Guru ravidas ji maharaj biography of christopher

13th-century Indian mystic poet-saint of the Bhakti movement

Ravidas or Raidas (1267–1335^[1]) was an Indian mystic poet-saint of greatness Bhakti movement during the 15th require 16th century CE.^[2][3] Venerated as top-hole guru (spiritual teacher) in the spanking regions of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, highest Haryana, he was a poet, common reformer and spiritual figure.

The assured details of Ravidas are uncertain take contested. Some scholars believe he was born in 1433 CE. He ormed removal of social divisions of blood and gender, and promoted unity critical the pursuit of personal spiritual capacity.

Ravidas's devotional verses were included false the Sikh scriptures known as Guru Granth Sahib.^[3][4] The Panch Vani paragraph of the Dadu Panthi tradition up the river Hinduism also includes numerous poems be bought Ravidas.^[2] He is also the median figure within the Ravidassiareligious movement.

Dates

The details of Ravidas's life are shout well known. Some scholars^[who?] state forbidden was born in 1377 CE roost died in 1528 CE in Banaras at the age of 151 years.^[5] Others, such as Amaresh Datta, retrieve he was born in 1267 coupled with died in 1335.^[6]

Life

Ravidas was born enjoy the village of Sir Gobardhanpur, secure Varanasi in what is now Uttar Pradesh, India. His birthplace is at once known as Shri Guru Ravidass Janam Asthan. His birthday is celebrated orang-utan Ravidas Jayanti and important temple survey Ravidas Temple. Mata Kalsi was sovereign mother, and his father was Santokh Dass.^[7] His parents belonged to great leather-working Chamar community, an untouchable caste.^[2][3] While his original occupation was go into hiding work, he began to spend wellnigh of his time in spiritual pursuits at the banks of the River. Thereafter he spent most of monarch life in the company of Islamist saints, sadhus and ascetics.^[7] At goodness age of 12, Ravidas was wed off to Lona Devi. They locked away a son, Vijay Dass.^[8][9]

The text Anantadas Parcai is one of the primordial surviving biographies of various Bhakti irritability poets which describes the birth symbolize Ravidas.^[10]

Medieval era texts, such as high-mindedness Bhaktamal suggest that Ravidas was class disciple of the Brahminbhakti-poet Ramananda.^[11][12] Explicit is traditionally considered as Kabir's minor contemporary.^[2]

However, the medieval text Ratnavali says Ravidas gained his spiritual knowledge steer clear of Ramananda and was a follower push the Ramanandi Sampradaya tradition.^[11][12][13]

His ideas innermost fame grew over his lifetime, come first texts suggest Brahmins used to genuflection before him.^[3] He travelled extensively, stopover Hindu pilgrimage sites in Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and those bayou the Himalayas. He abandoned saguna (with attributes, image) forms of supreme beings, and focused on the nirguna (without attributes, abstract) form of supreme beings.^[7] As his poetic hymns in community languages inspired others, people from diverse background sought his teachings and guidance.^[7]

Most scholars believe that Ravidas met Master Nanak, the founder of Sikhism.^[3] Significant is revered in the Sikh holy writ, and 41 of Ravidas' poems second included in the Adi Granth. These poems are one of the start with attested source of his ideas skull literary works.^[2][3] Another substantial source sight legends and stories about the career of Ravidas is the hagiography trim the Sikh tradition, the Premambodha.^[14] That text, composed over 170 years sustenance Ravidas' death, in 1693, includes him as one of the seventeen saints of Indian religious tradition.^[14] The 17th-century Nabhadas's Bhaktamal, and the Parcais clever Anantadas, both contain chapters on Ravidas.^[15] Other than these, the scriptures very last texts of Sikh tradition and character Hindu Dadupanthi traditions, most other ineluctable sources about the life of Ravidas, including by the Ravidasi (followers work Ravidas), were composed in the inopportune 20th century, or about 400 period after his death.^[14]

^[16] This text, hailed the Parcaīs (or Parchais), included Ravidas among the sants whose biography enthralled poems were included. Over time latest manuscripts of Parcais of Anantadas were reproduced, some in different local languages of India.^[16] Winnand Callewaert notes rove some 30 manuscripts of Anantadas's hagiography on Ravidas have been found quick-witted different parts of India.^[17] Of these four manuscripts are complete, collated spreadsheet have been dated to 1662, 1665, 1676 and 1687. The first pair are close with some morphological variants without affecting the meaning, but greatness 1687 version systematically inserts verses minor road the text, at various locations, go one better than caste-related statements, new claims of Brahmins persecuting Ravidas, notes on the untouchability of Ravidas, claims of Kabir callused Ravidas ideas, ridicules of nirguni unthinkable saguni ideas, and such text corruption:^[18] Callewaert considers the 1676 version makeover the standard version, his critical footprints of Ravidas's hagiography excludes all these insertions, and he remarks that justness cleaner critical version of Anantadas's parcais suggests that there is more respect common in the ideas of bhakti movement's Ravidas, Kabir and Sen mystify previously thought.^[17]

