Abstract
Middle Bengali Nātha literature consists of a number of texts of different genres: large narrative poems, yogic songs, technical treatises on tantric yoga etc. The most prominent works are two narrative cycles, adapted by various authors. The first one (Gorakhabijaẏa) recounts Gorakhnāth's rescue of his teacher, Mīnanāth, from the kingdom of women; the second (Gupicandrer sannyās) describes the adventures of Gopīcandra, a son of the queen and great yoginī Maẏanāmatī. In all these texts different mantras are used on different occasions.
In my talk, I will present a thorough analysis of the use of mantras in Middle Bengali Nātha works, particularly in the two narrative poems. First, I will show what mantras are found in these texts (a preliminary search suggests that the most frequent mantra is huṃkāra). Next, I will ask for what purpose each mantra is used, i.e. what is its function. Finally, I will try to answer the question of whether the fact that the Middle Bengali texts of some other religious traditions do share (e.g. Muslim yogis) or do not share (e.g., Vaiṣṇava Sahajiyas) the same mantras with the Nātha tradition may say something about their historical connections.