Gorakhnath and the Kanphata Yogis c7.47

c7.47

The Nāthas in the higher hills, where the worship of Śiva is prevalent, correspond very closely to the Yogīs of the plains. They practise little asceticism, but grow vegetables and perform certain semi-sacerdotal functions, taking the place of the acrāj (a class of Brāhmans) of the plains in the funeral ceremonies of Kanets and receive the clothes of the dead. They consecrate new houses and purify them when they have been defiled. They are a true caste. One or more in nearly every Nātha household has his ears pierced in honour of Śiva and is called Kānphaṭanāth. They are unclean and uncanny.