Saadhna

A butcher by profession, Saadhna was born in the village of Sehvaan (Sindh) and was a contemporary of Naamdev. One ballad is attributed to Saadhna in the Adi Guru Durbar. Saadhna died at Sirhind (Punjab).

Saadhna
An old painting of Saadhna surrounded
by a congregation of followers and singing devotional Hymns

Beni

Although the dates of Beni's existance are not known precisely, the language he uses ascribes him to an early period in history. He is mentioned in Bhai Gurdas Ji's Vaaran as a soul who devoted himself entirely to the service of the Almighty:

3 of his hymns can be found in Adi Guru Durbar and speak of cultivating love for the Almighty and being against hippocrisy.

Ramanand (1366 to 1467)

Ramanand was the son of Bhoor Karm (father) and Sushila (mother) born in a village in Uttar Pardesh. He was placed in the schooling of Archaarya Raagvand, a follower of the Sadhu Varn Asharam who believed that lower castes were not allowed to pray to the Almighty.

Ramanand
Leader of the Ramanuj sect, he was the fifth in line from
the Ramanuj, a great Hindu Sadhu (holy man). Today the
followers of this sect are known as 'Ramanandis' or 'Raamvats'

However, this all changed under the guidance of Swami Raghvcharya of the Ramanuj Movement (circa 1017 to 1137), where Ramanand became a devotee of Raam. Preaching his teachings at Kanshi (Varnasi, also known as "Benaras), a centre for devotees of the Bhakti movement, many great saints such as Ravidas, Sain, Dhanna, Pipa and Kabir came to listen avidly.

Amongst his works are 'Sri Ramrachan Padti', 'Matnbuj Baskar' and 'Sri Vaishnav'. One of his ballads can be found in the Adi Guru Durbar that speaks of the Almighty being everywhere, and not being isolated to a place or as a possesion of a peoples.

Ramayan
A painting depicting a scene from the epic Ramayan where
Lord Raam defeats the demon King Ravan with the help of the monkey army

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