Guru Jambheshwar
Encyclopedia
Guru Jambheshwar, also known as Jambhoji, was the founder of the Bishnoi Religion
. He preached to worship God Almighty and stopped the worship of any thing that has taken birth and which can be seen around (Idols, Planets, Nature etc.). He gave the message that God is a divine power that is everywhere. He also taught to protect Plants and Animals as they are important in order to peacefully coexist with nature.
Jambho ji, was born in Panwar Jat family in a remote village Pipasar in 1451 A.D. He was the only child of his parents i.e. Father,Lohat ji Panwar and Mother, Hansa Devi. For first 7 years, Jambho ji was a silent, introvert child. He also spent a lot of time (27 years) as a cowboy like Lord Krishna (Incidentally both had an identical Birth day i.e. Janmashtami!)
At an age of 34, Jambho ji founded Bishnoi religion. His teachings were in poetic form, known as Shabadwani. Although, he preached for next 51 years, travelling across the country, only 120 Shabads i.e. verses of Shabadwani, are available at present. Even these 120 shabads are a source of great wisdom and are sufficient for an individual to understand and follow his path.
Bishnoism, as mention earlier revolves around 29 commandments. Out of these 29 commandments, 8 prescribe to preserve bio diversity and encourage good animal husbandry. 7 Commandments provide directions for healthy social behaviour. 10 commandments are directed towrds personal hygiene and maintaining basic good health. Rest 4 commandments provide guidelines for worshipping God daily.
Bishnoi community observes socio-religious gatherings known as Melas twice a year at Mukam where Guru ji’s mortal frame was consigned to earth in 1536 A.D.
In a nutshell, Jambho ji was a great visionary, who had foreseen the consequences of man’s actions destroying nature for economic development. He saw the need for environmental protection and weaved his principals into religious commandments so that people can internalise those principals easily.
, only 120 Shabads, or poetic verses, are available at present. It is claimed that these 120 shabads are a source of great wisdom and are sufficient for an individual to understand and follow his path
Bishnoism revolves around 29 commandments or Bisno, from "Bees" (Twenty) and "No" (Nine).
Out of these 29 commandments, eight aim to preserve biodiversity
and encourage good animal husbandry. Seven Commandments provide directions for healthy social behaviour. Ten commandments are directed towards personal hygiene and maintaining basic good health. The other four rules are guidelines for worshipping daily.
Jambhoji stipulated that no trees were to be felled, and hunting was forbidden. His followers, some of whom may have thought of Jambhoji as an incarnation of Vishnu, were also enjoined to have compassion for all living beings, give up all intoxicants, swear by the tenets of ahimsa (non-violence) and satya (truth), and adhere to a vegetarian diet.
Religion
Religion is a collection of cultural systems, belief systems, and worldviews that establishes symbols that relate humanity to spirituality and, sometimes, to moral values. Many religions have narratives, symbols, traditions and sacred histories that are intended to give meaning to life or to...
. He preached to worship God Almighty and stopped the worship of any thing that has taken birth and which can be seen around (Idols, Planets, Nature etc.). He gave the message that God is a divine power that is everywhere. He also taught to protect Plants and Animals as they are important in order to peacefully coexist with nature.
Life
He launched the eco-religious revolution known as Bishnoism at Samrathal Dhora on eighth day of black fortnight of the month of Kartika (Indian Lunar Calender) in 1485 A.D.Jambho ji, was born in Panwar Jat family in a remote village Pipasar in 1451 A.D. He was the only child of his parents i.e. Father,Lohat ji Panwar and Mother, Hansa Devi. For first 7 years, Jambho ji was a silent, introvert child. He also spent a lot of time (27 years) as a cowboy like Lord Krishna (Incidentally both had an identical Birth day i.e. Janmashtami!)
At an age of 34, Jambho ji founded Bishnoi religion. His teachings were in poetic form, known as Shabadwani. Although, he preached for next 51 years, travelling across the country, only 120 Shabads i.e. verses of Shabadwani, are available at present. Even these 120 shabads are a source of great wisdom and are sufficient for an individual to understand and follow his path.
Bishnoism, as mention earlier revolves around 29 commandments. Out of these 29 commandments, 8 prescribe to preserve bio diversity and encourage good animal husbandry. 7 Commandments provide directions for healthy social behaviour. 10 commandments are directed towrds personal hygiene and maintaining basic good health. Rest 4 commandments provide guidelines for worshipping God daily.
Bishnoi community observes socio-religious gatherings known as Melas twice a year at Mukam where Guru ji’s mortal frame was consigned to earth in 1536 A.D.
In a nutshell, Jambho ji was a great visionary, who had foreseen the consequences of man’s actions destroying nature for economic development. He saw the need for environmental protection and weaved his principals into religious commandments so that people can internalise those principals easily.
Teachings
His teachings were in poetic form known as Shabadwani. Although he preached for following 51 years, travelling across IndiaIndia
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, only 120 Shabads, or poetic verses, are available at present. It is claimed that these 120 shabads are a source of great wisdom and are sufficient for an individual to understand and follow his path
Bishnoism revolves around 29 commandments or Bisno, from "Bees" (Twenty) and "No" (Nine).
Out of these 29 commandments, eight aim to preserve biodiversity
Biodiversity
Biodiversity is the degree of variation of life forms within a given ecosystem, biome, or an entire planet. Biodiversity is a measure of the health of ecosystems. Biodiversity is in part a function of climate. In terrestrial habitats, tropical regions are typically rich whereas polar regions...
and encourage good animal husbandry. Seven Commandments provide directions for healthy social behaviour. Ten commandments are directed towards personal hygiene and maintaining basic good health. The other four rules are guidelines for worshipping daily.
Jambhoji stipulated that no trees were to be felled, and hunting was forbidden. His followers, some of whom may have thought of Jambhoji as an incarnation of Vishnu, were also enjoined to have compassion for all living beings, give up all intoxicants, swear by the tenets of ahimsa (non-violence) and satya (truth), and adhere to a vegetarian diet.