The Socially Involved Renunciate

Jaswinder Singh Sandhu, Kamala Elizabeth Nayar

Description

The Socially Involved Renunciate is an in-depth analysis and an original English translation of the Siddh Gost, a fundamental philosophical text of the Sikh tradition. The work reflects the distinctive worldview of Sikhism, the only major Indian religion that does not regard asceticism as a legitimate path to liberation.

Composed by Guru Nanak, a medieval, north Indian saint-poet and venerated founder of the Sikh tradition, the Siddh Gost is a dialogue between Guru Nanak and several Nath yogis who had been pursuing a rigorous path of hath-yoga as renunciates of the material world. Through their dialogue, Guru Nanak teaches the Nath yogis a spiritual path that also includes involvement in the social world and offers a practical way to achieve liberation. In The Socially Involved Renunciate, Kamala Elizabeth Nayar and Jaswinder Singh Sandhu provide background on Sikhism, highlight the ethical teachings expounded in the Siddh Gost, and demonstrate how Guru Nanak reconciles the polarities of the ascetic and householder ideals.
List of Illustrations
Preface
Note on Translation

PART 1: INTRODUCTION

1. The Quest for Liberation in Indian Religions

PART 2: SETTING THE STAGE FOR SIDDH GOST

2. The Nath Tradition and Hath-Yoga

3. Guru Nanak: Doctrine, Hagiography, and History

4. The Context of Siddh Gost

PART 3: THE MEANING OF GURU NANAK’S SIDDH GOST

5. Guru Nanak’s Worldview: Theory and Practice

6. Renunciation and Social Involvement in Siddh Gost

PART 4: SIDDH GOST

Discourse to the Nath Yogis, an English Translation

I. The Meeting
II. The Path
III. A Gurmukh
IV. The Source
V. Truth
VI. Immersion
VII. Creation
VIII. EkOankar
IX. The Sacred Word
X. Grace
XI. Awareness
XII. Liberation

Notes
Glossary of Punjabi Terms
Bibliography
Index

Sujets

• East Asian religions
• Sikhism

Informations

• Publié par: State University of New York Press
• Date de parution: 01 février 2012
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9780791479506
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 1 Mo

Extrait

The Socially Involved Renunciate

GuruN¯anak’s DiscoursetotheN¯athYogis

Kamala Elizabeth Nayar and Jaswinder Singh Sandhu

The Socially Involved Renunciate

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The Socially Involved Renunciate Guru Nånak’sDiscourse to the Nåth Yogis

K AMALA  E LIZABETH  N AYAR

and

J ASWINDER  S INGH  S ANDHU

State University of New York Press

Published by State University of New York Press, Albany

© 2007 State University of New York

All rights reserved

Printed in the United States of America

No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission. No part of this book may be stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means including electronic, electrostatic, magnetic tape, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior permission in writing of the publisher.

For information, contact State University of New York Press, Albany, NY www.sunypress.edu

Production by Diane Ganeles Marketing by Anne M. Valentine

Cover art: “Guru Nånak with Siddhas at Mansarovar” painted by Jarnail Singh; collection of Kamala E. Nayar

Library of Congress CataloginginPublication Data

Nayar, Kamala E. (Kamala Elizabeth), 1966– The socially involved renunciate : Guru Nanak’s Discourse to the Nath yogis / Kamala Elizabeth Nayar, Jaswinder Singh Sandhu. p. cm. Includes translation from Panjabi. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN-13: 978-0-7914-7213-2 (hardcover : alk. paper) 1. Nanak, Guru, 1469–1538. Sidha gosati. 2. Spiritual life—Sikhism. 3. Renunciation (Philosophy) 4. Asceticism—Natha sect. 5. Moksa. I. Sandhu, Jaswinder Singh, 1973– II. Nanak, Guru, 1469–1538. Sidha gosati. English. III. Title.

BL2017.424.N38 2007 294.6’82—dc22

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

2006037453

For our daughters, Shardha and Sangeeta

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List of Illustrations

Preface

Note on Translation

Chapter One

Contents

PART 1: INTRODUCTION

The Quest for Liberation in Indian Religions

PART 2: SETTING THE STAGE FORSIDDH GOST . .

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

The Nåth Tradition and Hath-Yoga

Guru Nånak: Doctrine, Hagiography, and History

The Context ofSiddh GoĠ

PART 3: THE MEANING OF GURU N≈NAK’S SIDDH GOST . .

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Guru Nånak’s Worldview: Theory and Practice

Renunciation and Social Involvement inSiddh GoĠ

ix

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3

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71

9

3

viii

Contents

PART 4:SIDDH GOST . .

Discourse to the Nåth Yogis, an English Translation I. The Meeting II. The Path III. AGurmukh IV. The Source V. Truth VI. Immersion VII. Creation VIII.EkOa‰kår IX. The Sacred Word X. Grace XI. Awareness XII. Liberation

Notes

Glossary of Punjabi Terms

Bibliography

Index

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167

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177

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1.

2.

Illustrations

FIGURES

Ideal Religious Lifestyles Among the Indian Religions

TABLES

Guru Nånak’s Travels in the Four Directions

Sources of Guru Nånak’s Encounters with the Nåth Yogis

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