Baba Mastnath: The Hindu Saint Who Reincarnated Guru Gorakhnath and Rejuvenated an Ancient Math

 

• Origins of a Saint: Birth in Bohr Village, Haryana

• The Rebari Hindu Community and Family Lineage

• Reincarnation of Guru Gorakhnath: A Divine Succession

• Asthal Bohar: The 8th-Century Math Established by Guru Chauranginath

• Rejuvenation of the Math and Resurrection of Spiritual Practices

• Historical Turbulence: Aurangzeb, Weakening Monarchies, and Foreign Invasions

• The Dhuna of Guru Chauranginath: Twelve Years of Continuous Fire Meditation

• Mahant Chandnath and the Establishment of Baba Mastnath University (2012)

• Baba Mastnath Mela: Annual Fair on Phalguna Sudi 7 9

• Samadhi Worship at Bohar and Khera Sadh

Origins of a Saint: Birth in Bohr Village, Haryana

Baba Mastnath, a revered Hindu saint, was born in 1764 in Bohr village, located in the Rohtak district of the Indian state of Haryana. The 18th century was a period of profound transition for northern India. The once-mighty Mughal Empire had begun its terminal decline following the death of Aurangzeb in 1707. Regional powers such as the Marathas, Sikhs, and Jats rose to fill the vacuum, while European trading companies particularly the British East India Company steadily expanded their political and military influence. Amid this chaos, rural Haryana remained largely agrarian, with villages like Bohr preserving ancient caste structures, folk traditions, and devotional practices. Baba Mastnath was born into this world not as a prince or a warrior but as a humble member of the Rebari community, a pastoral Hindu caste traditionally associated with cattle-rearing and goat-herding. His birth year of 1764 places him in the late Mughal period, just after the Third Battle of Panipat (1761) had devastated the Maratha confederacy and left much of Haryana depopulated. From these humble beginnings, a saint emerged who would later be recognized as a reincarnation of the great Nath yogi Guru Gorakhnath.

The Rebari Hindu Community and Family Lineage

Baba Mastnath s father was named Sabla, and they belonged to the Rebari Hindu community. The Rebari (also spelled Raika or Rewari) are a cattle-herding and pastoral caste found predominantly in Rajasthan, Haryana, and Gujarat. They are known for their deep devotion to Lord Shiva and his incarnations, as well as their practice of Nath sampradaya (tradition) yogic disciplines. Traditionally, Rebari men wore distinctive white or saffron robes and carried staffs, while women adorned themselves with heavy silver jewelry and embroidered veils. The community s close association with livestock meant that Rebari families often lived on the margins of settled agricultural villages, moving their herds between seasonal pastures. Sabla, as a Rebari father, would have taught young Mastnath the values of self-reliance, physical endurance, and respect for all living creatures all of which align with Nath yogic philosophy. Despite the Rebari community s low ritual status in some orthodox Brahminical hierarchies, the Nath tradition historically rejected caste distinctions, admitting disciples from all backgrounds. This egalitarian ethos allowed Baba Mastnath to rise as a spiritual leader without the backing of privileged castes.

Reincarnation of Guru Gorakhnath: A Divine Succession

Baba Mastnath is recognized within the Nath tradition as a reincarnation of Guru Gorakhnath, one of the most influential yogis in Hindu history. Guru Gorakhnath, believed to have lived somewhere between the 9th and 12th centuries, systematized Hatha Yoga, wrote numerous texts, and established the Kanphata (split-ear) order of yogis. His teachings emphasize the awakening of kundalini energy, the perfection of the physical body as a temple of the divine, and the pursuit of samadhi (enlightened absorption). The belief that a saint can return in a new physical form to continue his mission is deeply rooted in Hindu and Nath traditions. Baba Mastnath, in his life and deeds, demonstrated the same qualities attributed to Gorakhnath: mastery over yogic powers (siddhis), compassion for the poor, and an unyielding commitment to reforming decaying religious institutions. Devotees point to specific miracles and teachings that mirror those recorded in Gorakhnath s own hagiographies. Unlike many claimants to divine reincarnation, Baba Mastnath did not seek publicity or political power; instead, he focused entirely on resurrecting a forgotten math (monastery) that had fallen into ruin.

