Ravidasi
Encyclopedia
Ravidassia are people who follow the Ravidassia Dharam (Punjabi
: ਰਬਿਦਾਸੀ ਧਰਮ) a religion based on the teachings of Guru Ravidas
. The members of the Ravidasi religion believe in Guru Ravidas or Raidas as their founding prophet. The members are called Ravidasias who believe in Guru Ravidas to be their spiritual master and revere him as Satguru. In 14th century India, Ravidas, a Dalit
by birth, taught monotheistic spirituality and the equality message based on emancipation of the Indian caste system. He was born in an oppressed community known as Chamar
s. Guru Ravidass Ji taught the lessons of universal brotherhood, tolerance, message of love your neighbour. The earliest collection of these poems are available in Sri Amritbani Guru Ravidass Ji Ki. It is said that Guru Ravidass Ji disappeared from the world, leaving behind only his footprints. Guru Ravidass Ji lived in Banaras during his last days, dying a natural death at the age of 126 years.
Guru Ravidass Ji is considered the founder of the Ravidassia faith. 41 hymns by Shri Guru Ravidass Ji are recorded in Sikh holy book known as Guru Granth Sahib
, a quotation being:
"My caste is low, my lineage is low, and mean is my birth. I have sought God's refuge, says Guru Ravidass Ji the cobbler."
Guru Ravidass Ji was also the Guru of the Vaishnava devotee Sant Mira Bai. According to historians, Guru Ravidass was born on 15 January 1377 and according to the Indian calendar, Sunday Sukhal Falgin Parvithta in 1433. His birthplace was a locality known as Mandhuadhe in the city of Varanasi
, Uttar Pradesh
state, India. The community was known as ‘Kutvandla’, one of the Shudra
communities. The birthplace is marked by the Shri Guru Ravidass Janam Asthan
also known as Begampura
, and is a major place of pilgrimage for the followers of Guru Ravidass Ji today.
movement of the fifteenth century, a religious renaissance in India. Guru Ravidass taught the following principles:
The Shri Guru Ravidas Mission states that the conditions on being a member of the community are:
State in India, in the city of Varanasi
. It was not an urban area. The locality was known as Mandhuadhe. The community was known as ‘Kutvandla’.
Shri Guru Ravidass Janam Asthan
Mandir, at Seer Goverdhanpur, Varanasi
, India is the ultimate place of pilgrimage for the followers of Ravidas today.
, where they are present in the following verses: Raga – Siri(1), Gauri (5), Asa(6), Gujari(1), Sorath(7), Dhanasari(3), Jaitsari(1), Suhi(3), Bilaval(2), Gaund(2), Ramkali(1), Maru(2), Kedara(1), Bhairau(1), Basant(1), and Malhar(3). The Ravidasi faith reveres the Amritbani Guru Ravidass Ji, the holy book of Ravidassia Religion and many Ravidassi temples install it in keeping with the historical traditions of Ravidassias.
who mentors them on their spiritual path, providing personalised mantras and advice. A very well known Sant by the name of Sant Rama Nand
ji was murdered in Vienna recently by Sikh terrorists, he was well known for his highly personal style of mentoring, including his knowledge of each individual devotee's name worldwide. The head of the Ravidassia Dharam, known as the Sadhus(Saints) are present mainly in Punjab and the 'Dera Sach Khand Ballan' consists of sadhus who inturn lead and are heads of all ravidasias deras around the world. Sant Niranjan Dass ji is currently serving as the leader of the ravidassia sect.
. There is some discussion going on amongst some Ravidasias that the symbol should be Sohang or Har
. Both words are directly or indirectly meant for mediation or in reciting of Ravidasia hymns and are given to individuals by their Sant
.
However, there is a long-established Ravidasi flag which has been in use for centuries. Its explanation is as follows:
as the One God. The Gurmukhi transliteration of the name Harr is the main symbol of the Ravidassia Faith.
)is celebrated every year according to the date in the Indian calender. This changes each year but is usually in January or February. It is the annual focal point for Ravidassias. On the day there is an Path of Amritbani Guru Ravidass Ji read, the nishaan sahib is changed ceremonially, and there is a special Arti
and a Nagar Kirtan
procession bearing Shri Guru Ravidass' portrait are taken out to the accompaniment of music through the streets of the temple locality.
Whenever any Ravidassia receives, meets, writes or addresses another he or she is supposed to say "ਜੇ ਗੁਰੂਦੇਵ" (“Jai Gurudev").
