A homage to Sant Ravidas by Bishwa Nath Singh,Coordinator, Global Peace and Universal Brotherhood.
.(by Bishwa Nath Singh on Thursday, May 19, 2011 at 9:11pm.)
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Sant Ravidas who was also known as Raidas, Rohidas and Ruhidas in eastern India was a north Indian Sant mystic of the Bhakti Movement who was active in the 15th century CE. The details of Guru Ravidas' life are controversial. According to some he was born in 1376/7 or else 1399 CE but many scholars offer later dates. Schaller estimates his lifespan as 1450-1520 His origin and parents are likewise given differently. According to one account he was born in a village named Seer Govardhanpur, near Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, India: his father Baba Santokh Das was a leather merchant (chamar) and Mata Kalsa Devi was his mother. His father got him married to Mata Lona Devi at early age and according to the Ravidas Purana he had a son named Vijaydas. A region between Ahmednagar and Benares is named after himHe was venerated in the region of Punjab and Haryana as well as the Indian state of Maharashtra. His devotional songs and verses made a lasting impact upon the bhakti movement.He was born in a shoemaker family of the Chamar caste, forty of his earliest songs were to be included in the Sikh anthology Adi Granth There is also a larger body of hymns passed on independently. Ravidas was subversive in that his devotionalism implied a levelling of the social divisions of caste and gender, yet ecumenical in that it tended to promote crossing of sectarian divides in the name of a higher spiritual unity. Ravidas was never interested in worldly pleasures. One day when he found five gold coins from among his usual articles of worship, he was worried. Then God ordered him, in a dream, to keep the coins with him. But he spent the gold coins in building a rest house for travellers and a temple for his God.He taught that one is distinguished not by one's caste but by one's actions and that every person has the right to worship God and read holy texts.In the 19th and 20th centuries there emerged a distinct sect, the Ravidasis, for whom he is the chief Guru. Ravidasis are mainly Punjabi Chamar caste and the Ravidassia movement is a social/religious identity. A temple was built at his birthplace. The birthday of Guru Ravidas on February 16 is celebrated by the name of Shri Guru Ravidas Jayanti every year. It is the annual focal point for Ravidasis. On the day there is an Akhand Path read, the Nishan Sahib is changed ceremonially, and there is a special Arti and a Nagar Kirtan procession bearing his portrait are taken out to the accompaniment of music through the streets of the temple locality. In Gurdeheras his image is worshiped..Ravidas Jayanti is celebrated with a procession, bearing the portrait of the great ascetic in the main streets and bazaars of the city with music. Special pujas and feasts are arranged in temples dedicated to Guru Ravidas.Sant Ravidas had hailed from Varanasi and flourished during the earlier period of 15th century. He was a devout worshiper of Lord Ram. His father was displeased with him and turned him out of the house. After leaving the house he took up shoe-making, his family business, and made it a practice to supply shoes to all mendicant ascetics whom he came across. Ravi Das was always immersed in his devotion and this led to the closure of his business and this reduced him to poverty. Sant Ravidas was never interested in worldly pleasures. One day when he found five gold coins from among his usual articles of worship, he was worried. Then God ordered him, in a dream, to keep the coins with him. But he spent the gold coins in building a rest house for travelers and a temple for his God. Ravidas was a monotheist and held that the soul differs from God in that it is encumbered with a body; God is everything, is gracious to all and is accessible to all. He alone can save men from evil passions and should be worshiped with all devotion that man is capable of.Ravidas’ compositions have relevance even today. Taking its name from him, there is an important Vaishnava sect, the Rai-dasis. The sect has no particular sacred book, although it has orally preserved a number of hymns attributed to its founder. Several of these have been included in The Adi Granth, the holy book of the Sikhs. It is said, "his conversation and poetry were like the Sun that dispels darkness of doubt and infidelity". The spiritual power of the saint had been known far and wide so much so that the queen of the Chittore touched his feet and got her initiation from him. Meera Bai also completed her spiritual discipleship under his guidance. Ravidas’ followers believe that he died at the age of one hundred twenty years. One can very well understand about his great devotion towards Lord Ram by going through his Poem.” How to escape? I recite the name Ram.Lord, if you are sandalwood, I am water;With the fragrance in all parts of my body.Lord, if you are a cloud, I am a peacock;Looking for you like a chakora for the moon.Lord, if you are a lamp, I am the wick;With a light burning day and night.Lord, if you are a pearl, I am the thread;Together like gold and bracelet. Lord, you are the master and I servant;thus is the devotion of Raidas”. Ravidas’ compositions have relevance even today. Taking its name from him, there is an important Vaishnava sect, the Rai-dasis. The sect has no particular sacred book, although it has orally preserved a number of hymns attributed to its founder. Several of these have been included in The Adi Granth, the holy book of the Sikhs. It is said, "his conversation and poetry were like the Sun that dispels darkness of doubt and infidelity". The spiritual power of the saint had been known far and wide so much so that the queen of the Chittore touched his feet and got her initiation from him. The queen of Chittorgarh is said to have been a disciple (this may be connected with Meera, who was married to the ruler of Chittorgarh). It is said that the conservative Brahmins of Kashi could not stand the popularity of this "untouchable saint". A complaint was made to the king that he was working against age - old norms of social order (Varnashrama Dharma) - a cobbler was not supposed to talk of God or do work of advising or teaching. The ruler arranged for an assembly of learned men. Ravidas was also invited and was felicitated publicly. A procession was arranged (Shobha Yatra) and the king himself participated.Meera Bai also completed her spiritual discipleship under his guidance. Sant Ravidas’ followers believe that he died at the age of one hundred twenty years.
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Photos-four.(1) Photo in which Sant Ravidas is seen praying to Lord Ram.(2)Sant Ravidas is being seen as Shoe-maker. (3)Sant Ravidas is seen blessing his followers. and (4)Sant Ravidas is seen carrying out his meditation and remembering his Lord Ram.
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Bishwa Nath Singh :
Here is four different Pictures of Sant Ravidas in four different postures.Sant Ravidas was the first to motivate his followers to challenge discrimination on the grounds of caste. Due to his charismatic deeds, he had become an important f...igure in the World, his followers calling themselves Ravidasis.He was a great devotee of Lord Ram.His devotion towards his work and Lord Ram are well known .Let us offer our humble obeisance to His lotus feet and pay our most respectable homage to Him!
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f.b.
May 19,2011
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