Charpatinath is one of the nine master yogis of the Natha
sect. He is believed to be a manifestation of Bhagvan Vishnu (as per some
accounts an incarnation of Shiva).
Legend has it that a bay was found in a lonely place by a scholar
named Satyasrava. Satyasrava was not able to decide on what to do with the
baby. Then sage Narada appeared there in the form of a knowledgeable man and
narrated about the divine origin of the baby. The sage also asked Satyasrava to
bring up the little boy as his own child. The sage named him Charpata.
When the boy was 12 years old, Sage Narada approached
Dattatreya to initiate the boy into the world of knowledge. The sage put the
condition that he will only teach the boy if he cut off all relationships with
the world.
Sage Narada knew that Satyasrava loved the boy very much. So
instead of asking directly, the sage took the disguise of a student and lived
in the house of Charpata. The sage then brought about a quarrel between the
father and the son.
Charpata left the house in anger. Sage Narada met him later
and took him to Dattatreya.
The boy was initiated and imparted the secret teaching of
the Natha sect.
It is said that Charpata defeated all the celestial beings
including Indra. He defeated them all with a secret weapon known as
Vatakarshana – snatching the breath. This knowledge is not even known to the
Devas. Finally, Devas were released when Lord Brahma intervened.
The book titled Charpati Sabdi is attributed to him.
As per Natha tradition, Charpatinatha is still alive and
secretly moves around.