Punjabi language
Punjabi is an Indo-Aryan language spoken by inhabitants of the historical Punjab region . For Sikhs, the Punjabi language stands as the official language in which all ceremonies take place. In Pakistan, Punjabi is the most widely spoken language...
: ਰਬਿਦਾਸੀ ਧਰਮ) a religion based on the teachings of Guru Ravidas
Guru Ravidas
Guru Ravidas was a North Indian Sant mystic of the bhakti movement who was active in the 15th century CE. Venerated in the region of Uttar Pradesh as well as the Indian state of Maharashtra, his devotional songs and verses made a lasting impact upon the bhakti movement...
. The members of the Ravidasi religion believe in Guru Ravidas or Raidas as their founding prophet. The members are called Ravidasias who believe in Guru Ravidas to be their spiritual master and revere him as Satguru. In 14th century India, Ravidas, a Dalit
Dalit
Dalit is a designation for a group of people traditionally regarded as Untouchable. Dalits are a mixed population, consisting of numerous castes from all over South Asia; they speak a variety of languages and practice a multitude of religions...
by birth, taught monotheistic spirituality and the equality message based on emancipation of the Indian caste system. He was born in an oppressed community known as Chamar
Chamar
Chamar |tanner]]"; from the Sanskrit Charmakara) is a prominent occupational caste in India, Pakistan and Nepal. Chamar is a Dalit sub-caste mainly found in the northern states, such as Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi and in Nepal at least north to the Himalayas...
s. Guru Ravidass Ji taught the lessons of universal brotherhood, tolerance, message of love your neighbour. The earliest collection of these poems are available in Sri Amritbani Guru Ravidass Ji Ki. It is said that Guru Ravidass Ji disappeared from the world, leaving behind only his footprints. Guru Ravidass Ji lived in Banaras during his last days, dying a natural death at the age of 126 years.
Founder
Guru Granth Sahib
Sri Guru Granth Sahib , or Adi Granth, is the religious text of Sikhism. It is the final and eternal guru of the Sikhs. It is a voluminous text of 1430 angs, compiled and composed during the period of Sikh gurus, from 1469 to 1708...
, a quotation being:
"My caste is low, my lineage is low, and mean is my birth. I have sought God's refuge, says Guru Ravidass Ji the cobbler."
Guru Ravidass Ji was also the Guru of the Vaishnava devotee Sant Mira Bai. According to historians, Guru Ravidass was born on 15 January 1377 and according to the Indian calendar, Sunday Sukhal Falgin Parvithta in 1433. His birthplace was a locality known as Mandhuadhe in the city of Varanasi
Varanasi
-Etymology:The name Varanasi has its origin possibly from the names of the two rivers Varuna and Assi, for the old city lies in the north shores of the Ganga bounded by its two tributaries, the Varuna and the Asi, with the Ganges being to its south...
, Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh abbreviation U.P. , is a state located in the northern part of India. With a population of over 200 million people, it is India's most populous state, as well as the world's most populous sub-national entity...
state, India. The community was known as ‘Kutvandla’, one of the Shudra
Shudra
Shudra is the fourth Varna, as prescribed in the Purusha Sukta of the Rig veda, which constitutes society into four varnas or Chaturvarna. The other three varnas are Brahmans - priests, Kshatriya - those with governing functions, Vaishya - agriculturalists, cattle rearers and traders...
communities. The birthplace is marked by the Shri Guru Ravidass Janam Asthan
Shri Guru Ravidass Janam Asthan
Shri Guru Ravidass Janam Asthan Mandir , Seer Goverdhanpur, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India is called Dera Sach Khand and is the focal point of pilgrimage for followers of the Ravidasia religion....
also known as Begampura
Begampura
Begampura is a populated place and a town of Lahore District in Punjab. It is located near G.T road Lahore. University of Engineering and Technology is also located in this town of Lahore.- See also :* Lahore* University of Engineering and Technology...
, and is a major place of pilgrimage for the followers of Guru Ravidass Ji today.
Beliefs
Guru Ravidass Ji's teachings represent an offshoot of the bhaktiBhakti
In Hinduism Bhakti is religious devotion in the form of active involvement of a devotee in worship of the divine.Within monotheistic Hinduism, it is the love felt by the worshipper towards the personal God, a concept expressed in Hindu theology as Svayam Bhagavan.Bhakti can be used of either...
movement of the fifteenth century, a religious renaissance in India. Guru Ravidass taught the following principles:
- The oneness, omnipresence and omnipotence of God, who is called Harr
- The human soul is a particle of the Divine; the difference between the two being like the difference between gold and the bangle, water and the wave.
- The rejection of caste.
