Gorakhnath

Gorakhnath is a renowned saint from the "nath" tradition famous in India. The Guru of Gorakhnath was Mastyendranath (also known as Machandranath). Gorkahnath is famous as an ascetic and is known for his many supernatural powers. By virtue of his supernatural powers (siddhis) Gorakhnath could perform miracles such as resurrecting the dead, levitating, turning rock into gold etc. There is one interesting account in the scriptures of a meeting between Gorakhnath and Lord Kabir. The full account is given below.

Meeting between Gorakhnath & God Kabir

Once, Gorakh Nath (a Siddh Mahatma) came to have a scriptural debate (for discussion on knowledge) with Swami Ramanand Ji (who was Sahib Kabir’s Guruji) in Kaashi. When they gathered for the discussion on knowledge at that time Kabir Sahib had also arrived with his venerable Gurudev Swami Ramanand Ji. Ramanand Ji was sitting on a high seat. In his feet Kabir Sahib (Supreme God) was sitting in the form of a child. Gorakhnath Ji also was sitting on a high seat and had embedded his Trishul (a trident) in the ground next to his seat. Gorakhnath Ji said, “Ramanand, have a discussion with me.” At that very moment, God Kabir in a child form said, “Nath Ji, first have a discussion with me. Later, talk to my Gurudev Ji.

Yogi Gorakhnaath prtaapi, taaso tej prthvi kaanpi |
Kaashi nagar mein so pag parheen, Ramanand se charcha karheen |
Charcha mein Gorakh jay paavaen, kanthi torae tilak chhudaavae |
Satya Kabir shishya jo bhayaoo, yeh vritaant so suni layaoo |
Gorakhnaath ke dar ke maare, vairaagi nahin bhesh savaare |
Tab Kabir aagya anusaara, vaishnav sakal swaroop sanvaara |
To sudhi Gorakhnaath jo paayau, Kaashi nagar sheeghr chal aayau |
Ramanand ko khabar pathaai, charcha karo mere sang aai |
Ramanand ki pehli pauri, Satya Kabir baithe tees thauri |
Kah Kabir sun Gorakhnaath, charcha karo humaare saatha |
Prtham charcha karo sang mere, peechhe mere guru ko tere |
Baalak roop Kabir nihaari, tab Gorakh taahi vachan uchaari |

Gorakh Nath asks God Kabir - What is your age?

On this Gorakhnath Ji said, “You, a child Kabir Ji, since when did you become a yogi? Born yesterday i.e. a small child and want to have a discussion with me (with Gorakh Nath)! What is your age? And when did you become a Vairagi (saint)?

Kabke bhaye vairaagi Kabir Ji, kabse bhaye vairaagi |
Naath Ji jab se bhaye vairaagi meri, aadi ant sudhi laagi ||
Dhoondhookar aadi ko mela, nahin guru nahin tha chela |
Jab ka to hum yog upaasa, tab ka fira akela ||
Dharti nahin jad ki topi deena, Brahma nahin jad ka teeka |
Shiv Shankar se yogi na the, jadka jholi shika ||
Dwapar ko hum kari faavdi, Treta ko hum danda |
Satyug meri firi duhaai, Kaliyug firau nau khanda ||
Guru ke vachan saadhu ki sangat, ajar amar ghar paaya |
Kahaen Kabir suno ho Gorakh, main sab ko tatv lakhaaya ||

God Kabir reveals his age to Gorakhnath 

At that time God Kabir had assumed the appearance like that of Vaishno saints similar to the appearance assumed by Shri Ramanand Ji. God Kabir a had sandalwood mark on forehead, a cap, a bag, coin, a favdi (a staff similar to the letter ‘T’ in English which is used for doing bhajan), and was also carrying a staff (a wooden stick).

