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Dalit saints of Hinduism

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The dalit is a section of Hindu society generally referred as a "lower" caste that have produced several influential Hindu saints.[1][2][3] Some of the most notable Dalit Hindu saints are Ravidas, Kabir, Namdev, Chokha Mela, Sant Kanhoputra, etc.[4] Ravidas was the guru of not only saint Meerabai, but also of Queen Jali of Chittor.Cite error: There are <ref> tags on this page without content in them (see the help page).

Many Harijans through their virtuous works, were given the title of Brahmin by non-Harijans. The most popular examples are Matanga, Nandanar, Purnananda, and Valmiki. In one legend, Nandanar entered a fire and came out of the fire as a Brahmin.[5]

The term Harijan was initially coined by a Koli Adivasi saint of Gujarat named Kubera, who in his lifetime had at least twenty thousands disciples.[6] Then Narsimh Mehta picked up the phrase and began using it for the backward castes.[7] Similarily in Ramanuja's era, the Brahmin Ramanuja gave the name Tirukulathar or "holy caste" to those who are of the dalit caste.[8]

Some writers believe that even Valmiki and Veda Vyasa, the celebrated of Hindu epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata, were also of Dalit background.[4]

I am a Bhangi, but I also do the work of a Brahmin. A Brahmin is one who spreads knowledge, sanskars; so I too am a Brahmin. I go on Bhakti pheris to spread the liberating message of Svadhyaya. So I am a Bhangi-Brahmin.

