Esoteric Symbolism in Tārtam Vāṇī: An Interpretation of Prannāth Ji’s Selected Song-Texts
International Journal of Social Science and Human Research March 31, 2026 Bilambita Banisudha PhD, Shravan Shravan
The core doctrine of the Nijananda Sampradāya, Tārtam Vāṇī, authored by Mahāmati Prannāth Ji (1618–1694), is one of the most intricate symbolic and esoteric works of early modern North India. It expresses complex esoteric principles regarding the soul, heavenly truth, and cosmic order through multifaceted poetic metaphors, synthesising Indic, Islamic, and vernacular literary traditions. A hermeneutic, literary, and comparative examination of chosen song verses reveals that symbolism serves as an essential vehicle for conveying doctrinal knowledge and influencing devotional awareness, demonstrating the persistent significance of symbolic communication in articulating transcendent spiritual truths that surpass sectarian or cultural boundaries.