In the above hymn, God Kabir says that when there was no creation (Kaal’s creation) was in Anami form and there was no one else. Because God Kabir is the one who had created the creation of Satlok by His word, and then also created the creation of Kaal (Jyoti Niranjan / Brahm). God Kabir said that it is since then I have been doing sadhna (worshipping/meditating). When I used to live alone, when even there was no earth, know my cap to be existing since then. Brahm, who is the creator of the bodies of Gorakhnath and his Guru machchhander nath etc and all the living beings had not even been born. Since then I am wearing this mark on my forehead i.e. since then I (Kabir) am in form as SatPurush (Supreme God).

God Kabir says, Satyug, Tretayug, Dwaparyug, and Kaliyug – infinite of these four yugas have passed in front of me. God Kabir states that following the words of Satguru, I have attained the eternal-immortal abode (Satlok). Therefore I have explained the Tatva (the true spiritual knowledge) to all the living beings that, by taking initiation from a Complete Guru, following his words throughout life and concentrating and remembering Supreme God then by going to that eternal-immortal Satlok you can be saved from the distressing crisis of birth and death.

On hearing this, Gorakhnath Ji asks, “You have such a long life, however, you look like a child.

Jo boojhe soii baavra, kya hai umar humaari |
Asankh yug prlay gaii, tab ke brahmchaari ||tek||
Koti Niranjan ho gaye, parlok sidhaari |
Hum to sadaa mehboob hain, svayam brahmchaari ||
Arbon to Brahma gaye, unanchaas koti Kanhaiya |
Saat koti Shambhu gaye, mor ek nahin palaiya ||
Kotin Narad ho gaye, Muhammad se chaari |
Devtan ki ginti nahin hai, kya srishti vichaari ||
Nahin buda nahin baalak, naahin koi bhaat bhikhaari |
Kahain Kabir sun ho Gorakh, yeh hai umr humaari ||

Satguru Kabir Sahib gives a description of his age to Shri Gorakhnath

Infinite yugas have undergone destruction. Since then I am devotee i.e. I am immortal. Crores of Brahm (Kshar Purush / Kaal) God have died and reborn.

Age of Brahma, Vishnu & Shiv

• One Brahma’s age is of 100 years (Divine Years).
• Vishnu Ji’s age is seven times that of Brahma 
• Shiv Ji’s age is seven times that of Vishnu 

Read in detail about Age of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiv

Crores of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiv with these ages also die, and then one Jyoti Niranjan (Brahm) dies. A conch shell blows at the time pre-set by Supreme God. At that time, Great Destruction is caused by ParBrahm. It is believed so, but in reality all the arrangements are done by Purna Brahm (Supreme God) in a hidden manner. Then one Niranjan (Brahm) dies.

God Kabir states that crores of Jyoti Niranjan have died, but my age has not even lessened by a second i.e. I am Eternal Purush (God). God Kabir says that I am eternal. The other Gods resorting to whom you are doing bhakti, they are mortal. Then how can you be immortal?

Arbo to brahma gaye, 49 koti kanahiya | Saat crore shambhu gaye, meri ek nahin pallaiya ||

God Kabir says that billions of Brahma have died and 49 crores of Krishna have died. Seven crore Shambhu (Shiv) have passed away, but even a single moment of mine has not passed

God Kabir said that this is achieved by recitation of SohM shabd which is obtained from a Guru who is the knower of the ultimate secret, and then Saarnaam is obtained. Then one can reside in Satlok and attains SatPurush.

Crores of pious souls like Narad and Muhammad have also come (born) and gone (died), and there is no count of the Gods. Then what account can be made of the ordinary human beings and other life forms? I (Kabir) am neither old nor a child; I live in the form of a youth, which is symbolic of divine power. This, I have appeared before you in a leelamayi body. God Kabir says, “Listen to me, Gorakh Ji; this is my age which I have explained to you above.

