Geographical Location of Bangadesh/Bangabhumi By K.K.Debnath (drkkdebnath@gmail.com)

Geographical Location of Bangadesh/Bangabhumi

By K.K.Debnath (drkkdebnath@gmail.com)

Every major civilization of the World is identified with some name which is defined by its people, its characteristic and their place of living. However a civilization cannot grow without any integration of people.

Any civilization at the very primitive stage was tribal civilization. There were continuous fighting among them and the ultimate result was mix-ups of bloods, rituals, beliefs, etc or of civilizations of various tribals and this process continues even today. In this process of development, the dominant and superior culture absorbed the good features of other culture while on the other hand many existing features of their previous culture were left behind  and get discarded and ultimately get lost to make this mixed or composite culture better. The adoption and adaptation of superior culture is noticed in every civilization of the World. Thus we have come across various civilizations like Egyptian Civilization, Anatolian Civilization, Mitranian Civilization, Chinese Civilization, Indian Civilization, etc.

Looking at Indian civilization, even though it is known as Sindhu civilization or Hindu civilization, it is divided in to various smaller civilizations, yet very significant. They are primarily developed at 1) Indus valley (Mahen Jo Daro and Harappa) of West India, 2)  at south of Vindhya Mountain around the valley of Rivers Kaveri, Krishna and Godavari 3) Ganga Lohit Valley of eastern and 4) Central India.

Sindhu civilization is developed around Sindhu valley, which is formed by river Sindhu and its major tributaries are Vitasta (Jhelum), Asikini (Chenab), Purusni (Ravi), Bipasha (Beas), Satudri (Sutlej), DrisadvatI (Saraswati).

Gangal civilization is developed around Gangalohit or Gangal or Bongal Valley is formed by Amsumati (Yamuna/Kalindi), Ganga, Gomati, Ghagra/Gondak, Rapti, Baghmati, Koshi, Mahananda, Teesta, Mansai, Torsa, Raidak, Sonkosh and Lohit.

The Dravidian culture could not be integrated in line with Sindhu and Gangalohit cultures due to its topological environment, in comparison to Sapta-Sindhus valley and Gangalohit valley and developed separately at the valleyies of various rivers.

Thus it can be seen that for development of a major culture and its civilization, the environment plays a most important role. The bigger valley has bigger civilization. Thus Gangalohit becomes the largest civilization of India. It is being spread from present Kamroop on the north east to Hardwar on the North West, from Harikel (Chittagong) on the southern tip of east to Brajbhumi on South West, While Himalaya in North and Vindhya and bay of Bongal or Gongal in the south. The reason is easy movements of people from place to place and fertile land.

The comparative study of Vedic literature and Jain (Arhat) literature indicates that the primitiveness of Arhat religion and its Sramanic culture with respect to Vedic religion. The origin of this religion and culture is founded to be at Gongal valley and spread from there to Pundravardhana (Kamroop) on the east and Mohon Jo daro and Harappa to the west. However at a later stage due to the influence of materialistic Mitranian culture of its neighbours Aryana and Iran, it became prominent in Sindhu Valley and probably Vedic religion is a combination of Materialistic aspect of Indira-Mitranian culture and Sramanic culture of Arhat religion.

According to Jain literature there was a Taboo on writing or recording, however they could not resists the same for a long time and at a later date started recording their events. But it was very late for Jains and by that time Vedic people of Sindhu valley were much ahead of Jains. This made Samaskrita as the first recorded Language of India.

Thus we could see that all Arhat (Jain) Tirthamkars found to be born in the Gongal Valley. We find Lord Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Rama, Krishna, Buddha are all born in this Gongal Valley. In the west of this valley, it was known as Ganga Valley while on the east it was known as Gonga-Lohit valley. This Gangalohit valley in course of time might become Gongal and gradually the name Bongal appeared. At a later date at the time of Sanskritization, the river Lohit was named as Brahma Putra.

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In the Vedic literature of Brahmanas and Aryankas of 800 to 600 BC, two countries viz. Anga and Vanga at the eastern part of India were mentioned.

Anga was found to be at the east of Magadha and its capital was Champa (Near present Bhagalpur). However, there was no particular place found as “Vanga”, even in Buddhists and Jaina literature. Buddhists literature mentioned about sixteen great powers or solasha Manajanapadas, which were in existence prior to birth of Gautama Buddha, during seventh century BC and early sixth Century BC.

This gives an indication that the place mentioned as Vanga in Satapatha Brahmana may not be the place as Vanga of today. The present Location of Bengal appeared in the History for the first time during the Islamic period around 13th century AD only. Earlier to this the present area of Bengal was divided and different parts of it were known by different names. The present area of Bengal was comprised of Pundravardhana, Gauda, Karna_ Subarna, Rardh, Samatata, and Dandabhukti of Ancient India.

The word Vanga which was used in post Vedic literature of Brahmanas and Aryanyakas was probably appeared due to use of dual words, like, Jat-Pat, Len-Den, Jadu-Madhu, and Anga-Vanga etc.

The other possibility is that, it might be referred to Mithila and Dwar-Vanga. The name Mithila was not mentioned in the Vedic test. It appeared during Upanishad period for the first time. However Jaina literature mentioned that “There was a place called Mithila in Banga desha where Lord Rama’s wife Sita Devi was born”.

The name Dwar Vanga implies that the place is situated in Vanga and was used by outsiders as an entry point or gateway to Vanga desha. In the similar manner, the places Alipurduar, Boxaduar, Chamurchi duar etc. were named, which were the gateways or entry point for entering to the kingdom of Bhutan. The same way Haradwar is named for the gateway to the kingdom of Hara (or Lord Siva). The mountain range named as Sivalik range,

It is stated by historians that during the period of 6th century BC, neither Magadha nor Anga was influenced by Vedic culture and their inhabitants were regarded as strangers in Vedic Literatures.

Kosola was the eastern limit of Vedic culture. Magadha and Anga were still regarded with aversion. The people of these places were described as Vratyas, outside the pale of Brahminism or Vedic civilization.

 This also contradicts the popular belief that Aryans from Magadha migrated to Vanga or Bengal during 6th to 5th century BC, as Aryans were not found to be settled during the above said period at Magadha.

Therefore, in all probability, the place Vangadesha, as mentioned in ancient Brahminic literatures was not the present Bengal but present Dwar Vanga and the Adjoining areas on its eastern side. The similar way the people of South of Hindu Kush Mountain were termed as Hindus and the main river was named as River Sindhu / River Hindus / River Indus, the Valley was referred as Hindus Valley and the civilization was identified as Hindu Civilization. However, in reality the Eastern and South Eastern part of Sindhu Valley gradually became known as Hindustan. Therefore, the people of Ganges Valley or Brahmaputra Valley and the Deccan were also called as Hindustan/India, even though there is no state or place or locality is named as Hindustan.

Dr. N. R. Roy in his book “Bangalir Itihas" has mentioned that the area Dwar-Vanga was probably the North West frontier of Bengal,

Dr. R. D. Banerjee in his book "Banglar Itihas" has stated that the lower part of present Bengal was covered by huge dense forest and the people of East Asian countries used to refer this area as Vang-Lang, which was gradually changed to Vangal or Bangal in course of time.

The area from Dwar-Vanga to Vangal is a great plain valley formed by the two great rivers Bramhaputra and Ganga of India. The people living in this valley are having similar culture and habits; this great valley is surrounded by Great Himalayas on the North, Bay of Bengal at south, Arakani Hills, Lalmai Hills. Garo Hills on the eastern side, Orissa Hills, Chotonagpur hills extending up to Raj-Mahal Hills at the western side and the people living in this valley may be referred as Bengali and the civilisation may be referred as Bengali civilization In fact the king of Magadha ruled over this valley and people of this valley became the kings of Magadha as well and there was no Bihar during those period until the arrival of Islamic Rulers from Rig-Vedic places.

