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
- 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.
- 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.
- David N. Lorenzen, 2006, Who Invented Hinduism: Essays on Religion in History, Yoda Press, p.51-65.
- 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.
- Chapter XV. Digital Library of India. ERNET.