Legend of Jasnathji

Mahant Birbalnath Siddh (Image Credit: Naushad)

JASNATHJI (1482-1506) was the foster child of Hamirji Jyani and his wife Rupande, who were residents of the Katariyasar village situated 25 miles north-east of Bikaner. Jasnathji's childhood name was Jaswant. He did not marry. On seventh day of Ashwin Shukla in the year of 1506 at the age of 24 years he took a ‘Samadhi’ while alive. At this site an annual fair is held on the seventh day of Asoj Sudi, Magh Sudi and Charitra Sudi. On the occasion of the fair there are organised ‘jagrans’ (festivals in which devotees or followers sing religious songs while remaining awake throughout the night) and ‘agninritya’ (fire dance), the latter being famous throughout the world. An account of his life is to be found in the work of four poets who belong to his tradition – Jiyotji, Lalnathji, Chokhnathji and Savaidasji, who collaborated to write the Jalam Jhulro. According to the legend, the celebrated Guru Gorakhnathji was his guru, but this does not conform the point of view of historical authenticity. In the 19th century, Jasnathji's preachings have been formulated from oral tradition into the written word.
At present, about 52 ‘sabads’ of Jasnathji are available into which smaller works like Simbhughada, Kod and Gorakhchhand are Incorporated. Throughout his life he stressed the importance of simplicity and purity. He believes in the incarnations of God, but denounces idol worship and injury to animals. Unity of the ‘Jiva’ (the soul) and Brahman, (the supreem element), destructible nature of the world, praise of God and recitation of his name, adoration of the formless Godhead and the like, are some subjects of his preachings.
There flourished dharma, which came to be known as Siddh-dharma. It was established by Jasnathji either in year of 1501 or thereafter. In this dharma 36 golden rules found recognition. Jasnathji and most of the other poets who belonged to his tradition wrote in Marwari language. Karamdas, Devoji, Lalnathji, Chokhnathji, Sasagji, Sarvanji Bhukar, Haroji, Sobhoji and others are the chief poets belonging to this tradition. In this dharma, there is a special recognition of Katariyasar, Bambalu, Likhamadesar, Punrasar and other places. All these place are in Bikaner division where this dharma is particularly prevalent.

Excerpt from Encyclopaedia of Indian Literature by Amaresh Datta