Ravidassia
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| Part of a series on the |
| Ravidassia |
|---|
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| Beliefs and practices |
| Temples |
| Scriptures |
| Holy Places |
| Founder |
| Sants |
| Festivals |
| Symbols |
| ਹਰਿ |
Ravidassia are people who follow the Ravidassia Dharam (Punjabi: ਰਬਿਦਾਸੀ ਧਰਮ, Hindi रविदास्सिया धर्म, Urdu راویدسسیہ دھرم) a religion[1][2][3][4] based on the teachings of Guru Ravidas. The members of the Ravidasi religion believe in Guru Ravidas or Raidas as their founding prophet. The members are called Ravidasia who believe in Guru Ravidas to be their spiritual master and revere him as Satguru. In 14th century India, Ravidas, a Dalit by birth, taught monotheistic spirituality and the equality message based on emancipation of the Indian caste system. He was born in an oppressed community known as Chamars. Guru Ravidass Ji taught the lessons of universal brotherhood, tolerance, message of love your neighbour. The earliest collection of these poems are available in Sri Amritbani Guru Ravidass Ji Ki. It is said that Guru Ravidass Ji disappeared from the world, leaving behind only his footprints. Guru Ravidass Ji lived in Banaras during his last days, dying a natural death at the age of 126 years.
Founder
Guru Ravidass Ji is considered the founder of the Ravidassia faith. 41 hymns by Shri Guru Ravidass Ji are recorded in their own holy book known as Amritbani Guru Ravidass Ji, a quotation being: "My caste is low, my lineage is low, and mean is my birth. I have sought God's refuge, says Guru Ravidass Ji the cobbler."[5] Guru Ravidass Ji was also the Guru of the Vaishnava devotee Sant Mira Bai. According to historians, Guru Ravidass was born on 15 January 1377 and according to the Indian calendar, Sunday Sukhal Falgin Parvithta in 1433. His birthplace was a locality known as Mandhuadhe in the city of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh state, India. The community was known as ‘Kutvandla’, one of the Shudra communities. The birthplace is marked by the Shri Guru Ravidass Janam Asthan also known as Begampura, and is a major place of pilgrimage for the followers of Guru Ravidass Ji today.
Beliefs
Guru Ravidass Ji's teachings represent an offshoot of the bhakti movement of the fifteenth century, a religious renaissance in India. Guru Ravidass taught the following principles:
- The oneness, omnipresence and omnipotence of God, who is called Harr
- The human soul is a particle of the Divine; the difference between the two being like the difference between gold and the bangle, water and the wave.
- The rejection of caste.
- To realize God, which is the goal of human life, man should concentrate on Harr, giving up rituals.
- The only way to liberation is to free the mind from duality.
The Shri Guru Ravidas Mission states that the conditions on being a member of the community are:
- That one who preaches Guru Ravidass Ji's philosophy is a Ravidassia.
- It is not a condition that one should have been born in the Ravidassia community to become or initiated as one.
- To celebrate Shri Guru Ravidas Jayanti according to the Punjabi calendar, Sunday, Sukhal Falgin Parvithta.
- Whenever any Ravidassia receives, meets, writes or addresses a fellow Ravidassia, he or she should say "Jai Gurudev".
- and their slogan is "jo bole so nirbhai guru ravidass maharaj ki jai"
- According to religion, it is not a condition that a person be born in the Ravidassia community to become Ravidassia
Dera Sach Khand Ballan of Jallandhar, Punjab on 30th January 2010 at the 633rd birth anniversary of Sri Guru Ravidass announced the objectives of Ravidassia Religion as:
- "To propagate the Bani and teachings of Satguru Ravidass Ji. Besides, the teachings and thought of Maharishi Bhagwan Balmiki Ji, Satguru Namdev Ji, Satguru Kabir Ji, Satguru Trilochan Ji, Satguru Sain Ji and Satguru Sadna Ji would also be propagated". and
- "To respect all religions, love the mankind and lead virtuous life".[6][7]
Sri Guru Ravidass International Organisation for Human Rights believes in protecting rights of Ravidassia Religion and is registered charity organisation in UK. With the aim of bringing awareness of basic human rights to all in need and most volernable to abuses of their human rights.