Gorakhnath flies and sits atop his trident

On hearing this, Gorakhnath Ji flew by his supernatural power and sat on the upper part of the approximately 7-feet high trident embedded in the ground, and said that if you are so great then rise to my level (nearly 7 feet above the ground) and then talk to me. Hearing this, God Kabir said, “Nath Ji, we have come here for discussion of knowledge and not for doing drama. You may come down and deliver true message of bhakti to all the bhakt community.

God Kabir sits atop a 150 feet long thread

On hearing this Gorakhnath ji said that you do not have any power. You and your Guru Ji are misleading the world. Today your pretensions will be revealed. If you possess any power, then come to my level. When on God Kabir's repeated requests also, Nath Ji did not retreat, then God Kabir displayed His Parashakti (Purna Siddhi – supreme supernatural power). God Kabir had a reel of raw thread in his pocket in which around 150 (one hundred and fifty) feet long thread was wound. He took it out and holding the thread from one end, tossed it in the sky. The whole thread unwound from the reel and stood upright. God Kabir flew in the sky and sitting comfortably on the upper end of the vertical thread which was around 150 feet long, said, “Come, Nath Ji! Let us talk sitting at the same level.” Gorakhnath tried to fly up but retreated to ground instead. In front of Purna Parmatma (Supreme God), the siddhis (supernatural powers) become inactive. When every endeavour of Gorakhnath failed, he realised that this is no ordinary bhakt or saint. He is definitely some incarnation (among Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh).

Gorakhnath asks God Kabir to introduce Himself

Then Goraknath said to Sahib Kabir, “Oh Supreme Purush! Please come down and grace your servant by introducing yourself. What power are you? From which lok have you come?”

At that time, Kabir Sahib came down and said —

Avdhu avigat se chal aaya, koi mera bhed marm nahin paaya ||tek||
Na mera janm na garbh basera, baalak hai dikhlaaya |
Kaashi nagar jal kamal par dera, tahaan julaahe ne paaya ||
Mata-pita mere kachhu nahin, na mere ghar daasi |
Julha ko sut aan kahaaya, jagat kare meri hai haasi ||
Paanch tatv ka dhad nahin mera, jaanoo gyaan apaara |
Satya swaroopi naam Sahib ka, so hai naam humaara ||
Adhar deep Satlok gagan gufa mein, tahaan nij vastu saara |
Jyoti swaroopi Alakh Niranjan (Brahm) bhi, dharta dhyaan humaara ||
Haad chaam lohu nahin more, koi jaane Satyanaam upaasi |
Taaran taran abhae pad daata, main hoon Kabir avinaasi ||

God Kabir said, “Oh Avdhoot (Gorakhnaath) Ji, I have come from the avigat place (the state and the mystery of which no one knows; I have come from that Satlok). I have myself acquiring a child’s form by my power have aappeared on a lotus flower in a pond, Lahartara, in Kaashi (Banaras) city. There I was found by a weaver couple named Neeru-Neema who took me home. I have no parents nor I have any wife, and that which is the real name of that Supreme God, that Kabir only is my name. Your Jyoti Swaroop whom you call Alakh Niranjan (the formless God) that Brahm also does my jaap. I am attained by a worshipper who does jaap of Satnaam i.e. only he knows correctly about me. My body is not formed of bone-flesh and blood. Emphasizing the magnificence of Satnaam, Kabir Sahib states that one can go to my original place (Satlok) on the basis of Satnaam. Indicating towards other devotees God Kabir (KavirDev) Ji is saying that I keep doing jaap of that God. By becoming worthy of going to Satlok by this mantra (Satnaam), and then by obtaining Saarnaam one becomes completely relieved from birth-death. I (Kabir Sahib, the Eternal God) have explained this taaran taran pad (way of worship) to you.” He told Gorakhnaath Ji, “Oh pious soul! You are in the trap of Kaal Kshar Purush (Jyoti Niranjan) only. No one knows how many births you have had. Sometimes you suffered in the births of 84 lakh life forms. If you had not come in my refuge, Kaal would have destroyed your bhakti of the four yugas now (in Kaliyug).”

