The Saints of Sorath

The Saints of Sorath Guru Gebinath caste not available  sect Nath guru not available Inspirer of the Aapaa tradition which took roots with Aapaa Mepa, who followed him. A cave atop Songadh Hillock (near Thangadh : District Surendranagar) was his abode where he undertook hard penance.           his Temple atop the hillock Songadh Hillock his Cave   Aapaa Mepa caste Prajapati sect Gebinath guru Gebinath    A resident of Thangadh (Dist. Surendranagar), he pursued the profession of a potter and was blessed by Guru Gebinath.   Jhilaniyu lake located between Surajdeval and Songadh Hillock, on the outskirts of Thangadh, where he would be found digging the earth  (for the soil needed for making potteries), praising God all the time. his Samadhi at  Asthal-nee Jagaa, Thangadh      Aapaa Rata caste Kathi sect Gebinath guru Gebinath   A Kathi Darbar from Moldi (near Chotila : Dist. Surendranagar) who, after he came in touch with Aapaa Mepa, trode the path of devotion and service.   Baavan Hanuman Temple at Moldi where he worshipped his farm in the outskirts of Moldi where he went every night to guard the crop and where his lion friends Gangaram and Motiram came to meet him his Samadhi at Moldi   Aapaa Jadra caste Kathi sect Gebinath guru Aapa Mepa       A Kathi Darbar from Songadh (near Thangadh : Dist. Surendranagar) who turned over a new leaf once he realised how great his father-in-law Aapaa Rata really was. Believing him to be a Peer, the sick and the sightless, the crippled and the childless --- all sorts of sufferers, from all sections of the society, came to him for his blessings, which, they thought, could cure them.      Old Songadh atop the hillock his abode his Samadhi at Asthal-nee Jagaa, Thangadh   Aapaa Gorkha caste Kathi sect Gebinath guru Aapa Jadra      son of Aapa Jadra, he furthered and fostered the noble tradition of his worthy father.   Hanuman Temple atop Songadh Hillock where he worshipped The present-day Songadh which he `founded' his Samadhi at Asthal-nee Jagaa, Thangadh            Dan Maharaj caste Kathi sect Gebinath guru Aapa Jadra     Born totally blind, he got his eyesight with the blessings of Aapaa Jadra. He established the Seat at Chalala (Dist. Amreli) where he served the needy and maintained and cared for cows. He also set up the tradition of Anna-Kshetra, a free-food-for-all centre serving Gol-Chokhaa-Ghee (jaggery, rice and ghee) to anyone who came there.    his Belongings Chalala  (Dist. Amreli) his Samadhi       Visaman Bapu caste Kathi sect Gebinath guru Dan Maharaj   Once an outlaw, he took to the path of devotion and service after he met Dan Maharaj. In accordance with his guru's wish he established the Seat at Paliyad (near Botad : Dist. Bhavnagar) and carried on therefrom the tradition of his Guru.      Hall to hold Daayro Paliyad (near Botad : Dist. Bhavnagar) his Samadhi    Aapa Giga caste Gadhai sect Gebinath guru Dan Maharaj    He grew up at Chalala where Dan Maharaj and Visaman Bapu, seeing the spark in him, took him in their wings.  He established the Seat at Satadhar (Dist. Junagadh) which eventually became a centre for Gareeb-Sewaa (service to the poor) and Gau-Sewaa (service to cows). Started the tradition of prasaad of Raab, made from Juvaar (a kind of corn) as  advised by his Guru.     Sandhyaa Aartee (evening prayer) Satadhar  (Dist. Junagadh) his Samadhi can be seen behind the tree       Girnari Sant Velnath Bapu caste Koli sect Nath guru Waghnath       view from Damodar Kund Mount Girnar at Junagadh view from Hasnapur Dam He did Parakamma of Mount Girnar at Junagadh, going round and round the mountain for 12 long years, in course of which he scaled every peak, entered every cave and got to know every tree standing there.            