Places of worship
The Ravidassia place of worship is called a "bhawan".[8] Technically a Ravidassia can meditate and reflect on God anywhere, as Guru Ravidass stated that "God dwells within the heart and is always around us."[This quote needs a citation] It is expected that you will take off your shoes and socks and cover your head. This is done as a sign of respect for Guru Ravidass Ji, and is a practice common to all Ravidassia Bhawan due to common Indian practice. There is also opportunity to wash your hands in most of Bhawans. Outside a Bhawan there is always a flag upon which is written Harr, and above it a lamp symbolising enlightenment from Guru Ravidass Ji's teachings. Langar, a communal lunch, takes place inside the Bhawan and all are free to partake of it. Inside the bhawan, hymns from the Amritbani Guru Ravidass Ji Ki are recited daily. In Gurdeheras his image is worshipped.[9]
Birthplace of Guru Ravidass
According to historians, Guru Ravidass was born on 15 January 1377 and according to the Indian calendar, Sunday Sukhal Falgin Parvithta in 1433. His birthplace is located in the Uttar Pradesh State in India, in the city of Varanasi. It was not an urban area. The locality was known as Mandhuadhe. The community was known as ‘Kutvandla’. Shri Guru Ravidass Janam AsthanMandir also known as Begampura, at Seer Goverdhanpur, Varanasi, India is the ultimate place of pilgrimage ffor the devotees in India and abroad of Guru Ravidas today. There is an imlitree quite adjacent to the temple site. When the foundation stone of the temple was laid by Dera Sach Khand and followers it was a dry trunk of the tree. Sant Hari Dass Ji watered the tree daily so long as it stayed there. The tree became live again. To-day it is big tree. The pilgrims pay their obei-sance at this place also.
Arti
Arti takes place daily in the Bhawan at the closing of the day's formal services, this consists of the famous Arti written by Guru Ravidass Ji in which he tells God that only his name is sufficient.
Hindi : नाम तेरो आरती मजनू मुरारी ;हर के नाम बिन झूठे सगल पसारे ;नाम तेरो आसनों – नाम तेरो उर्सा ;नाम तेरो केसरों ले छत करे ;नाम तेरे अम्भुला ,नाम तेरो चंद्नो ;घास जपे नाम ले तुझे कोऊ चारे ;नाम तेरे दीवा – नाम तेरो बाटी ;नाम तेरो तेल ले म्हें पसरे ;नाम तेरे की जोत लगायी ; भाइयो उजारो भवन सग्लारे ;नाम तेरे तागा – नाम फूल माला ;भर आठारह सगल झुथारे ;तेरो किया तुझेह किया अर्पोऊ ;नाम तेरे तुहइ चवर धोलारे ;एह वर्तन है सगल संसारे ;कह रविदास – नाम तेरो आरती ;सैट नाम है हर भोग तुहारे !!
