Before entrusting great responsibility to a disciple, the Nath Panth often tests the limits of spiritual power. The stories of Revananath and Madhavanath Maharaj reveal how Nath Siddhas operate beyond worldly boundaries — even intervening where no human dares to tread: in the domain of Yama, Lord of Death.
In Maandesh, in the village of Vite, lived a Brahmin named Saraswati and his wife Janhavi. Misfortune haunted them — six of their sons died within days of birth. When the seventh son lived for ten years, they felt hope at last and performed a grand naming ceremony.
On that very day, Revananath arrived for alms. Seeing the Brahmin’s devotion, he agreed to eat at his home and rest there for the night. At midnight, however, Satvai — the goddess of fate — descended, and Yama’s noose claimed the child’s life. Janhavi cried helplessly as her husband insisted they should not disturb the saint.
In the morning Revananath asked who was crying. When he heard the truth, he grew angry:
“How dare Yama take a child while *I* am present!”
He demanded all seven children be brought to him. Learning that the earlier six had died long ago, he declared:
“Guard this body for three days. I will go to Yama and bring back all seven.”
Applying Amara Mantra–charged ash, he used the Vyana Astra and instantly reached Yama’s realm. Yama rose respectfully:
“Maharaj, I execute only the will of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. If the child was taken, the command was Shiva’s. Go to Kailash.”
At Kailash, the *Shivaganas* mocked him, unaware of his power. Enraged, Revananath hurled Sparsha Astra — instantly freezing thirteen hundred soldiers to the ground. Shiva sent the eight Bhairavas, but they too were defeated.
Finally Shiva himself came forward. Revananath did not waste time; with the Vatakarchan Astra, he halted Shiva’s breath. Shiva collapsed from Nandi, lifeless and bleeding.
Upon hearing this, Vishnu appeared, embraced Revananath and asked why he had done this. Revananath replied boldly:
“Return the seven life-essences of the Brahmin’s sons. Only then will I revive Shiva.”
Vishnu agreed and handed over the seven pranas. Revananath revived Shiva, freed the Shivaganas, and restored the Bhairavas through various astras and mantras.
With the seven life-essences in hand, Revananath returned to Earth. His promise was fulfilled — the seven sons were restored to life, proving the Nath Panth’s absolute mastery over destiny, death, and cosmic law.
In 1936, while staying in Hinganghat, Madhavanath Maharaj revived a child who died when a swing rope snapped and fell on him. When the family tried to hide the incident, Maharaj instantly sensed the truth:
“Bring the boy inside.”
Moments later, the child ran out alive.
Madhavanath then declared:
“My destined work is completed. Now I will enter samadhi.”
He passed away in Hinganghat; his Brahmarandhra life-force merged in Indore, just as he had foretold. The responsibilities of the Nath tradition were then bestowed upon Vyankatanath Maharaj.
Through these events, the Nath Siddhas demonstrated that:
The Nath Panth does not act for display or for miracles — its purpose is protection, restoration, and upliftment of creation, in alignment with Bhagavan Dattatreya.