Śudra Hindu Saints
Śudra Hindu saints
(Redirected from Sudra Hindu saints)
By Himanshu Bhatt
Sometimes transliterated as: Sudra Hindu saints, Zudra Hindu saints, shudra Hindu saints
Śudra Hindu saints have been influential in Hindu history through their devotion to God Almighty became Hindu saints. They not only challenged barriers to become recognized as saints but encouraged Indian Hindus to not accept the caste system as valid, and that a person, whether Sudra or not, can be pure through their positive karma.
While Vedas were śastras that most Brahmins claimed as theirs to preach and interpret, sages like Badari taught that even Śudras have the legitimacy to do so, and many Śudras and Avarnas were taught the Vedas even in ancient times such Raikva did with his pupil Janasruti Pautrayana.[1] However, in the case of Gulabrao Maharaj the Kunbi, he taught the Vedas to Brahmins.
Also, saint-gurus like Potuluri Swami and Saint Tukaram had Brahmins as their disciples. Saint Tukaram was the guru of Saint Bahinabai, while Saint Bullah Sahib the Kunbi was the guru of Saint Bhikha Sahib the Brahmin. Devara Dasimayya had several Brahmin disciples. Kabir was the guru of Brahmin Suratgopal and Jagudas[2] Further Some Śudra saints were even the gurus of kings, as is the case of Dhoyi for Bengali King Lakshman Sen, Pambatti was the guru of Brahmin Sri Paramahaṅsa, Goraksanath was guru and later husband of princess Karpatinatha, Ramananda Raya for Oriya King Prataparudradeva, and Sena Nhavi was the guru of the Raja of Bandhogarh,[3] and Namdev was the guru of King Mahadaji Shinde. Even Lord Rama in the Valmiki Rāmāyana had paid reverence to Śudra Matanga and his disciple Śabari.[4]
Some orthodox Hindu scriptures even describe God Almighty incarnating as a Sudra. An example is when Viṣṇu manifested as a Śudra and Harijan in the Srimad Bhāgavatamwhere the God as the trinity of Brahmā, Viṣṇu, and Śiva incarnates as a Brahmin, Śudra, and Harijan to test Rantideva.[5]v Yama is also said to incarnate as the Śudra Vidura.[6]
Saint Veerabrahmam says to his sons by using examples of Valmiki and Vaṣiṣṭha on attaining Brahminhood:
"One, though born a Śudra, acquiring spiritual knowledge should be treated as Brahmin and one, even if born of Brahmin womb, would only qualify to rank as Śudra, if found lacking such knowledge. Śudra and Brahmana arise not by birth but by deed."
Some Brahmin castes trace lineage to Śudras. For example, the Brahmin warrior Parshurama made Kaivarta[7] along the Maharashtrian coast Brahmins.[8] The Brahmin groups that claim receiving Brahminhood from Parashurama are the Chitpavans and Kokanasthas. Likewise, the Matti Brahmins of Surat[9] and amongst Kanara people of Karnataka have the tradition of Matsya origin. Shenavi Brahmins of Maharashtra too claim to descend from Parshurama's selected fishermen. Kerala's Namboothiri Brahmins are also believed to descend from fishermen that were selected by Parashurama. Vyasokta Brahmins of Bengal claim in one account claim descent from Vyasa's disciples that were fishermen originally, and they serve the Kaivartas and Mahiṣyas castes. There are also Brahmin communities that serve Śudras for Hindu ceremonies. The Madhyasreni Brahmans of Bengal serve Nabasakha castes, like potters, barbers and blacksmiths. The Rapali Brahmins of Bengal serve Rapalis.[10] The Mali Brahmins serve Malis. Chamarwa Brahmins serve Chamars. Dakaut Brahmins descend from a union between a Brahman man and a Kumharni Śudra or out-caste princess of Kashmir named Bhandli, and are also referred to a 'Gujrati'. Even persons of non-Brahmin parentage have gone to become Brahmins, such as Kayavya the son of a Kshatriya male and Nisada mother. Other examples of Śudras that became Brahmin are Rom Harshan Suta Maharaja, the narrator of several the Puranas, and Satya Kam Jabali, who was conferred Brahminhood by Gautama Swami. Matanga was another Sudra of the Barber caste that received Brahminhood for his asceticism. Other revered ancient saints mentioned as Śudra by birth that became Brahmins are Datta[11], Prince Datta[12], Matsya, Vaibhandaka, and Purnananda. Kanha was person who became a rishi and used his powers to save his life from King Oka, and Kanha is ancestor of Kanhayanas.[13]
Further, there are Brahmin gotras that claim descent from sages of Sudra backgrounds. For example, Parasara is a gotra, as is Vyasa, and Vatsa is another, of whom the descendants are known as Vatsyayana. Matanga is another gotra and a scholarly Brahmin named Kashyapa Matanga was of this lineage. Shabara (or Shavara) is also a gotra amongst the Brahmins and it refers to forest tribals from whom Brahmins of this ancestry came. Jabala is another modern day gotra which claims descent from Satyakama Jabala, who was given the sacred thread ceremony by Gautama Rishi.
