Puran Bhagat

Puran Bhagat, later revered as Sri Chauranginatha, is remembered as one of the Navnath (Nine Saints) of the Nath tradition and as a legendary prince of Sialkot in Punjabi folklore. He was the son of King Salban of Sialkot and the elder brother of Prince Rasalu.

Puran was born to Queen Ichhira, the king’s first wife. At his birth, astrologers warned that the child should not be seen by his father for the first twelve years of his life, so the young prince was sent away in seclusion. During this time, King Salban married a second wife, Luna, a young woman of humble background.

When Puran returned to the palace after twelve years, he had grown into a handsome youth. Queen Luna, who was of his own age, became infatuated with him and tried to draw him into a forbidden relationship. Puran rejected her advances, honoring his role as her stepson. Spurned and resentful, Luna accused Puran of dishonoring her.

The enraged king ordered a cruel punishment. Puran’s hands and legs were cut off, and he was thrown into a well in the forest to die.

It was here that Guru Gorakhnath, passing with his disciples, heard Puran’s cries. Using nothing more than a thread and an unbaked earthen pot, the sage drew him out of the well. Gorakhnath healed and initiated him into the Nath order, where Puran renounced worldly life and became a yogi. In time, he came to be known as Chauranginath, one of the nine great Nath saints, honored for his endurance, devotion, and spiritual awakening.