Lord Shiva was one of the primary forces behind the creation of the Nath Sampradaya. Therefore, when the next phase of the tradition had to begin, the responsibility was again entrusted to Shiva’s own attendant — Nivruttinath.
After Gahininath completed his divine mission, the avatar-cycle of all the Nava-Naths came to an end. For the continued functioning of the Nath lineage in Kali Yuga, according to the divine plan, Lord Shiva chose to take birth through a human family as Nivrutti — the disciple of the disciple of the disciple of Machhindranath.
Lord Vishnu had also said to Machhindranath: “Considering the greatness of this Nath lineage, I myself will serve the disciple of your disciple’s disciple.” Thus, Lord Vishnu incarnated as Dnyaneshwar (Dnyan-Nath), and became the disciple of Nivruttinath — who was Lord Shiva in human form.
When Krishna designed the Nath Sampradaya during Dwapara Yuga, the complete structure of the lineage was set: - a strict Guru–Disciple system, - a spiritual mission for humanity, - and a method to counter the harsh effects of Kali Yuga.
In this divine blueprint, Lord Shiva himself was to guide the tradition and redirect it when the time came.
Machhindranath’s disciple was Gorakhnath; Gorakhnath’s disciple was Gahininath; and the one destined to receive the entire lineage from Gahininath was Nivrutti, the human incarnation of Lord Shiva.
Gorakhnath had already told Gahininath: “When a boy named Nivrutti comes before you, give him everything — all your knowledge, your Siddhis, your authority — and then enter Mahasamadhi.”
To ensure this meeting, Gorakhnath appeared in the form of a tiger, guided Shiva (as young Nivrutti) to Gahininath’s cave, bowed to him, and then disappeared into the valley with the divine cry *“Alakh Niranjan!”*
Nivruttinath later described the lineage in his own verses:
*“From Adinath (Shiva) and Uma came the original seed. Machhindranath awakened the natural state. Goraksha gave the seal of love. Gahininath bestowed complete grace. Through detachment and divine fire, peace took root. The mind became steady in bliss. Thus through the Guru’s compassion, Nivrutti’s lineage became sanctified by Krishna’s name.”*
In this way, Nivruttinath acknowledged that the entire Nath Sampradaya flowed originally from Krishna’s divine plan.
At that time, scholars, Brahmins, and learned elders rejected Nivruttinath’s father, Vithalpant, because he had renounced sannyasa and returned to household life (even though he did so only on his Guru’s command). According to society then, breaking the vow of sannyasa was a grave sin.
Because of this, Vithalpant, his wife, and all their children — Nivrutti, Dnyaneshwar, Sopan, and Muktabai — were declared outcastes. People treated them like untouchables.
The only “solution” the Brahmins (then called *Bhudevas*, the interpreters of dharma) offered was death atonement. Eventually, when the children were grown and Nivrutti had already met his Guru Gahininath, Vithalpant and his wife chose to accept this verdict and performed jal-samadhi, leaving their bodies in the river.
This was the justice system of 700–800 years ago, when Brahmin scholars acted as religious authorities — similar to how Shankaracharyas are regarded today.
But true authority in spiritual matters lies only with God or with a Sadguru, not with social systems. Only a Guru can transform a life, remove karmic burdens, or uplift a soul. This truth is often unknown to those who follow only external religious rules.
Nivruttinath — the eldest son — had received the full grace of Gahininath and thus the entire Nath Siddhi. He knew that his younger brother Dnyaneshwar was no ordinary child — he was an incarnation of Vishnu, overflowing with wisdom, compassion, patience, and spiritual insight.
Dnyaneshwar possessed all the qualities needed: - understanding of society, - mastery of spiritual knowledge, - the ability to awaken devotion in people, - and the power to guide humanity through the confusion of Kali Yuga.
Therefore, Nivruttinath entrusted him with the mission of expanding the Nath Sampradaya.
Through the experiences of their family, Nivrutti realized that society was losing: - compassion, - unity, - spiritual awareness, - understanding of karma, - and the true meaning of dharma.
People were confused by ideas of sin and virtue, trapped in rituals, and drifting away from sincere spiritual practice.
Thus, only Dnyaneshwar (Dnyan-Nath) was capable of guiding society in a way they could understand — through devotion, simplicity, love, and inner purity.
Until Gahininath, the Nath lineage followed the intense, ascetic path of Hatha Yoga. But Lord Shiva himself decided that in Kali Yuga, this method would no longer reach the masses.
Therefore: - The Nath Sampradaya would shift from strict Hatha Yoga - to an accessible, devotion-centered path (Bhakti Marg) - under the leadership of Dnyaneshwar.
Nivruttinath instructed Dnyaneshwar accordingly: - Teach the essence of the Bhagavad Gita. - Make spirituality easy, loving, and available to all. - Rebuild the Nath Sampradaya in a way society can embrace. - Show that the Nath tradition stands as the Guru of all spiritual paths. - Lead the lineage into a new era fitting for Kali Yuga.
Lord Vishnu had already declared: “I will serve the disciple of the disciple of the disciple of Machhindranath.” Thus, as Dnyaneshwar, Vishnu accepted the responsibility of reshaping the Nath lineage for the age to come.
This is how Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu together redirected the Nath Sampradaya, preparing it for its long journey through Kali Yuga.