Sage Parasara advises King Janaka:
In some places, such as the sacred Kashi , priestly specialists of Sudra castes work with Brahmins in performing ceremonies, and the Śudra castes normally include Nai, Kurmi, Keori, Kahar, Teli, Halwai, Mali, and Manjai.[14]
Saintly development amongst Śudras
| Of the irrelevance of caste, especially in terms of religion Basava Swami said the following:[15] | In the Bhakti Era, saints from menial occupations continued work in their menial positions while also challenging barriers and worship God. The Varkari sect Saint Eknath writes of the non-Dwija saints:[16] | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
List of prominent saints
Some prominent saints were of diverse caste backgrounds. Chandidas, the Bengali had married Rami a washerwoman. Jayadeva married Padmavati the dancer. Sundardas had married a courtesan.
| Name | Ethnicity | Caste | Sect | Compositions | Other significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acyutananda | Oriya | Gopa (Cowherd) | Vaiṣnava(devotee of Kṛṣṇa) | Gopalanka Gita, Baran Charita Gitā, and Sabdobrahmo. | One of the five Panchasakhas, born in Tilakana (Cuttack district in Orissa),[17] major figure of Vaiṣnavism, and was the patron saint of Gopalas (cow-hearders), Kaivartas (fishermen), Kamaras (blacksmiths). His disciples were people from all castes, including a Nanda (Blacksmith), Naran (Blacksmith), Rama (Blacksmith), and Ramadas (Potter.) He has several followers, such as 140 at Kasi Muktiswar grama and 110 at Chitranga tota. |
| Adipattan | Tamil | Fisherman[18] | Śaiva | One of 63 Nayanar Śaivite saints. | |
| Aidakki Marayya | Kannada | Grain-picker | Śaiva (Lingayat) | A disciple of Basava. | |
| Akho | Guajrati | Sonar (Goldsmith) | Vaiṣnava(Nirguna Sampradaya - Kabir Panth) | Akhe-gita. | |
| Algai | Tamil | Śaiva | |||
| Ambigara Caudayya | Kannada | Ambiga or Kabbera[19] | Śaiva (Lingayat) | He was one of the disciples of Basava. | |
| Anirudh | Ahomi | Vaiṣnava (Moamaria) | He founded the Moamaria Vaiṣnava sect and was a part of the rebellion against the ruling dynasty that governed Ahom. | ||
| Appanna | Kannada | Barber | Śaiva (Lingayat) | A disciple of Basava. | |
| Baladeb Mahity | Oriya | Karan[20] | Vaiṣnava | ||
| Bachi Rajayya | Kannada | Carpenter[19] | Śaiva (Lingayat) | He was one of the disciples of Basava. | |
| Badihori Brahmayya | Kannada | Cowherd[19] | Śaiva (Lingayat) | He was one of the disciples of Basava. | |
| Balaram Das | Oriya | Bauri[21] Sudra Muni | Vaiṣnava (devotee of Kṛṣṇa) | He wrote the Sidhanta Damaru, Jagmohan Rāmāyana, and some commentaries | One of the five Panchasakhas, born in Orissa and a major figure of Vaiṣnavism.,[22] |
| Bhima Dhibara | Oriya | Dhibara (Fisherman)[23] | Vaiṣnava | He wrote the Kapata-pasha, which re-tells the aftermath of the Mahābhārata. | |
