Ravidas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ravidas |
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Ravidas at work as a shoemaker. Folio from a series featuring Bhakti saints. Master of the first generation after Manaku and Nainsukh of Guler, Pahari region, ca.1800–1810
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| Birth Date | Banaras, Delhi Sultanate (present-day Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India) |
| Died on | Banaras, Delhi Sultanate (present-day Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India) |
Ravidas or Raidas (born around 1377 CE, died around 1528 CE) was an important Indian poet and saint. He was part of the Bhakti movement, a time when many people expressed their love for God through poems and songs. People in places like Uttar Pradesh and Punjab still see him as a guru, or spiritual teacher. He was known as a poet, a social reformer, and a spiritual leader.
Ravidas taught that everyone should be treated equally. He believed that social divisions like caste and gender should not exist. He promoted unity and helped people find their own spiritual freedom. His devotional poems are even included in the Sikh holy book, the Guru Granth Sahib. He is also a central figure for the Ravidassia religious group.
Contents
Ravidas's Life Story
Ravidas was born in a village called Sir Gobardhanpur, near Varanasi in India. Today, his birthplace is a special place known as Shri Guru Ravidass Janam Asthan. His birthday is celebrated as Ravidas Jayanti. His mother was Mata Kalsi, and his father was Santokh Dass. His family worked with leather, which was considered a low-caste job at the time.
Even though his family worked with leather, Ravidas spent much of his time on spiritual journeys. He often sat by the Ganges River, thinking about God. He also spent time with Sufi saints and other holy people. When he was about 12 years old, he married Lona Devi, and they had a son named Vijay Dass.
Old stories about Ravidas, like the Anantadas Parcai, tell us about his life. Many people believe he was a student of the Brahmin poet Ramananda. He is also thought to have lived around the same time as Kabir, another famous saint. Ravidas's ideas and fame grew as he traveled widely. He visited many Hindu holy sites across India. He taught about a form of God that is without physical form or attributes (called nirguna). His poems inspired many people from all walks of life to seek his guidance.
Many experts believe that Ravidas met Guru Nanak, who started Sikhism. Ravidas is highly respected in the Sikh religion. Forty-one of his poems are part of the Guru Granth Sahib, which is the main holy book for Sikhs. These poems are some of the oldest records of his ideas. Other old texts, like the Premambodha from 1693, also tell stories about Ravidas.
Ravidas's Teachings
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Ravidas's poems are found in the Guru Granth Sahib and another Hindu text called the Panchvani. In the Guru Granth Sahib, 41 of his poems are included. He is one of 36 people whose writings are in this important Sikh scripture. His poems talk about how to deal with problems and unfairness. They also discuss what a fair society looks like, where everyone is equal. He wrote about the importance of being calm and detached, and what it means to be a true Yogi.
Some stories about Ravidas, written long after he lived, show how he struggled against social problems. These stories often show him winning because of divine help. For example, some tales say he could make a stone float or make the Ganges River flow backward. These stories reflect the social issues of the time when they were written. They show how groups who were not in power felt about society and religion.
Ravidas's Philosophy
Ravidas's songs talk about different ways to understand God. He often used the word Sahaj, which means a special spiritual state. In this state, a person feels completely united with God.
He believed that God is everywhere and in everything. For someone who truly understands this, no other proof is needed. The person who knows this truth becomes one with God.
Many scholars agree that Ravidas's ideas belong to the Nirguna philosophy. This means he believed in a God without a physical form or specific qualities. His teachings are similar to those of Guru Nanak and other important saints of the Bhakti movement.
Some old writings show a discussion between Ravidas and Kabir about God. Kabir believed God was a single, unified truth. Ravidas also believed in this, but he also thought that God could appear in different forms.
Ravidas's teachings were seen in different ways. Some old texts say he was a pure speaker who could answer spiritual questions. They say he was not afraid to talk about his humble beginnings. These texts also say his teachings matched ancient scriptures and that he shared his ideas with everyone, no matter their caste or gender.
However, some newer texts, especially from the Dalit community, have a different view. They say Ravidas rejected some Hindu scriptures and was opposed by Brahmins. Some even believe he was an idol worshipper, while others say he rejected idols. For example, one of his hymns in the Guru Granth Sahib says that simply washing with water does not make someone pure if their heart is still full of bad thoughts.
Ravidas's Legacy
Ravidassia Movement
The Ravidassia religion is a group that follows the teachings of Ravidas. It became a separate religion in the 21st century. This happened after an attack on a Ravidassia temple in Vienna in 2009. After this event, the movement decided to become fully separate from Sikhism.
The Ravidassia religion has its own holy book called Amritbani Guru Ravidass Ji. This book is based entirely on Ravidas's writings and teachings. It contains 240 hymns. The Ravidassia followers believe that their best way forward is to celebrate their own identity, focusing only on Guru Ravidas.
Places of Worship
Ravidas is seen as a saint and is highly respected by his followers. They see him as a symbol of religious protest and a spiritual guide.
Politics
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In India, a political party was started in 2012 by followers of Ravidas. The party's name includes "Begumpura," a term from one of Ravidas's poems. "Begumpura" means a city without sorrow or fear, where everyone is equal.
Guru Ravidas and Meera Bai
There is a small pavilion in front of Meera's temple in Chittorgarh district of Rajasthan. It has Ravidas's footprint carved into it. Stories say that Ravidas was the guru (teacher) of Mirabai, another famous poet of the Bhakti movement.
Queen Mira Bai even wrote a song dedicated to Guru Ravidas, calling him her Guru. She sang, "I got a guru in the form of sant Ravidas, thereby obtaining life's fulfillment."
Images for kids
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Detail of Ravidas from a painting of a gathering of holy men of different faiths, by Mir Kalan Khan, ca.1770–75
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Modern painting of Ravidas
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Ravidas on 2001 Indian commemorative stamp.
See also
In Spanish: Ravidas para niños
- Dalit Buddhist movement
- Ramdasia
- Kabir
- Guru Ravidass Jayanti