Naam Tero Aarti Majanu Muraray;Har Ke Naam bin Jhuthey Sagal Pasarey;Naam Tero Aasno – Naam Tero Ursa;Naam Tero Kesro Le Chhat Karey;Naam Tere Ambhula,Naam Tero Chandno;Ghas Japey Naam Ley Tujhey Kou Charey;Naam Tere Deewa – Naam Tero Baati;Naam Tero Tail le Mahen Pasarey;Naam Tere Ki Jot Lagayi; Bhaio Ujaaro Bhawan Saglarey;Naam Tere Taaga – Naam Phool Mala;Bhar Aatharah Sagal Jhutharey;Tero Kiya Tujheh Kiya Arpou;Naam Tere Tuhi Chawar Dholarey;Eh Wartan hai Sagal Sansarey;Keh RAVIDASS – NAAM TERO AARTI;SAT NAAM HAI HAR BHOG TUHAREY.;
"Thy Name Is My Aarti And Ablution, O Lord. Without God’s Name All Religious Paraphernalia Are False. Thy Name Is My Prayer-Mat, Thy Name My Saffron-Grater, And Thy Name Is The Saffron, Which I Sprinkle On Thee. Thy Name Is The Water, Thy Name The Sandal-Wood, And The Repetition Of The Name Is The Rubbing Thereof; This Is The Sandal Paste, Which I Take To Anoint Thee. Thy Name Is The Lamp, Thy Name The Wick, Thy Name Is The Oil, Which I Pour Therein. With Thy Name I Have Kindled The Light, With It’s Illumination My Entire Home Is Bright. Thy Name Is The String, Thy Name The Garland Of Flowers, Defiled Are All The Eighteen Loads Of Leaves, Offerings Of Ours. Why Should I Offer Thee What Thou Thyself Has Created? Thy Name Is The Whisk (Chawar) Which I Wave Over Thee. The Whole World Is Involved In The Eighteen Puranas, And The Sixty-Eight Places Of Pilgrimage, It Rotates Within The Four Forms Of Species. Thy Name Is The Aarti, Sayeth Ravidass And Thy True Name Itself Is Offered, O Lord, As The Ceremonial Food To Thee."
Scriptures
Ravidassias revere the Amritbani Guru Ravidass Ji which contains all the hymns by Guru Ravidass. This newly made book has been compiled from the verses of Ravidas Ji in the Amritbani Guru Ravidass Ji, where they are present in the following verses: Raga – Siri(1), Gauri (5), Asa(6), Gujari(1), Sorath(7), Dhanasari(3), Jaitsari(1), Suhi(3), Bilaval(2), Gaund(2), Ramkali(1), Maru(2), Kedara(1), Bhairau(1), Basant(1), and Malhar(3).
The Ravidasi faith reveres the Amritbani Guru Ravidass Ji, the holy book of Ravidassia Religion and many Ravidassi temples install it in keeping with the historical traditions of Ravidassias.
It contains 140 shabads, 40 pade, painti akhri, bani haftawar,bani pandran tithi, baran maas updesh,dohra, saand bani,anmol vachan (milni de samen), laawaan,suhag ustat,manglachar, 231 salok. There are 177 pages in all of the book.
It has been installed at Ravidassias Gurudwaras in all of the States in India and in major countries of the world.
For the first time ever, new granth (holy book), AmritBani Guru Ravidass Ji, which contains 240 hymns of Guru Ravidass ji, was made a part of the Shobha Yatras. The community had installed AmritBani Guru Ravidass Ji Granth at the Guru Ravidass dham in Buta Mandi area of Jalandhar on 1 February'2012. The Earlier, on January 30,2010, on the occasion of birth anniversary of Guru Ravidass, the Dera Sach Khand Ballan had announced the formation of the new religion – Ravidassia- in Benaras. The move had come days after the killing of its deputy head Sant Ramanand in May 2009 at a temple in Vienna by some Sikh radicals/terrorists. Their social and theological assertion was evident during the Shobha Yatras the community members took out on Monday in Doaba region on the eve the 635th birth anniversary of Guru Ravidass giving an indication of adopting the new religion by Ravidassia people .
President of newly-formed Begumpura Lok Party and a supporter of the new religion, Satish Bharti, said that the copies of the Granth was put on display during the Shobha Yatras to assert that the community members are firm believers of the new religion.