| Bhoja Bhagat Nachabkha (also Bhojaram) | Gujarati | Kunbi[24] | Vaiṣnava (devotee of Kṛṣṇa) | Wrote artis, dholas, kafis, kirtans, mahinas, prabhatias, tithis and varas. | He was the guru of saints Jalaram and Valamram. |
| Bogar | Tamil | Goldsmith[25] | Śaiva | Siddhar who became a Siddhar under the guidance of Kalanginaathar. It is said that he proceeded to China to teach the ways of the Siddhars. There is a myth that Lao Tze is Bogar. Bogar’s Samadhi is to be found in the South West corridor at the Palani Muruga shrine. | |
| Bullah Sahib (also Bulaqi Ram) | Hindi | Kunbi[26] | Vaiṣnava | ||
| Charan Pal | Bengali | Gopi (Milkman)[27] | Vaiṣnava (Sahebdhani) | The disciple of Dukhiram Pal, who founded the Sahebdhani Vaishnava sect. | |
| Dandi | Tamil, | Digger | Śaiva | ||
| Chaudayya | Kannada | Ferryman | Śaiva (Lingayat) | A disciple of Basava. | |
| Devara Dasimayya | Kannada | Weaver[19] | Śaiva (Lingayat) | He was one of the disciples of Basava. | |
| Dhanurdasa (also Urangavilli) | Tamil | Dasar | Vaiṣnava (Sri Vaiṣnava) | He was a disciple of Rāmānuja. | |
| Dohara Kakkaya | Kannada | Dhor[19] | Śaiva (Lingayat) | He was one of the disciples of Basava. | |
| Dhoyi | Bengali | Weaver[28] | Vaiṣnava | He wrote the Pavana-duta and his other verses are also found in the anthologies like Sadukti-Karnamrita, Subhashita-muktavali, and Sarangadhara-paddhati. | He belonged to the court of Lakshman Sen, the King of Bengal. |
| Dukhiram Pal (also Mulicarid Pal) | Bengali | Gopi (Milkman)[29] | Vaiṣnava (Sahebdhani) | Founder of the Sahebdhani Vaiṣnava sect and took Muslims as disciples as well. | |
| Dadu Dayal | Gujarati | Dhunia (Cotton-carder)[30] | Vaiṣnava (Nirguna Sampradaya - Dadu Panth) | Founded Dadu Panth, and tried to bridge gap between Hindus and Muslims. | |
| Edaikkadar | Tamil | Cowherd | Śaiva | He was one of the eighteen Siddhars. | |
| Enadinatha | Tamil | Shanar (Toddy-tapper)[31] | Śaiva | ||
| Enath | Tamil | Swordsman | Śaiva | ||
| Gadge Maharaj(also Debuji Zhingraji Janorkar) | Marathi | Kunbi[32] | Vaiṣnava (devotee of Viṭhala) | ||
| Gorakhnath | Oriya | Fisherman or Farmer[33] | Śaiva (Nāth Sampradaya) | He was the disciple of Matsyendranāth and is also worshiped by Śaivas, Vaiṣnavas, Tantrics and Buddhists. Legends of him exist not only throughout most of India, but also Afghanistan and Sri Lanka. | |
| Gopabai | Marathi | Kasar Sonar (Goldsmith) | Vaiṣnava (Varkari) | She wrote many Abhangas devoted to Viṭhala. | |
| Goroba Kumbhar | Marathi | Kumhar (Potter)[34] | |||
| Gulabrao Maharaj | Marathi | Kunbi[35] | He taught the Vedas to the Brahmins, and accomplished much though being a blind person. | ||
| Gundayya | Kannada | Potter[19] | Śaiva (Lingayat) | He was one of the discples of Basava. | |
| Hadapad Rechanna | Kannada | Barber | Śaiva (Lingayat[36]) | A disciple of Basava. | |
| Ilakkulaccanrar | Tamil | Śanar[37](Toddy-tapper) | Śaiva | ||
| Jagannath Mahiti | Oriya | Karan[38] | Vaiṣnava | ||
