Influence of nāthayogis on Telugu literature.

Nathayogis were worshippers of Siva and played an important role in the history of medieval Indian mysticism. Nine nathas are famous, among whom Matsyendranatha and Gorakhnatha are known for their miracles and mystic powers. Tbere is a controversy about the names of nine nathas and other siddhas. Thirty great siddhas are listed in Hathaprad [pika and Hatharatnaval ] The influence of natha cult in Andhra region is very great Several literary compositions appeared in Telugu against the background of nathism. Nannecodadeva,the author of'Kumar asarnbbavamu mentions sada ngayoga 'and also respects the nine nathas as adisiddhas. T\~o traditions of asanas after Vas istha and Matsyendra are mentioned Ly Kolani Ganapatideva in·sivayogasaramu. He also considers vajrfsana, mukrasana and guptasana as synonyms of siddhasa na. suka, Vamadeva, Matsyendr a and Janaka are mentioned as adepts in SivaY0ga. Navanathacaritra by Gaurana is a work in the popular metre dealing with the adventures of the nine nathas. Phan ibhaua in Paratattvarasayanamu explains yoga in great detail. Vedantaviir t ikarn of Pararnanandayati mentions the navanathas and their activities and also quotes the one and a quarter lakh varieties of laya. Vaidyasaramu or Navanatha Siddha Pr ad Ipika by Erlapap Perayya is said to have been written on the lines of the Siddhikriyas written by Navanatha siddh as.