Chorangi Nath

Chorangi Nath

The pathetic story of the Siddh Caurangī-nāth, who also known as Pūran Bhagat and Pūran Mal, or simply Pūran, since long time was theme of folklore songs singed by wondering menessterels all over India, especially in its Northern part from Panjab to Bengal. Dramatical tale of the young prince who was falsely accused by his zealous step-mother, and who was thrown into the well after his limbs were cut away, was theme of many balads and folk-theater plays, touching the hearts of people all over India. The legend about him stay side by side with the tale of another legendary natha personage Raja Rasalu, who was his younger brother born from his step mother.

There existing so many variations of his legend, circulating in form of songs and dramatical stories, that sometimes it becomes difficult to decide which of them is more near to his actual story.

One more account about his life found beetween stories or eighty-four Mahasiddhas in the Tibetan version of the book called Caturaśīti-siddha-pravṛitti. So far, it is the oldest written account on hs life, which came without changes since the time it was put on paper, presently awalble.

He have got his name Chorangi-nath in accordance with the Nath tradition of India, and Chorangipa in accordance with Tibetan tradition of Mahasiddhas because his limds were cut away. Cīrā literally means an incision, a cut or a wound, and aṅg means a limb, therefore Cīrā-aṅgi means ‘whose limbs were cut away.’ Similarly he called Pūran Bhagat, Pūran Mal or simply Pūran becouse he got his body restored to its previous condition. Pūrā means entire, complete or whole, therefore Pūran can be translated as ‘whose body was restored in its previous conditon and become entire as before.’ ?

He became great yogi and realised mahasiddha in both traditions as indian as well as Tibetan. Although Tibetan version of legend about him found in CSP says that he had no disciples, Nātha sect presently has one pant presumably founded by him that is Pagal panthi.

Historical

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As with rest of Natha Siddhas, it is difficult to figure out exact time when he lived, but one fact is without doubt: in accordance with most legends he lived at the same time with Guru Goraksh Nath and Matseyndranath. There exist great disagreement of different sourses placing him between 2nd to 9th centuries. Legneds usualy not mention period of time he lived, and historical records about people contemporary to him vary.

Most common version of legend existing in India, and amongst nath Sadhus, says that he was the son of Raja of Syālkoṭ (presently area of Punjab in Pakistan), Śālivāhan (Salwan, Sālbān) and Queen Ichhran (Achhrā, Achran). Historicaly, city Syālkoṭ (old name Sākal) was built in the end of eights century by father of Raja Śālivāhan, Gaj by name. It is said that prior it, he had his capital situated at Rāval-Piṇḍī, near the place where new capital was built. Raja Śālivāhan rebuilt city about at the same time when king of Kashmir was Raja Sam Dutt. In accordance with some legends Raja Śālivāhan was of Sia caste, and there by name " Syālkoṭ " means 'the fort of Sias'. He had two sons: Puran and Rasalu and two wives, Rani Loona Chamba and Rani Achran.

The well in which Puran was trown by his father still exist near Sialkot, on distance five miles and called "Pūran Bhagat vālā Kūa" (well of Puran), there are village near it which also called Pūran vālā (vilage of Puran). Previously it is said Puran’s tomb was there, atleast till 1857 A.D. which later was destroed.

Puran is one of the most famous saints of the Panjab. Both became followers of Gorakhnath, and Puran, especially, became a renowned Yogi.

Legends and stories

On the advice of the Hindu pandits and palmists, the young Prince's name was chosen to be Puran. Rani Lona was the first wife of Raja Salbahan but she was childless. So as Raja Salbahan grew closer to Rani Achran, Rani Lone felt jealous of her and did not miss any opportunities to insult Rani Achran and Puran.

Incidentally, a Guru who lived beside the Chenab river, Guru Gorganath, happened by that well with his companions. While they were resting beside the well they found the injured Prince and rescued him. After the Prince had partially recovered and related his story, Guru Gorganath invited him to join his group and started his physical recovery and spiritual training.

After few years of stay, Guru Gorganath ordered the Prince to stay beside the well, built him a camp for his residence and departed to Jehlum. Prince Puran stayed there for many years and gave spiritual advice to the people of the area. With the passage of time, he became quite famous among the people and came to be known as Puran Bhagat and his appearance changed completely.

When Puran Bhagat's fame reached the palace of Rani Lone, who was still childless, she visited him along with Raja Salbahan and requested him to pray for her. Puran told them that he would pray only if Rani Lone would tell him whether Puran was guilty or innocent. This shocked Rani Lone who revealed the truth.

Raja Salbahan was further shocked when Puran revealed his identity. He requested Puran to forgive them and accompany them to his palace but Puran refused and told them that they might be forgiven by the Lord and might get blessed with a son who should be named Rasalu.

Later, Raja Salbahan built a place for worship and arranged free distribution of food at the camp of Puran Bhagat. When he died, his samadhi (Hindu cremation ceremony) took place on a mound in front of the place where he used to dwell and a beautiful small tomb was erected in his remembrance.

Puran's well is a famous historical site located just outside the city of Sialkot. According to Mutiny in Sialkot there were remains of Puran's tomb extant in 1857, but now there is no tomb except for a small building, a small place for worship and a running well.