| Kashinath Mahiti | Oriya | Karan[39] | Vaiṣnava | His name is mentioned in the Vaiṣnavabandanas of Jiva Goswami. | |
| Chaudayya | Kannada | Ferryman | Śaiva (Lingayat) | A disciple of Basava. | |
| Ketayya | Kannada | Basket-maker | Śaiva (Lingayat) | He was one of the disciples of Basava. | |
| Kola Santayya | Kannada | Śaiva (Lingayat) | He was one of the disciples of Basava. | ||
| Kotayya | Kannada | Burud[19](Bamboo-workers) | Śaiva (Lingayat) | He was one of the disciples of Basava. | |
| Kumari Molla | Telugu | Molla (Potter)[40] | Vaiṣnava (devotee of Rama) | Wrote the Ramayanumu. | |
| Kabir | Hindi | Julaha (Weaver)[41] | Vaiṣnava (Nirguna Sampradaya - Kabir Panth) | He tried to bring peace between Hindus and Muslims. He is revered as one of India's greatest saints and philosophers by all Indians. | |
| Kaka Bhusundar | Ahomi | Vaiṣnava (devotee of Rāma) | Bhusundi Rāmāyana | ||
| Kala Kumbhar | Marathi | Kumbhar (Potter) | Vaiṣnava (devotee of Viṭhala) | ||
| Kaliyan | Tamil | Oil-monger[42] | Śaiva | ||
| Kanakadas | Kannada | Kuruba[43] or Beda[44] | Vaiṣnava (devotee of Kṛṣṇa and Beeraiah) | ||
| Kahar | Weaver | Vaiṣnava (devotee of Viṣṇu)[45] | |||
| Kamalamuni | Tamil | Kuravar | Śaiva | He is one of the eighteen Siddhars. | |
| Kuba | Punjabi | Kumhar (Potter)[46] | Vaiṣnava | ||
| Kanchipurna[47](also Kacchi Nambi) | Tamil | Vaiṣnava (devotee of Viṣṇu) | He was a disciple of Yamunacarya and due to he saintly character and devotion, he himself is worshiped as Varadarajan at Viṣṇu Kanchi. | ||
| Kandadai Ramanuja Dasar | Tamil | Vaiṣnava (Sri Vaiṣnava) | He was a disciple of Ramanuja. | ||
| Kinnari Bamayya | Kannada | Musician | Śaiva (Lingayat) | A disciple of Basava. | |
| Kuripputondar | Tamil | Vannan (Washerman)[48] | Śaiva | ||
| Kuber Sarkar | Bengali | Gopa | Vaiṣnava (Sahebdhani) | Successor of Charan Pal. | |
| Kukkuti Siddha | Ahomi | Śaiva | He was closely associated with Minanath and was an inspiration to Matsyendranath. | ||
| Madhava Kandali(also Madhavadeva) | Ahomi | Hira | Vaiṣnava (Ekasarana Dharma) | He was the chief disciple of Śankardev and preached the message Vaiṣnavism to gain devotees.[42] | |
| Madhavagar | Gujarati | Vaiṣnava | |||
| Madiwal Machayya | Kannada | Washerman[19] | Śaiva (Lingayat) | He was one of the disciples of Basava. | |
| Thirumaligai Thevar | Tamil | Śaiva | He is one of the eighteen Siddhars and the disciple of Bogar. | ||
| Mangai | Tamil | Kalla | Vaiṣnava (devotee of Kṛṣṇa) | Periya Thirumozhi, 1084 verses; Thiru Vezhukootru irukkai, 1 verse; Thiru Kurun Thandagam, 20 verses; Thiru Nedun Thandagam, 30 verses. | Alvar saint. |
| Maraner Nambi[47] | Tamil | Pahcama | Vaiṣnava (devotee of Viṣṇu) | Maraner-nambi-charitram | He was a disciple of Yamunacarya. |
| Matanga | Barber | Hindu scriptures recognize him as a saint who went through penances (tapasya) to reach the status of Brahminhood. | |||