Velavad, near Bhavnath Taleti, Girnar He finally returned to the foot, at Bhaveshwar, and brushed his teeth there with a Daatan --- a soft, thin branch of Banyan tree.  He then split the Daatan into two parts. One of these, which he casually planted nearby, eventually grew into a grand, spreading Banyan tree and came to be known as Vela Vad.       Bhairavjap peak of Girnar where he did hard penance    Velnath-no Veerado one of the seven such water streams near Bhairavjap peak      his Samadhi at Girnar his Samadhi at Khadkhad  (Dist. Amreli)     Ram Dhangad, a dreaded hunter from Dervav (Dist. Junagadh) who, after he happened to meet Saint Velnath, felt inspired to abandon his ruthless deeds.   Later came to be known as Saint Ramaiya, having composed over 300 Bhajans (devotional songs) in his lifetime. Bhajan composed by Saint Ramaiya in praise of his Guru click here to listen ( Jhaverchand Meghani ) click here to listen ( Kandas Bapu )

The Pristine Glow Sant Devidas caste Rabari sect Sanatan guru Jerambharathi    He undertook the noble but daunting task of caring for the critically-ill patients of leprosy who, till then, were humiliated and left to their ultimate fate. Amar Maa and Shardul Bhagat were his disciples.   Dattatreya Dhoono  (encampment for worship) which he kept going Parabvavdi  (Dist. Junagadh) A Majestic Temple constructed over his Samadhi Bhajan composed by Amar Maa click here to listen ( Kandas Bapu ) click here to listen ( Kandas Bapu )       Mekran Dada caste Bhatti Rajput sect Kapdi guru Gangaraja Kapdi   Jee Naam ! --- The words, uttered in a specially prolonged and raised voice, with which he used to greet people.  So characteristic it was that the words became almost his synonym : Its utterance itself became his identity.   He dedicated his entire life to the service of the people around him. Accompanied by his constant, faithful companions --- Lalaram the donkey and Motiram the dog --- he traversed the tough terrain of the drought-prone Kutch region on foot, in the scorching desert sun, to try and quench the thirst of people dying for water.             Birthplace Nani Khombhdi  (near Nakhtrana : Dist. Kutch) Ashapura Mataji Temple at Mata Na Madh  (Dist. Kutch) where Mekran Dada, then a boy of just 12, resolved to tread the pathway to God through service to fellow humans.    Dattatreya Temple in Girnar where Guru Dattatreya is believed to have gifted him Kaavad (a pair of leather bags, hanging in balance, one each from either end of a strong wooden rod) which later became synonymous with him.     He did hard penance, spending 12 years each at  Bilkha,  Jungi,  Lodai and Dhrang establishing at each place a Dhoono (encampment for worship).  Noorsataagar-nee Jagyaa, Bilkha  (Dist. Junagadh)       Jungi  (near Samakhiyali  : Dist. Kutch)   Lodai  (near Dhrang : Dist. Kutch)        The Source Pargatpani  (near Dhrang : Dist. Kutch) The water is harnessed into Havaado (reservoir) for use by the nearby villagers and their cattle where he is believed to have unearthed water from deep down the ground by just a strike of his Trishool. The stream of water keeps coming out there even today !          Samadhi   his Dhoono Dhrang  (near Bhuj : Dist. Kutch) his Samadhi    his belongings including the Kaavad which he used to carry water the well from which he fetched water for the thirsty his Dholio (cot)       While 10 of his dedicated disciples preferred to take Samadhi with him, his two steadfast companions --- Lalaram the donkey and Motiram the dog --- also chose to accompany their master along his 'journey beyond'  Laliyo --- The Treasure of Virtues !          Motiyo --- My Brotherly Strength ! -- Samadhi of Lalaram the donkey and Motiram the dog    Samadhi of his brother Patangsha Peer  who stayed at Jok in Sindh and practiced Muslim religion. On learning that Mekran Dada had taken Samadhi he left for Dhrang.  