It may be noted that in Doaba region – comprising Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala and Nawanshahr – more than than 45 per cent population belong to Dalit community, a majority of whom are now following the new religion "Ravidassia Religion".[10] [11]
Leaders
True Ravidassias devotees are aligned with a Sant who mentors them on their spiritual path, providing personalised mantras and advice. A very well known Sant by the name of Sant Rama Nand ji was murdered in Vienna recently by Sikh terrorists, he was well known for his highly personal style of mentoring, including his knowledge of each individual devotee's name worldwide. The head of the Ravidassia Dharam, known as the Sadhus(Saints) are present mainly in Punjab and the 'Dera Sach Khand Ballan' consists of sadhus who inturn lead and are heads of all ravidasias deras around the world. The Leader of the Ravidassia Dharam, known as the Gaddi Nasheen is Sant Niranjan Dass Ji alongside Sant Garib Dass Ji. Former leaders include Sant Hari Dass Ji, Sant Sarwan Dass Ji and Sant Baba Pippal Dass Ji.[12]
Flag
The Ravidasi religious symbol is known as the Harr Nishaan. There is some discussion going on amongst some Ravidasias that the symbol should be Sohang or Har. Both words are directly or indirectly meant for mediation or in reciting of Ravidasia hymns and are given to individuals by their Sant.
However, there is a long-established Ravidasi flag which has been in use for centuries. Its explanation is as follows:
- Sunrays (40 rays of sunlight)
- Naam Tere Ki Jot Lagayi; Bhaio Ujaaro Bhawan Saglai (ਨਾਮ ਤੇਰੇ ਕਿ ਜੋਤੀ ਲਗਾਈ, ਭੇਈਓ ਭੇਈਓ ਭਵਣ ਸਗਲਈ)
- Star
- Tikka (ਟੀਕਾ)
- Circle
- Har (" हरि " " ਹਰਿ ") or "sonh" ("ਸੋੰਹੂ")
Logo
The Ravidassia religious symbol is known as the "Harr" "ਹਰਿ" nishaan. Harr means "God" in Punjabi and is used in the Ravidassi context as the One God. The Gurmukhi transliteration of the name Harr is the main symbol of the Ravidassia Faith. Strictly speaking "Nishaan" means "symbol" and is used in Ravidasi context to mean their mantras passed down by their Sants. Another symbol is sohang or "sonh" "ਸੋੰਹੂ".
Festival
The birthday of Guru Ravidass ('''Shri Guru Ravidass Jayanti''')is celebrated every year according to the date in the Indian calender. This changes each year but is usually in January or February. It is the annual focal point for Ravidassias and this day is observed with great enthusiasm across length and breadth of India. The Seer Gowardhapur village, the birth place of Guru Ravidas ji on the outskirts of the city, gear up for the grand birth anniversary celebrations every year wearing a festive look with colourful pandals and eye-catching stalls.
Long conclave of trucks carrying devotees from different parts of the country arrives every year to gather near the Guru Ravidas Temple thus turning the venue into a fair site, the buzzing movement of devotees, both men and women, old and young, give it a mini-India look two days before the birth anniversary day. About one-kilometer stretch from the entrance of Guru Ravidas Janamsthan Mandir gets converted into a fair site, displaying colourful stalls on both sides of the Seer-Ramna Road. The frequent cleaning of the road takes place making it sparkle and ready to facilitate movement of devotees who came bare-footed to offer prayers and worship Guru Ravidas at the temple from different parts of the country. The white and golden dome of the temple been decorated with attractive lights and flowers. At the fair site, a number of colourful stalls displays toys, artificial ornaments, books, literature and posters of Guru Ravidas ji comes up on both sides of the road. As many as two huge pandals for fooding and lodging of devotees been set up near the site. The 'sewadars' (volunteers), including women, remains busy in mass cooking (langars) with a big 'tawa' churning out chapattis for the devotees. Straw and mats were laid on the ground to provide warmth to the devotees. A total of around 5,000 'sewadars' been deployed every year to offer round the clock services to the devotees. A control room been set up at strategic places including Ravidas temple and Cantonment railway station to coordinate the movement of devotees. Every year around 12 lakhs of devotees from India and abroad visit Seer Goverdhanpur. In India, devotees pour in from Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat, MP, Bihar, UP and Uttarakhand while foreign devotees from the US, Canada and UK throng the village. Most of the devotees visit by speaial train while some prefers truck journey. It is also worth mentioning that Guru Ravidass Janamsthan Public Charitable Trust organises the events for birth anniversary celebrations every year. The sight of the temple looks soothing to the eyes and devotees like to spend their time for colourful processions, recitation of 'shabad' (musical prayers) and 'keertan' during the holy visit.