| Mātanga | Barber | He was the son of Matanga, guru of Śabari and father of goddess Matangi. He and his disciple Śabari had met Lord Rama and Laxmana and were given reverence from the holy brothers. | |||
| Mātangi | Barber | She is worshiped as a form of Durga, and was the offspring of Matanga Muni. | |||
| Matsya | Fisherman | Worshiped by Vaishanavas an an avatar of Vishnu that saved the life of Satyavrata Manu by directing his boat out of the flood. | |||
| Matsyendranath(also Minanath) | Fisherman | Śaiva (Nāth Sampradāya) | Worshiped by Śaivas, Vaiṣnavas, Tantrics and Buddhists | ||
| Mepa Bhagat | Gujarati | Kumhar (Potter) | Vaiṣnava | He became the disciple of Gabinath, after which he lived as a saint himself. He inspired other Gujarati Hindu saints like Apa Rata and Apa Jadra. | |
| Minanath | Ahomi | Fisherman | He was the inspiration to the Nāth Panth's founder Matsyendranath, whose name means the same as Minanath's. Minanath had several disciples and amongst them were His disciples were Hali (peasant), Mali (gardener) and Tambuli (tooth-painter.) | ||
| Mitho | Gujarati | Dhadhi[49] | Vaiṣnava | ||
| Munna Das | Hindi | Goldsmith[50] | Vaiṣnava (Apapanthi) | Founded the Apapanthi sect of Vaiṣnavas that worship Lord Rama. | |
| Murkha | Tamil | Śaiva | Gambler | ||
| Mutucuriyar | Tamil | Cenkunta (Weaver) | Śaiva | He was the brother of Ilancuriyar (born blind) and together they both lived a saintly life. | |
| Nambi Eru Tiruvadaiya Dasar | Tamil | Śanar (Toddy-tapper) | Vaiṣnava (Sri Vaiṣnava) | He was one of the disciples of Ramanuja. | |
| Namdev | Marathi | Śimpi (Weaver)[51] | Vaiṣnava (Varkaridevotee of Viṭhoba) | Wrote Abhangs devoted to Kṛṣṇa. | It is said that he is a part (Aṅṣa) of Lord Kṛṣṇa. He was a disciple of Saint Visoba Khechara. |
| Nammalvar[52] | Tamil | Cultivator | Vaiṣnava (devotee of Kṛṣṇa) | Thiruvaymozhi, 1102 verses; Thiruvasiriyam, 7 verses; Thiruvirutham, 100 verses; Periya Thiruvandhadhi, 87 verses. | |
| Nandanar[53] | Tamil | Pulaya[54] | Śaiva | One of 63 Nayanars. | |
| Narahari Sonar | Tamil | Sunar (Goldsmith)[55] | Vaiṣnava (devotee of Kṛṣṇa) | Wrote Abhangs devoted to Kṛṣṇa. | |
| Narayana Guru | Malayalam | Ezhava | Śaiva | ||
| Neelakanda | Tamil | Kalalar (Potter) | Śaiva | One of 63 Nayanar Śaivite saints. | |
| Neelan | Tamil | Kuyavan (Potter)[56] | Vaiṣnava | Powerful warrior and king of Thirumangai (part of Chola Empire.) | |
| Nesar | Tamil | Weaver[42] | Śaiva | Nayanar devotee of Śiva, one of 63 Śaivite saints. | |
| Nilajantayalppanan | Tamil | Panan (Musician[42]) | Śiva | ||
| Nisargadatta Maharaj | Marathi | Kunbi | Śaiva | A disciple of Siddharameshwar Maharaj. | |
| Nishkulananda (also Lalji Suthar) | Gujarati | Suthar[57] | Vaiṣnava (Swami Narayan) | About 20 books and 3000 verses are ascribed to him. Among the books are Purushottam Prakash, Yama-danda, Bhakta-chintamani, Dhirajakhyam. | |
| Nuliya Chandayya | Kannada | Rope-maker | Śaiva (Lingayat) | A disciple of Basava. | |