Saints

List of prominent historical saints

Name Ethnicity Caste Sect Compositions Other significance
Anayar Tamil Shaiva One of 63 Nayanar Shaivite saints
Andal Tamil Unknown/adopted Vaishnava (devotee or Krishna) Nachiyar Thirumozhi, 143 verses; Thiruppavai, 30 verses. One of the 12 Alwar saints.
Atipattar Tamil Shaiva One of 63 Nayanar Shaivite saints.
Bahiram Chokhamela Marathi Mahar Vaishnava Wrote many Abhangas devoted to Vithal.
Balakdas Marathi Mahar[9] Shaiva Wrote the Mahar Mahatmya declaring Samaji as the patriarch of the Mahars and Shiva as the God of the Mahars.
Banka Mahar Marathi Mahar Vaishnava (devotee of Vithoba) Wrote many Abhangas devoted to Vithal.
Bhagu Marathi Mahar Vaishnava (devotee of Vithoba) Wrote many Abhangas devoted to Vithal.
Binu[10] Bengali Tantrik
Birbhan Hindi Chamar Satnami
Guruchand Thakur Bengali Namasudra Vaishnava (Matua sect devotee of Vishnu) Son of Sri Harichand Thakur, helped organize the Vaishnava Matua sect
Channayya Marathi Mahar[11] Shaiva (Lingayat) A disciple of Basava.[12]
Chokha Mela Marathi Mahar Vaishnava Wrote many Abhangas devoted to Krishna.
Damajipanth Marathi Mahar Vaishnava Wrote many Abhangas devoted to Vithal.
Dasrath Gajbhiye[13] Marathi Vaishnava (Nirguna Sampradaya - Kabir Panthi)
Debendranath Tagore Bengali Brahmo Samaj He was very well versed in Sanskrit and was an extremely important leader of the Brahmo Samaj. His Brahmo Samaji faction became known as the Adi Dharm.
Devi Das Hindi Chamar Satnami A disciple of Jagjivan Das.
Dhanna Hindi Chamar Vaishnava
Ghasidas Hindi Chamar Satnami A prominent achiever of 'Saty' and aided the Satnami movement in Chhattisgarh India. His son, Balak Das was his successor (his memorable historical Jaistambh is in Giroud Puri Dham Disst Raipur Chhattisgarh)
Ghisadas Hindi Ghisa[14] (weaver) Vaishnava (Nirguna Sampradaya - Kabir Panthi)
Harahliah[15] Kannada Shaiva (Virashaiva)
Harichand Thakur (1811–1839) Bengali Namsudra Vaisnavism (Matua devotee of Vishnu) Founded Vaishnava Matua sect to worship Hari and preach Harinam[16] and a few of their songs even recognize Harichand as an avatar of Vishnu[17]
Jagjivan Ram Hindi Aprisya Chamar Satnami (devotee of Krishna) Who went to Calcuttta to become initiated as a Hindu saint [citation needed], and is very well known as a major Dalit and Indian political leader
Jambrish Marathi Mang or Channayya[18]
Jiwan Das Hindi Satnami A saint of the Satnami sect
Jivan Das Gujarati Vaishnava (Kabirpanthi)[19]
Kartanand[20] Punjabi
Kaliar Tamil Oil presser[21] Shaiva Tamil one of 63 Nayanar Shaivite saints
Kanho or Kanhopatra Marathi Mahar courtesan dancer Vaishnava (devotee of Krishna) Wrote many Abhangas devoted to Krishna.
Kapinjalada Chandala According to Mahabharata (Anushasana Parvan 53.13–19)
Karmamelam Marathi Mahar Vaishnava Wrote many Abhangas devoted to Vithal.
Kurippu Tondar[21] Tamil One of 63 Nayanar Shaivite saints
Kurmadas Vaishnava
Lalgir Hindi Sansi Shaiva (Nirguna Sampradaya - Alakhgir) Founded the Alakhgir Shaiva sect that worships Lord Shiva as Alakh or Formless.
Madara Dhulayya Kannada Cobbler Shaiva (Virashaiva)
Malamat Shah Satnami
Malisai[22] Tamil Vaishnava One of the 12 Alwar saints.
Mankai (alias Nilan) Tamil Kalvar (robber)[23] Vaishnava One of the 12 Alwar saints.
Mohini Devi Hindi Chamar[24] Satnami Organized many Chamars.
Munibanan Tamil Sweeper Vaishnava
Namdeo Punjabi Dhobi
Nabhadas Hindi Dom Vaishnava Sant Ramanand's disciple.
Nalai Povar[25] Tamil One of 63 Nayanar Shaivite saints.
Nandanar (Nanthanaar) Tamil Athanuur Shaiva One of 63 Nayanar Shaivite saints. Chidambaram, the main place where Nandanar practiced austerities is now a place where backward castes have their own ashrams and recite the Upanishads in Sanskrit[26]
Nandaram Das Bengali Unknown/adopted Vaishnava (Gaudiya) He was adopted by Kasiram Das (a Kayastha) and he contributed to the Bengali Mahabharata written by Kasiram Das.
Nilakanta Tamil Potter[27] Shaiva One of 63 Nayanar Shaivite saints
Nilakanta Yazhpanar Tamil Pana[28] (Musical instrument player) Shaiva One of 63 Nayanar Shaivite saints
Nirmala Marathi Mahar Vaishnava Wrote many Abhangas devoted to Vithal.
Nulka Chandayya Kannada Mang[29] Shaiva (Lingayat) He was a disciple of Basava.
Pambatti Cittar Tamil Shaiva A Siddhar.
Parshuram Hindi Chamar Vaishnava (Ramnami) Founder of the Ramnami sect in Chhattisgarh
Prasanna Bengali Shakta (devotee of Durga Ma) Disciple of Kalachand.
Pipal Dass Hindi Chamar[30] Punjabi, a follower of Ravi Das Vaishnava (Nirguna Sampradaya - Ravidasi)
Purnananda Bengali Became recognized as a Brahmana.
Ram Das Punjabi Chamar[31] Disciple of Lakhmir.
Ram Naval Hindi Bhangi[32] Vaishnava (Nirguna Sampradaya - Naval Panthi) His successors were Daya Ram Maharaj (his son), Ram Baksh Maharaj and the present-day Badri Ram Maharaj.
Ramsaran Pal Bengali Pal Vaishnava (Kartabhaja) Claimed to be a reincarnation of Krishna.
Ravidas Hindi Chamar Vaishnava (Nirguna Sampradaya - Ravidasi) The Guru of Mirabai. He is said to have taken up his family job of shoe-making and supplied shoes top ascetics. "My caste is low, my lineage is low, and mean is my birth. I have taken shelter, King Rama, says Ravidas the cobbler" (p. 659, Guru Granth Sahib). His disciples are the Ravidasis. He was a disciple of Ramananda, claimed by Harijans to be their master.[33]
Sadna Marathi Butcher
Sakhubai Marathi Vaishnava
Sarwan Dass Punjabi Chamar[30] Follower of Ravi Das and son of Sant Pipal Dass
Satyakam Jabali[34] Servant There is a legend that in Puranic times, Jabali rishi had his ashram in Utkantheshwar, and this is how the city originated.
Shatakopa Tamil Kanjar[35] or Bhiton Alwar devotee, Yamuna Muni declared, "I touch my feet at the holy feet of Shatakopa"
Soot Narrator of the Puranas.
Sooli Cholakka Kannada Concubine[36] Shaiva (Lingayat) She was a disciple of Basava.
Soyarabai Marathi Mahar[37] Sant Chokha Mela's wife
Supach[38] Vaishnava (devotee of Krishna)
Tejananda Gujarati He was known by title "Swami" (priest) and being he is greatly revered and an inspiration, the Dalits of Gujarat have named institutions after him such as the Shri Tejanand Swami Karmakand.
Thykad Ayyavu Swamy Tamil Pariah[39] Kaumara (devotee of Muruga)
Trikam Das Gujarati Vaishnava (Kabirpanthi)[19]
Umaid Ram Maharaj Hindi Bhangi[40] Vaishnava He was a mendicant. His successors were Sukaram Maharaj, Deepa Ram Maharaj and the present-day Mangi Ram Maharaj.
Vakhna Mirasi[41] (sweeper) Vaishnava (Nirguna Sampradaya - Dadu Panthi) He was a disciple of Dadu Dayal.
Valluvar[42] Tamil Sāmbhavan (Corpse-burriers) Shaiva Tirukkural One of 63 Nayanar Shaivite saints, whose Tirukkural is held in high esteem even in modern times.
Vithal Ramji Shinde Marathi Chamar[43] Prartna Samaj A member of the Prartna Samaj and founder of the Depressed Classes Mission organization for the upliftment of backward-caste Hindus.

