Guru Ravidas ji

Why in News?

The Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit Punjab to mark the 649th Birth Anniversary of Saint Guru Ravidas Ji.

• Guru Ravidas Ji – Saint and poet of the Bhakti Movement in North India.
• Born in – 1377 C.E
• On a Magh Purnima in Seer Gobardhanpur, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
• Parents – Baba Santokh Dass Ji (father) & Mata Kalsi (mother).
• Caste – Born in a low-caste (Chamar) family; worked as a cobbler.
• Contributions –Advocated equality, social justice, and spiritual freedom, opposing caste- and gender-based discrimination.
• Emphasized devotion to God (Naam) over rituals, wealth, or social status, promoting personal spiritual freedom.
• Famous for poems highlighting contentment, humility, and inner devotion.
• Key Teachings – Caste and creed are man-made – He advocated that all can approach God irrespective of social status.
• Spiritual wealth vs material wealth – True happiness lies in devotion, not accumulation of riches.
• Humility and devotion – Vanity, pride, and high birth are obstacles to attaining divine grace.
• Literary Contributions –
• Poems – Sri Adi Granth contains 40-Hymns (one of which is a repetition) and One-Couplet of Guru Ravidass ji.
  • It was compiled by Guru Arjun Dev ji, the fifth Guru of the Sikhs, and was completed in 1604 A.D.
• Languages - Hindi, Urdu, Persian, and regional dialects.
• Themes - Love, devotion, equality, spiritual wisdom.
• Legacy – Religion – Influenced 21st-century followers to establish a distinct religious identity.
• Revered in – Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra.
• Sacred sites – Banaras, Chittor, Tirupati, Ellora, Junagadh.
• Guru Ravidas Ji is regarded as the “Sunlight of the World”, guiding people out of the darkness of ignorance and social oppression.
• Royal disciples – Princess Mirabai and King Nagar Mal became disciples.
• Guru Nanak Dev – Influenced Guru Nanak Dev with the secrets of Naam.
• Also, influenced Sikh scriptures and philosophy.
• Significance – Social reformer – Challenged caste hierarchy, encouraged communal harmony.
• Spiritual mentor – Guided both royals and commoners with humility and grace.
• Enduring influence – Praised by Saints like Kabir, Tukaram, Nanak Dev Ji, Dadu, Namdev.

References

1. PIB | Saint Guru Ravidas
2. Life of Guru Ravidas Ji
3. NDTV | Guru Ravidas Jayanti