Sri Guru Rohidass Park:- Varanasi Guru Ravidass/Rohidas is regarded as a major figure in the Bhakti Movement, a Hindu religious movement which opposed caste considerations. Guru Ravidass taught in times dominated by the rigidity and narrow-mindedness of the caste system, but he upheld the equality of all mankind saying, “the deed, not the creed, makes man high or low”. He emphasized the fundamental tenets underlying all religions. As a proponent of the Bhakti Movement, his contribution was truly great, spreading the philosophy of spiritual self-realization through Bhakti, and dispelling the darkness of “ajnana”, with “jnana” (wisdom). Born in humble surroundings in the house of a cobbler, Guru Ravidass emerged as a great philosopher-poet and social reformer of his age. It is said that when his father gave him money to establish himself in the family business, Guru Ravidass instead spent the money to help the poor and needy. Guru Ravidass, being a ‘charmkar’ by birth was denied entry into temples. The maharaja and rani of Chittor became his disciples, and the poetess-saint Meera adopted him as her spiritual guru. In his teachings, Guru Ravidass says: “God is everywhere, in you and me.” * How to escape? I recite the name Ram . * Lord, if you are sandalwood, I am water; * With the fragrance in all parts of my body. * Lord, if you are a cloud, I am a peacock; * Looking for you like a chakora for the moon. * Lord, if you are a lamp, I am the wick; * With a light burning day and night. * Lord, if you are a pearl, I am the thread; * Together like gold and bracelet. * Lord, you are the master and I servant; * thus is the devotion of Raidas. This song demonstrates several key facets of Guru Ravidass overall work. His similes for the divine – water, cloud, light, and gold, suggest the “one god”, and state that he himself is inseparable from that formlessness, yet that he is the one who gives it form.[citation needed] Today he is respected, as when Bangaru Laxman (Organiser, 6-8-1995) accused Congress leader Sitaram Kesri of showing “disrespect to Dalit saints like Ravidas, Satyakam Jabali, Sadhna Kasai, Banka Mahar, Dhanna Chamar and others who protected Hindus against foreign onslaughts.”
Posted on: Sat, 06 Jul 2013 10:44:56 +0000
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