Sant Guru Ravidas

Context

Recently, the nation observed the 649th birth anniversary of Sant Guru Ravidas on February 1, 2026 (Magh Purnima), marked by high-profile visits and state-level celebrations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Dera Sachkhand Ballan in Jalandhar, Punjab—a prominent spiritual center for the Ravidassia community—to offer prayers and emphasize the government’s commitment to the saint’s vision of an egalitarian society.

1. General Profile and Life

Era: He was a 15th–16th century mystic poet-saint of the Bhakti Movement.
Birth: He was born in Seer Goverdhanpur near Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. His birthplace is now a major pilgrimage site known as Shri Guru Ravidas Janam Asthan.
Lineage: He belonged to a family of leather workers (Chamar community), and he continued to take pride in his profession as a symbol of the dignity of labor (Kirat).
Contemporary Figures: He was a contemporary of Saint Kabir and is widely believed to be a disciple of the Brahmin Bhakti poet Ramananda.

2. Philosophy and Teachings

Nirguna Bhakti: Guru Ravidas was a prominent figure of the Nirguna Sampradaya, emphasizing the worship of a formless, omnipresent God rather than idol worship or ritualistic orthodoxy.
Equality: He was one of the earliest advocates for the abolition of the caste system and gender discrimination, teaching that God resides in every human soul regardless of birth.
Sahaj: He used the term “Sahaj” to describe a mystical state where the individual soul and the Divine unite in a state of spiritual harmony.
Association with Meera Bai: Sant Guru Ravidas is traditionally considered the spiritual guide (Guru) of the famous Rajput princess and poetess Meera Bai.

3. The Concept of “Begumpura”

Definition: Derived from “Be-gham” (without sorrow) and “Pura” (city), it represents a Utopian city envisioned by Ravidas in one of his famous hymns.
Characteristics: He described it as a land where there is no suffering, no taxes, no private property, and no social hierarchy.
Constitutional Link: Modern scholars and political leaders often draw a parallel between the vision of Begumpura and the principles of Social Justice and Equality enshrined in the Indian Constitution.

4. Literary Contributions

Guru Granth Sahib: His spiritual influence is immortalized in the Sikh holy scripture, which contains 41 of his hymns (Shabads). He is one of the 36 contributors (Bhagats) to the Adi Granth.
Panch Vani: His verses are also found in the Dadu Panthi tradition of Rajasthan.
Amritbani Guru Ravidas Ji: This is the primary holy book of the Ravidassia religion, which emerged as a distinct faith in the 21st century.

Q. With reference to Sant Guru Ravidas, consider the following statements:
1. He was a prominent proponent of the Saguna tradition of Bhakti, focusing on the worship of personal avatars of God.
2. The concept of "Begumpura," a sorrowless and casteless society, was first articulated in his hymns.
3. His devotional poems are included in the Guru Granth Sahib, the central scripture of Sikhism.
4. He is traditionally regarded as the spiritual guru of the Bhakti saint Meera Bai.

How many of the statements given above are correct?
A) Only one
B) Only two
C) Only three
D) All four

Correct Answer: C) Only three

Solution:
STATEMENT 1 INCORRECT: Guru Ravidas belonged to the Nirguna (formless) tradition of Bhakti and generally rejected idol worship and Saguna forms.
STATEMENT 2 CORRECT: Begumpura is a unique socio-spiritual utopia envisioned by him to describe a just and equal society.
STATEMENT 3 CORRECT: 41 hymns of Guru Ravidas are part of the Guru Granth Sahib, making him a highly revered figure in the Sikh tradition.
STATEMENT 4 CORRECT: Historical and hagiographical accounts, particularly in Rajasthan, identify him as the Spiritual Guru of Meera Bai.