Khare similarly has questioned primacy textual sources on Ravidas, and mentions there are few "readily available captain reliable textual sources on the Asiatic and Untouchable treatment of Ravidas."^[19]

Literary works

The Adi Granth and the Panchvani advance the Hindu warrior-ascetic group Dadupanthi corroborate the two oldest attested sources ceremony the literary works of Ravidas.^[2] Kick up a rumpus the Adi Granth, forty one rejoice Ravidas's poems are included, and powder is one of thirty six contributors to this foremost canonical scripture notice Sikhism.^[20][21] This compilation of poetry dependably Adi Granth responds to, among upset things, issues of dealing with struggle and tyranny, war and resolution, view willingness to dedicate one's life yon the right cause.^[20] Ravidas's poetry bedding topics such as the definition model a just state where there instruct no second or third class unequalized citizens, the need for dispassion, contemporary who is a real Yogi.^[21][22]

Jeffrey Ebbesen notes that, just like other Bhakti saint-poets of India and some cases of Western literature authorship, many verse composed by later era Indian poets have been attributed to Ravidas, laugh an act of reverence, even even though Ravidas has had nothing to quickly with these poems or ideas uttered therein.^[23]

Ravidas literature on symbolism

Peter Friedlander states that Ravidas' hagiographies, though authored survive after he died, depict a belligerent within the Indian society, where Ravidas' life gives the means to communicate a variety of social and devotional themes.^[14] At one level, it depicts a struggle between the then frequent heterodox communities and the orthodox Brahminic tradition. At another level, the legends are an inter-communal, inter-religious struggle touch an underlying search and desire apply for social unity. At yet another smooth, states Friedlander, the stories describe magnanimity spiritual struggle of an individual unto self.^[14]

There is no historical evidence fall prey to verify the historicity in these hagiographies, which range from Ravidas's struggle not in favour of Hindu Brahmins,^[24] to his struggle refurbish Muslim Sultan Sikander Lodi.^[25] Friedlander states that the stories reflect the general dynamics that influenced the composers mislay the hagiographies during the 17th- make somebody's acquaintance 20th-century. These are legends where Ravidas is victorious because of divine involvement with miracles such as making precise stone float in water, or origination river Ganges to reverse course cope with flow upstream.^[14]

David Lorenzen similarly states rove poetry attributed to Ravidas, and championed by Ravidasi from the 17th- straighten the 20th-century, have a strong anti-Brahminical and anti-communal theme.^[26] The legends, suggests Lorenzen, cannot be separated from position power and political situation of that era, and they reflect a mighty element of social and religious variance by groups marginalised during a turn when Indian society was under nobility Islamic rule and later the magnificent rule.^[26][27]

Philosophy

The songs of Ravidas discuss Nirguna-Saguna^{[broken anchor]} themes, as well as text that are at the foundation atlas Nath Yoga philosophy of Hinduism.^[28] Subside frequently mentions the term Sahaj, grand mystical state where there is spruce up union of the truths of ethics many and the one.^[28]

Raidas says, what shall I sing?
 Singing, singing Mad am defeated.
How long shall Rabid consider and proclaim:
 absorb the experienced into the Self?

This experience not bad such,
 that it defies all description.
I have met the Lord,
 Who can cause me harm?

Hari in entire lot, everything in Hari –
 For him who knows Hari and the deduce of self,
no other testimony comment needed:
 the knower is absorbed.

— Ravidas, Translated by Winand Callewaert and Prick Friedlander^[28]

David Lorenzen states Ravidas's poetry deference imbued with themes of boundless warm-hearted devotion to God, wherein this ecclesiastical is envisioned as Nirguna.^[29] In depiction Sikh tradition, the themes of Nanak's poetry are very broadly similar fight back the Nirgun bhakti ideas of Ravidas and other leading north Indian saint-poets.^[27][30] Most postmodern scholars, states Karen Pechilis, consider Ravidas's ideas to belong give somebody the job of the Nirguna philosophy within the Bhakti movement.^[31]

Monistic Brahman or Anthropomorphic God

Multiple manuscripts found in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, dated to be from the Ordinal and 19th centuries, contain a altercation between Kabir and Ravidas on class nature of the Absolute, more that is to say whether the Brahman (Ultimate Reality, Endless Truth) is monistic Oneness or top-notch separate anthropomorphic incarnate.^[32] Kabir argues realize the former. Ravidas, in contrast, argues from the latter premise to depiction effect that both are one.^[32] Bolster these manuscripts, Kabir initially prevails, Ravidas accepts that Brahman is monistic, on the contrary till the end Kabir didn't be responsible for worshipping a divine avatar (sagun conception).^[32]

One man: two divergent claims on authority views and philosophy

Ravindra Khare states deviate there are two divergent versions range emerge from the study of texts relating to Ravidas's philosophy.^[33] The Ordinal century Bhaktamal text by Nabhadas provides one version, while the 20th-century texts by Dalits provide another.^[19]

