Act III, Scene 1

(Matsyendranath’s ashram. Gorakshanath is meditating. Enter an itinerant Yogi.)

YOGI: What an ugly, undivine, unbearable place! I have never been to an ashram that was so unspiritual. What kind of cow-dung Master you must have!

GORAKSHANATH: Don’t you dare speak about my Master that way! I have tremendous occult power.

YOGI: Show me your occult power!

GORAKSHANATH (grabbing a knife): Here is a knife. If you strike me anywhere on my body you will not be able to injure me at all. That is my power!

(Yogi begins stabbing Gorakshanath.)

YOGI: All right. When I struck you, you were not hurt, but my blows always created a sound. But if you strike me with the same knife, not only will you not be able to injure me, but also you will not be able to produce any sound.

(Gorakshanath stabs the Yogi several times.)

GORAKSHANATH: You are right! Not a sound! How is it possible?

YOGI: If one identifies with the Infinite, then no sound will be produced by a blow. This proves that I am superior to you in occult power.

(Exit Yogi.)

GORAKSHANATH (to himself): O Master, where are you now? I must speak to you about this. I will concentrate on you and see where you are and what you are doing.

(Gorakshanath sits down and begins to concentrate.)