The Play of the Nath Yogis

“In the island of Sinhala, Indra will perform a great yajña. At that time, Vishnu, Brahma, Shiva and all the supreme gods will attend the ceremony. Along with them, the Nine Nathas will also arrive. Therefore, give up your grief, board the divine aircraft, and come to Sinhala-dvipa.” As Mainakini prepared to leave, all the women of the palace were filled with sorrow. She consoled them, instructed Dairbhama to rule wisely and protect everyone, and then departed. Uparikshavasu escorted her to Sinhala and returned to his abode. Thus Mainakini became free from her curse.

Meanwhile, Machhindranath wandered into Gaud-Bengal, where he met Kanifanath. Seeing Kanif, Gorakshanath felt blessed—*“Because of this meritorious man, I have found my Guru.”* With that thought, Goraksha set down Meennath and bowed at Kanifa’s feet. Tears flowed from Kanifa’s eyes. Machhindranath asked the reason, and Goraksha narrated everything—including how Jalandharnath had been buried alive by King Gopichand. Hearing this, Machhindranath felt inward anger. Wandering further, they reached Helapattan, the capital of Gopichand. Many townspeople gathered to meet them. Kanifanath described how he freed Jalandhar and how Muktachanda came to the throne. Machhindranath asked who now governed the kingdom. People replied: “The kingdom is run by Mainavati on his behalf.” They praised her greatly.

Though scriptures seldom show explicit connection between Machhindranath and Jalandharnath, they were Guru-brothers and originally Navanarayanas. They were always aware inwardly of everything happening in the cosmic order. The burial of a Nath saint was an offence that naturally stirred their anger, yet because each Nath’s work was independent, they did not interfere directly—only understood inwardly what had happened. To meet Mainavati, Machhindranath, Gorakshanath and Meennath went to the royal palace. He instructed the gatekeeper to announce their arrival. The gatekeeper described them: “They resemble Jalandharnath exactly.” Mainavati, with her ministers, came out and respectfully welcomed them. She seated them on a golden throne, performed ritual worship, and said: “By the touch of your holy feet, I am truly blessed.” Machhindranath narrated his story and said, “Lord Dattatreya initiated me and Jalandharnath. When I heard he had been harmed here, I came in anger. But hearing the true story, my anger subsided. By your virtue, you have uplifted forty-two generations.” Mainavati bowed and replied: “Whatever happened was by your grace. The philosopher’s stone turns iron into gold—but your compassion is even greater.”

Leaving Helapattan, the three Nath yogis wandered from village to village. They reached Jagannath Puri, stayed three nights, performed rituals, and moved on. Later, they settled for a time in Saurashtra.

The next morning, Gorakshanath went to the village for alms. Meennath was still asleep. When he awoke, Machhindranath sent him to relieve himself. By the time Goraksha returned, Meennath needed cleaning. Machhindra asked Goraksha to wash him. Meennath was young; his whole body was soiled. Seeing this, Goraksha felt disgust and thought: “Why must a renunciate like me do such mundane tasks?” Annoyed, he carried Meennath to the river, struck him against a stone, and killed him. He threw the bones and flesh to fish and crocodiles, kept only the skin, cleaned it, and hung it to dry. When Machhindranath returned, he asked for Meennath. “He is drying outside,” Goraksha said. Machhindranath did not understand; then Goraksha showed him the dried skin. Seeing it, Machhindranath collapsed, rolled in grief, struck his head, and lamented the child’s virtues.

Life and death are but a thin line—both Nath Gurus understood this well. For those with mastery over the five elements, life and death hold no ultimate meaning. Their Guru, Lord Dattatreya, would assume or dissolve bodies at will. Thus, Goraksha did not think he had “killed” Meennath. Both Guru and disciple were testing each other. Goraksha said, “Gurudev, why do you fall into ignorance? Who are you? Who is the child? What truly dies? The unreal perishes; the real is eternal. Meennath cannot die—neither by weapons, nor fire, nor water, nor wind.” Yet Machhindranath’s sorrow did not diminish.

Finally, Goraksha used the Sanjeevani mantra, sprinkled sacred ash on Meennath’s skin, and immediately Meennath emerged alive and embraced Machhindra. There were no bones or organs, only skin—yet Goraksha restored life. Such is the depth of this ancient Nath knowledge. They stayed there that night. Next morning, Goraksha asked, “Gurudev, you who can revive the dead—why did you weep?” Machhindranath replied: “I wished to test how deeply desire, anger, attachment, and delusion affect you. I wanted to verify whether you truly understand the eternal and the transient.” Goraksha replied: “And I wished to test your detachment.” Thus Guru and disciple tested one another, became fully assured of each other’s mastery, and continued their divine mission.