Correct Option
The correct option is (a).
Explanation
The early Bengali literature is generally divided into two categories: one indebted to Sanskrit and the other independent of it. The Nath literature belongs to the second category, representing a distinct vernacular tradition rooted in oral transmission and local yogic cults.
Statement-wise Analysis
- Statement 1 is Correct: Nath literature specifically includes the songs of Maynamati and Gopichandra. These narratives often depict the ascetic path and the relationship between the queen mother (Maynamati) and her son (Gopichandra), encouraging him to renounce the world.
- Statement 2 is Correct: In the classification of Bengali folk literature independent of Sanskrit, stories concerning the worship of Dharma Thakur are grouped alongside Nath literature. Dharma Thakur is a popular local deity, often worshipped in the form of a stone or a piece of wood.
- Statement 3 is Correct: This category of literature (including Nath songs and Dharma Thakur stories) circulated orally and was independent of Sanskrit influence. Unlike the Mangalkavyas or translations of Epics, these texts did not rely on Puranic traditions or Sanskrit grammar.
- Statement 4 is Incorrect: This literature was primarily popular in Eastern Bengal, where the influence of Brahmanas was relatively weak. This lack of rigid Brahmanical control allowed oral and non-Puranic traditions to flourish more freely compared to Western Bengal.
Key Takeaway
Nath literature in Bengal represents a vernacular tradition independent of Sanskrit, popular in Eastern Bengal, and includes oral narratives like the songs of Maynamati and Gopichandra.