matsyendra

The best known of all Nath legends tells us how the great Matsyendra Nath had fallen under the spell of the queen of the realm of women (the epitome of woman and power!) and was then saved by his even greater disciple Gorakh.(24) Even though Matsyendra had forgotten his ascetic identity, living comfortably and fathering sons, he remains a yogi, recognizes his disciple, and can awaken to his true state.

Emphasis thus is not placed on strong bonds between guru and disciple, as in the legend of Matsyendra Nath and Gorakh Nath, but on realizing the heritage of the community into which one has been born.

55) says it was originally composed by Matsyendranatha, who heard it from Siva himself; Matsyendra, who was illiterate, then sang it to Colendranatha, a Cola king, who gave it to the people on earth to obtain siddhi or spiritual perfection.

The MSam incorporates stories which we can find in the Puranas, such as the motif of Matsyendra in the belly of a big fish.