Sadguru Vyanktanath Maharaj had blessed Narendranath saying, “The work of the Nath Panth will continue through you with our grace.” Looking back into Nath tradition, every Nath began guru-work only after deep penance, pilgrimages and charity. But when Narendranath received the command for guru-work, he was already 56 years old, whereas earlier Naths performed austerities in their youth. From 1955 to 1993 — for 28 years — Sadguru Vyanktanath shaped Narendranath through action, purification, knowledge and spiritual discipline, completing all essential elements of tapasya under direct Guru supervision.
One day Maharaj said: “For forty years we have tested you in many ways. You faced many difficulties but never abandoned us. Now you need not worry about anything. Whatever you truly need will come to you — wherever you are. You will not have to go anywhere.”
Once, Narendra’s wife, Kunda, insisted on visiting Girichi Balaji. Narendra agreed but wished to seek his Guru’s permission first. Maharaj replied: “Why do you want to go to Balaji? Balaji himself will come to you.” Narendra said, “Maharaj, when I see you, I feel I have seen Balaji.” Maharaj responded, “You no longer need to go anywhere. Whatever you need will come where you are.”
Later, Narendra desired to perform Narmada Parikrama. But the Guru again said: “You don’t need to do any parikrama. Tell me what you seek — it will come to you. You only continue the guru-work I have assigned.”
Nine years after beginning guru-work, in 2002, Narendranath decided to undergo two months of sadhana in the Himalayas. A group of disciples joined him. They hoped to meet saints and receive blessings, but instead, saints and yogis approached them first, saying: “We have been waiting for you. A Nath-Panth Siddha is coming — we wished for your darshan.” Narendranath felt deep gratitude, recognising that whatever he had become was due entirely to his Guru’s training and divine tests.
Four of them journeyed from Gangotri to Gomukh, the source of the Ganga. They reached Gomukh near sunset as temperatures dropped sharply. They wished to perform evening sadhana beside the glacier-fed river. Bathing in the icy water was impossible, so Narendra folded his hands and prayed: “O Mother Ganga, your waters are too cold for our bodies. If it pleases you, sprinkle us so that our ritual bath is fulfilled and our sadhana becomes pure.”
As they began sadhana, tiny droplets fell gently on their hands, feet and heads — cold but soft, as though Ganga herself were performing abhishek. All four experienced this simultaneously. A saint in white, Ram Baba, observed this from a distance with great attention.
After the sadhana, Ram Baba approached and asked where they were from. When they said “Maharashtra — Nath Panth,” he replied: “Finding a place to stay here is difficult, but I will arrange something for you.” There were no facilities available due to crowding, and returning 30 km at night was impossible. Ram Baba arranged a hut for them; the manager honoured his word. Ram Baba’s Guru was a Nath-Panthi who had taken samadhi forty years earlier. Ram Baba lived permanently in a cave at Gomukh, even during heavy snow when no one else was allowed to stay. He said: “I have been waiting eagerly for you. My Guru told me you would come. He showed me your form. So I recognised you instantly.”
After sadhana, while leaving the rocks, a disciple named Narayan said: “Kaka, I cannot stand. I cannot walk. I cannot move at all.” They were far from the horses, and nobody could lift him. Narendranath told him: “Stand in my shadow for two minutes. Then walk slowly, remaining in my shadow.” By the Guru’s grace, Narayan stood, walked within the shadow, and reached the horses. He then walked the entire 30 km back to Gangotri without difficulty.
This incident became a reminder that:
Narendranath experienced the truth of his Guru’s earlier declaration: “You need not go anywhere — whatever is required will come to you.”