Gorakhnath, also known as Goraksanath, was a Hindu yogi and saint who founded the Nath monastic movement in India. He is considered one of the disciples of Matsyendranath. Gorakhnath is highly revered and popular in Maharashtra and throughout India. Historians disagree on the exact time period in which Gorakhnath lived, with estimates ranging from the 11th to the 14th century. He is considered a great yogi in the Hindu tradition, emphasizing the search for truth, spiritual discipline, and ethical living. Gorakhnath and his followers, known as yogis, have had a significant influence in rural India, with numerous monasteries and temples dedicated to him. The Gorakhnath Math, a monastery named after him, is located in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh. Gorakhnath is also associated with the origins of Hatha yoga, and his orders were known for operating langars (community kitchens) in Punjab. The Gurkhas of Nepal are named after him, and there are legends and shrines dedicated to him in Nepal. In Tamil Siddhar tradition, he is known as Korakkar. The Bengali community in West Bengal, Assam, Tripura, and Bangladesh has a significant presence of Yogi Brahmins who have taken their name from Gorakhnath.

According to Romola Butalia, a writer on Yoga history, Gorakhnath is attributed to several works, including the Gorakṣaśataka, Goraksha Samhita, Goraksha Gita, Siddha Siddhanta Paddhati, Yoga Martanda, Yoga Siddhanta Paddhati, Yogabīja, and Yogacintamani. The Siddha Siddhanta Paddhati is a Hatha Yoga Sanskrit text attributed to Gorakhnath. It is considered one of the earliest hatha yoga scriptures and describes the liberated yogi, emphasizing the advaita (nonduality) framework. The text explores the idea of perceiving oneself in all beings and the identity of the individual soul with the universal. It also discusses the nature of the four varnas (castes) and the yogin's love and non-hatred towards all beings.