The commemoration of Guru Ravidas Jayanti that took place on 9th February, 2020 is currently under the spotlight. This significant event is celebrated on Magh Purnima, corresponding to the full moon day in the month of Magh as per the Hindu lunar calendar. Guru Ravidas, an influential figure from the 14th century, was a renowned saint and reformer profoundly connected with the Bhakti movement in North India.
Guru Ravidas: A Brief History
Born into a cobbler’s family in Varanasi, Guru Ravidas rose to prominence for his strong belief in one God and the potency of his unbiased religious poetry. He devoted his entire life to combating the caste system, expressing clear disdain towards the concept of a Brahmin-dominated society. His soul-stirring devotional songs left an indelible mark on the Bhakti Movement. Around 41 of these poignant poems found a place in ‘Guru Granth Sahib’, the revered religious text of the Sikhs.
Insight into the Bhakti Movement
The roots of the Bhakti movement can be traced back to Tamil Nadu between the seventh and ninth centuries. This period witnessed the surge of emotional poems by Nayanars and Alvars, dedicated devotees of deities Shiva and Vishnu respectively. These saints viewed religion not just as a ritualistic worship, but as a warm, loving relationship between the divine and the devotee.
Spread of the Bhakti Ideology
While the ideas originating from the South gradually moved North over time, the process was quite slow. An effective way to disseminate the Bhakti ideology turned out to be the use of local languages. The Bhakti saints crafted their verses in vernacular languages and also translated Sanskrit works into these languages, making them accessible to a broader audience.
Adoption of Local Languages for Preaching Bhakti Ideology
Prominent examples include Jnanadeva who wrote in Marathi, Kabir, Surdas, and Tulsidas known for their Hindi works. Shankaradeva popularized Assamese, while Chaitanya and Chandidas propagated their teachings in Bengali. Mirabai, another noteworthy figure, used both Hindi and Rajasthani to express her profound devotion towards the divine.
This article provides an overview of Guru Ravidas’s contribution to the Bhakti movement and how the movement spread across different regions using local languages. The celebration of Guru Ravidas Jayanti commemorates his immense contributions towards challenging societal norms and spreading equality and love throughout society.