Therefore, in general it may be said that the area or valley formed by the conjunction of two great rivers Ganga and Bramhaputra surrounded by Himalayas on the North, Bay of Bengal at south, Arakani, Lalmai., Garo hills at the east and Raj Mahal hills at the west, extending up to Orissa through Chotonagpur hills etc. is known as Bengal. The civilization of

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According to historians in post Vedic literature, Brahmanas and Aranyaks written during the period of from 800 BC to 600 BC, two countries viz. Anga and Banga at the Eastern part of present India were mentioned.

Anga country is in the east of ancient Magadha (present PATNA); its capital was known as Champa (near present Bhagalpur).However there was mention of a place by name banga or vanga in Buddhist literatures. Buddhists literature mentioned about sixteen great powers or solosha mahajanapadas, which were in existence prior to birth of Gautama Buddha (During the period from 7^th century BC to early 6^th century BC).

This gives an indication that the place mentioned in Brahman literature (in Satapatha Bramhana) may not be the place as Vanga of today.

The word “Vanga”,which was used in the post Vedic literature of Bramhanas and Aryanyakas was probably appeared due to use of dual words like; Len-Den, Jadu-Madhu, Jat-Pat, Anga-Vanga etc.

Another possibility is that, it might be referring to Mithila and Dwar-vanga .The name Mithila was not mentioned in the Vedic text and it appeared for the first time during Upanishadic period. It is stated by historians that during the period of 6^th century BC, neither Magadha nor Anga was influenced by Vedic culture and their inhabitants were regarded as strangers in Vedic literature. According to them Kosola was the last country in the east to adopt Vedic System and Magadha and Anga were regarded with aversion. The people of these countries were described as “Vratyas”, outside the pale of Vedic civilization or Bramhinical system. The present location of Bengal appeared in the literature for the first time during the period of rulers having faith in Islam around 13^th century AD only. Prior to that the present area of Bengal was divided and different parts of it were known by different names. The present or popular Bengal was comprised of Pundravardhana, Gauda, Karna-Subarna, Rardh, Samatata, Dandabhukti of ancient India.

The name “Vanga Desha” is found in ancient Jaina literature, and mentioned as “in ancient time there was a city by name Mithila of Vangadesha. And 22^nd Teerthamkar Nami Nath was born there”. Nami nath was born earlier to 23^rd Teerthamkar Parshanath. Parshanath was born 200 years earlier to 24^th Teerthamkar Mahaveer Jain. This Indicates that Mithila was a center of Jains long before 700 BC. Also upanishads were written around 600 BC to 400 BC., and the sages or Rhiris of Upanisadic period like Sage Yagnavalka, Sage Goutama, Sage Jabala were at the court of King Janaka of Mithila. When such is the case, how the people of this area can be termed as “Vratyas” and strangers? Not only this, this also contradicts the theory that Aryan migrated to Vanga or Bengal during the period from 6^th century BC to 5^th century BC, as Aryan were not found to be settled at Magadha during the said period at Magadha.

Therefore, in all probability the place “Vangadesha”, as mentioned in ancient Vedic literatures was not the present Bengal, but present Dwar-Bhanga and the adjoining areas. The similar thing we observe about India. The present India is not the ancient India. The ancient India or Hindustan was centered around river the Indus or Sindhu and the civilization is also knows as Indus civilization. Now the people of Ganges valley, Bramhaputra Valley and in the entire south together are called as India or Hindustan.

In the similar fashion let us look at the ancient Bangadesha. Dr. NR Roy in his book on ‘Banglar Itihas’ has stated that the area “Dwarbhanga” was probably the north west frontier of Bengal and was used by their neighbors at west  as an entry point or gateway to Bangadesha. Similar names we find to the various gateway or entry points for Bhutan even today. These are Alipur duar, Boxa duar, Chamurchi duar etc Hardwar is a gate way or entry point for the land of Hara or Siva. And the mountain range is named as Shivalik range.

Further to this, we find close similarity between present Bengali language and Maithily  language,  including scripts of both languages. Thus we can confidently say that Dwarbhanga was the northwest frontier of ancient Bangadesha. That may be the reason for addressing Poet Vidyapati as a Bengali poet Dr.RD Banerjee in his book “Banglar Itihas” has stated that lower part of present Bengal was covered by huge dense forest and the people of East Asian countries used to refer this area as Vang-lang, which gradually changed to Vangal or Bangal in course of time. Towards south west of present Bengal is Kalinga. As per historians Kalinga is situated between rivers the Mahanadi and Godavari and Odra country situated between river Godavari and river Krishna. This indicates that ancient Bangadesha was up to Mahanadi in the south west side. This may be the reason for honoring poet Jaidev as a Bengali poet, even though Orya people call him as Orya poet.  On the south east part Bengal is up to Chattagram and on the northeast it was up to kamrup.

Thus now we can frame up the area of ancient Bangadesha. It is an area formed by the valley of two great and mighty rivers, the Ganges and the Bramhaputra of India. It is extended up to Dwarbhanga in the North West frontier of Bangadesha, the eastern part of river Gandak and north of river the Ganges. In the north is surrounded by the Great Himalaya. On the north east the area was extended up to Kamrup, on the north bank of the river Bramhaputra. On the east it is bounded by Garo hills, lalmai hills, Tripura and finally by Arakan hills.

On the south it is bounded by the bay of Bangal. On the west it is surrounded by Orisa hill, the Chotonagpur hill and Rajmahal hill on the south of the river Ganges. People in this area may be referred as Bengali as in line with Indian .The civilization developed in this area may be referred as Bengali civilization. In fact the Kings of this valley ruled over Magadha and vice versa. There was no Bihar during those period until the arrival of invaders from so called Rig-Vedic places of Aryans. Even during Christian period of Europeans Banga, Bihar and Orisa was clubbed together for easy administration.

Therefore, in general it may be said that the area or valley formed by the two great rivers Ganga and bramhaputra together, surrounded by Himalaya on the north and Bay of Bengal at south; Arakani, Tripura, Lalmai, Garo hills on the east are river Gandak / Dwarbhanga and Rajmahal hills at the west extending up to Mahanadi(on the east of Katak city) through Chotonagpur hill etc is Bengal or Bangadesha. The civilization may be referred as Bengali Civilization.

 Thank You Readers.

Maa Durga represent Dasha Mahavidyas of Tantra.

Maa  Durga  and  Dasha  Mahavidyas

by KK Debnath,  Bangalore.

Dated: 2017-09-22.

Power of Weapons

The gods then gifted the goddess with their weapons and other divine objects to help her in her battle with the demon, Mahishasura.
1)  Lord Shiva gave her a trident while
2) Lord Vishnu gave her a disc.
3) Varuna, gave her a conch and noose, and
4) Agni gave her a spear. From Vayu, she received arrows.
5) Indra, gave her a thunderbolt, and the gift of his white-skinned elephant Airavata was a bell.
6) From Yama, she received a sword and shield and
7) from Vishwakarma (god of Architecture), an axe and armor.
8) The god of mountains, Himavat gifted her with jewels and a lion to ride on.

Durga was also given many other precious and magical gifts, new clothing, and a garland of immortal lotuses for her head and breasts.

Goddess Durga has been glorified by 10 different aspects of the manifestation her "Shakti" or “KULA” or 'Power', called "Dasha-Mahavidya" as also Her 9 different forms called "Nava-Durga", without knowing which, trying to know the real power and divinity of Durga will be in vain.

