This book looks at the elusive Nath Yogis from the early medieval period until the present. We begin by delving into the tantric traditions in the Indus Valley Civilisation from which the Naths emerged, as well as some of the traditions of renunciation, as seen by some early Vedic texts and some forerunners of the Naths like the Pasupata and Kapalika ascetic orders.
We will also look at the esoteric practices of the 84 Siddhas, from the writings of the great Sahajiya mystic Sarapa and the Hevajra Tantra. The mystical physiology of Matsyendra Nath, the mentor of Gorakh Nath will be looked at as well as the mysterious Yogini cult. The legends, philosophy and teachings of Guru Gorakhnath will be examined in detail as well as the impact they had on later mystics like Guru Nanak Dev and Kabir, as seen from a detailed study of the Janam Sakhis. We will also look at the interaction between the Naths and Sufis, focusing on the writings of three prominent Sufis.
