Table of Contents
JAMBHO JI
- He was born in Panwar Rajput family in Peepasar of Bikaner.
- He took birth on Janmashtami in 1451.
- Name of his parents were – Loahat Ji Panwar and Hansa Devi.
- He propagated Bishnoi cult in 1485 at Sambharathal of Bikaner.
- His works are Jambha Samhita, Jambh Sagar and Bishnoi Dharam Prakash and Shabd Vani.
- There is a collection of 29 teachings principles and 120 Shabda in his book Jambha Sagar. These 29 rules are followed by the people of this cult.
- He emphasized upon moral code of conduct and criticized pretentions and two-facedness of Hindu-Muslim religions.
- He taught to love and protect nature, forbade cutting of trees and killing of animals. He stressed on the importance of widow’s remarriage.
- He left for heavenly abode on Trayodashi in 1526 in Mukam village of Bikaner.
- His temples are located in Peepasar, Mukam, Jambha, Ramdawas, Jagool.
JASNATH JI
- He was born in 1482 A.D. in Katariasar, Bikaner.
- His parents were Hameer Ji Jani Jat and Roopande.
- He promoted Jasnathi Siddha cult.
- He taught 36 rules to lead a path of knowledge (Gyanmargi).
- He led a bachelor’s life throughout and underwent the process of reparation for 12 years and used to give sermons to the people in Gorakhmalia.
- He asked his followers to respect teachings of Guru about creation of this world, existence and worship of formless God, chanting of his name and the process of salvation.
- The collection of his teachings is present in Simbhudara and Konda.
- His followers dance on burning coals to pay tribute to him.
- He took Samadhi at the age of 24 in Katariawas in 1506.
PEEPA JI
- He was born in the family of Kheenchi Chauhan ruler of Gagron in 1425.
- His parents were Kadawa Rao and Lakshmivati.
- His teacher was Ramanand.
- He believed in equality and revering Guru with devotion as a means of salvation.
- He defeated army of Sultan Feroz Shah Tughlaq as the ruler of Gagron.
- His temple is located in Samdari village of Barmer.
- He is worshipped by tailor community.
SAINT RAMCHARAN JI MAHARAJ
- He was born in Bija Vaishya family of Jaipur in 1718 A.D.
- His parents were Bakhtaram and Dev ji. His wife was Gulab Kanwar.
- He was known as Ramkishan in childhood.
- He is the founder of Ramsnehi cult.
- He wrote song in Brajbhasha and is popularly known as ‘Anabhai Vani’.
- He always supported the idea of worshipping Guru in one’s life.
SAINT RAIDAS
- Raidas was born into a Chamaar caste in Kashi.
- He was a contemporary of Kabir.
- He vehemently opposed the caste system and showiness. He emphasized on importance of human equality and having a pure heart.
- He was a disciple of Ramanand.
- His teachings on humanity, tolerance, surrender, devotion and liberal ideas are dispersed in the form of Raidas ki Parchi.
DADUDAYAL
- He took birth in 1544 in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
- He founded Dadu Panth.
- He started practicing Sadhna at the age of eleven after receiving schooling from Vriddhanand.
- He came to Sambhar in Jaipur in 1568 and started working as Dhunia and gave discourses.
- He met Akbar in Fathepur Sikri in 1585 and inspired him.
- He traveled the states of Marwar, Bikaner, Dhundhad and finally reached Naraina in Phulera. There he passed away on Jyestha Krishna Ashtami in 1605.
- His clothes and books are kept safe here till today. Therefore, it is known as principal seat of Dadu Panth.
- His wisdoms were collected in form of Dadudayal ki Vani and Dadudayal ra Duha.
- The cult consists of 125 disciples- 52 are prominent while other 52 are pillars.
- He propagated lessons on faith in God and Guru, love and morality, self-knowledge, pointlessness of casteism, importance of truth and simplicity in life.
- People of this community leave dead bodies in jungles to be eaten by animals and birds.
- Alakh Dariba is the satasang spots.
- The place where he achieved Samadhi in a cave in Naraina is called as Dadukhol.
- The cult is further divided into following:
- Khalsa– Its founder is son of Dadu ji – Garibdas.
- Virkatttta– It is a group of nomad disciples of Dadu ji.