In Tantra, worship of Kula-Devi is referred to as a Vidya. Of the hundreds of tantrik practices, the worship of the ten major Devis is called the Dasa Mahavidya. These major forms of the goddess are described in the Todala Tantra. They are Kali, Tara, Maha Tripura Sundari (or Shodasi-Sri Vidya), Bhuvaneshvari, Chinnamasta, Bhairavi, Dhumavati, Bagalamukhi, Matangi, and Kamala. These ten aspects of Shakti are the epitome of the entire creation. Chapter 10 also outlines their consorts, although Dhumavati, the widow form, is not allocated a consort. There are several "levels" at which these Devis can be worshiped with the prescribed Mantra and Yantra. Like a simple worship of the yantra with the mantra recitation, as a remedial astrological measure, elaborate worship with all tantrak rituals for attaining various siddhis associated with these tantras and for spiritual salvation. Successful sadhana of these Vidyas gives several boons to the practitioner. The Tantrik-Yogi who has control over his senses and positively inclined uses the boons to guide people towards the benefit of mankind. The ones, whose head starts spinning with success use them for the gratification of the senses, gather a bunch of disciples around them and become fake gurus.

Shri Devi said: Lord of Gods, Guru of the universe, tell me of the ten avatars. Now I want to hear of this, tell me of their true nature. Paramesvara, reveal to me which avatar goes with which Devi.

Lord Shiva replied: Tara Devi is the blue form, Bagala is the tortoise incarnation, Dhumavati is the boar, Chhinnamasta is Nrisimha, Bhuvaneshvari is Vamana, Matangi is the Rama form, Tripura is Parashurama, Bhairavi is Balabhadra, Mahalakshmi is Buddha, and Durga is the Kalki form. Bhagavat‘ Kali is the Krishna murti" (Todalatantra, chapter 10).

The Dasha-Mahavidyas:
1) Kali (the Eternal Night) : The first Mahavidya is Kali. Seated on a corpse, greatly terrifying, laughing loudly, with fearful fangs, four arms holding a cleaver, a skull, and giving the mudras bestowing boons and dispelling fear, wearing a garland of skulls, her tongue rolling wildly, completely naked, with just a garland of demon-hands round her waist, with heaped locks of a black cascade of hair. Thus one should meditate on Kali, dwelling in the centre of the cremation ground.
2) Tara (the Compassionate Goddess): Tara is the second of the mahavidyas. She is described as seated in the pratyaaleerrha asana, on the heart of a corpse, supreme, laughing horribly, holding cleaver, blue lotus, dagger and bowl, uttering the mantra Hum, coloured blue, her hair braided with serpents, the Ugratara. She is bestows all supernatural powers. She is the tantric form of the Goddess Saraswati of Buddhism.

3) Shorashi (the Goddess who is Sixteen Years Old lass): The third Mahavidya is also known as Tripura-Sundari and Lalita, among a string of other names. She is the zenith of the creative cycle when the entire universe, like a flower, is in full bloom. She is the chief deity of the Sri Vidya form of worship, and is contacted either in the central circuit of the Sri Yantra, or in her own yantra, the Nava-Yoni Chakra. Her anthropomorphic qualities are brilliancy, manifestation, sweetness, depth, fixity, energy, grace, and generosity. She is seated on the lotus, that has bloomed out from the navel of Lord Shiva. She is a beautiful young girl of 16 years with four arms. Her complexion is like molten gold and Her beauty is continuously being viewed by Lord Shiva. She is, at one point, being made one with Goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Lord Vishnu.

4) Bhuvaneshwari (the Creator of the World): She is the Queen of the Universe, Maya, power of love, peace within, as void. She is like the red rays of the rising sun, with the moon as her diadem, and with three eyes, a smiling face, bestowing boons, holding a goad, a noose and dispelling fears. On the right side of Bhuvaneshvari, who in the heavens, on earth, and in the underworlds is known as the Adya, worship Tryambaka. She is the fourth Mahavidya.

5) Chhinnamastaa (the Goddess who cuts off her Own Head) : The fifth Mahavidya Chhinnamastaa looks like fully bloomed red hibiscus. Her left foot forward in battle, she holds her severed head and a scimitar. Naked, she drinks voluptuously the stream of the blood nectar flowing from her beheaded body, along with her two female celestial companions. The jewel on her forehead is tied with a serpent. She has three eyes. Her breasts are adorned with lotuses. Inclined towards lust, she sits erect above the god of love - Madana, who shows signs of lustfulness, engaged in the act of love with his consort Rati. The image of Chinnamasta is a composite one, conveying reality as an amalgamation of sex, death, creation, destruction and regeneration. It is stunning representation of the fact that life, sex, and death are an intrinsic part of the grand unified scheme that makes up the manifested universe.

6) Bhairavi (the Goddess of Decay): Tripura Bhairavi is Supreme Energy, Supreme Goddess of speech, as Tapas, as woman warrior. Her head garlanded with flowers, she resembling the red rays of 1,000 rising suns, smeared with red, holding milk, book, dispelling fears and giving boons with her four hands, large three eyes, beautiful face with a slow smile, wearing white gems. Bhairavi embodies the principle of destruction and arises or becomes present when the body declines and decays. She is an ever-present goddess who manifests herself in, and embodies, the destructive aspects of the world. Destruction, however, is not always negative, creation cannot continue without it.

7) Dhoomavati (the Goddess who widows Herself): The colour of smoke ("dhoom"), wearing smoky clothes, holding a winnowing basket, disheveled clothes, deceitful, always trembling, with slant eyes, inspiring fear, terrifying, sitting in a chariot, with the symbol of a raven on her chariot-flag. Symbolically, she has devoured her own husband Lord Shiva in hunger, and hence, in the form of a lusterless widow. This symbolizes the supremacy of the Devi (Nature) over all other forces (even Shiva, who himself is the cosmic force of destruction). She is the great death of the death himself. She is the embodiment of "unsatisfied desires". Her status as a widow itself is curious. She makes herself one by swallowing Shiva, an act of self-assertion, and perhaps independence.

8) Bagala (the Goddess who seizes the Tongue): Bagala or Bagalamukhi is the eighth Mahavidya in the famous series of the 10 Mahavidyas.She is identified with the second night of courage and is the power or Shakti of cruelty. She is described as the Devi with three eyes, wearing yellow clothes and gems, moon as her diadem, wearing champaka blossoms, with one hand holding the tongue of an enemy and with the left hand spiking him, thus should you meditate on the paralyser of the three worlds. Bagalamukhi means "The Crane-Headed One". This bird is thought of as the essence of deceit. She rules magic for the suppression of an enemy's gossip. These enemies also have an inner meaning, and the peg she puts through the tongue may be construed as a peg or paralysis of our own prattling talk. She rules deceit which is at the heart of most speech. She can in this sense be considered as a terrible or Bhairavi form of Matrika Devi, the mother of all speech. According to Todala Tantra, her male consort is Maharudra. Seated on the right of Bagala is the Maharudra, with one face, who dissolves the universe. The pulling of the demon's tongue by Bagalamukhi is both unique and significant. Tongue, the organ of speech and taste, is often regarded as a lying entity, concealing what is in the mind. The Bible frequently mentions the tongue as an organ of mischief, vanity and deceitfulness. The wrenching of the demon's tongue is therefore symbolic of the Goddess removing what is in essentiality a perpetrator of evil.

9) Matangi (the Goddess who Loves Pollution): Dusky, beautiful browed, her three eyes like lotuses, seated on a jeweled lion-throne, surrounded by gods and others serving her, holding in her four lotus-like hands a noose and a sword, a shield and a goad, thus I remember Matangi, the giver of results, the Modini. Texts describing her worship specify that devotees should offer her uccishtha (leftover food) with their hands and mouths stained with leftover food; that is, worshippers should be in a state of pollution, having eaten and not washed. This is a dramatic reversal of the usual protocols. She is the ninth Mahavidya.

10) Kamala (the Goddess of creation, sustenance and prosperity): Kamala, the tenth, or the last of the Mahavidyas, is with a smiling face. Her beautiful lily-white hands hold two lotuses, and show the mudras of giving and dispelling fear. She is bathed in ambrosia by four white elephants and stands upon a beautiful lotus. She is the real embodiment of Goddess Lakshmi ("Kamalekamini"), the consort of Lord Vishnu. The name Kamala means "she of the lotus" and is a common epithet of Goddess Lakshmi. Lakshmi is linked with three important and interrelated themes: prosperity and wealth, fertility and crops, and good luck during the years to come.

