A poet, a follower, and a Gurmukh, Bhagat Ravidas Ji (Gurmukhi: ), was born on Maghshudhi 14 Pooranmashi in Smt. 1456, or 30 January 1399, in Kashi. He was a Gurmat scholar and a monotheist. Kabir Ji and Namdev Ji were figures to him. Numerous Bhagat Ravidas Ji devotional hymns may be found in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. His hymns are categorized as Bani Bhagtan ki because he was a devout follower of God. The Ravidasis are a separate sect from the mainstream Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs and regard Bhagat Ravidas Ji as their Guru. He was a Tanner by trade.
His parents made a pretty good living working in the leather industry. He had only been born for five days when Bhagat Ramanand blessed the infant at his home. Raghu and Ghurbinia, who resided close to the city of Varanasi, gave birth to Ravidas.When Ravidas was old enough to make decisions on his own, his father encouraged him to work for the family company. Ravidas, however, had principles that were both heavenly and compassionate. He used the money his father gave him for his business to help the poor and saints. His father expelled him from the house because he was so furious.
Ravidas was already married at this point. Instead of being upset by his father's behavior, he quietly left the home, moved in with his wife in a temporary hut, and opened a tiny roadside business to repair shoes.
He continued to worship God and constructed a temple with clay walls and a thatched roof. He placed a hide-based idol in the Temple. Hundreds of people from all castes joined him in adoration due to his extraordinary dedication and unconditional love. The Brahmin priests who brought up the issue at the Muslim Nawab of Kashi's Court did so out of jealousy. Being a pious man, the Nawab put the situation to a remarkable test.
In his song "Take pity on me that my doubts may be dispelled," Bhagat Ravidas prayed to the Almighty as he entered into meditation. His worship celebrated the victory in the amazing test when his petition was granted. He penned the hymn "Thou art sandal and I am the poor castor-plant, dwelling near to thee" (Asa P. 1606) to show his thanks. I have evolved from a lowly tree to something majestic, and now I am filled with Yours wonderful aroma.
By the beginning of the 14 century, Muslim dominance in India was firmly entrenched. Bhagat Ramanand (1366–1467 AD) observed that the Muslim faith had infiltrated Hinduism since a sizable number of Hindus had been converted and had taken up Islam as their religion when he arrived in Northern India and made Kashi/Benares his home. Ramanand was a traditional Ram follower. With the exception of the ruling feudal elite, Muslims of all classes interacted in every area of life, including living, eating, participating in religious rites, and getting married, with little regard for casteism. He was undoubtedly inspired by Islam's conviction in the exclusivity of God and its emphasis on the equality of individuals. But he was deeply troubled to see how this was encouraging Hindus, especially those from poor castes, to convert to Islam.
As instructed by his Guru, Ramanuj, he abandoned the stringent Shivaite rituals and began to revere the Universal Brotherhood. He welcomed Muslims to join him in worship and become his disciples as well as low caste Hindus. His most well-known pupils included the Muslim weavers Kabir and Sain, as well as the barbers Dhanna and Sain. Each of whom attracted followers and became a Guru.
A wealthy man made an attempt to seduce him with his charm. According to legend, he gifted Ravidas a philosopher's stone that could turn any object into gold at the touch of it. The wealthy guy left the stone hanging beneath the ceiling notwithstanding Ravidas' rejection of the gift. The stone was still hanging there when he returned after a year had passed. The wealthy guy declared Bhagat Ravidas' undeniable divinity to the world. This story is viewed as a liturgical test to determine Bhagat Ravidas' fortitude towards worldly love. However, some versions link this to the cunning attempt of the Brahmin priests to defame Ravidas, which actually resulted in Ravidas' victory.
Ravidas' unselfish commitment and compassion for humanity transcended caste lines and reached far and wide. The Maharani Jhally of Chitaur was an honorable lady of charity and piety. She came to Benares on a pilgrimage because of her ardour. She immediately proceeded to the Temple of Ravidas, who was at the moment in his ecclesiastic blessing and performing his songs, notwithstanding the objections of the Brahmin priests (Rag Sorath P.658–59). The Maharani became enthralled. She eventually became his follower and gave up all of her opulent adornments. Because she chose to follow a cobbler as her Guru, her husband, the Maharana, had turned against her.When she came back, he was furious. He was calmed by hearing some of Bhagat Ravidas' songs, but he still wanted to put her new Guru to the test in order to disprove the Brahmins' accusations.
Ravidas' unselfish commitment and compassion for humanity transcended caste lines and reached far and wide. The Maharani Jhally of Chitaur was an honorable lady of charity and piety. She came to Benares on a pilgrimage because of her ardour. She immediately proceeded to the Temple of Ravidas, who was at the moment in his ecclesiastic blessing and performing his songs, notwithstanding the objections of the Brahmin priests (Rag Sorath P.658–59). The Maharani became enthralled. She eventually became his follower and gave up all of her opulent adornments. Because she chose to follow a cobbler as her Guru, her husband, the Maharana, had turned against her.When she came back, he was furious. He was calmed by hearing some of Bhagat Ravidas' songs, but he still wanted to put her new Guru to the test in order to disprove the Brahmins' accusations.
Ravidas accepted an invitation to Chitaur and asked to take part in an oblation. Naturally, the Brahmin priests baulked at eating while a cobbler sat in the same row of rows. Ravidas got up and left on his own. But amazingly, to the Brahmins, every individual delivering food looked to resemble Bhagat Ravidas. (Another tale tells as the Brahmins sat down to dine, they noticed Ravidas seated between every two of them). They protested to the Maharana, who understood the secret significance of this miracle and converted to his cause. For a long period, Ravidas resided in Chittoor. Mira Bai is claimed to have also been his pupil at that time. Some reports claim that he passed away at a ripe old age.
