The Power of the Nath Yogis: Yogic Charisma, Political Influence and Social Authority

The volume explores the recent history of the Nath tradition, focusing on the overlap between religious authority and political power. It examines how the Naths hagiographical claim of possessing yogic charisma translates into mundane expressions of socio-political power and how it morphs into the authority to reinterpret and recreate traditions. The articles cover various aspects of the Nath sampradaya, from the eighteenth century to the twentieth century, including their interactions with different social milieus and their experiences under British Raj and in contemporary India.

Format: Hardback
Length: 312 pages
Publication date: 22 July 2022
Publisher: Amsterdam University Press

The book is a collection of essays that provide a comprehensive reconstruction of the recent history of the Nath tradition, focusing on significant moments of self-reinterpretation in its interactions with various social milieus. The central theme that unites the selection of articles is the author's exploration of the interplay between religious authority and political power. This includes examining how the Naths' hagiographical claim of possessing yogic charisma, often interpreted as supernatural powers or Siddhis, manifests in mundane expressions of socio-political power. Additionally, it delves into how this charisma transforms into the authority to reinterpret and recreate specific traditions.

The articles in the book cover a wide range of aspects of the recent history of the Nath sampradaya, encompassing various historical periods and geographical contexts. They explore stories of yogis guiding kings in the petty principalities of the eighteenth century, as well as gurus who sought prominence in the transnational environments of the twentieth century. The book also examines some Nath lineages and institutions in the history of Nepal, as well as their presence in contemporary India.

Through their insightful analysis, the authors shed light on the complex dynamics between religion, power, and social change within the Nath tradition. They offer valuable insights into the historical processes that have shaped the identity and practices of this religious community, and their contributions to the broader study of Hinduism and South Asian religious traditions more broadly.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789463722544