Kabir Panth

The tradition & historical record

Kabir Panth is a Sant tradition based on the teachings of the 15th-century mystic poet Kabir. It emphasizes devotion to a formless God, equality, and rejection of ritualism and social divisions. The followers of Kabir Panth are spread across India and abroad, and their population is generally considered to be in the millions. Kabir Panth (transl. Path of Kabir) is a Sant Mat denomination and philosophy based on the teachings of the 15th century saint and poet, Kabir. It is based on devotion to him as one guru as a means to salvation. The adherents of Kabir Panth are from many religious backgrounds as Kabir never advocated change of religions but highlighted their limitations. According to some scholars, this tradition belongs to the Hindu denomination of Vaishnavism with Sufi and universalist leanings. In respect of Kabir, his followers celebrate Kabir Jayanti. ¹

Kabir did not found any distinct sect during his lifetime; however, after his death, two of his disciples, Dharamdas and Suratigopal, established centres (known as maṭh) for the propagation of his teachings. Among these, the lineage associated with Dhani Dharamdas Saheb is regarded as one of the traditions within Kabir Panth. According to traditional accounts, Kabir Saheb is believed to have blessed Dhani Dharamdas Saheb with the continuation of the lineage through forty-two generations (Bayalis Vansh). This lineage, commonly referred to as the Kabir Dharamdas Vanshavali, is associated with a Main guru seat (gaddi) within the Kabir Panth tradition. ¹

Among its major branches, the lineage of Dhani Dharamdas is regarded as one of the most prominent. Dharamdas, a chief disciple of Kabir, played a central role in organizing and propagating the Kabir Panth tradition. this branch name is Kabir Dharmdas Vanshavali According to tradition, Kabir blessed Dharamdas with the continuation of “forty-two lineages” (atal bayalis vansh), which became the basis of the Dharamdasi lineage system. Dhani Dharamdas’ son, Chudamani (Muktamani) Nam Saheb, is regarded as the first lineage guru (Vanshguru) of this tradition. The Kabir Dharm Nagar Damakheda (Dhamkhera) seat in present-day Chhattisgarh serves as a center of the Kabir Dharmdas Vanshavali branch of Kabir Panth. According to records from the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, the Dharamdas lineage includes a structured succession of 42 lineages and acharyas, listing spiritual leaders from Muktamani Nam Saheb to currently acharyas such as Grindhmuni nam sahab Prakashmuni Naam Saheb and Udit Muni Naam Saheb . ¹

Chudamani (Muktamani) Naam Saheb – First Vansh Guru Sudarshan Naam Saheb Kulpati Naam Saheb Pramod Guru Balapir Naam Saheb Keval Naam Saheb Amol Naam Saheb Surati Sanehi Naam Saheb Hakk Naam Saheb Paak Naam Saheb Pragat Naam Saheb Dheeraj Naam Saheb Ugra Naam Saheb Daya Naam Saheb Grindhmuni Naam Saheb Prakashmuni Naam Sahab Udit Muni Naam sahab(Present) Dharamdas lineage guru would slightly later found the Damakheda maṭh (also known as māī meaning "mother) located in modern-day Chhattisgarh. It conducted missionary activities in central India and had branches located in Raipur, Bilaspur, and Chindawara. ¹

Surat Gopal first founded the Kabir Chaura maṭh (also known as bāp meaning "father") in Varanasi. It conducted missionary activities in Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar and had a branch located at Magahar. ¹

Adherents must disavow polytheism, reject the consumption of alcohol, bathe daily whilst praising God, and maintain a strict vegetarian diet. They should allow those who sin against them up to three chances of forgiveness. Kabirpanthis greet with the phrase Bandagī (meaning "salutation to you"). Furthermore, followers are instructed to avoid the company of women whom are ill-natured, never disavow their wife from their property, never tell a lie, never steal, never give false testimony against another person, and never negatively gossip about others. Hindu Kabirpanthis recite the name Raam whilst Muslim Kabirpanthis use the name Khuda as an appellation for God. Lay Kabirpanthis are led by a mahant. A Kabirpanthi mahant is adorned in special garbs, such as a conical cap, a necklace known as a kanthi, a rosary of tulsi (sweet basil), and clothing that is white or brownish-red in colour. Mahants may have a tilak (frontal mark) of the Vaishnavite tradition. The frontal mark may also be a streak along the ridge of their nose using sandal or gopichandan paste. Mahants are not obliged to remain celibate and some marry. Kabir Panthis can follow the ethical and social customs of the day according to tradition without hindrance. Lay persons can be cremated according to Hindu law and priests can be buried or cremated depending upon which tradition one wishes to follow. In the Caribbean and across North America, Kabir Panthis may opt for burning or burial. Kabir Panthis observe sanctity and purity in their daily lives and behavior. ¹

The text above is adapted from the Wikipedia article “Kabir panth”, available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 licence. ¹

Kabir Panth is vaishnava Hindu sect, according to the structured record cited below. This entry was generated automatically from that record and has not yet been reviewed by a person familiar with the tradition. ²

The source record links this tradition to 2 external registers, which can be verified through the citation. ²