- To realize God, which is the goal of human life, man should concentrate on Hari, giving up rituals.
- The only way to liberationMokshaWithin Indian religions, moksha or mukti , literally "release" , is the liberation from samsara and the concomitant suffering involved in being subject to the cycle of repeated death and reincarnation or rebirth.-Origins:It is highly probable that the concept of moksha was first developed in...
is to free the mind from duality.
The Shri Guru Ravidas Mission states that the conditions on being a member of the community are:
- That one who preaches Guru Ravidass Ji's philosophy is a Ravidassia.
- It is not a condition that one should have been born in the Ravidassia community to become or initiated as one.
- To celebrate Shri Guru Ravidas Jayanti according to the Punjabi calendar, Sunday, Sukhal Falgin Parvithta.
- Whenever any Ravidassia receives, meets, writes or addresses a fellow Ravidassia, he or she should say "Jai Gurudev".
- and their slogan is "jo bole so nirbhai guru ravidass maharaj ki jai"
Places of worship
The Ravidassia place of worship is called a "bhawan". Technically a Ravidassia can meditate and reflect on God anywhere, as Guru Ravidass stated that "God dwells within the heart and is always around us." It is a strict requirement to cover one's head and to remove footwear when entering a Bhawan due to common Indian practice. Outside a Bhawan there is always a flag upon which is written Harr, and above it a lamp symbolising enlightenment from Guru Ravidass Ji's teachings. Langar, a communal lunch, takes place inside the Bhawan and all are free to partake of it.Birthplace of Guru Ravidass
According to historians, Guru Ravidass was born on 15 January 1377 and according to the Indian calendar, Sunday Sukhal Falgin Parvithta in 1433. His birthplace is located in the Uttar PradeshUttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh abbreviation U.P. , is a state located in the northern part of India. With a population of over 200 million people, it is India's most populous state, as well as the world's most populous sub-national entity...
State in India, in the city of Varanasi
Varanasi
-Etymology:The name Varanasi has its origin possibly from the names of the two rivers Varuna and Assi, for the old city lies in the north shores of the Ganga bounded by its two tributaries, the Varuna and the Asi, with the Ganges being to its south...
. It was not an urban area. The locality was known as Mandhuadhe. The community was known as ‘Kutvandla’.
Shri Guru Ravidass Janam Asthan
Shri Guru Ravidass Janam Asthan
Shri Guru Ravidass Janam Asthan Mandir , Seer Goverdhanpur, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India is called Dera Sach Khand and is the focal point of pilgrimage for followers of the Ravidasia religion....
Mandir, at Seer Goverdhanpur, Varanasi
Varanasi
-Etymology:The name Varanasi has its origin possibly from the names of the two rivers Varuna and Assi, for the old city lies in the north shores of the Ganga bounded by its two tributaries, the Varuna and the Asi, with the Ganges being to its south...
, India is the ultimate place of pilgrimage for the followers of Ravidas today.
Arti
Arti takes place daily in the Bhawan at the closing of the day's formal services, this consists of the famous Arti written by Guru Ravidass Ji in which he tells God that only his name is sufficient.
Naam Tero Aarti Majanu Muraray;Har Ke Naam bin Jhuthey Sagal Pasarey;Naam Tero Aasno – Naam Tero Ursa;Naam Tero Kesro Le Chhat Karey;Naam Tere Ambhula,Naam Tero Chandno;Ghas Japey Naam Ley Tujhey Kou Charey;Naam Tere Deewa – Naam Tero Baati;Naam Tero Tail le Mahen Pasarey;Naam Tere Ki Jot Lagayi;
Bhaio Ujaaro Bhawan Saglarey;Naam Tere Taaga – Naam Phool Mala;Bhar Aatharah Sagal Jhutharey;Tero Kiya Tujheh Kiya Arpou;Naam Tere Tuhi Chawar Dholarey;Eh Wartan hai Sagal Sansarey;Keh RAVIDASS – NAAM TERO AARTI;SAT NAAM HAI HAR BHOG TUHAREY.;
"Thy Name Is My Aarti And Ablution, O Lord. Without God’s Name All Religious Paraphernalia Are False. Thy Name Is My Prayer-Mat, Thy Name My Saffron-Grater, And Thy Name Is The Saffron, Which I Sprinkle On Thee. Thy Name Is The Water, Thy Name The Sandal-Wood, And The Repetition Of The Name Is The Rubbing Thereof; This Is The Sandal Paste, Which I Take To Anoint Thee. Thy Name Is The Lamp, Thy Name The Wick, Thy Name Is The Oil, Which I Pour Therein. With Thy Name I Have Kindled The Light, With It’s Illumination My Entire Home Is Bright. Thy Name Is The String, Thy Name The Garland Of Flowers, Defiled Are All The Eighteen Loads Of Leaves, Offerings Of Ours. Why Should I Offer Thee What Thou Thyself Has Created? Thy Name Is The Whisk (Chawar) Which I Wave Over Thee. The Whole World Is Involved In The Eighteen Puranas, And The Sixty-Eight Places Of Pilgrimage, It Rotates Within The Four Forms Of Species. Thy Name Is The Aarti, Sayeth Ravidass And Thy True Name Itself Is Offered, O Lord, As The Ceremonial Food To Thee."
