Gorakhnath and the Kanphata Yogis c6.68

c6.68

When his guru is satisfied that the candidate is prepared to complete his initiation, the arrangements are made.⁵ The chief tests of fitness are that the pupil has kept his vows, has been faithful in his service to his guru and is steadfastly resolved to proceed. First, the candidate bathes, is shaved, puts ashes on his body, and ties a cloth of cotton about his loins. Some say that he covers the upper part of his body with a cotton cloth dyed in ochre,⁶ but others say not. He then presents himself, with two of his guru’s disciples, before his teacher.¹ The candidate is made to sit facing north. He draws his knees up and clasps his hands under them. Preparation for the splitting of the two ears is then made. A specially skilled Yogī is called to perform this service, for which he receives one and a quarter rupees.² The fee may be larger, two and a quarter or twenty-five and a quarter rupees. This guru is called *Kān Guru* (ear-guru) or *Cīra Guru* (the guru who splits the ears). The two edged knife is brought, and in front of Bhāiroṁ, mantras, or sacred texts, are pronounced over it. Slits, about three-quarters of an inch long, are then made in the cartileges of both ears. The mantra, ‘*Śiva Gorakṣa*,’ being used.³ Some claim that the effect of the mantra is to make the operation painless and bloodless. Plugs of *nīm* or of *bikua* wood are then inserted in the wounds. The gashes are washed daily with pure water or with *nīm* water. Some say that the plugs are removed daily when the wounds are dressed. The care of the wounds continues for forty days. It is said that the plugs fall out after nine days. In some instances the *nīm* sticks are covered with the soft, downy feathers of the peacock’s quill and the wounds are kept wet.