Sadh

The Sadh is a minority Bhakti-era Hindu sect in India. It is a monotheistic Hindu sect where its followers believe in a formless and supreme god called Satnam Satpurush.

According to M. A. Sherring, he may have been influenced by the teachings of Ravidas.[1] This sect is thought to be an offshoot of Ravidasi sect and composed of lower strata of the Hindu society[2]

Religious context

Vaishnavism has following four sects:[3]

    • Sri founded by Ramananda
    • Brahma founded by Madhava
    • Ridra founded by Vishnusuvamin
    • Sanakadi founded by Nimbarka

Followers of Vaishnavism are also called Bairagi or Vairagi. Among the Bairagi, those who became part of the military akharas were organised in the 7 akharas founding dates of most of which are unclear. Each of the akhara accepted members from all 4 sects of vaishnavism. Bairagi military akharas generally did not follow the prohibition against eating meat or taking of narcotics. Satnamis and Dadupanthis are 2 of those martial akharas or orders of Bairagis.[3]

Foundation of Sadh sect

The sect was formed by Birbhan sadhji in Bijesar, a village near Narnaul, Haryana in the year 1543 CE. They use the name Satnami to call upon the God. Hence, they call themselves as Satnamis.[4] Group or gathering of Sadh's is pronounced as "Sangat" संगत.

History

The sect was formed by Birbhan Sadh in Bijesar, a village near Narnaul, Haryana in the year 1543 CE. They use the name satnami to call upon God and thus call themselves satnamis.[4] Group or gathering of Sadh's is pronounced as "sangat" (association). .[4][5]

See also

References

  1. Lamb, Ramdas (29 August 2002). Rapt in the Name: The Ramnamis, Ramnam, and Untouchable Religion in Central India. SUNY Press. ISBN 978-0-7914-5385-8.
  2. Lamb, Ramdas (29 August 2002). Rapt in the Name: The Ramnamis, Ramnam, and Untouchable Religion in Central India. SUNY Press. ISBN 978-0-7914-5385-8.
  3. David N. Lorenzen, 2006, Who Invented Hinduism: Essays on Religion in History, Yoda Press, p.51-65.
  4. Grierson, George Abraham (1908). "Sadhs". In Hastings, James (ed.). Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics. Vol. XI: Sacrifice-Sudra. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons. pp. 46–47.
  5. Chapter XV. Digital Library of India. ERNET.
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