| Pambatti | Tamil | Kozhayi (Cowherd) | Śaiva | He had worked as a snake-charmer, and he is one of the eighteen Siddhars, and the guru of the Brahmin Sri Sivaprabhakara Siddhayogi Paramahamsar. | |
| Pampa | Barber | A nun and a daughter of Rishi Matanga. | |||
| Pana | Tamil | Panan (Musician) | Vaiṣnava (devotee of Ranganatha) | Alvar saint. | |
| Pillai Uranga Villi Dasar | Tamil | Malla Dasar | Vaiṣnava | ||
| Ponajji Bala | Marathi | Gwala (Milkman) | Vaiṣnava | He wrote stories of Kṛṣṇa. He was famous for his lavani compositions. | |
| Potuluri Veerabrahmam(also Potuluri Swami) | Telugu | Carpenter | Śaiva | His disciples included Brahmins like Annajayya, Muslims like Siddhayya and chura (cobbler) ‘untouchables’ like Kakkayya | |
| Putushottama Dasa | Oriya | Cow-herder | Vaiṣnava | He wrote the Dutia-osa, Ganga-Mahatmya, Gundicha Bije, Kanchi-Kaveriand Mriganist-uti. | |
| Rajjab | Hindi | Naddaf (Cotton-carder[58]) | Vaiṣnava (Nirguna Sampradaya - Dadu Panth) | Disciple of Saint Dadu Dayal devotee of Rama. | |
| Raka Kumbhar | Marathi | Kumbhar (Potter)[59] | Vaiṣnava (devotee of Viṭhala) | ||
| Ramakrishna Gosvamin | Bengali | Kaivarta (Fisherman) | Vaiṣnava (Jaganmohani) | Founder of the Jaganmohani Vaishnava sect, which preaches worship of Krishna and gurus of the sect. He also founded, in the seventeenth century, a monastery or Akhdaat Vithangal. | |
| Ramananda Raya(also Ramananda Pattanayak) | Oriya | Karana[60] | Vaiṣnava | Very important devotee of Kṛṣṇa and brought Vaiṣnava Bhakti tradition to Bengal from Orisa. Raya was the title given to him by King Prataparudradeva. | |
| Ramanna | Kannada | Cattle-grazer | Śaiva (Lingayat) | A disciple of Basava. | |
| Ramanuja Dasar | Tamil | Kammalar (Sculptor) | He was a disciple of Ramanuja. | ||
| Rami Janabai | Marathi | Dasi[61] | Vaiṣnava (Devotee of Rama) | Domestic servant in Namdev's home, and performed Vatsalya Bhakti on Lord Rama. | |
| Revana Siddeshwara | Kannada | Kuruba | Śaiva | Considered by Kurubas to be an incarnation of Lord Shiva. There are temples in his name. | |
| Roma Rishi | Tamil | Kura | Śaiva | He is one of the eighteen Siddhars. | |
| Rom Harshan (also Suta Maharaja) | Narrator of the Puranas. | ||||
| Sarala Das | Oriya | Sudramuni | Vaiṣnava | Wrote the entire Mahābhāratascripture in Oriya. | |
| Sashtam Swami | Gujarati | Rabari | Vaiṣnava | Installed a Rama statue at a temple. | |
| Savata Mali | Marathi | Mali (Gardener) | Vaiṣnava (devotee of Viṭhala) | Wrote Abhangs devoted to Kṛṣṇa. | |
| Saina Nhavi | Marathi | Nai (Barber) | Vaiṣnava | Wrote Abhangs devoted to Kṛṣṇa. | |
| Sachidanand | Marathi | Nai (Barber) | Datta Sampradāya | ||
| Sakya | Tamil | Peltar | Śaiva | ||
