Bhagat Ravidas Ji

(1377–1520 CE) The Saint of Equality, Devotion, and Divine Love

🏡 Early Life: Born in the Shadow of Caste, Raised in the Light of Truth

Bhagat Ravidas Ji was born in 1377 CE in Seer Govardhanpur, near Varanasi (Kashi) in present-day Uttar Pradesh, into a Chamar family, a caste historically considered “untouchable” because they worked with leather. His parents were Santokh Das and Kalsa Devi. His father was a cobbler by trade, and Ravidas Ji too would take up this humble profession — a point of deep spiritual symbolism, as he turned this lowly work into a path of divine realization.

From childhood, Ravidas Ji displayed signs of spiritual inclination. He questioned empty rituals, sought truth beyond the surface, and often spoke of One God who dwells in all. Though society marginalized him, his soul knew no boundaries. He spent long hours in Naam Simran (remembrance of God), and even as he worked repairing shoes, his heart beat with divine love.

🕉️ Spiritual Awakening: The Voice of Unity

Ravidas Ji’s awakening was not through bookish learning but through direct experience of the Divine. His teachings echo the oneness of God and equality of all human beings, regardless of birth or social label. His bani (poetry) denounced superstition, caste pride, and ritualistic practices, and instead emphasized:

Naam (God’s Name)
Bhakti (devotion)
Seva (selfless service)
Inner purity and humility

“Begumpura shehar ka nao, dukh andohu nahi jith thao”
(I have found a city, Begumpura, a city without sorrow. No taxes or worries there, only eternal bliss.)

In these lines, Ravidas Ji describes a spiritual kingdom free from pain, oppression, or inequality — a vision of divine justice and harmony.

✊ Fearless Social Reformer: Challenging the Caste System

Ravidas Ji’s spiritual message was inseparable from his resistance to caste discrimination. Living in a time when “untouchables” weren’t allowed inside temples or educated in scriptures, he declared:

“Man changa to kathoti mein Ganga”
(If your heart is pure, the sacred Ganga is in your humble vessel.)

This simple yet revolutionary idea struck at the core of Brahmanical orthodoxy. He taught that divine love is not the birthright of the privileged — it is the treasure of the sincere heart. This message spread like wildfire among the poor and oppressed, giving them spiritual dignity and strength.

He was persecuted by the upper castes, mocked, and excluded — but none could extinguish his flame. His work as a cobbler continued, and he would offer shoes free of charge to the poor and saints. He turned his humble workshop into a spiritual ashram, where people of all backgrounds came to listen and find peace.

👑 Royal Influence: The Saint of Queens and Kings

Such was Bhagat Ravidas Ji’s spiritual aura that he became the Guru of Queen Jhalan Bai of Chittor, and his message reached the courts of Rajput kings. Even Meerabai, the famous Krishna devotee and princess-poet of Rajasthan, considered herself his disciple, referring to him as her Sadguru.

Despite royal patronage, Ravidas Ji never abandoned his simple way of life. He wore humble clothes, lived in a modest hut, and never sought worldly status. His life was his message — a perfect blend of inner detachment and compassionate action.

📖 Ravidas Bani in Guru Granth Sahib Ji

Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the fifth Sikh Guru, recognized Bhagat Ravidas Ji’s deep devotion and divine insight, and included 41 of his hymns in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. These shabads appear in Raags like Siri, Gauri, Asa, Dhanasari, Sorath, and more.

His bani resonates deeply with the Sikh teachings — especially the emphasis on:

Oneness of God (Ik Onkar)
Naam Simran (Remembrance of the Divine)
Rejection of caste and rituals
Equality, humility, and universal love

One of his most powerful compositions:

“Ravidas janam ke karne hot na koi neech,
Narak jaye jo Har bhaje, so neech kaun keech?”
(No one is low by birth, says Ravidas. He who remembers God will not go to hell — then who is truly low?)

This echoes the Sikh principle that spiritual greatness is earned through devotion, not dictated by birth.

🌈 Legacy: Eternal Flame of Justice and Devotion

Bhagat Ravidas Ji passed away in 1520 CE, but his spiritual movement, Ravidassia, and his teachings continue to thrive. His followers built Ravidas Temples and Ashrams across India and abroad. The Shri Guru Ravidass Janam Asthan Mandir in Varanasi marks his birthplace and is visited by lakhs of devotees every year.

In modern times, Ravidas Ji is seen not only as a saint but also as a symbol of empowerment for Dalits and the marginalized. His message — of inner divinity, human dignity, and spiritual equality — remains a timeless antidote to discrimination and hatred.