He stayed here for 6 months before he too took Samadhi.   then      some of the Saakhee (short poems) composed by Mekran Dada explaining the deeper meaning of life        Jesal-Toral Jesal Peer Sati Toral caste Rajput   (Jesal) Kathi    (Toral) sect Maha Panth guru Sati Toral      (Jesal) not available         (Toral)     Chandaji Jesal, a notorious social discard, was persuaded to return to the path of good by Sati Toral, the virtuous wife of Kathi saint Sasatiya, a resident of Kathiawad      Bhajans explaining the deeper meaning of life composed by Jesal Peer and Sati Toral are still throbbing in the hearts of the masses.     click here to listen ( Jhaverchand Meghani ) click here to listen ( Mohanlal Rayani ) Jesal once sneaked into the house of Sasatiya with the intention of stealing the three things Sasatiya prided on : his famed Tori female horse, his Tori sword and his wife Toral. Jesal got caught in the act.   However, the magnanimous Sasatiya, unbelievable as it might sound, gifted Jesal all the three !       Jesal Kund  (near Dhrol : Dist. Kutch) where Jesal rested on his way back home in Kutch along with the three 'gifts'. .It was here that Jesal first got the Parcho (evidence) of the divine powers Toral was believed to be blessed with. She, with this power of hers, could sense the intention Jesal harboured to steal cows as the cattle came to the kund to drink water and dissuaded him from carrying out the sinful idea.         courtesy   Hemant Solanki click here to listen ( Hemu Gadhavi - Dina Gandharv ) Again, while crossing the creek between Kathiawad and Kutch, Jesal-Toral encountered a storm which threatened to overturn their boat. While Jesal paniced, Toral --- as calm and composed as ever --- consoled him, advising him to pray to God with all of his heart and make a clean breast of each one of his past sins. As he started praying as advised by Toral,  the storm slowly weakened and eventually passed off.         click here to listen ( Suman Kalyanpur ) The Bhajan through which Toral, after they safely landed on the bank across,    wised up Jesal to the intricacies of life. click here to listen ( Yashwant Bhatt ) click here to listen ( Imail Valera ) Jesal sang this Bhajan to awaken the unconscious Toral Jesal was all grief as Toral was leaving for Mewar to be at a religious ceremony. He, somehow, had a feeling that it was their last meeting. And so, alas, it turned out : Jesal passed away while Toral was away.     click here to listen ( Dina Gandharv ) Learning about it on her return Toral is believed to have persuaded Jesal to 'wake up'. What about our word to each other --- she as if reminded Jesal in her voiceless utterance ---  to go to the 'world beyond' together ? And, lo, Jesal woke up --- as if from deep slumber  !  They, eventually, took Samadhi together --- true to their word to each other.           Samadhi Samadhi of Tori, Jesal's female horse  Anjar  (Dist. Kutch) Samadhi of Jesal-Toral   then

The Saintly Voices from Sorath    1947  A collection of 104 Bhajans (Devotional Songs) which he jotted down in his notebooks as he moved  places researching  folklore,         When the final proofs of his fairly exhaustive, almost 50-page introduction to the book, already printed, arrived to be finalised by him, Meghani had left this world --- just the night before. Over the few months prior to this he, who was immersed lifelong --- and neck-deep --- in creating literature,   seemed to be leaning towards something which he, as if suddenly, realised he had missed out on :  Saintly Literature --- especially the Devotional Songs. An undercurrent of his inclination for this, though, perhaps flowed underneath his other writings all along.     