At the end: In their strong associations with death, violence, pollution, and despised marginal social roles, they call into question such normative social "goods" as worldly comfort, security, respect, and honor. The worship of these goddesses suggests that the devotee experiences a refreshing and liberating spirituality in all that is forbidden by established social orders. The central aim here is to stretch one's consciousness beyond the conventional, to break away from approved social norms, roles, and expectations. By subverting, mocking, or rejecting conventional social norms, the adept seeks to liberate his or her consciousness from the inherited, imposed, and probably inhibiting categories of proper and improper, good and bad, polluted and pure. Living one's life according to rules of purity and pollution and caste and class that dictate how, where, and exactly in what manner every bodily function may be exercised, and which people one may, or may not, interact with socially, can create a sense of imprisonment from which one might long to escape. Perhaps the more marginal, bizarre, "outsider" goddesses among the Mahavidyas facilitate this escape. By identifying with the forbidden or the marginalized, an adept may acquire a new and refreshing perspective on the cage of respectability and predictability. Indeed a mystical adventure, without the experience of which, any spiritual quest would remain incomplete.

Joyo Joyo Durge Durgotonashini.

…………………. The End …………………….

Origin of Nath religion- A Journey through Indian History by Dr. KK Debnath.

Origin of Nath religion- A Journey through Indian History 
by Dr. KK Debnath.

Abstract:

The Traditional belief among the Nath people and others is that Lord Matsendra Nath is the founder of Nath Tradition. A deep study on the subject contradicts this theory. In this article, the author tries to find out the origin of Nath order, and how it has come to its present form. The details of the study based on various concerned literature on the above has been discussed in a logical way in this article.

This work is pure research oriented and an analytical study is carried out to trace out the origin of Nath religion based on the information available in Indian / Foreign literature.

Introduction:

The traditional concept is that Lord Matsendra Nath is the founder of Nathism. It is believed that Lord Matsendra Nath was directly taught on Nathism or Nath-Yoga by no other than Lord Adi Nath. It is a belief among Nath Sampradaya that Lord Adi Nath is just another name of Lord Shiva. Therefore Nathism is a derivative of Saivaism and Nath people are primarily Saivaits.

Some prominent historians of Victorian period thought that Nathism came from Buddhist religion and Matsendra Nath belongs to Fisherman community.

Further to the above, Lord Matsendra Nath has been also found to be mentioned in i the literature on Bhagavan Sankaracharya. The book “Sri Sankara- Digvijaya: The traditional life of Sri Sankaracharya” authored by Madhava-Vidyaranya and translated by Swami Tapasyananda, Pub by Sri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai,   mentioned about Lord Matsendra Nath”, this put Lord Matsendra Nath ahead of Lord Sankaracharya. The period of Lord Matsendra Nath is assigned by historians from a period from 7^th century to 9^th Century AD. Therefore mention of him in Sankar-digbijaya indicates on the power and popularity of this great Maha yogi.  This type of literature creates a lot of confusion, and hence only logical arguments are considered to avoid confusion.

Let us have a look at the historicity of Indian civilization.

Historicity of Indian Civilization:

India is a country of one of the most ancient civilization. The Indian scripts are recognized as one of the oldest in the World. The trace of oldest civilization of India has been found in Mohen jo daro and Harappa, and other places, mostly situated at Pakistan.

We have our own history or itihas, which are referred as “Puranas”. There are a lot of stories, describing mainly the victory over evil and justifying the action taken by victorious group.

We have our Smriti Sastras which form the basics of our social or civil laws.

We have our literatures which describe principles of good living and provide guidelines on living starting from birth until death and also on the rituals to be followed for the dead person.

Besides this we have our own philosophical literatures and other literatures as in Prasthanatrayee, Agamas etc.

However, we find a lot of problems, while determining the historicity in modern sense of these stories. The birth of Indian History in real sense has begun at 17^th century, during British Christian period. Previously, we don’t have any time reference to determine the occurrence of any event, nor do we have any procedure to separate individuals having same name or similar names. Thus we have a Krishna in Rig Veda, Krishna as prince of Dwaraka and cousin of 22^nd Tirthamkara Lord Nemi Nath of Yujur Veda and once again Puranic Krishna in Mahabharata.

In Rig Veda Samhita, Krishna is described as victorious against Lord Indra of Rig Veda, who was most prominent Rig Vedic God on the bank of river Amsumati (Yamuna River). We also find the existence of Seven Sages at all the time, starting from Rig Vedic period till date.

These features have created a lot of confusion. However a careful study provides very useful informations and by analyzing the same in a logical way, probably it may possible to arrive at a certain conclusion towards reconstruction of Indian history. Thus our religious literatures may not be termed as a history in modern sense, but a lot of treasure is hidden in it, which can be used to find out the development of Indian history to certain extent.

During the period of journey of Indian history with a time reference and in a sequential order have began around 17^th Century. During this period the Indian civil society was dominated by Vedic and Islamic religious thoughts, as a result the history of India is found to be completely influenced and dominated by these two religions with their associated literature. This modern thinking on historicity of India was initiated by Christian people of Europe and hence the history was also influenced also by their thoughts and objectives. Beside this, one important issue, which contributed towards the acceptance of Victorian history of India, is the contribution of Natural phenomenon which prompts everybody to move up. The result is that people tried their level best to enhance their image and prestige in the society by linking with some great personality or race of yesteryears or with present.  This human psychology was also used effectively by Victorian historians and their followers to a large extent, towards the acceptance of the Indian history by elite Indians.

Now Modern researchers have proved that there was no Aryan invasion and settlement in India, Vedic civilization is a pure Indian civilization and originated in India only. However it is not possible to rule out the influence of neighboring areas (Dominated by Aryans). In this connection Talageri’s name must be acknowledged (Rig Veda- An Analysis by Sreekant Talageri).

Keeping all these problems in mind, let us try to analyze one by one on the historical information on Nath order of Saivaism.

Place and origin of Saivaism:

As per Vedic literature, Lord Shiva belonged to Himalayan range   commonly known as Shivalik range and Hardwar was the gateway to his kingdom. His first wife was Devi Sati, the daughter of King Dakhsha, the capital of Dakhsha was at Kankhal, a few miles south of Hardwar. His second wife Parvati belonged to present Himachal Pradesh, in her honour the river Parvati was named and the valley became famous as Parvati valley.

Saivaism:

Lord Shiva is known and recognized as the founder of this religion and followers are known as Saivaits.

As per historians Lord Shiva was not a Vedic God but a Puranic God and Shiva was not being worshipped until 2^nd century AD ( Gorakh Nath and Kanfata Yogis by G.W. Briggs, Pub. by Motilal Banarsidas). It would have been a gradual effort over a long time and most probably from 1^st Century AD.  However we could not see any phenomenal decline in Jainism and Buddhism until the arrival of Guptas at the royal throne of Magadha Empire.  But due to the patronization from Royals, Saivaism and Vaishvaism rapidly progressed during their period.

Historians opine that puranas were compiled from 2nd century AD onwards and various stories were added to make it impressive and attractive towards to popularity of Vedic religion over Jainism and Buddhism and these puranas were under continuous modification until 15^th Century AD

During this period of Gupta Dynasty of Magadha two Gods Lord Siva and Lord Vishnu became prominent and placed at the highest position among all Gods along with Lord Brahma. It is quite natural that a God like Siva, who was initially neglected by Vedic people, suddenly could not become their most favorite God.

There are 6 schools of thoughts of Saivaism. However we will discuss the oldest school of Saivaism known as Pasupata Saivism.

