TOI Dialogues: 'Yogis can do anything for social welfare', says Mahayogi Gorakhnath University Registrar

Author and Registrar of Mahayogi Gorakhnath University, Dr Pradeep Rao, while speaking at a panel discussion on 'The Cultural Significance of Gorakhpur as seat of Nath Sampradaya' during the maiden edition of TOI Dialogues in Gorakhpur said that Yogis of Nath Samprada can do anything if their goal is social welfare.
Asked about the relation between Nath Samprada and Gorakhpur, Rao said those who know and understand Gorakhpur, know that Gorakhpur, Gorakhnath temple, and Nath Samprada are synonymous with each other.
He further said that Gorakhnath's emergence happened for social harmony in India, the elimination of social evils, and promoting social welfare.

He said that according to the Nath Samprada, Gorakhnath was an Adipurush of Lord Shiva who appeared in all four Yugas, and that in Gorakhpur he appeared in Treta Yug.
"When Mahayogi Gorakhnath came to Gorakhpur in Treta Yug and made it his Taposthali, there were no people residing there. Gorakhpur and Gorakhnath Temple both are incomplete without each other," said Rao
He further said there are two branches of Nath Samprada, one for Yogis and other for common people.
"A Yogis life philosophy is very difficult. For common people, there are five principles of Nath Panth's philosophy. They are Sadacharan and Ethical life values, firm determination and hard work, Simple life, Lok Kalyan, Yog based life journey. If they understand these, they will understand Nath Panth," said Rao.
When asked how Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath is leading a simple life after taking over the top post, Rao said the CM is able to do everything in politics because of Nath Panth and its simple teaching.
"He does what he says and takes immediate action. He wears simple clothes and eats simple food. He follows Nath Panth philosophy in his life," said Rao.
Rao added that nothing is forbidden for Yogis of Nath Panth. "If their goal is to do the welfare of people they can do anything," he said.
When asked what books one should read to understand Nath Samprada, Rao said Maro Yogi Maro by Osho, Gorakhnāth and the Kānphata Yogīs by George Weston Briggs in English, Hazari Prasad Dwivedi’s Nath Panth, Gorakhvani published by Gorakhnath temple are good books to understand Nath Samprada.