Indeed, he thereafter stopped writing poetry altogether, realising the literature already there more than echoed his feelings.         Meghani illustrates          Sections in which the Bhajans are classified The Lord and the Land The Pathway of Worship The Nine Ways of Worship The Master Tallest Being Born a Human Loving is Worshipping   Poet-Saints figuring in this collection Aamba Chhathaa Akha Bhagat Raja Amarsinh Bhawanidas Bhojalram Daasee Jeevan  Devaram Devayat Pandit Sant Devidas Dulabh Ganga Sati Raja Gopichand Guru Gorakhnath Harji Bhati Daas Hothi Jesal Peer Jethiram Sant Kabir Lakhiram Likhmauji Mali Sati Loyan Kaaji Mahmad Shah Meera Bai Mahatma Mooldas Morar Saheb Paan Bai Pitha Bhagat Prem Saheb Sant Raidas / Rohidas Sant Ramaiya Ravi Saheb Ravidas Mod Shamal Daas Sati Toral Trikam Saheb   some of the everfresh Bhajans from the collection Names of different singers who have rendered the same particular song appear, under the title of the song, in alphabetical order, left to right. click on the singer's name to listen Ganesh Saakhee (short prayer) with which would start every Bhajan-singing session Abhram Bhagat Kanu Barot Hemant Chauhan Narayan Swami Praful Dave Pranlal Vyas Dayalal Chavda Niranjan Pandya ( Anonymous ) Kanu Barot Bharati P. Vyas Hemant Chauhan Praful Dave Naga Bhagat Parshottam Pari Daas Hothi Hasan Ismail Solanki Sant Kabir Dayalal Chavda Hemant Chauhan Kalyandas Mesvaniya Morar Saheb Hemant Chauhan Devaram Hemant Chauhan Ravi Saheb Kanu Barot Narayan Swami Yashwant Bhatt Hemant Chauhan Karsan Sagathia Lakhiram Hemant Chauhan Karsan Sagathia Niranjan Pandya Jethiram Hemant Chauhan Kandas Bapu Meera Bai Ismail Valera Narayan Swami Yashwant Bhatt Osman Mir Raja Gopichand Kaumudi Munshi - Yashwant Bhatt Meena Patel - Praful Dave Anuradha Paudwal - Mahendra Kapoor Meera Bai Narayan Swami Praful Dave Devayant Pandit Osman Mir Sati Toral Kanu Barot Mohanlal Rayani Kandas Bapu Likhmauji Mali Hemu Gadhavi Master Suleman Yashwant Bhatt Bharati P. Vyas Sati Toral Master Laloo Dina Gandharv Praful Dave Suman Kalyanpur Karsan Sagathia Daasee Jeevan Mugatlal Joshi Hemant Chauhan Jagmal Barot Dr. Niranjan Rajyaguru Ravi Saheb Mugatlal Joshi Pranlal Vyas Vana Jetha Odedara Sant Devidas Dayalal Chavda Hemant Chauhan Sati Loyan Hemant Chauhan Sati Loyan Dayalal Chavda Hemant Chauhan Morar Saheb Dayalal Chavda Lalita Ghodadra Jethiram Mugatlal Joshi Niranjan Pandya Vana Jetha Odedara Guru Gorakhnath Purshottam Upadhaya Daasee Jeevan Mohanlal Rayani Narayan Swami Praful Dave Shamal Daas Kanu Barot Karsan Sagathia Nebha Vinja Parmar Ganga Sati Hemu Gadhavi Mugatlal Joshi Narayan Swami Hemant Chauhan Niranjan Pandya Praful Dave Damyanti Bardai Meena Patel Rajul Mehta Pamela Jain Poonam Barot Morar Saheb Purshottam Upadhaya Suman Kalyanpur ( Anonymous ) Amarnath Nathji Sati Toral - Jesal Peer Dina Gandharv - Hemu Gadhavi Diwaliben Bhil Jesal Peer Hemu Gadhavi Ismail Valera Narayan Swami Dharamshi Raja Praful Dave Pranlal Vyas Hemant Chauhan Karsan Sagathia Bhawanidas Hemant Chauhan Mehul Chauhan Trikam Saheb Ismail Valera Kanu Barot Mahendra Kapoor Pranlal Vyas Meera Bai Abhram Bhagat Harish Bhatt Kandas Bapu Pranlal Vyas Saroj Gundani Karsan Sagathia Ganga Sati Mugatlal Joshi Kandas Bapu Narayan Swami Hemant Chauhan Sant Raidas / Rohidas Karsan Sagathia Mukta Dave Praful Dave Ganga Sati Mugatlal Joshi Kandas Bapu Narayan Swami Kaaji Mahmad Shah Kanu Barot Narayan Swami Karsan Sagathia Pranlal Vyas Harji Bhati Dula Bhagat Hemant Chauhan Naga Bhagat Praful Dave Likhmauji Mali Mugatlal Joshi Narayan Swami Jagmal Barot Ganga Sati Mugatlal Joshi Narayan Swami Damyanti Bardai Lalita Ghodadra Meena Patel Kavita Krishnamurthy              Guru Gorakhnath   Considered to be the 9th and the last Nath of the Nath Sect, he composed Bhajans which got adapted in Gujarati too.   