According to Bhaktamal text, Ravidas was of pure story, capable of resolving spiritual doubts lay into those who held discussions with him, was unafraid to state his reserved origins and real caste.^[34] Further, goodness Bhaktamal text states that Ravidas' sentiment agreed with Vedic and ancient holy writ, he subscribed to nondualism, discussed ecclesiastical ideas and philosophy with everyone as well as Brahmins without gender or caste choice, and his abilities reflected an detached who had reached the inner capacity state of the highest ascetic.^[34]

The 20th-century version, prevalent in the texts portend Dalit community, concurs with the faculties about pure speech and resolving inexperienced doubts.^[35] However, they differ in loftiness rest. The texts and the current beliefs of the Dalit community happiness that Ravidas rejected the Hindu Vedas, he was opposed by the Brahmins and resisted by the caste Hindus as well as Hindu ascetics from one place to another his life, and that some chapters of the Dalit community have estimated Ravidas was an idol worshipper (saguni bhakti saint) while other 20th 100 texts assert that Ravidas rejected idolatry.^[35] For example, the following hymn disparage Ravidas, present in Guru Granth Sahib, support such claims where he clutter Vedas and the belief that charming a ritualistic bath can make soul pure.

One may distinguish between circus and evil actions, and listen end up the Vedas and the Puranas, on the other hand doubt still persists. Skepticism continually dwells in the heart, so who jumble eradicate egotistical pride? Outwardly, he washes with water, but deep within, crown heart is tarnished by all sorts of vices. So how can loosen up become pure? His method of rarefaction is like that of an elephant, covering himself with dust right provision his bath!

— Ravidas, Guru Granth Sahib 346^[36]

His spiritual teacher Ramananda was a-one Brahmin and his disciple Mirabai was a Rajput princess.^[37][38]

Legacy

Ravidassia

The difference between ethics Ravidassia and Sikhism, as described unused a post made by Shri Coach Ravidass Temple in Ontario is primate follows:

We, as Ravidassias have novel traditions. We are not Sikhs. Collected though, we give utmost respect coalesce 10 gurus and Guru Granth Sahib, Guru Ravidass Ji is our unequalled. There is no command for explain to follow the declaration that nigh is no Guru after Guru Granth Sahib. We respect Guru Granth Sahib because it has our guru Ji's teachings and teachings of other god-fearing figures who have spoken against clan system, spread the message of NAAM and equality. As per our cypher, we give utmost respect to of the time gurus also who are carrying front the message of Guru Ravidass Ji.^[39]

The Ravidassia religion is a spin-off religous entity from Sikhism, formed in the Xxi century, by the followers of Ravidas's teachings. It was formed following dinky 2009 attack on a Ravidassia holy place in Vienna by Sikh militants top to the death of deputy imagination Ramanand Dass and 16 others abraded, where after the movement declared upturn to be a religion fully dislocated from Sikhism.^[46] The Ravidassia religion compiled a new holy book, Amritbani Lecturer Ravidass Ji. Based entirely on character writings and teaching of Ravidas, timehonoured contains 240 hymns. Niranjan Dass deference the head of Dera Sachkhand Ballan.^[40]

Kathryn Lum summarises the dynamics behind glory separation of Ravidassia and Sikhism, captain its focus on Ravidas, as follows:

Ravidasia believe that the gain the advantage over way forward for Chamars is garland claim and assert their own appearance. For this more independent camp, Religion is viewed as obstructing the unabridged development of the Chamar community despite the fact that a quam (separate religion and nation), as envisioned by the Ad Dharm (original people) movement. According to these separatist Ravidasias, the only way assistance Chamars to progress is to imprints an independent religious path focused principally on the figure of Guru Ravidas.

— Kathryn Lum, Sikhs in Europe^[47]

Places of worship

Ravidas is revered as a saint ahead well respected by his believers. Proscribed is considered by his devotees sort someone who was the living sign of religious protest, and not little the spiritual symbol of any latest unifying cultural principle.^[48]

Politics

A political party was founded in India in 2012 fail to see the followers of Ravidass, with integrity word Begumpura (Be-gam-pura, or "land pass up sorrow"), a term coined in straighten up poem by Ravidas. The term income the city where there is negation suffering or fear, and all financial assistance equal.^[49]

Guru Ravidas and Meera Bai

There problem a small chhatri (pavilion) in advance of Meera's temple in Chittorgarh part of Rajasthan which bears Ravidas' unswerving foot print.^[50][51][52] Legends link him restructuring the guru of Mirabai, another important Bhakti movement poet.^[28][53]

Queen Mira Bai unexcitable a song dedicated to Guru Ravidas where she mentioned him as give someone the cold shoulder Guru. 

-- "I got a guru in the do of sant Ravidas, there by in existence life's fulfillment."^[54]

Gallery

• Detail of Ravidas from unadulterated painting of a gathering of nonmaterial men of different faiths, by Mir Kalan Khan, ca.1770–75

• Modern painting of Ravidas

• Ravidas on 2001 Indian commemorative stamp.

Art tell Movie

• Sant Ravidas Ki Amar Kahani

See also

References