The Multifarious Faces of Sikhism
throughout Sikh History
Page 3 of 3
Divaneh
Sadh cont'd
In 1823, Bava Ram Das Marhban
established his ‘Dera’
(base) in Patiala where he and his followers
gained great respect, patronage and homage from
the Sikh King of Patiala, Maharaja Narinder
Singh. In 1802, Bava Ramdas wrote a
text, published in 1981 under the title of ‘Udasin
Divaneha Da Granth’ (the book
of Udasi Divaneh).
Maharaja Narinder Singh of Patiala The Maharaja, seen here riding on an
elephant with his army and attendants, circa
early 19th century
The relationship between Divaneh Sadh and Udasis,
if not fully established from onset, was certainly
fully established by the times of Sikh kingdoms
in the 19th century. Piara Singh Padam in his
text ‘Sikh Sampardavali’,
(Pa. 94), quotes Bava Ram Das thus:
‘Terhban was their
great Guru. He was known in the seven continents
[all the world]. His Guru, the entire world
knew. They were revealed in the
accordance with God’s will. There
[Baba Terhban’s] Guru, was said to
be Siri Chand.’
‘Guru Parnali’, 1981, Pa. 1196-1197
Bhai Kanh Singh Nabha wrote:
‘Divaneh Sadhu are
counted amongst the Udasis. Their spiritual
text is Siri Guru Granth Sahib.’ ‘Mahan
Kosh’, by Bhai Kahn Singh Nabha, 1930,
Pa. 636
Divaneh Sadh flourished up to the times of
Sikh kingdoms. Eventually, their distinctive
entity merged with the Udasis with the coming
of British Raj. Nirmala Pandit Ganesha Singh
wrote:
‘This sect flourished
in the days of Sikh kingdoms but now has
declined. To this day their signs
are on head hat of peacock feathers, around
neck necklace of conch shells, on shoulder
wooden pestle, beating drums and dancing
well, their Isht [Guru’s Guru] is
Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Mantra of
Satnam they teach to contemplate, wear saffron
color clothes their character is of holy
men, they are humble and meet with all.’ ‘Bharat Mat Darpan’,
by Pandit Ganesha Singh Nirmala, 1926, Pa.
176-177
Udasis
Two anonymous Udasi Sadhus at Hardwar, circa
early 20th century
