Gorkha-Vijaya
By Nalini Nath Das Gupta
Summary
'Gorkha‑Vijaya' is a short review of a newly published Bengali edition of the Gorkha‑Vijaya, edited by Śrī Panchanan Mandal and issued by the Visva‑Bharati Granthālaya. The edition comprises an introduction, critical text, appendices and index. The reviewer notes that the Gorkha‑Vijaya recounts the exploits of Gorkhanātha (also known as Gorakṣanātha), a legendary Nātha yogi revered as a siddha who sought to synthesise Tantric Buddhism and Śaivism. The text describes his travels, miracles and encounters with disciples and rivals, highlighting his role in propagating the Nātha sect across northern India. The review welcomes the edition as a boon for scholars interested in medieval religious history, particularly the interaction between Mahāyāna Buddhism and Hinduism. It summarises the editor’s introduction, which discusses the manuscript tradition, linguistic features and historical context of the poem. The text itself, written in Bengali, provides a rare glimpse into popular devotion to Gorkhanātha and preserves regional stories that were previously transmitted orally. The appendices include genealogies of Nātha yogis and comparative notes with other versions of the legend. The reviewer emphasises that the edition will aid research into the development of Nāthism and its influence on regional devotional practices.
Conclusion
The review highlights the importance of publishing critical editions of vernacular texts like the Gorkha‑Vijaya. The poem offers insights into the syncretic figure of Gorkhanātha and his role in fusing Buddhist and Śaiva traditions. By making this work available with scholarly apparatus, the editor enables deeper study of Nātha hagiography and the religious history of medieval Bengal. The edition is thus a valuable resource for historians of Indian religions.