Pasupata sect is the oldest known sect of ascetic monks by Adi Nath. This sect was said to be founded by Lord Adi Nath himself and gradually spread over Gangetic region from Kashmir also known as Adi Nath / Saiva Sampradaya. Around 200 AD, Lord Lakulisa the most prominent leader appeared in Gujrat. It is said the Somnath temple was founded by him only. He allowed admission of people into Pusupata sect., who are in the profession of Brahmin, Kshatriya and Vaishya only. The Pasupata tradition entered into Nepal during 8^th Century. The Kapalika and Aghori sects were born out from this sect. Historians and Scholars opine that Lord Matsendra Nath & Gorokh Nath also belonged to the same sect.

During 7^th century AD this sect formed Kalamukha Sampradaya, which was developed around Nasik. Gradually this became popular as a Saivaite sect

The second oldest sect is known as Nandinath sect. also from Kashmir and was established around 200 AD. It gives importance to Yoga and is related to the broader Nath Sampradaya. This sect spread their philosophy known as “Saiva Siddhanta”. The Parampara mentioned about the names of eight prominent gurus and they are Sanatkumar,Sanakar, Sanadanar, Sananthanar,Shivayogamuni, Patanjali, Vyaghrapada, and Tirumular. It was Sage Tirumular who spread this philosophy in the south and Sri Lanka. (Ref: Dancing with Siva, Hinduism’s Contemporary Catechism by Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami, pub by Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers Pvt. Ltd. New Delhi).

    

Matsendra Nath

Historically Lord Matsendra Nath belonged to a period from 7^th Century to 9^th Century AD.  He is now recognized as the originator of Nath Order.

Spiritual power of Lord Matsendra Nath:

The spiritual power of Lord Matsendra Nath was so much so that he was duly recognized with honour  in “Sankar Digvijaya” authored by Madhava-Vidyaranya (Ex. Chief of Sringeri Math) and translated by Swami Tapasyananda, Published by Sri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai. Lord Madhava-Vidyaranya was the chief of Sringeri Sankara Math from 1380 to 1386. In this holy book,  Lord Sankaracharya had been advised by one of his disciple Padmapada (Ex. Chief of Govardhan Math, Puri), to use the technique developed by Lord Matsendra Nath, to know  certain aspect of Mahavidya while Lord Sankara was involved in a debate with  Ubhaya Bharati, the wife of Mandana Mishra. On the other hand historians opine that Lord Adi Sankara was born in a Nambudripada family at Kalladi of Kerala during 788 AD (As accepted).

Historically this is not true because during that period in India there was no concept of a time reference and sequential order of occurrence of important events.  However, it is very clear that Yogic power of Matsendra Nath and his spiritual achievement was not diminished even after a period 4 centuries. It is said that he received his teaching directly from Lord Siva or Lord Adi Nath. All the Nath religious literature confirms the same. However, the existence of Lord Siva in 7^th to 9^th century is ruled out.  This might have been a creation of his loyal and faithful disciples, thinking that the spiritual power as exhibited by Lord Matsendra Nath cannot be achieved without the blessing of Maha Yogi, Maha Koula Lord Siva or his spiritual power was equivalent to that of Lord Shiva.

Earlier Nath Personalities:

Batuk Nath or Batuk Bhairav:
The literature on Nath religion claimed that Kapalikas like Batuk Nath, Bhairav Nath etc also belong to Nath religion. Nath sect is credited as the founder of Kapalika sect, Aghori sect etc. (Ref: Yogvani, January 1980, Gorokhsha Siddhanta Biseshanka; Pub. by Gorokh Nath Mandir).  There is a temple of Kaal Bhairav at Kashi. He is also known as the “Kotowal” of Kashi and defined as an avatar of Lord Shiva. He is being worshiped by Nath sect. This temple was under the custody of Gorokhpur Matha; however it was lost to Vedic group due to poor maintenance of the temple.

Beside this in Sankar digvijaya there is a mention that Lord Adi Sankar was challenged by Batuk nath (A Brahmin Kapalika). Finally Batuk Nath realized that Lord Sankara is an avatar of Lord Shiva himself and accepted the supremacy of Sankaracharya. This indicates that Nath sect was in existence prior to Lord Matsendra Nath and Guru Gorokh Nath.

Lord Issai Nath /ISSA NATH: 

According to Nath belief, there was a famous Yogi in Nathism by name Isai Nath. A manuscript towards this was found to be available with some tribes of Vidhyachal (Ref: Rajguru Yogi Vamsha by SCN Mazumdar). It is equally interesting to note that Lord Shiva is also addressed as Issai Nath and his consort Parvati is addressed as Ishani.  Who is this Issai Nath?

Russian journalist Nicolai Notovitch who visited Ladakh in the 1880s and wrote a
book called “The Unknown Life of Jesus Christ”. Notovitch discovered the existence of certain ancient scriptures in the monastery of Hemis in Ladakh about the mysterious prophet Issa, whose life appeared to be identically similar to the stories of Jesus the Nazarene. According to these scriptures, at the age of 14, Issa, who was born in Israel, came to Sindh in India and from there he travelled through the Punjab to Jagannath Puri, where he learnt the Vedas for six years. Later he travelled via Nepal to Ladakh, where he studied Buddhist scriptures.

Holger Kersten (Ref: Jesus Lived in India, his unknown life before and after crucifixion by Holger Kersten, Published by Penguin Books) has provided a wealth of theological, archaeological and historical evidence in defense of his hypothesis. According to Kersten, the Tibetans believe that Jesus was the 21st incarnation of Padmasambhava, the Buddha; the latter himself being the ninth incarnation of Vishnu. He develops an argument that the three wise men, or the Magi, were really Tibetan monks hunting for the reincarnated Buddha. (For Further reading: The lost Years of Jesus-Documentary evidence of Jesus’ 17 yrs Journey to the east by Elizabeth Clare prophet, Pub by Summit University Press, USA).

Swami Abhedananda Maharaj, Chief of Belur Ramakrishna math visited the Gumpa and confirmed the opinion of Litovitch and documented in his book “A Journey into Kashmir and Tibet”, Pub. by Ramakrishna Vedanta Math, Calcutta, 2001.
Then there is the Natha Namavali, an old Hindu Sutra of the mystical order of the Nath Yogis, which tells of the great Saint Isha Nath, who is said to have come to India at the age of 14. After he returned to his home country Israel and started to spread his teachings there, he fell victim to a conspiracy and was crucified. By means of the yogic powers he had attained in India; he was able to survive execution, and finally -- with the help of the supernatural powers of his teacher Chetan Nath, a Nath Guru -- he came once more to India, where he is said to have founded an ashram in the Himalayan foothills (Ref: Did Jesus live in India? Pub on Hindu Wisdom; posted By Iqbal Malhotra in the Indian Express). Pic of the Shrine of Lord ISSAI NATH at Srinagar is appended below:

It is very interesting to note here that oldest form of Saivaism is found to be originated at Kashmir and known as Adi Nath sect or Pasupata sect during 200 to 250 AD, and this place Siddha Issa Nath prior to Lord to the period of Saivaism. This point is very important because, this issue placed Nathism as older than Saivaism, that is to say that Nathism was in existence earlier to Saivaism.

Lord Adi Nath

He is also known as Lord Hrishav Nath, Hrishav Dev, Brishav Nath and Brishav Dev and honoured as 1^st Tirthamkara of India.

He was born to King Nabhi and queen Marudevi of Ayoddhya and later on became the king of Ayoddhya.

He had married twin sisters named Sunanda and Sumangala. In due course Sumangala gave birth to Bharat, Brahmi and Sunanda had also given birth to Bahubali and Sundari. 

Bahubali became a monk of ancient religious order established by his father Lord Adi Nath, while Bharata succeeded his father and became the king. India is named as “Bharatavarsha” after this king Bharata, as per Jain history. Lord Rishava introduced the first Indian script and named it as “Brahmi script”, in honor of his daughter Brahmi and numerals were named after his second daughter “Soundari”.

