The Socially Involved Renunciate

Guru Nānak's Discourse to the Nāth Yogis

Kamala Elizabeth Nayar, Jaswinder Singh Sandhu

• Publisher: SUNY Press
• Year: 2012
• Print ISBN: 9780791472149, 9780791472132
• eBook ISBN: 9780791479506
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Asian Religions

A translation and analysis of Guru Nanak's description of the Sikh path to spiritual liberation.

The Socially Involved Renunciate is an in-depth analysis and an original English translation of the Siddh Go??, 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 N?nak, a medieval, north Indian saint-poet and venerated founder of the Sikh tradition, the Siddh Go?? is a dialogue between Guru N?nak and several N?th yogis who had been pursuing a rigorous path of hath-yoga as renunciates of the material world. Through their dialogue, Guru N?nak teaches the N?th 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 Go??, and demonstrate how Guru N?nak reconciles the polarities of the ascetic and householder ideals.

Table of contents

• The Socially Involved Renunciate
• Contents
• Illustrations
• Preface
• Note on Translation
• Part 1. Introduction
• Part 2. Setting the Stage for Siddh Gost
• Part 3. The Meaning of Guru Nanak’s Siddh Gost
• Part 4. Siddh Gost: Discourse to the Nath Yogis,An English Translation
• Notes
• Glossary of Punjabi Terms
• Bibliography
• Index