'Nath sect first to propagate against caste system'

History based on manuscripts may not be authentic always, opines professor

The Nath sect or Natha tradition was one of the first Hindu sects to propagate against ‘Varna’ (caste) system which was dominant in the Hindu religion.

Therefore Nath tradition holds a distinct position among the Hindu religious sects, said Rani Abbakka Tulu Adhyayana Kendra (Bantwal) President Prof Tukaram Poojary.

He was speaking at the inauguration of a seminar on the contribution of Nath tradition to the society organised by the State Endowment Department at Kadri Manjunatha temple on Sunday.

Referring to the history that is developed purely based on the manuscripts as unauthentic, he said that one can understand the history more precisely by taking into consideration the vocal literature and the monuments.

“The history that is developed merely based on manuscripts may not be entirely true and may not reflect the real incidents. Therefore, attempts should be made to trace the history by examining various other materials and by observing the vocal literature which are passed on through the mouths of suppressed classes in the society.”

Hinting at the necessity for the same kind of study to understand the presence of Nath sect in Kadri temple, he said the historians could give more revelations by studying the environment surrounding Kadri.

Presiding over a session, Fisheries’ College Dean Dr P Keshavanath praised Nath tradition for its contribution to communal harmony as the sect is a blend of both Hindu and Sufi philosophy.

Nath sect has great reverence for it promotes simplicity, equality and determination. Documents are available to prove the presence of Nath philosophy even in the countries like Pakistan, Tibet and Afghanistan, he said.

Delivering the talk, CCB Inspector Dr Venkatesh Prasanna said that Jogi centre at Kadri was most powerful among all the nine centres in the State. “It is not an exaggeration to say that every Jogi propagating Nath philosophy in North India, considers visiting Kadri temple as one of the wishes of his life.

The documents polled by Mangalanatha in 1397, are the first documents available pertaining to the presence and spread of Nath tradition in Kadri,” he said.

Odiyur seer Gurudevananda inaugurated the programme and Deputy Speaker N Yogish Bhat presided over the programme.