India has witnessed the birth of a number of Avtars, Santsand powerful spiritual personalities who have illuminated this Holy land with their succinct teachings and awakened the masses about the real essence of Bhakti.SatguruRavidas was one of the renownedSant of Bhakti Aandolan, who created an enduring impetus through his devotional songs and verses. He was the leading stars of SantParampara or NirgunSampraday and valued the worship of formless God.
Born on Maghi Purnima of
VikramiSamvat 1433 at Shri Govardhanpur village (now renamed as Sri Guru
RavidasJanmaSthan) in Kashi in a Dalit family,Guruji was the backbone of the Bhakti
Aandolan. He fought against discrimination based on caste, creed and colour and taught lesson of
universal brotherhood. Because of his untouchable social status, he has now become
an important figure for downtroddensections of the society, although his
followers are also from the upper castes like Krishna-BhaktMeerabai, the Rajput
queen of Chittoor. He is considered to be spiritual Guru of Meerabai, which she
had expressed through her verse “ GuruMilyaRavidas
Ji, Dini Gyan Ki Gutki; ChotLagiNijnam Hari Ki, MhareyHivreyKhatki”.
Guru ji was a great
follower of Lord Ram and Krishna and his writings are full of names like Ram,
Raja Ramchandra, Krishna, Govind, Raghunath, Hari etc. He was the true
messenger of God. He took birth on earth to save the true Dharma, as at that
time the social as well religious pattern was distressed due to several
man-made discriminations over social beliefs, castes, colour etc. He taught
that one is not identified by his caste or beliefs in God, but is known for
his Karma (great work). “RavidasJanmaKeKarnai, Hot Na Kou Neech; Nar
Kun Neech Kari Dari Hai, OchheKaram Ki Keech” (No one is inferior by birth,
but his doings make him inferior. So, always focus on great deeds). On the tune
of Bhagwad Gita, he preached in his own version as “KaramBandhanMein Bandh Rahiyo, Phal Ki Na TajjiyoAas; Karma ManushKa
Dharma Hai, Sat BhakhaiRavidas”. (i.e. Always perform your duty and do not desire its fruit,
because duty is our Dharma and Fruit is
our destiny)”
Regarding untouchability
and discrimination, he spread the message that God has created man and not man
has created the God. So, every human
being has equal right on this earth. “TohiMohi,
MohiTohi, AntarKaisa; Kanak Katik Jal TarangJaisa”, i.e. There is no
difference between you (God) and me as there is no difference between the Gold
& its ornament, and water & its ripples. He expressed his feeling as ”Let us make this world without any
discrimination and race like colour.”
SantRavidas had given a variety of spiritual and social messages through his
writings.He said “If you can not do well,
at least do not harm others. If you can not live like a flower, at least do not
live like a thorn”. He gave emphasis for education by saying “AvidyaAhit Keen, TaatayVivek Deep Bhava
Maleen” (i.e. Lack of education has causedus great harm and it has eclipsed our rationale).
Sant Ravidas is revered by both Hindus and Sikhs. He
expressed his passion and love for Waheguru through his poetry and music. Nearly
40 of his sacredhymns have been made an integralpart
of the Sikh scripture, theShri Guru
Granth Sahib Ji by the 5th Guru Arjun
Dev Ji.He is known as the inventor of GurumukhiLipi (script) and entire Sikh Vani is
written in Gurumukhi. Although, after some untoward incidents,the RavidasiaSamaj
has parted itself from Sikhism and replaced Guru Granth Sahib with Amritvani
having nearly 240 hymns of Ravidas. The PanchVaani text of the Hindu
Warrior-ascetic group of Dadupanthi tradition within Hinduism also includes
numerous poems of Ravidas.
Ravidasji was a great
saint and preferred to live as a common man. Guruji’s teachings of equality and
brotherhood in the society are the greatest inspiration to us. There will not
be unity among human beings, without abolishing the caste system. “JatiJatimein Jati Hai, Jo KetanKe Pat; RaidasManush Na Jud
Sakai, Jab TakJati Na Jat”. He had propounded and advocated the concept of
Begumpura (Be-Gum-Pura) or a city without sorrow (Gum), which would be
stateless, classless, casteless and where there would be no discrimination. “Begam Pura Sahar Ko
Nao, Dukh Andohu
Nahi Tihi Thao”. He expressed his pivotal message
as “AisaChahun
Raj Main, Jahan MilaiSabanKo Anna. Chhote Bade Sab Sam Base,
RavidasRahePrasanna.”
He cautioned the people
against unwanted customs and beliefs. In one of his hymn he pointed out “Man ChangaToKathautiMein Ganga” (i.e. If
your heart is pious, then the Holy river is right in your tub and you need not
go anywhere else to take a dip).
The teaching of Guru
never fails and his word never goes wrong. He is the true source of light in
life.The valuable teachings of SantShiromani GuruRavidas are a great treasure
for those who are heading on the divine
path of Bhakti to get liberated from all the shackles.
(The author is a
technocrat & academician. He holds Master in Engineering from M.N. Regional
Engineering College, Allahabad/Prayagraj)