Sant Niranjan Dass ji , the leader of the Ravidassia Religion, Dera Sach Khand and Chairman of Guru Ravidas garlands the statue of Sri Guru Ravidas ji at Ravidas Park, Nagwa in the morning to mark the start of 635th birth anniversary celebrations in the city. It would be followed by flag procession near the temple and orations and recitations at pandals.[13]
On the day there is a Path of Amritbani Guru Ravidass Ji read, the Harr nishaan sahib is changed ceremonially, and there is a special Arti and a Nagar Kirtan procession bearing Shri Guru Ravidass' portrait are taken out to the accompaniment of music through the streets of the temple locality. His followers offer prayer to this great man. To mark this occasion the government of India has declared it a gazetted holiday.[14]
Under the guidance and management of Sant Niranjan Dass Ji , Gaddi Nashin Dera Sach Khand, Ballan, who is , also, Chairman of Guru Ravi Dass Janam Asthan Public Charitable Trust , special pilgrim trains have been run to and fro Varanasi for the last 12 years on the occasion of Parkash Ustav of Guru Ravi Dass ji. A special train is run from Jalandhar to Varanasi and back every year on Guru Ravidass Jyanti Purb for the convenience of the pilgrims since 2000. The Special Train "Begumpura" Express Yatra is every body’s wish which remains a very interesting journey for the life of devotees.
Slogans and chants
The following slogans have been used in Ravidasi community worship since around 1490 CE and are still used today:
- “Jo Bole So Nirbhey” – “Shri Guru Ravidas Maharaj Ki Jai”
- “Jo Bole So Nirbhey” – “Ravidasia Dharma Ki Jai”
- “Jo Bole So Nirbhey – Sadh Sangat Ki Jai”
Whenever any Ravidassi receives, meets, writes or addresses another he or she is supposed to say "ਜੇ ਗੁਰੂਦੇਵ" “(Jai Gurudev)” "जय गुरुदेव ".
Other chants which are commonly spoken includes "Jai Santa Di" that is Glory of Saints.
Political Views
With less than two months left for assembly polls in the year 2012, a new political party has been announced by Sri Guru Ravidass Dharam Yudh Morcha, an organisation which has been a strong supporter of newly founded Ravidassia religion by Dera Sach Khand Ballan with a new Granth AmritBani Guru Ravidass ji. The name of the party is ‘Begumpura Lok Party’.[15]
Timeline of Guru Ravidass Birthday
| Numerical order | Birth Anniversary | Birthday | Major Yearly Events |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 633rd Anniversary | 30-January-2010 |
|
| 2 | 634th Anniversary | 18-February-2011 |
|
| 3 | 635th Anniversary | 7-February-2012 (Tuesday, Magh Purnima) |
|
Official stamps
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The stamp of Guru Ravidass, Amount Rs 3.
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The stamp of Guru Ravidass, Amount 20P.
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The Postcard of Guru Ravidass.
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The Postcard of Guru Ravidass.
The Government of India has issued official postage stamps and postcards with the name of Sri Guru Ravidass Ji. The Posts and Telegraphs Department feels previleged to bring out a special commemorative stamp in honour and memory of his great Guru, and a reformer, Guru Ravidas
See also
References
- ^ http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/02/03/india.new.religion/index.html
- ^ http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-02-28/india/28641794_1_ravidassia-dera-sachkhand-ballan-new-religion
- ^ http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-02-01/india/28118439_1_dera-head-dera-sachkhand-ballan-sant-ramanand
- ^ http://news.taaza.com/source/218739-new-punjab-sect-lays-down-code.html
- ^ P. 659, Guru Granth Sahib
- ^ http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/Print/504200.aspx
- ^ http://punjabnews.org/jalandhar-news-ravidassia-dharam-code-released.html/
- ^ http://www.gururavidas.org.uk/ point 15: # To address our place of worship as Ravidassia Gurdehera Sahib’ all the time and for all the purposes.
