Kolkata-based author Debasree Chakraborty writes a novel about the 19 years of life of Jesus, which, according to some contemporary texts, he spent traveling extensively in the Middle East, Sindhu region and India
[Author’s Note: In the Old Testament of the Bible, there is no information about the life of Jesus for 19 years. There are some contemporary texts where eyewitnesses have stated that he traveled extensively in the Middle East and crossed the Sindhu region to enter India. Through this novel, I have tried to portray the diary of a profound spiritual journey of his life in the initial and final chapters. Foreign powers have tried to erase the history of our continent, Asia. That is why, when Notovitch returned from Hemis in Ladakh and mentioned that ancient text over 2000 years old, Max Müller sent people to Hemis to destroy that ancient manuscript. The mysterious manuscript is also mentioned in the book by Swami Abhedananda about Kashmir and Tibet. What was it that caused Max Müller so much concern over this manuscript? It is noteworthy that love cannot come into the life of the son of God, and he cannot have any children. Even the Gospels attributed to him have been confined to the secret, dark chambers of the Pope’s city, with words implanted into his mouth according to their wishes. In his name, imperialistic aggression is being carried out across the world. His only daughter, Sara, has not been recognized. His entire existence has been imprisoned. There lies an unknown chapter of his life hidden throughout the Middle East, the Sindhu region, and India. I have brought forth this history through this novel. “An Unknown Life” is in no way a novel imitating “Jesus lived in India.” This novel provides detailed descriptions of his presence across the vast land from Israel to India, not just his own, but also the mysterious narratives of many people associated with him. Was Jesus truly the founder of Christianity? If not, why must he still bear the burden of the “Roman Cross”? Is there ever to be a possibility of his release? All answers are coming. Debashree Chakraborty]
An Unknown Life
(Location: Ladakh, Year: 2021 – Location: Israel, Time: Two thousand years ago)
It is now deep into the night, and the silence of the Nubra Valley seems to merge with the deep flow of the tantra flowing through this valley, creating a field of energy. If one can assimilate this energy, it is possible to be freed from the mysterious cycle of life and death. Five hundred years ago, Mahaprabhu Shree Chaitanya drifted away in this current, somewhere lost in that wilderness of Odisha, feeling the events that led to an ultimate spiritual experience in the depths of Ratul’s consciousness. The resemblance in the lives of two great people, one from five hundred years ago and another from two thousand years ago, is astounding! As a child, Ratul had heard from his mother, who learned from a book that Jesus was a descendant of a king and that the astrologers foretold before his birth that a child from this royal lineage would be born, destined to save the entire land of Israel from the oppression of Roman rulers. Before the birth of Mahaprabhu, astrologers had foretold that a Brahmin child would be born in Navadvipa, said to be an heir to the lineage of King Ganesh, who would save the people from the tyranny of outsiders. The endings of their lives seem strangely similar—one being crucified and killed, and the other merging into the idol of Jagannath; these two pieces of information are quite murky. The information Omkari is uncovering suggests that Ratul’s theory might not be false. The land where Ratul currently stands has a deep connection with the lives of these great beings, intertwined with several years and the profound moments of their ends. Ratul must find this lost, mysterious chapter of their lives, whatever it takes. Standing in the biting cold of the night, he tried to seek answers to some questions within this nature. At that moment, he saw light in Adinath’s room. Then, Adinath stepped outside. Seeing Ratul, he said, “Come with me; I will take you to a two-thousand-year-old cave where the spiritual practice has been continuing for almost two thousand years. You will be amazed to see the ancient painting of Mother Kali inside this cave.”
“Does that mean, Maharaj, you are taking me to meet the ancient mother of the Nubra Valley?”
In just a little while, the Brahma Muhurta will begin. Whenever I come to Nubrath, I visit him during this time. You are very fortunate; that’s why we have the opportunity to meet during such a moment. My Guru Dev used to say that in these sacred moments, one should take along those they meet on the journey. There is a profound spiritual connection in all of this.
That’s quite nice! I have several questions swirling in my mind, and perhaps the answers to those questions lie somewhere along this path. The houses along the roadside are silent, moving forward only with the light of the street lamps. Coming out from this alley to the main road, on one side, there is a military hospital, and beyond that, the road stretches out toward the vast wilderness. On the side of the road, two dromedary camels are sitting; they raised their heads and called out after seeing the newcomers. As we walked, Adidev said that soon we will have to climb the mountain; it is amidst such a fierce and rugged nature that spiritual attainment is indeed possible. The sadhana performed here is the worship of Mahadev’s tantra form, Kal Bhairav. Among us are the Bhairavs and their Bhairavis, along with the Yoginis, all of whom are included in the Buddhist Tantra. Our Mahadev is the originator of Tantra, and the wisdom he has imparted is also followed by the Buddhists. As a Nath community, we greatly adhere to the teachings of Matsyendranath.
Matsyendranath? Who is he?
Tantric Influence on Nathism
In the context of the discussion on the ‘consequences of Buddhist Tantra,’ it must be noted that Nathism is significantly influenced by Tantra. However, it is essential to mention that Koulmarg, which emerged from the integration of Tantric Brahmanism, Shakti religion, and the esoteric practices of Neo-Buddhism, is considered the primary form of Shaktism according to researchers. Several ancient texts of Koulism have been found in the royal library of Nepal. The fundamental teachings of their religion can be traced back to Guru Matsyendranath. Many believe Matsyendranath is identical to one of the 84 Siddhacharyas, Luipa. If this is the case, then it cannot be denied that Koulism has emerged from the esoteric practices of Neo-Buddhism.
