The Haryana government on Wednesday banned the usage of “Gorakh Dhanda.”
This colloquial expression is generally used to describe unethical practices.
Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar took the decision after meeting a delegation of the Gorakhnath community.
The community delegation urged him to ban the phrase as it hurts the sentiments of the followers of Saint Gorakhnath.
Gorakhnath was the 11th century Hindu yogi who is considered to be the founder of the Nath Hindu monastic movement in India.
The Gorakhnath Math and Gorakhpur city in Uttar Pradesh are named after him. The Nath sect was founded by Lord Shiva and his knowledge was passed to Guru Gorakhnath.
Dr Pitambar Dutt Barthwal discovered 40 books written by Gorakhnath in Sanskrit and Hindi. He compiled and edited Gorakhnath’s compositions, which were later published as ‘Gorakh Bani’.
A government spokesperson said:
“The delegation representing the Gorakhnath community met the chief minister and urged him to ban the use of the expression, saying it hurts the sentiments of the followers of Saint Gorakhnath. The CM agreed.”
Gorakhnath had a strong influence on Sant Kabir, Dadu Dayal and Malik Mohammed Jaisi.
Well-known Hindi write Hazari Prasad Dwivedi has said:
“There is very little historicity left in the description of Gorakhnath. The folklore merely propagates the teachings of the sect and no other information”.
Gorakhnath laid the foundation of Hindu-Muslim unity and opposed caste discrimination and other evils.
However, it is not clear if the word ‘Gorakh Dhanda’ actually refers to Gorakhnath and the trade practices of his followers or is a transformation of the word ‘Golak Dhanda’.
Gorakhnath used to advise his followers’ various yoga postures, mantras and treatment plans that most of the time didn’t make sense to the common folk. However, his advice was very effective in treating ailments. Thus the word ‘Gorakh Dhanda was used to explain things that gave results but was inexplicable.
Some experts feel that the origin of the words may be from ‘Golak’ which is often used to refer to a round shape like earth or the world and ‘dhanda’ is used for puzzles or mysteries. Thus referring to this world as a strange puzzle or inexplicable mystery.
Pakistani singer Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan has even popularised this expression through his song entitled ‘Tum Ek Gorakh Dhanda Ho’ – referring to the existence of God as a complicated mystery.
WATCH VIDEO: Tum Ek Gorakh Dhanda Ho (Original Complete Version) – USTAD NUSRAT FATEH ALI KHAN – OFFICIAL VIDEO