This Kaal is the master of the twenty-one brahmands. He has been accursed that he will eat one lakh human beings (gods and sages as well) daily, and will produce a lakh and a quarter (human beings). Thus, twenty-five thousand are increasing everyday. To keep them in place and to make them experience the results of their actions, Kaal has made 84 lakh births of various life forms by forming his law. In these a living being remains completely ignorant and from these extra living beings only, makes bodies like the microbes in blood, microbes in air etc-etc. his wife is Aadi Maya (Prakriti devi), Ashtangi (who has eight arms). From her only, Kaal (Brahm / Alakh Niranjan) gave rise to (by mutual union of husband and wife) three sons, Brahma, Vishnu and Shiv. Making these three his firm associates has entrusted the task of production of bodies to Brahma, of maintenance to Vishnu and of destruction to Shiv. First of all, makes them do tap (austerity), then endow them with siddhis (supernatural powers) based on which gets his purpose accomplished by them, and then in the end, even kills them (when they become devoid of the powers) and produces three new sons. In this manner, he is running his Kaal lok. Above all these is Purna Parmatma. Know me (Kabir) as His incarnation only.

Gorakh Nath tests Kabir Sahib again

Gorakhnath became sure in his mind that there is some power who is the master of the lineage. Then Gorakhnath said, “See one more power of mine.” Saying this he started walking towards river Ganga. The crowd of all the spectators also went along. At around 500 feet, was the river Ganga. Jumping into it, said, “Find me in this. Then I will become your disciple.” Gorakhnath became a fish.

God Kabir took the same fish out of the water and made it Gorakhnath in front of everyone. At that time, Gorakhnath accepted Sahib Kabir as the Supreme God and became His disciple. By taking Satnaam and Saarnaam from God Kabir he did bhakti. Then he became librated from Kaal’s web.

For example, the devout souls who exclusively did jaap of Kaal’s (Brahm) Om mantra, God Kabir granting them the further bhakti of that Purna Parmatma conveyed them across from Kaal’s lok. Like, the supreme devotee Namdev used to do jaap of only one naam Om. By that he had achieved several supernatural powers, even then could not get salvation. Then Kabir Sahib met Shri Namdev Ji and enlightened him about Satlok and SatPurush, gave him SohM mantra which is ParBrahm’s jaap. Then, Kabir Sahib gave Saarshabd to him which is jaap of Purna Brahm. Then Namdev Ji became liberated.

Likewise, Gorakhnath Ji also did jaap of one mantra Alakh Niranjan and did sadhna of chanchri mudra. Then Sahib Kabir gave him Om and SohM mantra. Then further, by giving Saarshabd released Gorakhnath from Kaal’s trap.

|| Speech ||

Koi hai re parle paar ka, jo bhed kahe jhankaar ka || Tek ||
Warihi Gorakh warihi Dutt | Warihi Dhruv Prahalad Arath ||
Warihi Sukhdev warihi Vyas, warihi Parasur Prakash || 1 ||
Warihi Durwasa, Darvesh, warihi Narad Sharad Shesh |
Warihi Bharthari Gopichand, warihi Sanak Sanandan Bandh || 2 ||
Warihi Brahma warihi Indra, warihi sahasm kala Govind |
Warihi Shiv Shankar jo simbh, warihi Dharmrai arambh || 3 ||
Warihi Dharmrai Dhardheer | Paramdham pauhanche Kabir ||
Rig Yaju Saam Atharwan Ved, Paramdham nahee labhya bhed || 4 ||
Alal pankh agaadh bhev, jaise kunji surati sev |
War Par theha n Thah, Garibdas nirgun nigah || 5 ||

Meaning: In this speech respected Garibdas Ji Saheb is saying no seeker of Satlok is seen who can tell the real sound of that true word. There are some seekers who describe the fake sound of fake Satlok, Alakhlok, Agamlok, and Anamilok which are built in Kaal lok. 