According to historian PC Choudhury, Adi Nath or Brishav Nath belongs to Stone Age and at the beginning of agricultural period. According to Non Vedic Jain or (Vratya) religious history Lord Adi Nath is the founder of agricultural system in India. Thus, modern historical conclusion confirms the same belief of Jains. Historians and archeologists like Ram Prasad (member of Indus valley excavation team), PR Deshmukh, John Marshal (Chief of Indus valley excavation team), etc opined that there is a definite link between Rishav Nath and Indus Valley civilization.  The name of Lord Rishav Nath, Lord Adi Nath, and Arishtanemi (Lord Nemi Nath) are found to be mentioned in Yujurveda (Spirutual Affinities in Rishava and Shiva by Bal Patil; Jain Samaj).

The first discovery of an idol in “Kayotsarga” (Naked and Spiritual posture) form at Mohen jo daro is a definite proof on a certain living style and philosophy of life of the people during that period. The period is estimated around 3500 BC (around 5000 Yrs ago). Initially it was thought that the Idol is a statue of Lord Siva, However at a later stage the researchers and historians opined that it was the idol of Lord Adi Nath, who preached “Ahimsa Dharma”. He is credited as the first Tirthamkara of present Jainism.

Yogi Adi Nath: Original Seal of Indus Valley Civilization.

Yogi Adi Nath: Moulded Seal of Indus Valley Civilization.

Lord Adi Nath  and other Naths in Jainism:

There are 24 Tirthamkaras as mentioned in Jain tradition. They are as follows

1)  Lord Adi Nath, 2) Lord Ajit Nath, 3) Lord Sambhu Nath, 4) Lord Abhinandan Nath, 5)  Lord Sumati Nath, 6) Lord Padmaprabhu Nath, 7) Lord Supashva Nath, 8) Lord Chandra Prabhu Nath, 9) Lord Suvidhi Nath, 10) Lord Shital Nath, 11) Lord Shreyansh Nath, 12) Lord Vasupujya Nath, 13)  Lord Vimal Nath, 14) Lord Anant Nath, 15) Lord Dharma Nath, 16) Lord Shanti Nath, 17) Lord Kunthu Nath, 18) Lord Ara Nath, 19) Lord Malli Nath, 20) Lord Muni Suvrat Nath, 21) Lord Nami Nath, 22) Lord Nemi Nath (Lord Aristha Nemi Nath), 23) Lord Parshva Nath and 24) Nath Putra Lord Vardhman Mahavir.

Prior to Lord Mahavir, the name of religion as propagated by Lord Adi Nath and other Tirthamkaras are not known. During the period of 22^nd Tirthamkara Lord Arishta Neminath, it was probably became known as “Arihant Dharma or Arhat Dharma”. This religion got its present name Jaina or simply Jain religion only after Lord Mahavir during the Victorian period. Under such a circumstance, can we find out any indication on the name of this most ancient religion prior to Lord Mahavir?

Let us we look from the current scenario of various religious establishments.

1) Ramakrishna Mission: All the monks are addressed by a name given by the Matha which is suffixed by a word “Ananda”.

2) Sankara Mathas: All the Mathadheeshs are given a name by Matha establishment and addressed commonly as Sankaracharya”. Lord Adi Sankara is credited as the founder of modern Brahmanism and all his social disciples found to belong to Brahmin community.

3) Nath Mathas: All Mathadheepatis or famous Monks’ name are suffixed by “Nath”.

4) Most of the names of famous Monks in Buddhism are found to be suffixed with “Pada”.

4) All the names of Tirthamkaras of Jain order is found to be suffixed with Nath.

(Exceptions may be ignored).

This definitely provides some clues, on the culture and belief of certain religious order.

Our main point of discussion is Nath religion, therefore concentration is given mainly on this faith.

Names of first 23 Tirthamkaras of pointing toward a word “Nath”, which is found as common title or surname to all Tirthamkaras, until the arrival of Lord Bardhaman Mahavir. However according to historical information he used to be addressed as Nath Putra. He was honored as Mahavir Jain, due to his overpowering of earthly desire through various Vratas or austerities. Gradually the religion became known as “Jain” religion.

Prior to Lord Mahavir the 22^nd Tirthamkara Lord Nemi Nath was honored as “Arishta Nemi Nath”, due to his magical power to cure people.  Many of the people used to call the religion during the period as “Arihant or Arihat or Arhat religion”.

Prior to the period of Lord Nemi Nath the exact name of this religion is not known. Who is this Nemi Nath whose name has been mentioned in Yujur Veda?

During the period of 21st Tirthamkara Lord Nami Nath, many probably used to call Nath religion as “Nath” religion. According to historians and Jain literature Lord Nami Nath was born in a city by name Mithila of ancient Bangadesha.

Next was Lord Nemi Nath, the 22^nd Tirthamkara of Jainism. According to Jain literature, he was the son of Samudravijay and Shivaa. Andhakavrishni was the father of Samudravijay. Andhakavrishni had another son by name Basudeva who was elder to Samudravijay.  Basuveva and Devaki had son in Krishna who later on became the king of Dwaraka and became famous as Dwarakadheesh. Thus Neminath was younger cousin of Krishna. They were the grand sons of Andhakavrishni. Many of the current Jain scholars opine that this Krishna of Dwaraka and Krishna of Mahabharata is the same person.

Some historians opine that his period was around 1000 BC. Lord Krishna belonged to Yadava clan. Yajavas were non Vedic and they were enemies to Vedics.

P.R. Deshmukh, one of the great scholars of Indology and Indus Valley Civilization, writes:

“According to Vedic literature, Yadus were one of the Panch Jan (five group of people), and were not eligible to become a King. Most of the Yadus were follower of Jainism. Vasudev, the father of Krishna was mostly a Jain. ..... It is not just a co-incidence that Where ever there were strong holds of Yadus, there we find some of the oldest remains of Jains.”

It may be noted that his (Lord Krishna) father Basudev, brother Balaram and younger cousin Lord Nemi Nath also are in the Jain list of 63 great personalities. Further, a Jain book Basudevhindi is fully dedicated to Basudev, father of Krishna. This indicates that the religion of Lord Krishna was Nath or Arihat religion.

Bardhaman Mahavir was the greatest philosophers of his time in ancient India. Scholars and historians opine that he was not the founder but a reformer. He reorganized and redefined ancient faith of Nath religion or Arhat religion. His other names are Vardhaman, Mahavir (Mahaveer), Sanmati, Ativeer, Veer, Niganth Nath putaa (in Buddhism) or Nrigantha Nath Putra (In Samskrit). The religious tradition the family of Mahavir used to follow is Chaturyaam Dharm of Parshwa Nath, the 23rd Tirthamkara.

He was born in 599 BC at Vaishali of present Bihar. His parents were Siddharth and Trishala. Siddharth came from a high-ranked Warrior family of Nath Clan. There were two personalities found during the period of Mahavir. One was Lord Mahavir while the other one was Makkali Goshala. Lord Mahavir became the reformer of ancient Nath/Arihat religion, which became famous as “Jain religion” at a later stage; while Makkali Goshala, advocated the doctrine of “Niyoti” or “Bhagya” or “Destiny”. However this “Niyoti” philosophy was merged with others mainly with Jainism and Buddhism in course of time and perished ultimately.

According to Sahityacharya Dinesh Ch. Sen (D.C. Sen, Banga Bhasha and Sahitya) the earliest known religion of Bengalis was Jain religion or in other words reformed Nath religion. Out of 24 Tirthamkara, 18 Tirthamkaras spent their major portion of life in ancient Bengal. The famous Jain monk “Bhadra bahu” was the raj guru of King Chandragupta Maurya who was a Jain. He lead the king and 10000 Jain monks to Sravanbelegola (a famous Jain pilgrimage centre), in present Karnataka.  Bhadrabahu or Birbahu is ranked next to Tirthamkara in Jainism. As per Jainism, he was from present Bagura district of Bangladesh. This would not be possible unless Bangadesha was rich and populated with Bengali Jain intellectuals, which is nothing but reformed Nath/Arihant religion…

 

Other important connections:

1) Kashi as the head quarters of Lord Shiva and 2) Kashmir as the origin of Saivaism.

