Gorakshanath ,also known as Gorakhnath was an 11th to 12th century Hindu Nath yogi, connected to Shaivism as one of the two most important disciples of Matsyendranath, the other beingCaurangi.Of all the Masters through the ages, there is one acknowledged Master who has been referred to in the ancient scriptures, in legends and mystic tales, in passing mention by many renowned masters. Mentioned in the Puranas and other scriptures, he is known as Guru Gorakhnath.
The Nath Sampradaya, among many others, revere him as Shiva Goraksha.It is said that seeing Guru Gorakhnath in samadhi, Mata Parvati asked Lord Shiva about the yogi. Bhagwan Shankar or Lord Shiva stated that it was his own yogic manifestation. The Nine Naths and 84 Siddhas are aspects of Shiva himself, and legend suggests that they predate creation.
There are innumerable legends about Guru Gorakshnath, though there are no records of when he was born and where he hails from. He is mentioned with reference to Adi Shankaracharya who lived in the eighth century whereas some believe it to be anytime from 8th century to several centuries later. The Dabistan I Mazahib, the prophet Mohammad is reported as meeting him, Buddha (6th to 7th century), the kings Gopichand and Baratari (8th to 11th century) were disciples, Kabir Das (14th century) mentions Gorakshnath in the Kabir Granthvali and through all the ages. These are the legends where by his existence & references is found in all the ages i.e, Satyuga, TretaYuga,DwaparYuga and Kalyuga.The Nath tradition underwent its greatest expansion during the time of Gorakshanath. He produced a number of writings and even today is considered the greatest of the Naths. It has been purported that it was Gorakshanath who wrote the first books on Laya yoga. In India there are many caves, many with templs built over them, where it is said that Gorakshanath spent time in meditation. Gorakhnath is also a lineage bearer of Buddhist Tantra in Tibet.
Guru Gorakhnath said to be travelled from Nepal to Punjab and Rajasthan to Far south Srilanka.Gorakhnath is said to be the author of the Goraksha Paddhati ("Track of Goraksha" -- also called the Goraksha Samhita, a foundational treatise on esoteric Hatha Yoga.
The Nath Sampradaya, among many others, revere him as Shiva Goraksha.It is said that seeing Guru Gorakhnath in samadhi, Mata Parvati asked Lord Shiva about the yogi. Bhagwan Shankar or Lord Shiva stated that it was his own yogic manifestation. The Nine Naths and 84 Siddhas are aspects of Shiva himself, and legend suggests that they predate creation.
There are innumerable legends about Guru Gorakshnath, though there are no records of when he was born and where he hails from. He is mentioned with reference to Adi Shankaracharya who lived in the eighth century whereas some believe it to be anytime from 8th century to several centuries later. The Dabistan I Mazahib, the prophet Mohammad is reported as meeting him, Buddha (6th to 7th century), the kings Gopichand and Baratari (8th to 11th century) were disciples, Kabir Das (14th century) mentions Gorakshnath in the Kabir Granthvali and through all the ages. These are the legends where by his existence & references is found in all the ages i.e, Satyuga, TretaYuga,DwaparYuga and Kalyuga.The Nath tradition underwent its greatest expansion during the time of Gorakshanath. He produced a number of writings and even today is considered the greatest of the Naths. It has been purported that it was Gorakshanath who wrote the first books on Laya yoga. In India there are many caves, many with templs built over them, where it is said that Gorakshanath spent time in meditation. Gorakhnath is also a lineage bearer of Buddhist Tantra in Tibet.
Guru Gorakhnath said to be travelled from Nepal to Punjab and Rajasthan to Far south Srilanka.Gorakhnath is said to be the author of the Goraksha Paddhati ("Track of Goraksha" -- also called the Goraksha Samhita, a foundational treatise on esoteric Hatha Yoga.
A traditional story is told about the appearance of Gorakhnath. He was not born in the normal sense. A holy man named Matsyendranath used to go door-to-door to beg for food and, in exchange, offered blessings and wisdom. At one house, the woman asked if she would ever have a child. Matsyendranath gave her some holy ash and said if she swallowed it she would have a child. The woman told her neighbor who derided her naivete in believing such things, so she threw the ash away on a dung heap. Twelve years later, Matsyendranath returned and asked how the child was doing. The woman confessed what she had done with the ash. The holy man went to the dung heap and prayed, calling to the boy. A beautiful 12-year-old boy emerged. Matsyendranath took the boy with him. That boy was Gorakhnath.
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