What beliefs did the 16th-century saint Dadu teach?

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The 16th-century saint Dadu taught a philosophy centered on internal devotion and the rejection of social and religious barriers. His core beliefs included:

Rejection of Orthodoxy: Dadu dismissed the authority of the Vedas and rejected caste distinctions, viewing them as divisive.
Internal Worship: He opposed external forms of religious practice, such as temple visits and pilgrimages, advocating instead for japa, the repetition of the name of God.
Mystical Union: His teachings emphasized the soul’s relationship with the divine, often describing the soul as the bride of God.
Ethical Living: The Dadu Panth sect he inspired maintains a strong ascetic tradition, with followers practicing vegetarianism and abstaining from alcohol.1

His teachings were preserved in his anthology, Bani, and are further reflected in the Pancvani, which includes works by other prominent poet-saints.1