Dharmdas was born in 1423 AD on the full moon of the Kartik month in the Kasaundhan Vaishya family of Bandhavgarh. His father was Manmahesh and his mother was Sudharmavati, though some refer to her as Sulakshanavati. There is little popular information about his childhood. In his early years, he was also called Judawan. In his youth, he was married to a gentle girl named Amini, who was later affectionately called Ameen Mata by devotees. He had two sons: the elder was named Narayan Das, and the younger was Chudamani (Churamani).
Dharmdas was a renowned merchant in Bandhavgarh, under the Rewa division of undivided Madhya Pradesh. His business flourished so much that even the king of Bandhavgarh would borrow money from him when needed. Despite his wealth and stature, Dharmdas lived a life according to Hindu customs after receiving initiation from the Vaishnava saint Roopdas Ji. He engaged in rituals, chanting, penance, and offerings. Yet, he did not find peace. With his guru’s permission, he went on a pilgrimage to 68 holy sites in search of inner satisfaction. For about twelve years, he traveled to various pilgrimage sites across the country, meeting saints and collecting spiritual solace.
Meeting with Kabir:
During his pilgrimage, he once reached Mathura. What initially felt like misfortune turned into great fortune—he met Saint Kabir. Their first meeting shook Dharmdas like a storm. Having been raised in the Sagun (with form) Vaishnav tradition, Dharmdas had firm faith in idol worship, pilgrimages, and rituals, as per traditional Sanatan Dharma. But Kabir was a worshiper of the Nirgun Brahman (formless God)—or rather, he was established in it. The two discussed their beliefs. Kabir rejected all idol worship, deeply challenging Dharmdas’s convictions. Dharmdas was rattled. He felt everything he had done—his donations, rituals, chants, and songs—was now meaningless. Unable to stay longer with Kabir, he returned to Bandhavgarh.
But Kabir’s words lingered. Day and night, awake or asleep, he couldn’t forget Kabir’s criticism. Such inner turmoil had never occurred before. What once felt like a royal path now seemed lost. All his life’s principles and practices appeared like illusions. Unable to stay away any longer, he went searching for Kabir again. This time, he met him in Kashi. Kabir cleared his remaining doubts. During their first meeting, Dharmdas had built walls of doctrines, beliefs, wealth, status, customs, and traditions between himself and Kabir. So, they couldn’t truly connect. This time, those walls had collapsed, leaving only a thin veil. Dharmdas hesitated to sit near Kabir, but Kabir tore down that last veil too and said:
“Come Dharmdas, place your feet here. Why do you gaze with hesitation? Let us greet each other joyfully; I have long awaited your presence.”
Under the shelter of the Guru, Dharmdas became a true disciple. Kabir had always been waiting for him, but the disciple must come to the Guru. Now, he had fully surrendered. Kabir eliminated his inner conflict and immersed him in Nirgun Brahman devotion. Experiencing this divine reality through the Guru’s grace, Dharmdas devoted himself entirely to Guru-bhakti. He also invited his wife and children into the Guru’s fold. His wife Amini and son Chudamani humbly surrendered to Kabir. Dharmdas then gave away his immense wealth. Osho says:
“Dharmdas never returned. Only cowards look back. The brave look forward. He gave away everything. He didn’t even return home to give it—just sent word: give everything away. Let whoever needs it, take it. He didn’t look back. By giving everything away, Dharmdas became truly wealthy.”
With the Guru’s compassion, Dharmdas soared spiritually. The day he attained self-realization, Kabir called him “Dhani Dharmdas,” saying:
“You are now rich with divine knowledge. Truly, you are wealthy now.”
Foundation of the Kabir Panth:
It is said that as Kabir’s end drew near, he summoned his chief disciples—Dharmdas, Surati Gopal, Jagu Sahib, and Bhagu Sahib—and said:
“The river of knowledge in which you bathe, the flame that burns within you, must keep flowing, must keep shining. Hoarding this knowledge is selfish. Share it as much as possible—there is joy in sharing.”
With the Guru’s blessings, Dharmdas took up this responsibility and, alongside his fellow disciples, began spreading Kabir’s teachings to ease the inner journey of others. This initiative grew into a major movement and became known as the Kabir Panth.
The seed Kabir had sown in his disciples grew into a mighty tree called the Kabir Panth, nurtured by Dharmdas and his Guru-brothers. Kabir not only gave his blessings for the mission but also promised his subtle spiritual presence.
It is a widespread belief that Dhani Dharmdas, being the most talented and principal disciple, was entrusted with leading the sect and blessed to spiritually guide 42 generations:
“Dharmdas, you are the king of the path. Through you, the people shall find liberation. The vow is set for 42 generations; I have empowered them too.”
– Anurag Sagar, p.126
Later, the Kabir Panth had four major spiritual centers, with Bandhavgarh, led by Dharmdas, being the largest. Since he was blessed with the responsibility for 42 generations, his son Chudamani Naam Sahib was installed as the first Guru after Dharmdas. This tradition has continued unbroken. Today, the center of the Kabir Panth is located in Damakheda, Chhattisgarh, where Prakash Muni Naam Sahib serves as the 15th Guru.