What is the background behind this, when Lord Shiva neither belonged to Kashmir nor belonged to Kashi. The reason may be found in the fact as follows:

1) As said Lord Adi Nath was the king of Ayoddhya & Kashi (His kingdom was spread out up to Taxsila) and obviously while mapping Lord Shiva with Lord Adi Nath this was appropriated.  Kashi-Vishwa Nath Jyotirlinga is appended.

Similar incident can be seen at the time of Adi Sankaracharya. King Asoka established Kanchi University in south in line with Taxsila University of the North. He also founded the city of Madurai (Mathurai) in South in line with the city of Mathura of the North.

This Kanchi University was a Buddhist Matha and scholars/teachers used to teach various subjects. Bhagavan Sankaracharya defeated them in argument on religious discourse and they all became his disciple. Along with the fall of Kanchi Matha all the affiliated Mathas and sub Mathas also fall in line and their preachers, teachers and all the intellectuals became the disciple of Adi Sankaracharya. They were classified as Intellectuals and the status of Brahmin was accorded to them. It is a fact that all the disciples of Sankaracharya are found to be Brahmin in the south. 

Sankaracharya established 4 Mathas in India in line with Buddhist Mathas and appointed their chiefs. However, he never occupied any chair in those Mathas. But he occupied the seat of Kanchi until he merged himself with the Lingam at Kedar Nath.

Probably, Kashi was made the head quarters of Saivaism, as this was the HQ of Nathism/Jainism in a similar manner  as done by Lord Adi Sankaracharya at a much later date.

2) Lord Issa after leaving Jerusalem came and settled at Srinagar (Kashmir) and was a famous yogi of Kashmir, when Lord Issa was merged with Lord Shiva, the major thrust towards the spread of Saivaism probably came from Kashmir, and hence Kashmir was treated as the place of origin of Saivaism, when Lord Issai Nath was merged with Lord Shiva, to please and accommodate Kashmiris. It may be noted that even today all Kashmiri Brahmins are known as Koula Brahmin and ranked highest in Saiva order. Picture of Rozabal Shrine of Hazrat Issa sahib or Tomb of Lord Master Jesus, Srinagar at Kashmir is appended below:

Analysis:

Enough evidences are now available on the existence of Naths and some of their teachings which shows its existence even prior to Vedic period. However, our historians named this faith as “Vratya”, as they were practitioners of various austerities. They were worshipers of Lord Adi Nath. They were believers of Yoga system and were not followers of Vedic rituals and sanskriti. It is said that Sage Bhrigu was the 1^st sage who adopted this non Vedic system in to Vedic system and popularized the same. These Yogis were addressed as “Yati” and “Vatorshana Muni”. Vedic intellectuals acknowledged these “Vratya stome” people as Brahmins. According to Dr. Divakar Pandey this, “Nath Yoga” was prevalent during pre-Vedic period. The word “Nath” was used in Rig Veda for Creator, knowledge (Ref: Gorokh Nath ebong Unki Parampara ka Sahitya, By Dr. Divakar Pandey, Pub: Research Centre, Gorokh nath temple, Gorokhpur).

It is 24^th Tirthamkara who made many revolutionary changes regarding food habit, and austerity (Vrata). This made Jain religion also to be known as “Vratya religion” and their philosophy as “Vratya Philosophy”. During the fall of Jainism and Buddhism in Bengal, and rise of Saivaism and Vaishnavaism, almost all embraced Saivaism (most of them must be Jains, because Adi Nath was declared as lord Shiva and nothing else, and 2) Rules of Jainism became increasingly difficult to follow & Practice), and Vaishnavaism (Most of them must be Buddhist, as Lord Buddha was declared as an Avatar of Vishnu, Buddha pada was transformed as Vishnu Pada, Budhdham Saranam becomes Vishnu pade saranam etc”).

This makes extremely difficult for common people to follow the reformed Nathism and may be one of the prime reasons for downfall of Jainism and Buddhism in its original place and gradually perished to Saivaism and Vaishnavaism.  The left out people of Jainism were termed as Bratya (patita), whereas the left out Buddhist people were given the name “Buddhu”.

Thus prior to Lord Nemi Nath, the 22^nd Tirthamkara the religion founded by Adi Nath was most likely known as “Nath religion” and as a result, we find Lord Mahavir also used to be addressed as “Nath Putta” means the son of a Nath.

As Stated earlier that Lord Shiva was identified as Lord Adi Nath and towards this let us have a look how Lord Adi Nath was made Lord Shiva. This is described below:

Relation of Lord Adi Nath with Lord Shiva:

Adi Nath is honored as the 1^st Teerthamkara in Sramanic religion Jainism. He is also known as Lord “Hrishav Nath” and “Lord Brishav Nath”. His vehicle was “Bull”. His abode was “Mount Kailash”.

It may be noted that the founder of Saivaism Lord Shiva is also known as “Lord Adi Nath”, “Lord Hrishav Nath” and “Lord Brishav Nath”. The Vehicle of Shiva was also Bull and his abode was too Mount Kailas. Both were having long matted hair. Both were Yogi. The Kayotsorga seal discovered at Mohen jo Daro civilization indicates the same. According to Sir John marshal Vedic people adopted Shiva (Adi Nath) worship from Indus Valley culture.

This will get clearer by carrying out a simple one to one mapping or projection of these two personalities is described below:

1)  The birth day of Lord Rishav Nath and Lord Shiva are celebrated on the same day (Maha Shivaratri day).
2) Lord Adi Nath attained Nirvana at Mount Kailasha. The abode of Lord Shiva is also Mount Kailasha.
3) Both Lord Adi Nath, the 1^st Tirthamkara of Jainism and Lord Adi Nath of Saivaism are known as Digambara, Charukesha (Jatadhari), jati or Joti and Yogi.
4) Lord Shiva is also known as Ishai Nath, Bhola Nath, Kedar Nath, Chandra Nath Kailash Nath, Yogishwar Nath, Bhairav Nath etc, a name ends with Nath.
5) The 3^rd eye of Lord Shiva is found as “triratna” in Jainism. The symbol is found on the palms of Lord Adi Nath found at Udaigiri hills of Orissa.
6) The group of Munis founded by Lord Rishava is known as Gana in Jainism and the chief of them was known “Gana Dhara”. This tradition continued until the arrival of Lord Mahavira the 24^th Tirthamkara.  On the other hand the group of disciples of Lord Shiva is also known as “Gana” and their leader was “Ganapati”.

7) Among Nath we find 84 Siddhas, Lord Adi Nath had also 84 disciples.

8) Both the religions are Shamanic or Sarmanic or Sramanic.

9) Both are staunch supporter of social equality. 

10) In both the traditions, the practice of ascetic life is most important.

11) In both the religions practice of austerity (Vrata or Brato) plays very significant role, as a result both the religions are known as “Bratya religion” or “Vratya religion” until the introduction of Caste system in the society.

12) In both the traditions many monks prefer to be naked and it is still in practice from the ancient time. The Naga monks who are Saivaits live in naked condition even today.

13) It is interesting to note that Lord Adi Nath was also remained Naked as can be observed in Kayotsorga posture discovered in Indus valley and Lord Siva too was a naked ascetic. Both had renounced all the worldly things. Both are known as Digambar.  Digambars were found only among orthodox Jains, also known as Digambar Jain monks, similar to Naga Monks.

14) Both idols and statues of Lord Adi Nath and Lord Siva are found to be in yogic posture, known as “Padmashana”.

15) The eyes of idols of both are found to be half closed, which is another yogic posture.

