Ravidas

Fresco artwork depicting a lifestory of Bhagat Ravidas from Pothi-Mala, Guru Harsahai, Punjab

Manuscript folio painting of Bhagats Ravidas (left) and Kabir (right) seated under a tree

Detail of Bhagat Ravidas from a mural at Gurdwara Baba Atal in Amritsar

RavidasiBedford2

Shri Guru Ravidass Temple in the UK

Prime Minister Narendra Modi offers prayers at Shri Guru Ravidas Janmsthan Mandir, Seer Goverdhanpur (2)

Ravidas was a prominent figure in the Bhakti movement during the 15th to 16th century CE in northern India. He is revered in Sikhism, as well as in Hinduism, and is considered one of the leading saints of the Bhakti movement. Ravidas taught the removal of social divisions of caste and gender, and promoted unity in the pursuit of personal spiritual freedom.

Life

Little is known about the exact birth and death dates of Ravidas. He is believed to have lived in the late 15th century, with some sources placing his birth around 1450 CE in Varanasi, a city in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Ravidas belonged to a family that was considered to be of a low caste. Despite the social limitations imposed on him due to his caste, Ravidas became a prominent spiritual leader and social reformer.

Teachings

Ravidas's teachings emphasized devotion to God, regardless of the devotee's caste or social status. He advocated for a society where there was no discrimination based on caste, and he believed in the equality of all human beings. His teachings were disseminated through his poems and songs, which were included in the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy scripture of Sikhism. Ravidas's poetry is characterized by its simplicity, directness, and emphasis on inner purity and devotion to God.

Legacy

Ravidas's impact on the Bhakti movement and his contribution to the spiritual and cultural heritage of India are significant. He is especially revered in the Ravidassia community, which regards him as their spiritual guru. His birth anniversary is celebrated as Ravidas Jayanti, which is an important occasion for his followers.

Ravidas's teachings continue to inspire people across religious and social divides. His life and work are a testament to the power of spirituality to challenge social inequality and to promote the values of equality, love, and unity.

See Also

• Bhakti movement
• Guru Granth Sahib
• Sikhism
• Hinduism