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Which historical figures’ writings form the foundation of the Sant Mat tradition?
For centuries, seekers have turned to a handful of luminous voices whose poetic hymns and soulful verses became the bedrock of the inner-light-and-sound path now known as Sant Mat. Among the earliest and most celebrated:
• Kabir (c. 1440–1518): His Bijak and couplets, brimming with earthy metaphors and razor-sharp insight, ripped through ritualism and pointed straight to the living Presence within. A recent digitization project at the British Library even highlights how his manuscripts resonate with today’s search for authenticity.
• Guru Nanak (1469–1539): The Japji Sahib, his flagship composition, sets out a cosmic map of the soul’s ascent—still recited by millions each dawn. Its gentle insistence on inner practice over outward show feels remarkably at home beside modern mindfulness apps.
• Ravidas (c. 1450–1620): Hymns attributed to this weaver-saint are woven into the Sikh scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib, celebrating the Divine Sound as “music of the spheres.” His message that the Divine is equally accessible to all remains a rallying cry against any form of spiritual gate-keeping.
• Namdev (c. 1270–1350): Known for his abhangas—short, devotional poems—Namdev’s work bridges Varkari Bhakti and the Sant ethos, urging practitioners to tune in “as a disc picks up signal” rather than chase external ceremonies.
The 19th-century revival led by Swami Shiv Dayal Singh (also called Soami Ji Maharaj) introduced the term “Radhasoami” and codified many of these earlier teachings into the Sar Bachan, a systematic guide to Surat Shabd Yoga. It’s this lineage—from medieval Bhakti and Sahaj teachings through Soami Ji’s writings—that lends Sant Mat its rich tapestry of poetry, philosophy, and practical instruction.
Today’s interest in inner sound meditation, whether at urban retreats in London or online satsangs streamed across time zones, still traces back to these founding voices. Their combined legacy feels like a well-worn path, inviting anyone with ears to hear and a heart ready to listen.