| Śambuka | Śaiva | Śambuka had his own hermitage and was a disciple of Agastya, and a Vedic-versed rishi. Śambuka's killing in the "Uttara Khanda" was a latter insersion according to several scholars. Bhagwan Singh claims it was by Śakti, the son of Vaṣiṣtha that had lost in a debate to Śambuka. Many scholars like Kuvempu argue that the story is a later interpolation and is undoable by Rama. | |||
| Śivaprakashar Siddhar | Tamil | He was a disciple of Arul Namacchivayar. | |||
| Siddharameshwar Maharaj | Marathi | Śaiva | |||
| Śrirama | Ahomi | Kaivarta (Fisherman) | Vaiṣnava (Ekasarana Dharma) | He was a disciple of Śankardev and preached the message Vaiṣnavism to gain devotees.[42] | |
| Sundaranandar | Tamil | Agamudayar (Thevar) Reddy | Śaiva | He was one of the eighteen Siddhars and the grandson of Navakānda Rishi | |
| Tamolbaria | Ahomi | Vaiṣnava | |||
| Tanu Pal | Bengali | Mahishya[62] | Tantric | ||
| Tukaram | Marathi | Moray (Peddler) | Vaiṣnava (devotee of Viṭhala) | He wrote several "Abhangs" devoted to Kṛṣṇa. | Explained Vaiṣnava scriptures such as the Bhagavad Gitā and the Bhāgavata Purāṇa. He was the guru of the Brahmin Bahinabai. |
| Tukdoji Maharaj | Marathi | Kunbi | Śaiva | Also a musician, that sang and composed many songs to God. | |
| Ugrasrava Sauti | Vaiṣnava | He was the son of Roma Harshan and narrator of Puranic scriptures. | |||
| Vaikunda Swamikal(also Mudisoodum Perumal, Sampooranathevan, or Ayya Vaikundar) | Tamil | Vaiṣnava | His followers, the Ayyavazhi consider him to be an avatār of Viṣṇu. | ||
| Valamram | Gujarati | Kunbi | Vaiṣnava (devotee of Kṛṣṇa) | He was the disciple of Bhoja Bhagat. | Disciple of Bhoja Bhagat and the Guru-Bhai of Saint Jalaramof Virpur. |
Mixed Śudra-Brahmin saints
- Aitreya Mahidasa - Composed the Aitreya Brahmana and sections 1-3 of the Aitreya Aranyaka (the latter contains the Aitreya Upanishad - 1 of the 10 canonical chief Upanishads) of the Rig Veda
- Dhanwantari - Son of Dirghatamas and of a Dasi
- Dhugra Thamas - Son of a Dasi female named Mamatha
- Ghosa - Daughter to Bhakta Kakshivat who wrote verses in the Rig Veda
- Jamdagni - Son of fisherwoman Satyavati
- Kakshivat - A "brahmavadin" who was the son of Dirghatamas by a Śudra maid servant (Brihaddevata 4.24-25). His descendants are also referred to as "Kakshivat"
- Kausika Muni - Son of a Śudra mother[63]
- Kavasha Ailusha - Son of a Dasi[64]
- Krishna Dvaipayana Ved Vyasa - The compiler of Hindu scriptures such as the Bhagavad Gita, and Mahabharata, was said to either be of a fisherwoman or from Sudra parents
- Matanga - He was born of a Brahmin mother and a barber Śudra father. He was a guru of Lord Rama
- Narada Muni - Son of a maidservant
- Vatsa - According to the Rig Veda, he is a descendant of Kanva RV 6.1; 8.8 etc.; was called a Śudra-putra (Panchavimsha Brahmana 14.66)
- Vibhishana - Son of Visravas and a tribal mother named Nikasha
- Vishwamitra - Son of fisherwoman (Satyavati's mother)
- Yavanacharya - He was the son of a Brahmin father and Śudra mother from Ujjain[65]
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