Paper short abstract:

In the Bengali Sahajiyā tradition the human body is conceived as the best tool to achieve the religious goal. This vernacular tradition of Tantra was expressed in Middle Bengali works dedicated to various ritual and yogic techniques directed to transform the human body and mind.

Paper long abstract:

In the North-East Indian Tantric Sahajiyā tradition the human body is conceived as the best tool to achieve the religious goal understood as a return to the primeval state and mystical love of Vaishnavas. The Bengali Tantric Vaiṣṇava Sahajiyā tradition (17-19 C) represents the vernacular tradition of Tantra and its rich literature was expressed in Middle Bengali. The most influential works of that tradition are authored by Mukundadeva and his disciples (17th cent.). They are characterized by the complex fusion of the great traditions of medieval India - Tantra, Yoga and Bhakti and include elaborate parts dedicated to various forms of Tantric yoga which might be considered as special forms of techniques directed to transform the human body and mind. The works of Mukunda and his disciples were commented upon in the 'Niguḍārthaprakaśavali' ('Array on the hidden meanings', 17-18th cent.). The text is a fine example of the elaborate descriptions of the so called 'teachings about the body' (dehatattva), where amongst the other topics main narration concern a nāḍīs or internal vessels or padmas or lotuses of the body. The aim of the proposed paper is an exploration of the text of the Niguḍārthaprakaśavali, and other related works, such as 'Padmamāla', to uncover various forms of bodily technology deployed by Sahajiyās. It will also address questions concerning the various strategies to interpret esoteric narration in the Sahajiyā corpus.