Scriptures
Ravidassias revere the Guru Ravidass Ji Amrit Bani which contains all the hymns by Guru Ravidass. This newly made book has been compiled from the verses of Ravidas Ji in the Amritbani Guru Ravidass JiAmritbani Guru Ravidass Ji
Amritbani Guru Ravidass Ji is a holy book of Ravidassia Religion whose followers are mostly from India, US, UK, Austria, Germany. The Amritbani Guru Ravidass Ji contains 41 hymns by Guru Ravidas from the Sikh holy book,Guru Granth Sahib, where it falls under the following Ragas – Siri, Gauri , Asa,...
, where they are present in the following verses: Raga – Siri(1), Gauri (5), Asa(6), Gujari(1), Sorath(7), Dhanasari(3), Jaitsari(1), Suhi(3), Bilaval(2), Gaund(2), Ramkali(1), Maru(2), Kedara(1), Bhairau(1), Basant(1), and Malhar(3). The Ravidasi faith reveres the Amritbani Guru Ravidass Ji, the holy book of Ravidassia Religion and many Ravidassi temples install it in keeping with the historical traditions of Ravidassias.
Leaders
True Ravidassias devotees are aligned with a SantSant
Sant is an Indian term derived from a Sanskrit verb that means both "to be good" and "to be real". From the fifteenth century the term has often referred to those who sing the name of God and worship Him, particularly the bhakti poets of Marathi...
who mentors them on their spiritual path, providing personalised mantras and advice. A very well known Sant by the name of Sant Rama Nand
Rama Nand
Sant Rama Nandji was a leader of the Dera Sach Khand, a follower of Ravidassia.His name came to international attention when he was murdered at the age of 57 in a 24 May 2009 attack in the...
ji was murdered in Vienna recently by Sikh terrorists, he was well known for his highly personal style of mentoring, including his knowledge of each individual devotee's name worldwide. The head of the Ravidassia Dharam, known as the Sadhus(Saints) are present mainly in Punjab and the 'Dera Sach Khand Ballan' consists of sadhus who inturn lead and are heads of all ravidasias deras around the world. Sant Niranjan Dass ji is currently serving as the leader of the ravidassia sect.
Flag
The Ravidasi religious symbol is known as the Nishan SahibNishan Sahib
The Nishan Sahib is a Sikh holy triangular flag made of cotton or silk cloth, with a tassel at its end. The word, Nishan means symbol, and the flag is hoisted on a tall flagpole, outside most Gurudwaras. The flagpole itself covered with fabric, ends with a two-edged dagger on top...
. There is some discussion going on amongst some Ravidasias that the symbol should be Sohang or Har
Har
Har " हरि " " ਹਰਿ " is an official symbol of Ravidassia DharamHar may refer to:* ḪAR, the official copyrighted symbol of Ravidasi* ḪAR, the Sumero-Akkadian ideogram for "mountain"...
. Both words are directly or indirectly meant for mediation or in reciting of Ravidasia hymns and are given to individuals by their Sant
Sant
Sant is an Indian term derived from a Sanskrit verb that means both "to be good" and "to be real". From the fifteenth century the term has often referred to those who sing the name of God and worship Him, particularly the bhakti poets of Marathi...
.
However, there is a long-established Ravidasi flag which has been in use for centuries. Its explanation is as follows:
- Sunrays (40 rays of sunlight)
- ਨਾਮ ਤੇਰੇ ਕਿ ਜੋਤੀ ਲਗਾਈ, ਭੇਈਓ ਭੇਈਓ ਭਵਣ ਸਗਲਈ
- Star
- Tikka (ਟੀਕਾ)
- Circle
- HarHarHar " हरि " " ਹਰਿ " is an official symbol of Ravidassia DharamHar may refer to:* ḪAR, the official copyrighted symbol of Ravidasi* ḪAR, the Sumero-Akkadian ideogram for "mountain"...
