Context
- Recently, the President of India extended her greetings to the nation on the occasion of Guru Ravidas Jayanti, urging people to embrace his teachings of equality and social justice.
- Sant Ravidas Jayanti or birthday anniversary is celebrated every year on Magh Purnima on full moon day of Magh month.
About Guru Ravidas
- He was born in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, now known as Shri Guru Ravidas Janam Asthan, a major pilgrimage site for his followers.
- Guru Ravidas, a respected saint of the Bhakti movement in the 15th and 16th centuries, is celebrated for his profound message of unity, devotion, and selfless service to humanity.
- He was one of the most renowned figures of the nirguna sampradaya (sant parampara).
- Medieval era texts, such as the Bhaktamal suggest that Ravidas was one of the disciples of the Brahmin bhakti sant- poet Ramananda.
- Sant Guru Ravidas Ji is regarded as the spiritual mentor of Meera Bai, the queen of Chittoor.
- Most scholars believe that Ravidas met Guru Nanak Dev ji, the founder of Sikhism. He is revered in the Sikh scripture, and 41 of Ravidas’ poems are included in the Adi Granth.
His Involvement in Social Issues
- He was a true messenger of God, sent to uphold real Dharma during a time when social and religious systems were troubled by man-made discrimination based on caste, color, and beliefs.
- He taught that a person is not defined by their caste, religion, or belief in God, but by their actions (karma).
- Sant Guru Ravidas Ji taught the values of universal brotherhood and tolerance in response to the social situation.
- Babur was greatly influenced by his social works and became a great follower of the Guruji and started doing social works by supporting the poor in Delhi and Agra.
- The Ravidassia religion was founded by Guru Ravidas.