Maharishis

Saints and sages only can become real advisors to the kings, because they are selfless and possess the highest wisdom. They only can improve the morality of the masses. They alone can show the way to eternal bliss and mortality. Shivaji had Swami Ramdas as his adviser, King Dasaratha had Maharshi Vasishtha as his advisor.

  • Maharshi Naval Ram, Bhangi,[44] a member of the Rajasthani Bhangi caste. He was born in 1840 on the month of Bhadrapad on Wednesday in Harsala village in Nagaur district. His successors were Daya Ram Maharaj (his son), Ram Baksh Maharaj and the present-day Badri Ram Maharaj.
  • Maharishi Vithal Ramji Shinde, Chamar,[45] a member of the Prartna Samaj and founder of the Depressed Classes Mission organization for the upliftment of backward-caste Hindus.
  • Maharishi Soot, narrator of the Puranas.

Avatars

  • Matangi, worshipped as a form of Durga. She was the offspring of Matanga Muni.
  • Tiru Panazhwar or Panalwar, Panan,[46] devotee of Lord Vishnu, considered avatar of spot of Lord Vishnu's chest

Mixed Dalit-Brahmin saints

  • Maharishi Parashara, son of an outcaste woman (Matsyakanya-Satyavathi Devi), was one of the greatest devotees and thinkers in the Hindu
  • Maharishi Vashista, son of a concubine, a guru of Shri Rama.

Other respected sages in Hindu society

  • Namdev Mahar, Mahar,[47] devotee of Sai, lived in Kharagpur
  • Bhagubai, wife of Namdev Mahar,[47] devotee of Sai

