Satnampanth

This article is about the religious sect founded by Guru Ghasidas. For another sect also sometimes called Satnami sect, see Sadh.

Satnampanth, also called Satnami Samaj, Satnami movement, or Sadhanpanth, This sect is thought to be an offshoot of the Ravidassia sect[1][page needed] (sampradaya) founded by Bir Bhan (1543-1620 AD), of Narnaul district. His guru was Udhodas, the pupil of Saint Ravidas. A Haryana Review periodical issue regarding the Satnamis of the age of Bir Bhan, "A Satnami had three attributes: he put on the garb of a devotee , earned money through fair means and did not bear any type of injustice or atrocity."[2]

Jagjivan Das is the second most important Satnami. Due to his spiritual fame, he was met by Emperor Akbar.[3] Swami Dayal lists Jagjivan Sahab as his predecessor[4] and writes:

If in your mind you do not believe what I say, then consult the sayings of Kabir and Guru Nanak. Tulsi's persuasion is just the same, and so is that of Paltu and Jagjivan. These saints I take as my authority, and I witness to what they teach.[5]

The sect has an official foundation date, which is April 21, 1657.[6]

This sect is named after its Lord, Satnam.

Historically, chroniclers have also wrote of them as mundiah (because followers often shaved their heads) and bairagi.

  1. ^ Lamb 2002.
  2. ^ Haryana Review: Volume 11 By Haryana Public Relations Department
  3. ^ P. 112 Growth of Scheduled Tribes and Castes in Medieval India By Kishori Saran Lal
  4. ^ Radhasoami Reality: The Logic of a Modern Faith By Mark Juergensmeyer
  5. ^ P. 348 The Sants: Studies in a Devotional Tradition of India By Karine Schomer and W.H. McLeod
  6. ^ "SATNAMIS OR SADHS: CHANGING IDENTITY OF THE SATNAMIS OF NARNAUL" By Abha Singh