Introduction: This chapter explains a famous mystery from the Nath tradition: how an immensely powerful Nath Yogī like Jalindarnath—master of the five elements, born from sacred fire—allowed himself to be buried under horse dung by King Gopichand. Did Nath power fail? Or was there a deeper divine design? The answer reveals the true nature of Nath Siddhas.
The Nath Yogis possess mastery over the five elements—earth, water, fire, air and space. Their will alone can override natural laws, and what the universe considers impossible, they accomplish effortlessly. The Nath tradition stands above all paths because nothing is impossible for the Nath; their very nature is divine power. Among these Masters is Jalindarnath, an incarnation of Sage Jamadagni, born directly from sacred fire without a human mother.
If Jalindarnath was so powerful, how could Gopichand bury him in a deep pit and cover him with horse dung? Did a king overpower a cosmic Yogī? Absolutely not. The event happened only because Jalindarnath allowed it, as part of a divine plan. To understand why, we must see the background.
Mainavati, Gopichand’s mother and devoted disciple of Jalindarnath, advised her son: “Go to Jalindarnath and receive immortality. Renounce worldly pleasure.” Gopichand resisted, wanting twelve more years of enjoyment. Lumavati, one of his wives, overheard and feared losing power. She convinced the other co-wives that Mainavati and Jalindarnath planned to remove the king and seize the kingdom. This lie created deep suspicion in Gopichand.
Under fear and deception, Gopichand secretly dug a 20-foot pit and, with hesitation and confusion, pushed Jalindarnath inside. He immediately filled it with horse dung. People assumed the Guru had simply left. But the truth was far deeper: Jalindarnath willingly accepted the burial as part of his spiritual design.
As he fell into the pit, Jalindarnath activated Aakashastra, preventing the dung from touching his body. In vajrāsana, he created an inner hollow space through yogic force. The dung filled the outer pit but did not touch him. Nath Siddhas can remain alive for years without food or water. Gorakhnath, for example, meditated twelve years beneath garbage and dung and emerged as a twelve-year-old boy when Machchhindranath called him. Jalindarnath waited in deep samadhi for Kānifnath, his disciple, to arrive at the destined moment.
This dramatic episode was his own divine choice. His purpose was to test Kānifnath, to transform Mainavati and Gopichand, to demonstrate the unstoppable power of Nath Siddhas and to teach that no human controls a Nath; a Nath chooses the moment, the outcome and the lesson. Such cosmic dramas are common in Nath history to awaken disciples and spread the greatness of the Guru tradition.
Jalindarnath was never defeated. He orchestrated the entire event. No king, no god and no force in the universe has authority over a Nath. Their power is self-born, independent and limitless. What looked like Gopichand’s “victory” was Jalindarnath’s teaching.
Nath power never weakens. A Nath allows only what serves divine purpose. Jalindarnath controlled every moment. The burial was a spiritual drama, not defeat. Understanding this truth helps seekers align themselves with the greatness of the Guru tradition.