See also

References

  1. ^ Dalits and the state, pp. 42, Ghanshyam Shah, Centre for Rural Studies (Lal Bahadur Shastry National Academy of Administration)
  2. ^ Dalit consciousness and Christian conversion: historical resources for a contemporary debate: mission theology in an Asian context, pp. 20, Samuel Jayakumar, I.S.P.C.K. (Organization), Regnum International, 1999
  3. ^ Staging politics: power and performance in Asia and Africa, pp. 179, Julia C. Strauss, Donal Brian Cruise O'Brien, I. B.Tauris, 2007
  4. ^ a b "The Hindus forgot that their great saints and philosophers belonged to low caste's men as Valmiki, Ved Vyas, Sauni, Rom Harshan, Tiru Vallur, Kabir, Raidas, Chokhamela, Namdev, Tukaram...", Dalit Literature, pp. 209, Amar Nath Prasad, Sarup & Sons, 2007
  5. ^ p. 74 From stigma to assertion: untouchability, identity and politics in early and By Mikael Aktor, Robert Deliège
  6. ^ P. 269 Brāhmanism and Hindūism, Or, Religious Thought and Life in India: As Based By Sir Monier Monier-Williams
  7. ^ P. 24 Gujarat Unknown: Hindu-Muslim Syncretism and Humanistic Forays By J. J. Roy Burman
  8. ^ P. 142 Subordinate and Marginal Groups in Early India by Aloka Parasher-Sen
  9. ^ p. 133 Dalit movement in India and its leaders, 1857–1956 by Rāmacandra Kshīrasāgara
  10. ^ P. 17 Principles of Tantra, Volume 2 by Shiva Chandra Vidyārnava Bhattāchārya, Jnanendralal Majumdar, Barada Kanta Majumdar
  11. ^ Murthy, p. 16 Basavanna
  12. ^ Sathyan, p. 242 Karnataka State Gazetteer
  13. ^ p. 84 Dalit movement in India and its leaders, 1857–1956 by Rāmacandra Kshīrasāgara
  14. ^ p. xiii, Scheduled caste welfare: myth or reality, by R. B. Singh
  15. ^ p. 42, Hinduism and Islam in India: caste, religion, and society from antiquity to, by S. V. Desika Char
  16. ^ p. 96, Caste, Culture and Hegemony: Social Domination in Colonial Bengal
  17. ^ p. 100, Caste, Culture and Hegemony: Social Domination in Colonial Bengal
  18. ^ Bhanu, p. 1105 People of India
  19. ^ a b Page 78 The Aryan Path - Volume 8 By Sophia Wadia
  20. ^ p. 1350 The Journal of Asian studies, Volume 67, Issue 4 by Association for Asian Studies, Far Eastern Association (U.S.)
  21. ^ a b p. 52 Nandanar, the Dalit martyr: a historical reconstruction of his times by Sundararaj Manickam
  22. ^ p. 139 A history of Tirupati, Volume 1 by Sakkottai Krishnaswami Aiyangar
  23. ^ p. 159–160 Tamil literature, Volume 2, Part 1 By Kamil Zvelebil
  24. ^ P. 30 India and Nepal: Sacred Centres and Anthropological Researches By Makhan Jha
  25. ^ p. 156 A history of Tamil literature by C. Jesudasan, Hephzibah Jesudasan
  26. ^ Sastri, p. 3 Hindu Feasts, Fasts & Ceremonies
  27. ^ p. 12 The grand epic of Saivism by Cuttān̲anta Pāratiyār, Cēkkilār
  28. ^ p. 135 Some aspects of Kerala and Tamil literature by Mu Irākavaiyaṅkār
  29. ^ P. 384 The Castes and Tribes of H.E.H. the Nizam's Dominions, Volume 1 By Syed Siraj ul Hassan
  30. ^ a b p. 15 Dalits in regional context by Harish K. Puri
  31. ^ p. 415 Glossary of the Tribes and Castes of the Punjab and North West Frontier Province by H. A. Rose, IBBETSON, Maclagan,
  32. ^ p. 149 The Bhangi: a sweeper caste, its socio-economic portraits, by Shyamlal
  33. ^ Singh, p. 98 Leadership Patterns and Village Structure
  34. ^ p. 97 Poisoned bread: translations from modern Marathi Dalit literature by Arjuna Ḍāṅgaḷe
  35. ^ p. 87, Gita Darshan as Bhakti Yoga, as a Chaitanyite Reads it
  36. ^ P. 384 The Castes and Tribes of H.E.H. the Nizam's Dominions, Volume 1 By Syed Siraj ul Hassan
  37. ^ p. 61 Women Saints of East and West By Swami Ghanananda, John Stewart-Wallace
  38. ^ P. 24 Discourses on Two Poems of Saint Paltu by Charan Singh (Maharaj), Charan Singh (Satguru)
  39. ^ p. 352 Dalit movement in India and its leaders, 1857–1956 by Rāmacandra Kshīrasāgara
  40. ^ p. 144 The Bhangi: a sweeper caste, its socio-economic portraits, by Shyamlal
  41. ^ p. 248 Encyclopaedia Of Untouchables: Ancient Medieval And Modern by Raj Kumar
  42. ^ p. 89 Tiruvalluvar by Es Makara-jan
  43. ^ p. 43 Vitthal Ramji Shinde by G. M. Pavāra
  44. ^ p. 149 The Bhangi: a sweeper caste, its socio-economic portraits, by Shyamlal
  45. ^ p. 43 Vitthal Ramji Shinde by G. M. Pavāra
  46. ^ p. 108 Sri Andal, her contribution to literature, philosophy, religion & art: a compilation of lectures during All India Seminar on Andal, 13th to 15th August 1983 By Sri Ramanuja Vedanta Centre (Madras, India)
  47. ^ a b Shepherd, p. 111 Gurus Rediscovered
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