Yogīs who are engaged in extensive commercial enterprises;¹⁰ others, like those in Benares, were rich;¹¹ still others are enrolled in the armies of Hindu kings.¹² Others are engaged in trades; and some sell small wares and silk thread.¹³ In Almora they are to be found as tailors and sellers of milk. In many parts of India Yogīs are found as weavers, and are rated as inferior Śūdras, illegitimate and semi-legitimate descendants of Yogīs of Gorakhpur.¹ Some sell apron strings and lace. The author once found a Yogī in charge of a government rest house. Others are engaged in agriculture, their women helping them in sowing and weeding.²