Gorakhnath and the Kanphata Yogis c6.37

c6.37

The knife is driven into the ground, or is laid down before him and the candidate takes the necessary vows over it, swearing not to engage in trade, not to take employment, not to keep dangerous weapons, not to become angry when abused, not to marry, and to protect his ears. Like all other ascetics he takes the vow of *ahiṃsā* (non-injury). He then receives the mantra,⁶ or initiatory verse, either from his guru, or from some other Yogī. Ochre-coloured clothes are then presented to him, and he is accepted as a disciple by his guru. A barber now shaves his head, including the scalp-lock (*cuṭiyā*). In some places, however, his guru cuts off the *cuṭiyā*.⁷ In Almora it was stated that a special guru, not the candidate’s chief guru, cuts the scalp-lock. If the Ganges river is nearby, the hair is consigned to it; if not, the guru keeps the hair in his wallet until he and his disciple go to the river, when it is taken and offered to the Ganges. Or, the hair may be thrown into a tank.¹ A feast is then given.