- Uttardev and Standhari – A g=community in Haryana whose founder is Banwaridas.
- Khaki– These followers are jatadhari, rub ashes on their body and lives in unit of army.
- Naga – Founded by disciple Sundardas. The Naga Sadhus keep weapons along with them and had served as soldiers in Jodhpur, Jaipur and Bharatpur.
- Saint Sunderdas of Naga Sect was born in Vaishya family of Dausa and died in 1707 in Sanganer of Jaipur. His main works are – Sunder Vilas, Sunder Granthawali, Sundersar, Gyan Samudra etc. He was known as Shankracharya of Rajasthan.
- Rajjab Ji was also a disciple of Dadu ji. He was born in Pathan Patwar at Sanganer. He became an austere and preached the teachings of Dadu ji wearing a dress of groom. His works involved Rajjab Vani and Sarvangi. There is a Rajjab Dwar in Sanganer dedicated to him.
MEERABAI
- She was a daughter of Ratan Singh of Merta, grand-daughter of Rao Duda and great grand-daughter of Rao Jodha ji.
- She was born at Kudaki of Nagaur in 1573.
- She got married to Bhojraj, son of Rana Sanga of Chittorgarh.
- She was a devotee of lord Krishna and considered him as her husband. Her fondness is regarded as Madhurya Bhav.
- Following are pieces of her work – Teeka Raag Govind, Narsi Mehta ni Hundi, Rukmani Mangal and Teeka on Geet-Govins.
- Ratna Khati composed Narsi Ji Ro Mayro under the guidance of Meera in Braj bhasha.
- She is known as Radha of Rajasthan.
- She founded Pasi sect in Vrindavan of Uttar Pradesh.
SAINT DHANNA
- He was born in 1415 in a Jat family of Dhuvan village, Tonk.
- He followed Ramanand.
- He preached nirgun bhakti.
- His name is mentioned in Guru Granth Sahib by Guru Arjan Dev.
- An annual fair is organized in his village.
- Similar to others, he advocated end of casteism and need of Guru.
LALDAS JI
- He was born in 1540 in Dholidoov village in Mewat on Sharavan Krishna Panchmi.
- His parents were Chandmal and Samada.
- He condemned hypocrisy in the society and emphasized on morality and devotion.
- His major sites are Alwar, Nagla and Shepur. He took initiation from a Muslim Saint Gadan Chishti of Tijara.
- His teachings are available in the from of Laldas Ji ki Chetavniyan.
- Though he died in Nagla of Bharatpur, his Samadhi place is situated in Sherpur of Alwar.
- He made a prediction to Dara Shikoh that Delhi will be ruled by one who will kill his brother. This came true when Aurangzeb took over the throne.
HARIDAS NIRANJANI
- Born in 1455 in Sankhla Kshatriya family at Kapdod in Nagaur.
- He was originally known as Hari Singh.
- Earlier he was a dacoit but experienced change of heart after meeting a Mahatma.
- He is the founder of Niranjani cult and known as Valmiki of Kalyug.
- The principal seat of the cult is situated at Gaadha in Deedwana of Nagaur.
BHAKT KAVI DURLABH
- He was born in 1753 in Bagad region.
- He lived and preached at Banswara and Dungarpur.
- He is also called as Narsingh of Rajasthan.
SAINT BHAAV JI
- Another saint of Bagad region. He was born in a brahmin family of Sanwala village in Dungarpur.
- He gained enlightenment while he was in Beneshwar in 1727.
- Therefore, the place is named as Beneshwar Dham.
- He is regarded as Nikalanki avatar of Shri Krishna.
- Every year a fair is organized at Beneshwar Dham which is also known as Kumbh of Tribals.
SAINT CHARANDAS JI
- A Jain born in Dehra of Alwar in 1703.
- His real name was Ranjit. He was son of Murlidhar and Kunji.
- Bhaktisagar, Gyan Sarvodaya, Brahm Charitra are his famous compositions.
- He died in 1782 in Delhi while his Samadhi is established in Dehra.
- A fair is organized every year on Basant Panchami to mark respect to this greatest saint of Mewat.
- His teachings consisted of 42 rules.
- His prominent female devotees were Daya Bai and Sahjo Bai.
- They wrote ‘DayaBodh & Vinay Patrika’ and Sahaj Prakash respectively.