Logo
The Ravidassia religious symbol is known as the "Harr" nishaan. Harr means "God" in Punjabi and is used in the Ravidassi contextas the One God. The Gurmukhi transliteration of the name Harr is the main symbol of the Ravidassia Faith.
Festival
The birthday of Guru Ravidass (Shri Guru Ravidass JayantiShri Guru Ravidass Jayanti
The birthday of Guru Ravidas on February 16 is celebrated as Ravidas Jayanti every year. It is the annual focal point for Ravidasis. On the day there is an Akhand Path read, the Nishan Sahib is changed ceremonially, and there is a special Aarti and a Nagar Kirtan procession bearing his portrait are...
)is celebrated every year according to the date in the Indian calender. This changes each year but is usually in January or February. It is the annual focal point for Ravidassias. On the day there is an Path of Amritbani Guru Ravidass Ji read, the nishaan sahib is changed ceremonially, and there is a special Arti
Arti
Arti is an urban locality and the administrative center of Artinsky District of Sverdlovsk Oblast, Russia, located on the Artya River at its confluence with the Ufa River, southwest of Yekaterinburg and southeast of Krasnoufimsk. Population: 13,800 .-History:It was founded in 1783 when...
and a Nagar Kirtan
Nagar Kirtan
Nagar Kirtan is a Sikh custom involving the processional singing of holy hymns throughout a community. While practiced at any time, it is customary in the month of Vaisakhi. Traditionally, the procession is led by the saffron-robed Panj Piare , who are followed by the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, Sikh...
procession bearing Shri Guru Ravidass' portrait are taken out to the accompaniment of music through the streets of the temple locality.
Slogans and chants
The following slogans have been used in Ravidasi community worship since around 1490 CE and are still used today:- “Jo Bole So Nirbhey” – “Shri Guru Ravidas Maharaj Ki Jai”
- “Jo Bole So Nirbhey” – “Ravidasia Dharma Ki Jai”
- “Jo Bole So Nirbhey – Sadh Sangat Ki Jai”
Whenever any Ravidassia receives, meets, writes or addresses another he or she is supposed to say "ਜੇ ਗੁਰੂਦੇਵ" (“Jai Gurudev").
Official stamps
The Government of India has issued official postage stamps and postcards with the name of Sri Guru Ravidass Ji.Further reading
- Adi Granth 29, cited in Hawley, John S. and Jurgensmeyer, Mark (eds.), Songs of the Saints of India (2005) p. 17, Oxford University Press, ISBN 0-19-505221-8
- Guru Ravidass Marg, Harnam Singh Lakha, Shri Guru Ravidass Sabha UK undated.
- Ravidasi: Meera, Ravidas, Ravidasi Arti, Nishaan, Gurdehera, Ravidasi Beliefs and Practices, Ravidas Jayanti, Guru Sikhya Sahib, General Books LLC, 2010, ISBN 1157129706, 9781157129707.
- Sant Ravidas and his times, Darshan Singh, Kalyani Publishers, 1977, University of Michigan.
- Guru Ravidas Ji Ki Satik Vani, Dharampal Singhal,Baldev Singh Baddan, Shilalekh Prakashan, ISBN-10 8180590771,ISBN-13 9788180590771
- Mahakavi Ravidas Samaj Chetna Ke Agradut, Dr. Vijay Kumar Trisharan, Gautam Book Center, 2008, ISBN 8187733144, 9788187733140.
- Santa Guru Ravidasa-vani, Santa Guru Ravidasa Sansthana, Candigarha dvara Surya-Prakasana, samvat 2035(1978), University of California
- Guru Ravidas : Ek Parichay, Ramesh Mehra, Arun Publisher, ISBN-10 8180481565 ISBN-13 9788180481567
- Satguru Ravidas Ji Ki Amar Kahani, Ahir Sohan Singh, Eastern Book Co., ISBN-10 8178540541 ISBN-13 9788178540542
- Shri Guru Ravidas: Patit Uddharak, M R Virmani, Eastern Book Co.,ISBN-10 8178540711, ISBN-13 9788178540719
- Guru Ravidas, Dharamveer Dr., HINDI BOOK CENTER, ISBN-10 6111112577, ISBN-13 9786111112577
- Guru Ravidas Jiwan Ate Vichar, Dharampal Singal, Unistar Books, ISBN-10 8171420583 ISBN-13 9788171420582
- Sant Ravidas aur Maanaviya Chetna, Daya Publishing House, R P Verma, ISBN: 8173120870 EAN: 9788173120879