List of Shudra Hindu saints
There have been influential people born into Shudra families who through their devotion became Hindu saints. Some, such as Gulabrao, Potuluri and Tukaram, had Brahmin disciples. While the Vedas were texts that most Brahmins claimed as theirs to preach and interpret, sages like Badari taught that Shudras could legitimately do so.
Saints
- Sree Vidyadhiraja Parama Bhattaraka Chattampi Swamikal
- Sant Chokha Mela, Mahar caste, Marathi, wrote many abhangas dedicated to Lord Vithhal(Pandurang/Vithoba).
- Adipatta (or Atipattan), fisherman caste, one of 63 Nayanar Shaivite saints
- Dadu Dayal, Dhunia (cotton carder) caste, founded Dadu Panth, tried to bridge gap between Hindus and Muslims
- Enadinatha, Shanar (toddy tapper) caste, devotee of Shiva
- Gadge Maharaj (also, Debuji Zhingraji Janorkar), Dhobi, ethnic Marathi-speaker, 20th century poet devotee of Krishna
- Goroba, Kumhar (potter) caste, ethnic Marathi-speaker
- Gulabrao Maharaj (20th century saint), Kunbi, ethnic Marathi-speaker, taught the Vedas to the Brahmins
- Ilakkulaccanrar, Shanar caste, devotee of Shiva
- Rami Janabai, Dasi, ethnic Marathi-speaker, domestic servant in Namdev's home, performed Vatsalya Bhakti on Lord Rama
- Kabir, member of the weaver caste and founder of Gurmat. He tried to bring peace between Hindus and Muslims. He is said to have been found in a lotus flower according to legend.
- Kanakadas, Kuruba or Beda a devotee of Krishna and Beeraiah
- Kahar, a weaver, devotee of Vishnu
- Kuba, Kumhar, (potter), ethnic Punjabi-speaker, Vaishnava
- Kanchipurna, from Punamalli, ethnic Tamil-speaker, Vaishnava devotee of Lord Vishnu and disciple of Yamunacarya
- Maraner Nambi, from Maraner, Vaishnava devotee of Lord Vishnu and disciple of Yamunacarya
- Matsyendranath, said to be born out of a fish and then adopted by a fisherwoman, worshipped by Shaiva, Vaishnavas, tantric and Buddhists
- Munna Das, goldsmith
- Namdev, weaver, ethnic Marathi-speaker, Vaishnava devotee of Lord Vithoba. It is said that he is a part (Amsa) of Lord Krishna, wrote Abhangs devoted to Krishna
- Nammalvar
- Nandanar
- Narahari, Sunar (goldsmith), Vaishnava devotee of Krishna, wrote Abhangs devoted to Krishna
- Nesa, weaver, Nayanar devotee of Shiva, one of 63 Shaivite saints
- Nisargadatta Maharaj, Kunbi, ethnic Marathi-speaker, devotee of Shiva a disciple of Siddharameswar Maharaj
- Rajjab, cottan-carder, disciple of Sant Dadu Dayal devotee of Rama
- Sarala Dasa, Oriya, ethnic Oriya-speaker, self-proclaimed Shudramuni who wrote the entire Mahabharata scripture in Oriya
- Savata Mali, Mali (gardener) from Aran, Maharashtra, ethnic Marathi-speaker, devotee of Vithal, wrote Abhangs devoted to Krishna
- Saina, Nai (barber), ethnic Marathi-speaker, wrote Abhangs devoted to Krishna
- Sant Tanu Pal, Mahishya, ethnic Bengali-speaker,
- Thirumazhisai, Alvar devotee of Lord Vishnu
- Tukaram, Moray (peddler), Marathi, devotee of Vithal. Explained Vaishnava scriptures such as the Bhagavad Gita and the Bhagavata Purana. He was the guru of the Brahmin Bahinabai. He wrote several "Abhangs" devoted to Krishna.
- Tukdoji Maharaj, Kunbi, ethnic Marathi-speaker, devotee of Shiva, also a musician
+ Saint Prem Singh