Guru Ravidas Ji

Facts about Guru Ravidas Ji Maharaj

Birth: in 1377 AD (means Bikrami Samvat-Magh Sudi 15, 1433, however; some people believed that it was 1440 A.D.) at Seer Goverdhanpur, Varanasi, U.P.

Father: Shri Santokh Dass Ji

Mother: Smt. Kalsa Devi Ji

Grandfather: Shri Kalu Ram Ji

Grandmother: Smt. Lakhpati Ji

Wife: Smt. Lona Ji

Son: Vijay Dass Ji

Death: in Varanasi in 1540 A.D.

Early Life History

Early Life Guru, Sant Ravidas Ji was born in Harijan caste in the Varanasi to the Mata Kalsa Devi Ji and Baba Santokh Dass Ji in the Seer Goverdhanpur village, Varanasi, U.P., India in the 15th century. However, his real birth date is still controversial some estimates it was 1376, 1377 and even 1399 CE. According to the data by some scholars it has been estimated that his lifespan was from 1450-1520 in 15th to 16th century CE. His father was working as a Sarpanch at Raja Nagar Mal’s Kingdom and has his own business of shoes making and repairing. His birthday anniversary is celebrated at every Puran Mashi (Magh Purnima) of the Magh month by the people. He was very brave and highly devoted to the God from his early childhood later he struggled with lots of problems created by upper caste people which he faced and let people to realize about facts of life through his writings. He taught people that always love your neighbors without any discrimination. His birth anniversary is still celebrated by his great followers to remember his great teachings as well as renew the establishment of peace and brotherhood all over the world. During early days of his teachings, his popularity was prohibited by the conservative Brahmins living in Kashi as he was also an untouchable guru. He was complaint by them in front of the king as a deformer of the social order. He was prohibited to talk about God and as well as advising or teaching the people following him.

His Early Education

In his childhood he went to the Pathshala of his Guru, Pt. Sharda Nand who was later restricted by some higher caste people to get admitted to the Pathshala. However, Pt. Sharda Nand realized that Ravidas is a child boy and sent by the God as a godly boy. Pt. Sharda Nand admitted Ravidas to his own Pathshala and started teaching him. He was very brilliant and promising student and got more than what he was taught by his Guru. Pt. Sharda Nand was very much influenced by him and his behavior and he thought that one day Ravidas would be spiritually enlightened and become great social reformer. During his study time in the Pathshala, he became friend of the son of Pt. Sharda Nand. One day both of them were playing together the game hide and seek. First time Ravidas Ji had won the game and second time his friend won the game. In the next turn, it was the time of Ravidas again to hide and seek by his friend but they were unable to complete the game because of the night then they decided to continue in the next morning. Next morning Guru Ravidas Ji came but his friend did not. He wait for long time and then went to his friend’s home to get him and saw that his friend’s parents and neighbors were weeping. He asked about his friend to one of them and surprised after hearing the news of his friend death at that night. He was brought by the Pt. Sharda Nand to the place of dead body of his friend, he asked to his friend that it is not sleeping time, it is time get up and play the game of hide and seek. As Guru Ravidas Ji was blessed by the spiritual powers from the birth, his friend got alive after hearing his words. The parents and neighbors of his friend were very surprised by seeing that surprising moment.