10
In an old book of the Yogis by Jnanesvar written in Marathi, translated in Hindi and published from Hardwar as Yogi- sampradayaviskriti, we find that Matsyendera was thrown in the sea by his parents, because he was born under an inauspicious star and was devoured by a fish. It is then that he overheard Siva and was initiated by him, the time being the end of the Dvapara Yuga i. e., the Brazen Age, the third of the four ages of the world comprising 864,000 years. Then he preached in Kamarupa. Gorakhnath became his disciple. and in Yudhistir Samvat 1939. (i.e., in the year of Yudhistir, the eldest of the Pandavas) he left his charge to Gorakhnath and put himself in eternal trance or Samadhi in the Girnar Hills.
In the Carya-padas (i. e. , verses on practices composed by Siddhacharyas) discovered by Shastri and published by him, we find a couplet in Bengali by Minanath, quoted in the commentary. As we have nentioned before, those Caryas do not belong to any period earlier than the tenth century. From this too, we may place Matsyendranath not later than the tenth century, if Matsyendra and Minanath are considered to be the same person.
In the list of the 84 Siddhas who had fourished between the tenth and twelfth centuries, we find the name and picture of Matsyendranath, who is also known as Minanath Vajrapada.
The Historicity and date of Gorakhnath
Gorakhnath was the disciple of Matsyendranath and as such he must belong to a period later than the tenth century, which date we have accepted for Matsyendranath, the guru.
Gorakh's disciple was Gaininath, and his disciple was Nivrttinath, the elder brother of Jnanesvar. Nivrttinath, though older than Jnanesvar by two years only, had initiated Jnanesvar in the Natha cult. Jianesver is a well-known saint of Maharastra, who wrote his commentary on the Gita, known as Jnanesvari, in 1290 A. D., as has been proved by scholars. From Jnanevar's own writings the fact has been established that he was put in 'Samadhi' or eternal trance, at his own request, only at the age of 21 years in 1296 A. D. This 'Samadhi' can still be seen and is only a few miles off from Poona. Therefore Jnanesvar's date of birth is 1275 A. D.
