Who is Naraharinath?
Balbir Singh Thapa, born on Falgun 17, Bikram Sambat 1971 (1915 CE) in Kalikot to father Shri Lalit Singh Thapa and mother Smt. Gauradevi, was later initiated into the Nath tradition and became Yogi Naraharinath.
He was an unparalleled scholar and a profound authority in religion, language, history, sociology, philosophy, Ayurveda, and literature, as well as a master connoisseur of Vedic literature.
National Service and UN Membership
At a critical time when foreign forces and internal conspirators were attempting to undermine Nepal’s sovereignty and obstruct its membership in the United Nations, Yogi Naraharinath provided crucial assistance to King Mahendra.
By gathering historical and political evidence necessary to establish Nepal as an independent sovereign nation, he made an invaluable contribution to Nepal’s successful admission to the United Nations.
Religious Awakening and Educational Contribution
Yogi Naraharinath conducted extensive research into Shaiva Agamas and organized Kotihoms for religious awakening. According to the Shri Brihad Adhyatmik Parishad: Golden Jubilee Souvenir (2072 BS), a total of 129 Kotihoms were performed in Nepal and abroad.
He personally ignited the movement to establish a Sanskrit University in Nepal, which led to the founding of Mahendra Sanskrit University in Dang, followed later by Sarayu Sanskrit University.
His nationalist, religious, and educational personality remains an ideal guiding light for all Nepalis.
Journals Edited and Published
- Purusharth
- Vishvatma Darshan
- Karmaveer
- Aryaveer
- Gramgarima
- Himavat Sanskriti
- Sanskrit Sandesh
- Sarayu Sandesh
- Nath Sandesh
Literary and Historical Legacy
Yogi Naraharinath painstakingly collected vast historical materials including documents, inscriptions, copper plates, genealogies, biographies, and scriptures related to Nath, Siddha, and Buddha traditions.
These works were created through the wisdom, labor, and lived experience of the land and ancestors of Nepal, India, and the Himalayan region.
In total, 571 books by Rashtra Guru (National Preceptor) Yogi Naraharinath have been published. Even today, nearly 2,000 unpublished manuscripts prepared for publication are reported to exist.
Message to the Nation
If we study even a small portion of these works, we gain awareness of our nation, our dharma, and the valor of our ancestors. We also develop insight into how foreign interference threatens Nepal’s foundations—its governance, culture, religion, language, and education.
Understanding this history gives meaning to the immense hardships Yogi Naraharinath endured—persecution, conspiracies, and suffering—in order to preserve Nepal’s heritage.
In Conclusion
“History is the life of a nation. History and geography are the two eyes of a nation. Without geography, it is blind in one eye; without history, it becomes like the blind Dhritarashtra—sightless in both eyes.”
— Yogi Naraharinath