What is the Sound?

Answer: To blow drums special sticks are used which are beaten on the drums with which the real sound is produced. Instead of sticks if something else is beaten like slippers, shoes; there will be sound but it will not be the real one. In the same way, with the real name; chanting Satnaam the true sound will be produced. If someone is chanting the wrong name, that also the sound will be produced but not the correct one. Therefore, seekers did make efforts but without the practice of Satnam they remained on the side of Kaal-Brahm, in the trap of Kaal; remained Vaar, they did not cross (Paar) his region, that is, did not attain Satlok. Whereas they were good seekers. Like, no matter how much cultivated the land might be if instead of Mango seed, the seed of Babool (Acacia) is sown; then the land will provide fruit but the thing that was required is not obtained. Those great men were

• Shri Gorakhnath Ji
• Shri Prahalad Ji
• Shri Dhruv Ji
• Shri Dattatreya Ji
• Shri Sukhdev Ji
• Shri Ved Vyas Ji
• Shri Parashar Ji
• Shri Durvasa Ji
• Shri Narad Ji
• Shri Sarda Ji
• Shri Sheshnag Ji
• Shri Bharthari Nath Ji
• Shri Gopichand Nath Ji
• Shri Sanak Ji
• Shri Sanandan Ji
• Shri Sanatan Ji
• Shri Sant Kumar Ji (these four sons of Brahma Ji are great sages, are very good seekers but without Satnam, Sarnaam are trapped in the web of Kaal, could not cross his region)
• Shri Brahma Ji
• Shri Indra Ji
• God Kaal who is of one-thousand skills (kala)
• Shri Shiv Shankar Ji
• Shri Vishnu Ji
• Shri Dharmrai Ji; who is here as the Chief Justice (of Kaal). 

These Lords and their adorers are in birth-death, in the web of Kaal. Aadi Maya (Prakriti Devi) and deities are also trapped in the web of Kaal.

“Kabir, Sur Nar Muni-Jan, Taintees Carori, Bandhey sab Niranjan (Kaal) ki dori ||”  

Meaning: There are 33 crore deities in this Brahmand and 88 thousand sages. All these and other male-female desirous of devotion because of lack of true spiritual knowledge are tied with the rope of Kaal Brahm, that is, the chord of Kaal is tied in the neck of everyone. 

All gods and seekers, who are worshiping Brahm in the form of Sargun and whether in the form of Nirguna, are going through the cycle of birth and death and suffering in 84 lakh life forms and then Heaven-Hell based on deeds. They remain deprived of the bliss of complete salvation. All these are on the web of Kaal. Because they did not find any complete saint of Satnaam and Sarnaam. In the Paramdham (ultimate abode-Satlok), Sahib Kabir Ji arrived based on the worship of Satnaam and Saranam who used to Himself recite and used to tell the same to His disciples. There is no knowledge of the method of attaining the ultimate abode (Paramdham) even in the four Vedas (Yajurveda, Samveda, Rigveda, Atharvaveda). Sahib Garib Das Ji Maharaj says that I received Satnam from Sahib Kabir (my Satguru). Then there was such perseverance like the Alal bird makes efforts to get his parents who live in the sky and, like an Arbor bird, who with aching every second; remembers to go to Satlok and earnestly attains Satpurush. Due to which he found an immense limitless world and saw Nirgun (Gunateet Satpurush) in the highly radiant body. Devotees call Him formless God because His body is not made up of the five elements. God lives in the form of His Satdham (Satlok-Paramdham).

The shabd 'Jyoti Niranjan' makes one attain Chaanchri mudra; Gorakh yogi attained this by doing a lot of meditation (Tap) which is not possible for a common man, and then Gorakh Naath became a Siddh by doing sadhna upto Kaal. He did not become liberated. When God Kabir gave him Satnaam and Saarnaam, then Gorakh Naath became free from Kaal.

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