Gorakhnath and the Kanphata Yogis c7.68

c7.68

Ekadasīs are descendants of Sannyāsīs from Benares and Brāhman women, or descendants of pupils of Nāthas (Yogīs) and Brāhman widows. The legends in both cases seem to be the same and to point to the Yogi-origin of the caste. Both groups bury their dead, the lips of the corpse being touched with fire by the son, or grandson. Both worship female ancestors at weddings, perform ancestral worship in their homes, wear the sacred thread, and read the Vedas. These Yogīs are weavers by caste, but are now taking up agriculture, lime-burning, goldsmith's work and subordinate grades in Government service.