Gorakhpur (Uttar Pradesh) his place Gorakhnath peak in Mount Girnar where he did penance      Sant Kabir   A weaver by profession, he composed and sang devotional songs, which came naturally to him as he wove for his livelihood. He showed, by example, that one could worship even while working and carrying on the daily duties of life. He further showed --- by example again --- that what finally mattered was one's deeds in life rather than one's birth. His influence was not limited to any religion or sect and he is revered even today by Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs alike.   Lahartala Lake at Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh) where he was `found' Kabir Chaura at Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh) his workplace Maghar (near Gorakhpur : Uttar Pradesh) his Samadhi     The Kabir Vad standing tall on the bank of river Narmada (near Bharuch) which Sant Kabir is said to have visited.`         Sant Raidas / Rohidas While pursuing his profession of washing skins of dead animals before use as leather, the down-to the-earth saint composed Bhajans.   Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh) his birthplace Raidas Kund at Sarsai  (near Visavadar : Dist. Junagadh) where he stayed during his sojourn in Saurashtra      Ravi-Bhan Tradition Bhan Saheb      It was he who took up the torch of Sant Kabir in Gujarat and eventually founded the Ravi-Bhan tradition.     He travelled extensively across Gujarat along with his team of 40 disciples called the Bhan Faujh (Army)   A well-known verse roll calling the members of the Bhan Faujh   Varahi  (near Radhanpur : Dist. Banaskantha) his native place Sherkhi (near Vadodara) the first Seat he founded Kamijala  (near Viramgam : Dist. Ahmedabad) his Samadhi Bund Taking the Ravi-Bhan tradition further ... Khim Saheb son of Bhan Saheb Dariyaasthaan at Rapar  (Dist. Kutch) his Seat Dariyaasthaan at Rapar  (Dist. Kutch) his Samadhi Trikam Saheb disciple of Khim Saheb Chitrod (near Rapar : Dist. Kutch) his Seat Dariyaasthaan at Rapar  (Dist. Kutch) his Samadhi Bhim Saheb disciple of Trikam Saheb his Samadhi at Amaran  (near Morbi  : Dist. Jamnagar) Daasee Jeevan disciple of Bhim Saheb his birthplace Ghoghavadar  (near Gondal : Dist. Rajkot) his Samadhi He composed devotional songs imagining himself to be a Daasee (female attendant) of the Lord. Prem Saheb disciple of Daasee Jeevan his Samadhi at Kotda Sangani  (Dist. Rajkot) Naad Taking the Ravi-Bhan tradition further ... Ravi Saheb disciple of Bhan Saheb Sherkhi (near Vadodara) his Seat Khambhalida  (Dist. Jamnagar) his Samadhi Morar Saheb disciple of Ravi Saheb Khambhalida  (Dist. Jamnagar) his Seat Khambhalida  (Dist. Jamnagar) his Samadhi Hothi Saheb disciple of Morar Saheb Morbi Balambha  (Dist. Jamnagar) in alphabetic order Akha Bhagat Jetalpur (near Ahmedabad) his birthplace A Vedanti and a hard-hitting social reformer, he innovatively used a more effective  poetic form -- Chhappaa -- to achieve his goal. Desai-nee Pol, Khadia, Ahmedabad where he spent most of his working life.    Aamba Chhathaa Balak Swami Temple at Mesvan considered to be the fountainhead of Mesvaniya tradition where he is believed to have taken Samadhi. Believed to be his footprints at Balak Swami Temple at Mesvan   (Dist. Junagadh) The temple at Dudhrej (near Surendranagar) founded by his elder brother Shatpragyna Swami   Bhawanidas Bhawanidas (right) with his Guru Jodhal Peer (left) Vankarvaas, Dholka (near Ahmedabad) his birthplace He was, like Kabir, a weaver by profession. Words and ambience associated with his daily working life, thus, naturally and effortlessly got woven into his poetry. He played Dokad, a sort of a drum, and even danced passionately as he sang.  