President Droupadi Murmu extended her greetings to the nation on Guru Ravidas Jayanti, encouraging people to embrace his teachings of equality and social justice.

About Sant Ravidas

• Revered Saint of the Bhakti Movement: Sant Ravidas was a prominent saint of the Bhakti movement during the 15th and 16th centuries.
  • He is known for spreading a message of unity, devotion, and selfless service to humanity.
• Discipleship: He was a disciple of Jagatguru Ramanand, a renowned spiritual leader of his time.
• Founder of Ravidassia Religion: He is considered the founder of the Ravidassia religion, which follows his teachings on equality and devotion.
• Focus on Nirguna Bhakti: He emphasized worshiping a formless God, advocating for a spiritual approach free from idol worship.
• Contemporary of Sant Kabir: He was a contemporary of Sant Kabir, another Bhakti saint.
  • While Kabir focused on a monistic Oneness of Brahman, Ravidas believed that Brahman can exist both as an abstract Oneness and as a separate, divine incarnation.
• Guru Ravidas and Meera Bai: He was Guru of Mirabai .
  • In Chittorgarh, Rajasthan, a chhatri (pavilion) with engraved footprints of Ravidas is located next to Meera Bai’s temple.
  • This signifies the spiritual and poetic connection between Sant Ravidas and Meera Bai.
• Philosophy of Sahaj: He promoted Sahaj, a mystical state that represents the union of the many and the one, signifying spiritual harmony.

Contributions of Sant Ravidas

• Contributions to Guru Granth Sahib: His devotional verses were included in the Sikh scriptures, Guru Granth Sahib, highlighting his influence in Sikhism.
• Contributions to Panch Vani: His poetic works are part of the Panch Vani, a sacred text in the Dadu Panthi tradition within Hinduism.
• Contemporary of Sant Kabir: He was a contemporary of Sant Kabir, another Bhakti saint.
• • While Kabir focused on a monistic Oneness of Brahman, Ravidas believed that Brahman can exist both as an abstract Oneness and as a separate, divine incarnation.
• Guru Ravidas and Meera Bai: In Chittorgarh, Rajasthan, a chhatri (pavilion) with engraved footprints of Ravidas is located next to Meera Bai’s temple.
  • This signifies the spiritual and poetic connection between Sant Ravidas and Meera Bai.
• Advocate for Equality: He strongly opposed caste discrimination and untouchability, advocating for a society based on equality.
• Gender Equality: He emphasized the importance of gender equality, supporting women’s rights and their participation in spiritual and social life.
• Abolition of Caste System: His teachings challenged the traditional caste hierarchy, promoting the idea that a person’s birth should not determine their social or spiritual standing.