Nathpanthi Always Ready to Serve

Introduction: In the Nath tradition, the doorway to the Guru must remain open for all, at all times. Just as a temple door never blocks a devotee from seeing God, a Nath Guru must never place restrictions on seekers who come for darshan. Machchhindranath himself demonstrated this principle and instructed Nagnath to keep his doors open. This is part of Nath discipline and spiritual responsibility.

Any person—known or unknown, rich or poor, initiated or not—must be able to approach the Guru, express their feelings, seek blessings and receive guidance. Just as no one blocks entry to God, no one should block entry to a Nath Guru. To teach this principle, Machchhindranath went to great lengths, and the incident with Nagnath (incarnation of Avirohotra Narayana) illustrates this deeply.

Knowing Nagnath was a divine incarnation, Lord Shiva asked Lord Dattatreya to initiate him into the Nath path. Dattatreya lived with Nagnath for six months, taught him all spiritual sciences, perfected him in sixty-four arts and mystical weapons, then took him to Badri Ashram, initiated him and placed him in twelve years of tapasya. After receiving boons from the gods, Dattatreya instructed him to go on pilgrimage.

During pilgrimage, Nagnath reached Bale Ghat and lived in the forest. People from nearby villages began visiting him. A settlement formed around him called Wadawal. At this time Machchhindranath arrived there while travelling and went for darshan.

At the doorway, Nagnath’s disciples stopped Machchhindranath, saying: “Wait. We will inform our Guru. No one enters without permission.” Hearing this, Machchhindranath grew angry: “Why should anyone need permission to see God or a saint?” He struck the disciple, and seven hundred disciples rushed forward. With a touch of sparshastra, Machchhindranath pinned them to the ground and disciplined them gently as they cried.

Nagnath emerged from meditation, disturbed to see his disciples bound. He used Garuda-Bandhana Vidya to bind Garuda in the heavens and Vibhaktastra to free the disciples. Machchhindranath prepared Parvatastra; Nagnath countered with Vajrastra. An astral battle erupted. Nagnath invoked Sarpaastra, sending venomous serpents that bit Machchhindranath. When Machchhindranath tried Garudāstra, it failed because Garuda was already bound. The poison brought him near death.

At the point of death, Machchhindranath remembered his Guru: “O Lord Dattatreya, do not delay—come now!” Nagnath was shocked: “Who is this man who calls on my Guru?” He asked Machchhindranath’s lineage. Machchhindranath replied: “I am Machchhindranath, disciple of Dattatreya. After me come Jalandhar, then Bhartrihari, then Revan. I am the eldest son of Dattatreya in the Nath lineage.” Hearing this, Nagnath released Garuda. Garuda removed the poison, scattered the serpents and bowed to both Nath Masters. Nagnath fell at Machchhindranath’s feet: “Elder brother is equal to father. Forgive me. You are my Guru.” He brought him inside and kept him for a month.

One day he asked: “Why do you keep guards and stop people from entering? Devotees come with love and your disciples turn them away. This caused the conflict.” Nagnath said visitors disturbed his meditation. Machchhindranath taught: “This is wrong. People come for blessing and purification. Never send anyone back. From today, keep your doors open.” This became a foundational Nath rule.

A similar lesson occurred in modern times. When Narendra Nath Maharaj visited Bholenath Maharaj in Delhi, Bholenath was seeing only foreigners; Indians required prior permission. Narendra Nath was stopped. The message was taken inside. Bholenath first said: “Tell him to come tomorrow.” The disciple insisted: “You must give him darshan today.” Realising something unusual, Bholenath allowed him. As Narendra Nath approached, Bholenath said: “When I heard the message, I felt today I am not meant to *give* darshan; I am meant to *receive* it. Are you Nathpanthi? Your Guru is extremely powerful. He came to me and told me all about you.” Narendra Nath answered: “This is Nath tradition: no restrictions on darshan. Whoever comes must be received.” Bholenath accepted this truth, took prasad from Narendra Nath and distributed it as Nath prasad.

The Nath path continues unchanged even today. The Guru’s door must always remain open. No seeker should ever be turned away. The Nath Guru must be accessible to all. This rule began with Machchhindranath and continues through every Nath Guru. In the Nath tradition, darshan is not a privilege — it is every seeker’s birthright.