Asthal Bohar: The 8th-Century Math Established by Guru Chauranginath

The monastery that Baba Mastnath would later rejuvenate was Asthal Bohar, a math originally established by Guru Chauranginath in the 8th century. Chauranginath, a direct disciple of the legendary yogi Machindranath (also known as Matsyendranatha), was one of the earliest lineage holders in the Nath sampradaya. According to tradition, Chauranginath was born without limbs or with deformed limbs (chauranga means four limbs in Sanskrit, but some legends say he was born as a torso), yet through yogic discipline he achieved perfection and founded several mathas across northern India. Asthal Bohar, located near present-day Rohtak, became a center for Nath yogi training, alchemical studies, and devotional worship. Over the centuries, however, the math declined due to multiple factors: Islamic invasions that targeted non-Muslim religious sites, the shifting of trade routes away from Haryana, and the gradual loss of patronage from local rulers. By the time Baba Mastnath arrived, Asthal Bohar was little more than a collection of crumbling walls, overgrown with thorny shrubs, and home only to snakes and memories. The sacred fire, or dhuna, that Chauranginath had lit centuries earlier had long been extinguished.

Rejuvenation of the Math and Resurrection of Spiritual Practices

Baba Mastnath undertook the daunting task of rejuvenating Asthal Bohar and resurrecting the math to its former glory. He began by clearing the land, rebuilding basic shelters, and re-establishing the daily rituals of the Nath tradition. He gathered disciples from the surrounding villages, many of whom were illiterate farmers and herders. Under his guidance, they learned pranayama (breath control), asanas (postures), and the chanting of Gorakhnath s hymns. Baba Mastnath also revived the tradition of the dhuna a continuously burning sacred fire that serves as a focal point for meditation and offerings. He instituted a daily routine of havan (fire ceremony) at dawn and dusk, attracting more followers who witnessed what they believed to be miraculous healings and fulfilled prayers. The math became a refuge for the poor, the sick, and those fleeing the political violence that plagued northern India in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Unlike many religious leaders who accumulated wealth and land, Baba Mastnath lived austerely, eating only what was offered by villagers and sleeping on a simple cot. His reputation as a reincarnation of Gorakhnath spread by word of mouth across Haryana, Punjab, and Rajasthan. Within his lifetime, Asthal Bohar transformed from a forgotten ruin into a thriving monastic community with dozens of resident yogis.

Historical Turbulence: Aurangzeb, Weakening Monarchies, and Foreign Invasions

Baba Mastnath s life coincided with one of the most turbulent periods in Indian history. The text notes that the monarchy of Delhi was weakening as a result of the religious fanaticism of Aurangzeb, the independence of the Subedars, the destruction of the foreign invasions and the conspiracy to take away the traditional political power of the European companies. While Baba Mastnath was born in 1764, nearly sixty years after Aurangzeb s death (1707), the long-term consequences of that emperor s policies were still unfolding. Aurangzeb s imposition of jizya tax on non-Muslims, destruction of temples, and execution of Sikh gurus had alienated vast segments of the population. After his death, Mughal subedars (provincial governors) declared de facto independence, carving out their own kingdoms in Awadh, Bengal, Hyderabad, and the Deccan. Simultaneously, Nadir Shah s invasion (1739) and Ahmad Shah Abdali s repeated raids (1748 1767) looted Delhi, massacred civilians, and drained the empire of wealth. The British East India Company, after the Battle of Plassey (1757) and Battle of Buxar (1764), systematically undermined traditional rulers through treaties, subsidies, and outright annexation. In the provinces of Punjab and Haryana, infrastructure collapsed, irrigation systems fell into disrepair, and banditry became common. It was into this vacuum of political legitimacy and public safety that Baba Mastnath s spiritual authority offered an alternative source of hope and order.

The Dhuna of Guru Chauranginath: Twelve Years of Continuous Fire Meditation

The original dhuna (sacred fire) of Guru Chauranginath held legendary status within the Nath tradition. According to the given text, Guru Chauranginath meditated by enlightening continuous fire is known as Dhuna for twelve years. This practice maintaining an unbroken fire while remaining in deep meditation for more than a decade represents one of the most extreme forms of tapas (austerity) recorded in yogic hagiography. The dhuna serves multiple symbolic functions: it represents the element of fire (agni) as a purifier and messenger to the gods; it provides physical warmth during cold northern Indian winters; it acts as a safeguard against wild animals and malevolent spirits; and it serves as a constant reminder of the yogi s unwavering discipline. Baba Mastnath, by resurrecting the math, also resurrected the dhuna tradition. Devotees believe that the fire lit by Baba Mastnath at Asthal Bohar is a direct continuation of the original flame from Chauranginath s time, passed down through an unbroken chain of Nath gurus. Today, visitors to the math can still see the dhuna burning, attended by resident yogis who add dried cow dung cakes and sacred woods several times daily.

