New Delhi: Guru Ravidas Jayanti will be observed in India on Wednesday, February 12 this year. Guru Ravidas is a well-known Indian poet-saint of the Bhakti movement. He spent his life teaching the message of equality, love, and dedication to God.
Guru Ravidas was born on Magh Purnima, and his birth anniversary is observed on this day every year. Read about unknown facts about Guru Ravidas on his birth anniversary.
The Life, Teachings and Legacy of Guru Ravidas
During the Bhakti movement between the 15th and 17th centuries, many poets and religious leaders inspired people. Sant Ravidas was born near Varanasi. He shared his knowledge through poetry, hymns, and verses. Guru Ravidas was one of these influential figures.
Ravidas made shoes for a living and sought knowledge from his Guru, Saint Ramanand. Saint Kabir also inspired him. Guru Ravidas had a warm personality that made others feel comfortable. He was very charitable and often helped those in need.
Ravidas supported saints. He gave away shoes without asking for money. His parents were unhappy with him, and his wife left home due to their financial situation. He then rented a place nearby and devoted most of his time to worshipping God and attending gatherings with saints.
Ravidas’ devotional verses are part of the Sikh scriptures called the Guru Granth Sahib. His poems are also included in the Panch Vani text of the Dadu Panthi tradition in Hinduism.
Anantadas Parcai is one of the first biographies of Bhakti movement poets and describes Ravidas’ birth. Medieval texts like the Bhaktamal suggest he was a disciple of the Brahmin poet Ramananda. He is seen as a younger contemporary of Kabir. The Ratnavali text states that Ravidas learned from Ramananda and followed the Ramanandi Sampradaya tradition.
Ravidas’ songs explore themes of Nirguna (formless) and Saguna (with form) and reflect ideas from Nath Yoga philosophy. He often mentions the term Sahaj, a state of union with deeper truths.
In Rajasthan, there is a small chhatri (pavilion) outside Meera’s temple with Ravidas’ engraved footprint. Legends connect him to Mirabai, another Bhakti poet. Meera Bai even composed a song honouring Guru Ravidas, calling him her Guru.
The Ravidassia religion is based on Ravidas’s teachings. Initially founded in colonial British India, it brought together different religious views. After 1947, the Ravidassia community became more united. There are believed to be between two and five million Ravidassia followers. Sikhs view Ravidas as one of several holy people, while the Ravidassias see him as their Guru. They also recognise living saints from Ravidas Deras as their guides.
Guru Ravidas Jayanti is observed annually to commemorate the birth anniversary of the influential Bhakti saint. Ravidas, a poet-saint known for his teachings of equality and devotion, significantly impacted the Bhakti movement. Despite facing societal challenges, he dedicated his life to spiritual pursuits, leaving a profound legacy that inspires millions. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
