In the shadowed corners of Marathi or Sanskrit folklore lies a text shrouded in mystery, whispered about in hushed tones—the Nilavanti Granth. This enigmatic text is not just a relic of ancient wisdom but it is also said to be cursed or contain a powerful force, one so strong that those who dare to read it may find themselves on the verge of madness. Legends speak of scholars who, upon delving into its secrets, lost their grip on reality, consumed by the immense energy contained within its pages.
But here the question arises – Can a mere book truly possess such powers? Or is the Nilavanti Granth merely a product of collective imagination, a myth born from human fascination with the unknown? It has been the subject of much debate and speculation. Some believe it to be a genuine mystical text containing profound knowledge, while others dismiss it as a myth or hoax. Therefore, in this paper we will discuss about the truth behind the Nilavanti Granth, exploring the fine line between reality and folklore with the evidence and arguments on both sides.
History, legends and beliefs –
Nilavanti Granth is known for its mysticism, curses, and miraculous powers. It is believed to contain information related to talking to entities or say summoning entities, even though it includes some verses by which one can be able to talk to animals and birds. At the same time, some other sources describe it as a way to acquire supernatural powers. However, it’s also known for containing superstitions and practices that are not scientifically validated. It consists of verses and teachings that cover a wide range of spiritual, occult, and mystical topics, including cures for diseases, yoga, devotion, and the nature of reality. The text is known for its esoteric and symbolic language, which requires interpretation and understanding from a spiritual or occult perspective. It was banned by the British government during its rule in India because the government suspected that the book was being used for practicing the occult or increasing the superstitions among people. Generally, people associate this text with different folks, some say it’s associated with Nath sampradaya (a Shaivite sect) known for its emphasis on yogic practices and occultism. Also, some say it was originated by a woman who was rumored to possess magical abilities which meant she was a Yakshini named “Nilavanti” or even some say it was written by Bhaskara Bhatt.
The exact origins and authorship of the Nilavanti Granth are not well-documented, which adds to its mysterious nature. According to some sources, it is believed to have been composed during the Gorakhnath period, in the Nath Sampradaya, but again it is a debatable topic as we don’t know about its actual origin. There are many stories about this text, some of which are true and some are a mixture of imagination and folk beliefs.
One of the most common beliefs is that this text is cursed and it says that anyone who dares to read it can either lose his senses, go insane, or get immense power from that book, allowing him to communicate with entities, animal birds, cure diseases, and so on. Another thing is that people consider it as some dangerous text, which is why they don’t dare to read it, and all of these rumors are circulated as a result. So, here the main question arises Can a book truly possess such powers, or rather this is just a myth? So, we will examine this with both the perspectives- Mystical perspective and Skeptical perspective so that we can have a better idea and clear understanding of the arguments of both sides and we get to explore the fine line between Mystery and myth.
Mystical Perspective-
According to this perspective, we can look at this as a text that represents forbidden knowledge or the boundary between the known and the unknown. Certainly, crossing these boundaries is considered as dangerous, or eventually, if you are not meant for such things it can lead to harm or destruction. It is believed that if you are a really advanced occult practitioner then only you may read this but it has its own consequences which we have already discussed. It may contain certain types of knowledge or meddling with forces beyond human understanding. So, maybe we can say that the book doesn’t possess supernatural powers, but rather symbolizes the risks associated with certain paths of inquiry.
Skeptical Perspective-
According to this perspective, we can say that it is a real text, but its reputation is steeped in myth and folklore. The idea that this text contains mystical or supernatural powers is deeply rooted in cultural beliefs and the mystical aura. As we see in many cultures, oral traditions have passed down stories of powerful texts that hold secret knowledge or mystical powers. These stories are often exaggerated over time, adding layers of mystery and fear around certain texts. It could also be true in the case of Nilavanti Granth. Also, Human psychology significantly influences the perception of such texts. If people believe that a book is cursed or dangerous, their fear and expectations can manifest in real experiences. Stories of misfortune connected to the Nilavanti Granth may be a result of this phenomenon, as people tend to remember events that confirm their beliefs. If someone experiences negative events after reading the Nilavanti Granth, they may attribute them to the book, reinforcing the idea that it is cursed, even if the two events are unrelated. Or maybe The Nilavanti Granth is shrouded in secrecy, with few people claiming to have read it and even fewer willing to talk about it. This lack of knowledge creates an environment where myths and superstitions can thrive. Or maybe we can say that the fascination with the Nilavanti Granth stems from human nature’s fascination with mysterious and forbidden objects. Its mysterious nature and aura of danger make it a subject of curiosity, whether or not people believe in its supernatural qualities, the myth itself is potent enough to inspire fear and intrigue.
So, these were the two ways by which we can look at this text Nilavanti Granth, it’s difficult to definitively categorize the Nilavanti Granth as either entirely real or purely mythical, seems to straddle the line between reality and myth. It can be considered as Mysterious text due to all its secrecy and the curse element behind this text as till now we don’t have the exact text since it said it was banned or even, we don’t have much information regarding this text.
Also, there is no concrete evidence to suggest that it possesses any supernatural powers. In the absence of definitive historical evidence and scholarly consensus, this will remain as a controversial topic that Nilavanti Granth is a mystical text or it is just a myth. But we can conclude it as a mysterious text that may have roots in actual ancient practices while the layers of folklore and superstition surrounding it have likely exaggerated its perceived powers and dangers, reflecting a blend of cultural beliefs, historical ambiguity, and human fascination with the mysterious.
References-
- Scribd Nilavanti Granth
- Kehana – India’s mysterious book, Nilavanti granth
- Maharastranama- The secret of Nilavanti granth
- Archive.org Nilavanti Granth