- ^ http://news.taaza.com/source/218228-punjab-sect-declares-new-religion.html
- ^ http://jagopunjabjagoindia.com/no-guru-granth-sahib-but-amrit-bani-adorned-at-ravidas-sobha-yatra-3292
- ^ http://www.indianexpress.com/news/ravidassias-assert-identity-display-new-granth-in-shobha-yatras/908944/0
- ^ http://www.deccanherald.com/content/5450/dera-sachkhand-ballan-repositorydalit.html
- ^ http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/varanasi/Seer-Gowardhapur-decked-up-for-Sant-Ravidas-Jayanti/articleshow/11770095.cms
- ^ http://www.indianexpress.com/news/city-briefs-pgi-opds-to-be-closed-on-feb-7/908346/
- ^ http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Briefly-Region--Himachal-seeks-exemptions-under-Monuments-Act/890503/
- ^ http://www.indianexpress.com/news/religion-or-a-prayer-for-identity/574754/
- ^ http://newstrackindia.com/newsdetails/146323
- ^ http://www.indianexpress.com/news/amid-tight-security-dera-ballan-head-follo/750310/
- ^ http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-02-16/varanasi/28551809_1_ravidas-jayanti-seer-gowardhanpur-village-entire-village
- ^ http://www.indianexpress.com/news/ravidassias-assert-identity-display-new-granth-in-shobha-yatras/908944/
- ^ http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-02-04/india/31024422_1_guru-granth-sahib-ravidassia-main-hall
- ^ http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/varanasi/Ravidas-Jayanti-celebrated-on-Magh-Purnima/articleshow/11799926.cms
Further reading
- Adi Granth 29, cited in Hawley, John S. and Jurgensmeyer, Mark (eds.), Songs of the Saints of India (2005) p. 17, Oxford University Press, ISBN 0-19-505221-8
- Guru Ravidass Marg, Harnam Singh Lakha, Shri Guru Ravidass Sabha UK undated.
- Ravidasi: Meera, Ravidas, Ravidasi Arti, Nishaan, Gurdehera, Ravidasi Beliefs and Practices, Ravidas Jayanti, Guru Sikhya Sahib, General Books LLC, 2010, ISBN 1157129706, 9781157129707.
- Sant Ravidas and his times, Darshan Singh, Kalyani Publishers, 1977, University of Michigan.
- Guru Ravidas Ji Ki Satik Vani, Dharampal Singhal,Baldev Singh Baddan, Shilalekh Prakashan, ISBN 8180590771,ISBN 9788180590771
- Mahakavi Ravidas Samaj Chetna Ke Agradut, Dr. Vijay Kumar Trisharan, Gautam Book Center, 2008, ISBN 8187733144, 9788187733140.
- Santa Guru Ravidasa-vani, Santa Guru Ravidasa Sansthana, Candigarha dvara Surya-Prakasana, samvat 2035(1978), University of California
- Guru Ravidas : Ek Parichay, Ramesh Mehra, Arun Publisher, ISBN 8180481565 ISBN 9788180481567
- Satguru Ravidas Ji Ki Amar Kahani, Ahir Sohan Singh, Eastern Book Co., ISBN 8178540541 ISBN 9788178540542
- Shri Guru Ravidas: Patit Uddharak, M R Virmani, Eastern Book Co.,ISBN 8178540711, ISBN 9788178540719
- Guru Ravidas, Dharamveer Dr., HINDI BOOK CENTER, ISBN 6111112570, ISBN 9786111112573
- Guru Ravidas Jiwan Ate Vichar, Dharampal Singal, Unistar Books, ISBN 8171420583 ISBN 9788171420582
- Sant Ravidas aur Maanaviya Chetna, Daya Publishing House, R P Verma, ISBN: 8173120870 EAN: 9788173120879
External links