Dholka (near Ahmedabad) his Samadhi      Bhoja Bhagat Fatehpur (near Amreli) his Seat No less a social reformer than a saint, he resorted  to another poetic form for his purpose : Chaabakhaa  (whip). He took Samadhi at Virpur in accordance with the wishes of his disciple Jalaram Bapa            Devayat Pandit Among his disciples were Devtankhi Luhaar and his daughter Liralbai, residents of Majevdi  (near Junagadh), who were great devotees and noble souls themselves. He excelled in songs foreseeing the future and widely used Aagam, a poetic form suitable for the purpose. Koliyak (near Bhavnagar) He along with his wife Devalde is believed to have taken Samadhi near Koliyak    Lakhiram his Bhajans came to be known as `Lakheeraam-naa Pyaalaa'    Mahatma Mooldas Amodara  (near Una : Dist. Junagadh) his birthplace People called him Mahatma for the services he rendered to the society. Amreli his Samadhi     Pitha Bhagat his Samadhi at Junaa Vankarvaas, Vanthali (near Junagadh) Once an outlaw, he took to the path of devotion some Saints from Rajasthan whose Bhajans got into Gujarati in course of time Harji Bhati Harji Bhati (left) with his Guru Baba Ramdev Peer Chief disciple of Baba Ramdev Peer   Ramdevra, Rajasthan his memorial in the premises of the Samadhi temple of his Guru Panditjee-kee-Dhaanee (near Osiya), Rajasthan his Place and Samadhi         Likhmauji / Likhmidas Mali     A descendent of Baba Ramdev Peer tradition   Badakee-Bastee at Chenaar in Nagaur his birthplace Amarpura village (near Nagaur), Rajasthan Kuvo (well) where he sat singing Bhajans Amarpura his Samadhi       some Women saints who tried to seek unison with God by singing in praise of Him with deep devotion and intense emotion. Meera Bai   Hailing from a high royal Rajput family of Rajasthan, she got deeply immersed in the worship of Krishna from the very childhood. She composed songs in Marwari, Vraj and Gujarati and sang these too in the melodious voice she was gifted with.   The place where she was born Kudki (near Merta City), Rajasthan her birthplace Krishna Temple in the fort courtesy  Meerabai Smaarak, Merta City, Rajasthan Fort at Merta City, Rajasthan where she stayed with her grandparents after the death of her parents It is, now, Meerabai Smaarak, a museum raised in her memory Shri Chaturbhujnath Temple at Merta City, Rajasthan where she worshipped as a young girl and where, now, stands a temple in her memory too. Kanwar Pada Palace a part of Kumbha Palace where she stayed Chittorgarh, Rajasthan where she settled after her marriage with Bhojraj, the eldest son of Rana Sangha, who ruled Mewar Kumbha Shyam Temple later named Meera Temple since she worshipped there regularly    Dwarka, Gujarat where she is believed to have spent the later part of her life         Ganga Sati   While her saintly husband Kahalsang Bhagat opted for a death-by-choice by taking Samaadhi, he disuaded her from her wish to join him in the journey to the next world. She would do well, he advised, to live a little longer instead and train Paan Bai for the life ahead.  She chose to do this through devotional songs, which she composed, one every day, for the next 52 days, interpreting life and unlocking the secrets thereof.      Rajapara  (Dist. Bhavnagar) her birthplace Samadhiyala (Dist. Bhavnagar) her Samadhi         Sati Loyan Atkot (Dist. Rajkot) her birthplace Bordevi Temple atop Mount Girnar from where she is believed to have left for the world beyond Lakha, the king of Atkot who used to harass her, later repented his misbehaviour and returned to the right path.  He even showed a sincere desire to learn about spirituality, whereupon Sati Loyan, in the 84 devotional songs she wrote addressing Lakha, explained the subtlties of life.