When a soul takes birth, its liberation is already destined. The Creator has declared that *every soul will ultimately attain freedom*, but only after completing its karmic journey. As long as life remains in the body, a person must continue performing righteous action, while the universe unfolds naturally according to the law of creation. Proper spiritual conditions arise at the destined time, and when they do, the soul is uplifted.
See the example of Valya the hunter: through the intervention of Sage Narada, the sinful hunter became the great Sage Valmiki. Without Narada’s arrival, Valya would have continued his karmic journey for many more births. Thus, divine intervention works according to cosmic law, and ancestral lineages too remain responsible for their duties. Just as Rama belonged to the *Solar Dynasty*, the Sun-god too was responsible for the protection and upliftment of that lineage. A similar event occurred in the life of Machhindranath.
A king of the Solar Dynasty longed intensely for the direct vision of Lord Rama. He worshipped Rama with utmost sincerity, yet the vision did not manifest. How Machhindranath made this possible is the story that follows.
Machhindranath travelled toward Ayodhya to obtain Lord Rama’s darshan. At that time, King Pashupata, a descendant of Rama, ruled the kingdom. The king arrived at Rama’s temple with his royal retinue. A massive crowd filled the temple; there was no space even to set one’s foot.
Machhindranath reached the temple gate, but the guards rudely blocked him, saying the king was inside and no one else could enter. Machhindranath remained calm. The mistake was not the guards’—it was the king who required a lesson in humility.
Machhindranath invoked the Sparshastra mantra, empowered sacred ash with Rama’s name, and waited. When the king completed his worship and prostrated, Machhindranath cast the mantra-infused ash toward him. Instantly the king became stuck to the ground—unable to rise. Terrified, he gestured to his minister for help.
Upon inquiry, the minister learned that a saint had been insulted at the temple door. He immediately approached Machhindranath, begged forgiveness, and pleaded for the king’s release. Machhindranath used his powers and freed the king.
The minister then realized the truth: no ordinary person could slip through such a dense crowd and reach the temple gate unhindered. Machhindranath possessed the yogic ability to appear anywhere at will. Sparshastra works entirely through sankalpa (mental command); the ash need not touch the target physically. This is the signature of the Nath tradition.
Once freed, the king approached Machhindranath with deep reverence. He performed Shodashopachara Puja and bowed. Seeing his sincerity, Machhindranath asked him to declare his desire.
The king replied: *“I am a descendant of Lord Rama. My deepest wish is to receive His direct darshan.”*
Machhindranath then performed astras upon the Sun—initiating a fierce spiritual confrontation. The Sun-god became powerless before him. Because of this disruption, Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Varuna, the Ashwini Kumaras, and Kubera arrived to assess the situation. This alone reveals the vast spiritual authority of the Nath Panth. Nath yogis use their powers solely to uplift devotees and protect dharma.
The Sun had withheld the blessing of Rama’s darshan, despite being responsible for the Solar Dynasty. To restore balance, Machhindranath compelled him.
Vishnu, who had previously vowed to support the Nath Panth always, mediated. Machhindranath insisted:
*“Only after the king receives Rama’s darshan will I warn the Sun.”*
At that very moment, Lord Rama manifested in person. The king and Machhindranath bowed. Rama lovingly embraced Machhindranath.
Machhindranath said: *“Whenever your name arises during mantra-practice, you must personally come to assist the Nath Panth. Otherwise, be prepared for war.”*
Rama smiled: *“Lord Dattatreya’s blessing is upon you. The power of Narasimha resides within me. Why would I not support you? When my name is invoked in your rituals, I will appear. You and I are one.”*
Rama then instructed Machhindranath to warn the Sun. After receiving the warning, the Sun sought Vishnu’s guidance and invited Machhindranath for a meeting. With precautions against the Sun’s radiance, Machhindranath went.
Vishnu explained Machhindranath’s greatness. The Sun then pledged complete support to the mantra-vidyas of the Nath tradition.
Thus, Machhindranath ensured that the ancestral deity of the Solar Dynasty granted the king his long-awaited vision. Had Rama refused, Machhindranath was prepared to wage war even against him. Rama knew this and therefore personally appeared, giving darshan and promising eternal support to the Nath Panth.
For Rama knew the truth:
The Nath Panth was created to counter the destructive forces of Kali Yuga. It was part of Krishna’s cosmic design to restore dharma. And therefore, the Nath Panth continues its divine mission even today.