When Pūran was born, astrologers found something wrong in his horoscope, so they advised king to keep him in isolated place for twelve years . This advice was folloved by king, and prince has spent twelve years away from the king’s palace. At time when he was absent from palace, the king married a new queen , which was of low-caste and much more young than king was.

Once when king was out of the palace for hunting, young stepmother of prince being enamored by his beauty, has made unchaste purposes to him, which he rejected. Queen being angry on this and scared of possible disclose of her misconduct to the king, decided acting first, and played drama for acusing young prince for misbehavior with her.

To prove that her word were true, at time when king was about to return, she went to her room and made bloody injuries and scratches all over her body. She tored her closes to pieces and lay down in such condition on her bad, pretending to be raped and injured. When king found her in this state, he believed in accusations done by her, and became overhelmet with anger. He ordered to his servants to cat away hands and feet of prince, and throw him into the well situated deep in jungles. This was done by them, and after some time, he was found in such condition by Goraksh Nath, who restored him to previous state. After it, he refused to return to the palace, and became dicsiple of Goraksh Nath , with whom he was traveling aftewards.

Once Goraksh nath made him pass through severe test. When they reached to area rulled by One day Pooran passes through the lands of queen Sundaran. She falls for him the second she sees him. Sundaran goes to Gorakh Nath's camp and asks to be blessed with Pooran as a gift. The Guru agrees and asks Pooran to accompany her.

Instead of spending the night in bed with the queen, Pooran chooses to meditate. When morning comes, he heads bank to his Gurus camp.

Sundran is heart-broken. Gorakh Nath on the other hand is delighted with Pooran's will power to resist worldly temptations.

After some time he and Gorakshnath with many other yogis reached area of Sialkot. When they entered the city, lot of wonderful events occurred, as for example garden which became dried since moment disapearence of young prince becamed green in one night. Some time later Pooran is asked to visit his hometown. King Salwan and Queen Loona come to see him. They do not know his true identity. Salwan has not had any children after ordering Pooran's execution and is hoping to be blessed with another son. When pooran asks Salwan about his son, Loona has an emotional breakdown. She is mad with grief for having an innocent boy killed for petty reasons. Pooran forgives his stepmother and his father.

This changes Loona's perspective forever. She traverses the material world and moves beyond the worldly concept of good and evil.

Later he blessed Loona with a son, which became known as Rasalu in accordance with some sourses.Life story of Chorangipa

The Life Story of Cauraṅgi-pa

Tibetan version of the life story of Guru Cauraṅgi-pa, comes under number ten in the cycle legends of eighty-four Mahasiddhas in book CSP and connected with the story of Guru goraksh nath (number 9) in the same book.

Guru Chorangipa who was mentioned in the story of Goraksh nath, was the prince, whose legs and hands were cut away, and who was left in such condition under basement of a tree. His Guru Achintya accepted him as disciple, and has given him initiation into the practice of restraining air inside the body (pranayama), and others yogic techniques. ‘When you will reach perfection in your practices, you will be able to restore your body into its previous condition,’- after predicting so, Achintya has left.

Then Chorangipa in accordance with instructions given to him by guru, performed sadhana for the twelve ears. Once it happened, that group of traders, who wanted to avoid meeting with gang of dacoits, was passing away from the main road by the jungle way. It was night time when, they reached near the place where Chorangi was sitting invisible in darkness. They were caring with them lot of goods: gold, silver and jewels. When Chorangipa listened that somebody passing near by, he has asked: ‘Who are you, and what you are doing here in this time.’

(Scared) merchants, thinking that he was one of the robbers from gang, answered that they are sellers of coal. Prince has told: ‘Yes I see.’ When traders reached the place they were going to, they found that all they jewelry (miraculosly) turned into coal. After seeing this mystery, they became greatly confused, trying to understand how it has happened. Then one, most wise of them has told, ‘Do you remember when at the night, while we were passing through the jungle, we were asked by someone? He must be the man, whose words have power to becoming true. Other wise who can do this.’

After that they returned to the place where they were passing at the night, and where they listened the voice coming from darkness. They saw there under a big tree a man was sitting, whose legs and hands were cut away. They narrated him what has happened, and asked him again to apply his ‘true saying’. On what prince (who was not aware about his powers) has told:’ did I done that? If it is so, let the coals become what they were before’. When traders returned to the place where they luggage was stored, they found that all they goods turned now into they previous form, coal became gold, silver and what ever it was before. Greatly amazed to see this wonder, they after taking materials for performing worship, reached at the place, where the prince was sitting. They worshiped him, and told him, what has happened. After listening them Chorangipa remembered prediction made by his Guru, and he told: ‘If it is so, let my body will became as it was before.’ Immediately it happened and his limbs became restored.

He has got all kind of yogic powers and performed lot of miracles later. He didn’t initiate in Yoga any one (he made no disciples), but he has applied his powers on the tree, which was giving shelter for him, for so long time. He made it immortal, and it is said, that it stand till now at that place.

On this story of Guru Chorangipa, who became immortal completed.