Celebrating Bhagat Ravidas: Where Spirituality Meets Anti-Casteism

As the spirit of Bhagat Ravidas wisdom fills the air, we celebrate a revolutionary saint whose voice echoed against injustice and ignited the flames of equality. His profound teachings, continue to guide us towards a world where spirituality and anti-casteism go hand in hand.

Lets explore, why Ravidas ji declared himself as symbol of casteism when he got realisation of the true-self (Ram).

This intentional act by Bhagat Ji was a response to the prevalent beliefs of that time, where religious leaders proclaimed that only Brahmins and Pandits could achieve self-realization, excluding others. These leaders treated some individuals as untouchables, prohibiting them from entering temples and reading the Vedas.

When Ravidas spread his wisdom through self-realization, the Brahmins of Banaras spread a false narrative that Ravidas Ji was born into a Brahmin family. In response to this misinformation and to challenge the caste-based propaganda, Ravidas Ji openly declared himself as "Chamaar," taking a stand against casteism and discrimination.

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O humble townspeople, I am obviously just a shoemaker.

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In my heart I found of the Lord, the Lord of the Universe. ||1||Pause||

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Even if wine is made from the water of the Ganges, O Saints, do not drink it.

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This wine, and any other polluted water which mixes with the Ganges, is not separate from it. ||1||

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The palmyra palm tree is considered impure by few Pandits, and so its leaves are considered impure as well.

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But if spiritual knowledge is written on paper made from its leaves, then people bow in reverence and worship before it. ||2||

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It is my occupation to prepare and cut leather; each day, I carry the carcasses out of the city.

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Now, the Brahmins leaders of the city bow down before me; Ravi Daas, Your slave, seeks the Sanctuary of Your Wisdom. ||3||1||

Explanation of above bani in Punjab