Additionally, Koul Buddhism’s esoteric approach is a specific aspect of the religion; the ‘Five Kuls of Wisdom’ or the five forms of power are led by the Panchatatagata (the Five Tathagatas). Those who adhere to this Kula philosophy are known as Koul or Kulputra. According to Koul Margis, the Kula represents Shakti, while the opposite of Kula, the “A-kula,” represents Shiva, and the dormant energy coiled within the body is referred to as Kulkundalini. The awakening of this Kulkundalini and merging it with Shiva is the essence of Koul Margi practice.
Koul Margis accepted Brahmanical varna-asrama (the social stratification system), but the Nath tradition, Avadhut tradition, and Sahajiya religion, akin to Buddhist Shunyavada, outright rejected varna-asrama.
The rise of this Nath community initially occurred among the lower strata of society. The roots of this religion are strongly influenced by Jainism and Ajivika, alongside the undeniable influence of Tantric Buddhism. The earliest propagators of this religion were known as Yogigurus, Nathacharyas, or Siddhapadas. At the top of this lineage stands Siddhacharya Meenath or Matsyendranath. There is also ambiguity regarding whether they are the same person or two different individuals. Other prominent figures among the acharyas include Gorakhnath, Jalandharipa or Haripa or Harisiddha, and Kanupa. According to conventional belief, Matsyendranath was the founder of Nathism, and the Koul Margis also regarded Matsyendranath as their guru.
Shri Adinath Motsyendra Sardanand Bhairav:
Chaurangi Min Goraksha Birupaksha Bileshya.
Madanthan Bhairav Yogi Siddha Bodhah Kanthari.
Korandaka Suranand Siddhapad Charpati.
Kaneri Pujyapad Nityanath Niranjana,
Kapali Brindunath Chakachandi Shabomaya.
Akshaya Prabhudev Ghorachuli Ch Tintini,
Bhallati Nagabodh Khanda Kapalika Tatha.
Thus, these great Siddha beings, influenced by Hatha Yoga, roam the universe after breaking the stick of death. (Hatha Pradipika, First Instruction)
That is: Adinath, Motsyendra, Sardanand, Bhairav, Chaurangi, Min, Goraksha, Birupaksha, Bilesha, Manthan Bhairav, Siddhabodh, Kanthari, Korandaka, Suranand, Siddhapad, Charpati, Kaneri, Pujyapad, Nityanath, Niranjan, Kapali, Brindunath, Kakchandi, Bhairav, Akshaya, Prabhudev, Ghorachuli, Tintini, Bhallati, Nagabodh, Khanda Kapalika, etc. are all great Siddha beings who, under the influence of Hatha Yoga, traverse the universe after breaking the stick of death.
Ratul, you will be surprised to know that for aeons, people from various parts of the world have been following our religion. Once, the region of Ladakh was a very significant place for this spiritual practice.
They are now climbing the mountain, and within these mountains lies a secret location, a cave. After climbing quite a distance, Ratul found it extremely hard to breathe. Since Adinath is a practitioner, what is possible for him is not possible for Ratul. He brought Ratul along; thus, he holds all responsibility for him at this moment. He asked Ratul to sit on a stone ledge and sat a little distance away, turning on his smartwatch to check the time – it was one-thirty at night, and it was still the Brahma Muhurta; there was still plenty of time ahead. They were looking out at the vast Nubra Valley. The streetlights in the distance looked like stars, and even a massive military hospital appeared small from this height. After resting for a while, when Ratul’s breathing became normal, he asked, “Maharaj, is there any connection between your religion and the ancient Israelites?”
Certainly! Matsyendranath lived in this land for a long time and established his ideology in the minds of the people of this region. For aeons, a special current of spiritual energy has been flowing throughout the world. At that time, a section of the people of Israel, namely those who followed our religion, used fish as a symbolic message. They would draw fish in letters. This practice is still followed in a particular community today.
Shiva’s other name is Ishana. The Ishanas once spread widely across India, Asia, Egypt, Rome, and Greece. In this country, they are known as Nathyogis. Ishananath was their original guru. Nathyogis worship the phallic form of Shiva. In the figurine obtained from Mohenjo-daro, a clay seal depicts a yogi in meditation. This has been identified as the statue of Pashupati. It features a three-pronged crown on his head. Surrounding the statue are an elephant, a tiger, a rhinoceros, a snake, a fish, and a human. This shows a strange resemblance to Shiva’s current trident.
Pashupatis had considerable influence in places like Bannu in Afghanistan, Balochistan, and Khotan. In the Old Testament of the Bible, it is noted that Rehoboam’s son Asa forbade his mother Maachah from making sacrifices in front of the phallus. The Jews worshipped the phallic deity Baal-Peor. Before that, they would undergo initiation into the secret mantra of Baal-Peor. The Moabites worshipped a phallus located at Mount Peor. The people of Judah worshipped a phallus on the summit of a densely forested mountain. Their name for this deity was “Baal”.
In Sindh, before the dawn of civilization, there were ancient temples of the phallus at Kotishwar. The phallic statue of the deity Bacchus in Greece and Egypt is similar to that of Kotishwar. In the Bible, this phallic idol is mentioned as Chium or Shium (Shium/Shivam). They, like the phallus worshipers and Nathyogis, wore sacred ash (vibhuti) on their foreheads. (Continues)
Click here for Part-1, Part 2, Part-3, Part-4, Part-5, Part-6, Part-7, Part-8,
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Debasree Chakraborti is a renowned novel writer of Bengali language. Based in Kolkata, West Bengal, India, she has done Master’s in Modern History from the Kolkata University, and authored some thirty books, mostly the novels, with historical perspective and themes. Her novel is ‘Maharaja Dahir’ that covers the history of Sindh from 662, the year of first attack on Sindh by the Arab armies till date, was published last year and translated by Nasir Aijaz into Sindhi language.