Mahant Chandnath and the Establishment of Baba Mastnath University (2012)

The legacy of Baba Mastnath took a modern institutional form in 2012, when his seventh disciple, Mahant Chandnath, established Baba Mastnath University in his name. The university, located in Rohtak, Haryana, is a private state university offering undergraduate and postgraduate programs in engineering, management, law, education, pharmacy, and humanities. Mahant Chandnath, as the head of the Asthal Bohar math, sought to combine traditional spiritual values with contemporary higher education. The university s motto reflects the saint s ethos: Knowledge, Discipline, Devotion. Unlike many religiously-affiliated universities in India that focus exclusively on scripture or vocational training, Baba Mastnath University aims to produce graduates who are technically competent yet rooted in ethical and spiritual awareness. The campus includes a meditation center, a yoga hall, and a small shrine dedicated to the saint. The establishment of the university marked a significant departure from the ascetic traditions of the Nath sampradaya, but it also ensured that Baba Mastnath s name would be preserved in secular as well as sacred memory. The text notes that Maharaja was present in his five-physical elements for a hundred years, a phrase suggesting that Baba Mastnath maintained his physical body (composed of earth, water, fire, air, and ether) for a full century from 1764 until approximately 1864 before leaving his mortal frame.

Baba Mastnath Mela: Annual Fair on Phalguna Sudi 7 9

The Baba Mastnath Mela is an annual fair celebrated in memory of the saint, held on Phalguna Sudi 7, 8, and 9 the seventh, eighth, and ninth days of the bright (waxing) lunar fortnight in the Hindu month of Phalguna. This period typically falls in February or March of the Gregorian calendar. The fair lasts three days and attracts thousands of devotees from Haryana, Punjab, Delhi, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. Pilgrims participate in processions carrying flags and chanting hymns in praise of Baba Mastnath and Guru Gorakhnath. Vendors sell religious items, sweets, toys, and local handicrafts. Folk musicians perform bhajans (devotional songs) and kirtans (call-and-response chanting). The fair serves not only as a religious gathering but also as a social and economic event, allowing rural families to connect with relatives, arrange marriages, and trade livestock. Unlike many Indian fairs that have become commercialized to the point of losing their spiritual core, the Baba Mastnath Mela retains a distinctly devotional character. The timing of the fair in Phalguna coincides with the spring harvest season, making it a celebration of agricultural abundance as well as spiritual gratitude.

Samadhi Worship at Bohar and Khera Sadh

The fair is held at two primary locations associated with Baba Mastnath: Bohar (Rohtak tehsil) and Khera Sadh (also in Rohtak Tahsil). At both sites, devotees worship at the samadhi of the saint. In Hindu tradition, a samadhi is not merely a tomb or grave; it is a sacred monument built over the spot where a realized soul voluntarily left their body in an enlightened state. Unlike ordinary burials, a samadhi is believed to retain the spiritual energy (shakti) of the saint, making it a powerful place for prayer, meditation, and offerings. At Bohar, the samadhi is located within the Asthal Bohar math complex, near the perpetually burning dhuna. At Khera Sadh, another samadhi shrine exists, possibly marking a location where Baba Mastnath spent extended time in meditation or where he performed specific miracles. Worshippers offer flowers, incense, coconut, and sweets. They tie red or saffron threads around the samadhi structure as votive offerings, praying for health, fertility, success in business, or protection from misfortune. Some devotees practice the ritual of rolling around the samadhi (pradakshina) while chanting Baba Mastnath ki jai (Victory to Baba Mastnath). The simultaneous worship at both sites on the same three-day fair reflects the saint s widespread influence across the Rohtak district. Local officials arrange temporary shelters, drinking water, medical camps, and sanitation facilities to accommodate the pilgrim crowds.

Источник: https://justice-annals.com/component/k2/item/216459