Remembering Guru Ravidassji: One of the greatest thinker and social reformer of India

By Jaspal Singh Today is the  642nd anniversary of the  birth of Guru Ravidass also known as Raidas. He is one of the greatest thinkers and social reformers of India. He was born in a low caste family, leather workers, in a village near Banaras. Like all great figures many legends have developed around his life and work.. Because of his popularity, Brahminization of Ravidass has been attempted. It is claimed that he was born to a Brahmin family but raised by a Chamar family. Other claim is that , he was a Brahmin in an earlier life but was cursed to be born as a Chamar. The idea being that a " low "born person can not have such deep insights and knowledge, had to be a Brahmin. He is said to have received  earlier education from Swami Ramanand , a teacher of fame in Banaras. The legend , the Brahminized version claims that Ravidass went to Ramanand to be his students, Pandits told him that he was a Chamar and can not be taught. But Ramanand, a knower of past and present, knew that Ravidass was a Brahmin in his earlier life and paid no heed to the Brahmins and accepted him as a student.

Ravidass travelled across the length and breadth of the Indian subcontinent, learnt and debated with Sufis,Sants, Bhagats, Jogis and Pandits. Finally he settled in Banaras, carrying on his trade as a cobbler.

He condemned the barbaric Jaati Vayavastha or caste system that dehumanized majority of humanity such as women and toilers. He restored the dignity of labour and proudly carried on his trade while teaching and debating. He used ' Khalas Chamar' as his pen name , meaning liberated cobbler,proud of his trade. Men and women of all strata came to him to learn from him and restore humanity of all humans.

He preached and taught a radical universal humanism and unity of humans and nature. 

Tohi Mohi Antar Kaisa Kanak Katak Jal Tarang Jaisaa

( There is no difference between you and me Bracelet and gold,wave and water)

We are like a wave on water and water, gold and an ornament made of gold. He argued for an ontological unity of all beings thus revolted against all bonds that denigrate humanity and nature. People thronged to him, specially the toilers and the oppressed as well as other thinking and enlightened people. He proclaimed that Vedas and Shastras were useless and temples,rituals and mosques were no good for a person:

Charon Ved Kiya Khandoti, Jan Ravidass Kare Dandoti

( Ravidass condemns four Vedas and bows to the people)

Of course Pandits of Banaras did not like this challenge to their authority and privilege of monopoly of knowledge. So it is said that they tried many things to trap him and finally complained to Sultan Sikander Lodhi and asked him to punish him. Sikander Lodhi summoned him and after listening to his arguments honored him and let him go much to the dismay of Pandits. They kept conspiring against him, as he was shutting down their business, by telling people that rituals and rites dictated  by the Brahmins were useless. Purity of heart and love for all beings is the way to freedom and authentic existence. 

Guru Ravidassji, envisioned a new society- Beghampura-A city without sorrows. Free of exploitation and oppression:

Beghampura Shahar Ka Naon Dukh Andoh Nahin Tih Thaon Na Tasvis Khiraj Na Maal Khauf Na Khata Na Taras Jawal Kahi Ravidass Khalas Chamar Jo Hum Sahiri Meet Hamar

( City without sorrow is the name of the city Suffering and worry have no place No tax or assessment or possessions No fear, no crime, mercy or charity Ravidass Chammar ( cobbler) declares All fellow citizens are friends)

He boldly declared equality of women to men and attacked the Brahmanical canon that claimed that women could not access knowledge, and took women students. Some of his famous students are said to be Meera, Jhalan, Bhanmati, Karam Bai , who became prominent teachers of the time and preached message of Guru Ravidass.

Mardana, a Muslim life companion of Nanak and an accomplished musician,recited Shabads of Guru Ravidassji  to Nanak.  Guru Nanak during his travels came to Banaras and collected some of his poems and they form part of Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of the Sikhs. Amritbani, is a collection of songs and poems of Guru Ravidassji. There is a legend about murder of Guru Ravidassji by Brahmins in Chittor their shops were being closed.

Life and work of Guru Ravidassji, continues to inspire the oppressed, toilers and enlightened people . Many Dalit scholars,activists and thinkers are inspired by his thought and hermeneutics  His life and work will live forever.