Gorakhnath and the Kanphata Yogis c7.7

c7.7

There is a difference of opinion amongst writers on the question of food; and Yogīs themselves do not agree about the matter. Sherring⁵ says that they accept food from all houses and all castes. Russell says that they beg only from Hindus.¹ Crooke,² on the other hand, said that they would not take food from lower castes, from whose hands respectable Hindus would not take food. Sherring³ says that they eat flesh. Tessitori and Crooke⁴ report that Kanphaṭas accept food other than beef and pork. Moshan Fani reported that they ate beef and pork, and that they killed and ate men.⁵ The practice evidently varies. In Kāṭhiāwār⁶ there are no restrictions on food and they will eat with any strangers who care to join them.