The Nath Tradition was established by Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Dattatreya. The planning, structure, and foundational discipline of the Nath Sampradaya were entrusted to Shri Machhindranath. At the time of its formation, the Nath Panth was so extraordinary that Lord Shiva said to Machhindranath: *“I wish to serve within the Guru–Disciple tradition of the Nath Panth. I will become the servant of your disciple’s disciple under the name Nivritti.”* Immediately Lord Vishnu said: *“Then I too shall become the servant of Nivritti and work under the name Jnananath.”* The very creators of the universe accepting servitude in the Nath lineage demonstrates its unparalleled greatness.
When Machhindranath began teaching the deepest Nath sciences to Meennath, Indra, driven by pride and jealousy, desired to obtain the forbidden Vatakharshan Vidya. Charpatinath had previously humbled Indra in heaven, and this humiliation tormented him. Indra told Brihaspati that Charpatinath’s brilliance and power were unmatched and that unless the gods obtained the vidya held by the Nath Yogis, they would remain weak. Brahma proposed a plan: *“Arrange a grand Soma Yajna. Invite the Naths. Serve them with humility. When pleased, they may grant whatever you seek.”*
Brihaspati suggested sending Uparichar Vasu, father of Machhindranath, to invite the Naths. Indra agreed and even provided a divine aircraft. Uparichar Vasu brought eighty-four Siddhas and the Nine Naths to Amravati. Indra welcomed them with extraordinary honor, seating them on golden thrones before all the gods. It was decided that the yajna would be performed at Singhaladvipa, a dense and serene forest. Brihaspati would recite mantras and the Naths would offer oblations.
Since Singhaladvipa was within Kilotal, Machhindranath remembered Meennath and had Uparichar Vasu bring him. As Machhindranath began teaching him the Vatakharshan Vidya, Indra secretly took the form of a peacock, perched on a tree, and listened. After great effort, he learned the vidya he was never destined to know. The Soma Yajna continued for an entire year under Machhindranath’s guidance.
At the yajna’s conclusion, Machhindranath prepared for *Agrpūjā*. Indra worshipped him and the other Naths, offering gifts and ornaments. When all were seated, Indra folded his hands and confessed: *“A great injustice has occurred. I learned the vidya you were teaching Meennath—secretly. Please bless me so that it may bear fruit.”* Indra believed that once the knowledge was acquired, the Nath Yogis could not take it from him. He was wrong.
Hearing his confession, all the Naths grew furious. They declared: *“You deceived us and stole a vidya meant only for the Nath lineage. Therefore, the vidya you learned shall become fruitless.”* Terrified, Uparichar Vasu and Brihaspati pleaded for mercy. Finally, the Naths agreed to a counter-blessing (ūḥ-śāpa): *“Indra must perform twelve years of tapas and must never again obstruct the Nath Panth. Only then will the vidya become fruitful.”*
The Naths departed, and Indra went to the Sahyadri Mountains to perform twelve years of austerities. The stream created by the water he poured in his penance eventually merged with the Bhimarathi River and became known as the Indrayani River. After completing his intense tapas, he returned to Amravati, chastened and purified.
In this way, the Nath Yogis punished the king of gods himself and prevented the misuse of divine knowledge. The punishment was severe—twelve years of penance and a strict vow never again to interfere with Nath work. Only after this vow was the vidya restored to effectiveness. The Nath Panth, designed by the cosmic creators, stands as the Guru of all traditions, continuing its work today with the same discipline and the same mission: the upliftment and liberation of all beings.