15) Lord Siva and Lord Rishav Nath are known as Jataadhari or Kesi due to long matted hair.

16) Nandi or Bull is the symbol/emblem of both Rishav Nath and Bhola Nath.

17) Breaking and offering coconut to Lord Adi Nath and Lord Shiva is not allowed. 

18) Offering rice grains is an auspicious offering to both of them.

19) The day Rishabha attained Nirvana was to days Maha Shivratri day.

An Interesting feature of Adi Nath Tradition in Bengal:

Besides the above, there is an interesting relation, which can be observed between Lord Adi Nath and Lord Shiva, particularly with respect to Bengali culture.

During the Sarodiya Durga puja, one can see the idol of Maa Durga killing the demon Mahisasura. The story is that Maa Durga along with her children, Goddesses Laxmi & Saraswati and Gods Lord Ganesha & Kartikeya visit her parental house once in a year. The occasion is celebrated in the form of worshipping her during these days.

According to Vedic literature, Saraswati is the daughter of Prajapati Brahma, who himself later on married her and invited the curse from his children that henceforth nobody would worship Lord Brahma. Beside this Laxmi was the wife of Lord Vishnu and sometime known as the daughter of Brahmasri Brugu, as a result Goddess Laxmi is also addressed as BHargavi.

When Vedic literature does not recognize Laxmi and Saraswati as the children of Lord Shiva and Parvati, then how they are being projected as their children in Bengal?

The answear may be traced in the life of Lord Adi Nath. Lord Adi Nath had two daughters named as Brahmhi and Sundari as stated earlier. According to Jainism, the Brahmi script (Origin of Samskrit) developed was named after the daughter Brahmi of Lord Adi Nath, the script became the symbol of learning. The numerals developed were named after another daughter Sundari. Scripts are the symbols of learning, whereas numerals are the symbols of wealth, used for counting or measuring the wealth.  Modern researchers opine that all Indian languages have found their origin in Brahmi and not at Sanskrit. A pictorial depiction of the same is appended below:

The sons of Adi Nath viz. Bharata and Bahubali are represented by Lord Ganesha and Lord Kartikeya along with the idol of Maa Durga.  The daughters Brahmi and Sundari of Adinath are represented as Saraswati and Laxmi as the daughters of Maa Durga and Siva.

At different point of time different philosophical aspect were added to these Gods and Goddesses until there was no one to challenge the supremacy of Saivaism, Thus a strong correlation exists between the children of Lord Adi Nath and the daughters of Siva and Parvati as depicted in Bengali tradition, even though it contradicts Vedic tradition.

All these similarities and the above historical data, only indicates that Lord Siva a Puranic personality of Shamanic tradition of very high order, who continued with ancient Nath tradition established by Lord Adi Nath was mapped on to Lord Adi Nath due to the above qualities. His followers became known as “Saivaits” and religion became known as “Saivaism”.

People of ancient Bengal probably found Saivaism more convenient than earlier Nathism or Jainism due to food habits and austerities. This  makes them  in all likely hood  to adopt the modified version of Nathism/Jainism. That might be the reason we find the first recorded known king of Bengal as Sashanka, who was a devout Saiva. The Bengali calendar “Bongabdo” was introduced by King Sashanka, on Monday, the day of Lord Shiva in 593 AD.

Later on we find Pala Dynasty in Bengal. The Pala kings were Buddhist by religion.  The major religions of Bengalis during Pala period were Saivaism (or Koulaism) and Buddhism.  During this period of Buddhist religion Tantra study was in full swing as Buddhism moved from Mahayana, to Bajrayana, to Kalachakrayana and Sahajyana , Saivaism also simultaneously adopted the same, and their tantra became known as “Koula chara tantra”. On further development both moved to Sakti Shadhana.

In Saivaism Shiva is respected as “Maha Koula” and “Maha Kala”, or “Kala Bhairav”, “Akula” etc; whereas Sakti, his consort became known as “Kula”. Philosophically koula or Kala or Akula is the static energy power of Lord Shiva and Kula or Sakti is the dynamic energy power of Shiva.

Lord Matsendra Nath the founder of modern Nathism was a Koula, who also became the founder of “Kula worship” system or Kulin system in Bengal. He was credited to convert the famous temple of Kamakhya at Assam in to Kula/Sakti Peetha from Buddhist Tantra Peetha. This is one of the Adi Sakti Peetha among four Adi Sakti Peetha of India.

His disciple Lord Shiva Goroksha Nath established Maa Kalika temple at Kalighat of Kolkata. This temple is another Adi Sakti Peetha. The other two Adi Sakti Peethas are Puri jagan Nath temple and Tara Tarini temple at present Orissa (Both were originally Buddhist tantric temples).

Lord Matsendra Nath converted Buddhists in to Nathism. These include people from all walks of life. Thus we find the great Buddhist scholar “Atish Dipankar” to embrace Nathism (Kulinism) and became a disciple of Lord Matsendra Nath. Atish Dipankar made the war agreement document between Palas and Kalachuris. He was the chief of great Nalanda University. It is obvious to note that unless the impact of Nathism is great, people like Atish Dipankar would not have embraced Nathism. It is also obvious that when Aitsh Dipankar embraced Nathism, Many Buddhisht intellectuals had embraced Nathism along with him. This might be the turning point of downfall of Buddhism and gradually almost all great Buddhist intellectuals of Bengal embraced Nathism or Kulinism in Bengal (For Details on Kulinism read “A research note on Origin of Bengali Kulin Brahmins @ www.articlebase.com) - Therefore, it can be said with some confidence that Lord Matsendra Nath was not the founder of Nath religion, but was a great reformer.

The first priest of Kalighat temple was Chourangi Nath, a Nath priest and disciple of Lord Matsendra Nath. The seat of Chourangi Nath was named as “Chourangi” and the road from Chourangi to Kalighat temple was named as Chourangi Nath. Now the Govt. of Bengal named this road as “Jawhar Lal Nehru road” ignoring the glorious history of this Bengal.

Palas were dethroned in 1402 AD by Senas originally from Karnataka. They brought the society in line with Vedic social system with the help of elites and intellectuals of the then Bengal.  Caste system was introduced, which is beneficial for elites and powerful. Poor people were left out and those who opposed were out casted and tortured (ref: Ballal Charita). At a later date these left out poor people embraced Islam to avoid the torture and exploitation of Elites, when rulers of Bengal were of Islamic religion. However, many of the people who did not join the caste system, but did not embrace Islam are probably todays Nath sect of Bengal, which is based on the equality in the society.

Effect:

The society got divided by Senas and when Md. Bakhtiar invaded, Senas failed to get mobilize the support of fighters who were degraded in the society and lost his kingdom and Foreigners became the Bhagya Bidhata of Bengal.

Thus the glorious period of independent Bengal came to an end with the downfall of Palas in 1402 AD until August 1947 AD a period of almost 600 Yrs.

However, since Senas patronized casteism and promoted few intellectual and powerful people of the society. Their period was termed by those intellectuals as the GOLDEN PERIOD of Bengal, ignoring the period of Sasanka and Palas.

Hahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa………………

Further Ref:

1) Life Story of Bhagwan Mahavir by Mahavir Sanglikar

2)  Indus Civilization, Rigveda and Hindu Culture by P.R. Deshmukh

3) Jainism in Bihar by PC Roychoudhury

3) Trishasti Shalaka Purush (Jain Agamic Text)
4) Hindu Dharmache Shaiv Rahasya (Marathi) by  Sanjay Sonawani

5) The Blackwell Companion to Hinduism. Malden, Massachusetts: Blackwell Publishing Ltd. ISBN1-4051-3251-5

6) Siva Puran

7) Bhagvat Puran

8) Aadipuran by Acharya Jinsen

9) Trishashtishalakapurush by Acharya Shilaank.

11) Spirutual Affinities in Rishava and Shiva by Bal Patil; Jain Samaj.