Sant Ravidas Ji
His Divine Grace is Also Known By - Shri Raidas Ji
The Birth of Guru Ravidas Ji
In the year 1471, in the holy city of Kashi, Ravidas Ji was born. His father was a cobbler, and he also adopted this traditional craft for his livelihood. However, the devotion to God was so deeply ingrained in his heart that he saw cobbling not just as a means to earn money, but as a way to serve saints.
Saints who visited Shri Ravidas Maharaj Ji ‘s door received shoes made by his hands for free. Due to his generosity, managing household expenses became difficult, so his father gave him a piece of land to live separately. On that land, Shri Ravidas Ji built a small hut where he made shoes, served the saints with his earnings, and sustained himself with whatever was left.
Sant Ravidas Ji kept his service confidential. He created a special place under that small hut for the service of the Lord. Saints stayed under that roof, but Shri Raidas Ji himself lived out in the open. He shared his earnings with his guests and lived a life of simplicity.
His life is a unique example of devotion and selfless service.
Becoming a Disciple of Jagadguru Ramanandacharya Ji
One day, a desire to become a disciple of Jagadguru Ramanandacharya Ji awakened in Shri Ravidas Ji ‘s heart. When he expressed this wish to Jagadguru Swami Shri Ramanandacharya Ji, Swami Ji graciously accepted him as a disciple. Sant Ravidas Ji became one of the twelve prominent disciples of the great Jagadguru Ramanandacharya Ji.
When Raidas Ji hesitantly said to his Guruji, “I am a cobbler,” Jagadguru Ramanandacharya Ji smiled and replied, “In the eyes of the Lord, no one is small or big.” Swami Ji urged him to devote his life to the worship of Thakur ji and to write devotional hymns.
Inspired by his deep devotion, Sant Shri Raidas Ji composed hymns, which he sang among the devotees, while continuing his traditional occupation of making shoes. His daily life was a blend of devotion, service, and sadhna.
The Queen of Chittor Becomes a Disciple
In the grand city of Chittor, there lived a queen named Jhalli, who had never received a mantra from any spiritual master. One day, she traveled to Kashi, and upon hearing the powerful teachings of Sant Ravidas Ji, she became his disciple!
When the Brahmins heard that a queen had become the disciple of Sant Ravidas Ji, they were filled with envy and outrage. They rushed to the king, declaring, “Ravidas Ji has no right to initiate anyone! He has overstepped his authority! We demand justice!”
The king summoned Shri Ravidas Ji to his court and devised a challenge. Placing the deity idol of the Lord on the throne, the king declared, “Whomever the Lord comes to when called, will be deemed worthy of serving the Lord and giving initiations.”
The Brahmins began reciting the Vedas in loud voices, chanting every word they knew. But nothing happened. The Lord did not move, not even a flicker!
Then, Sant Ravidas Ji, with his pure heart, began to sing one of his divine hymns, “Aayo Aayo Ho Devadhidev Tuv Saran Aayo…” (आयो आयो हो देवाधिदेव तुव सरन आयो..”) As his heartfelt words filled the air, something miraculous happened – at the end of the hymn, the Lord himself appeared and sat in Shri Ravidas Ji ‘s lap!
In this incredible moment, the Lord showed that true devotion is greater than any hollow display of knowledge, and He honored Sant Ravidas Ji as His true servant. Those other people were left in awe, and Ravidas Ji ‘s pure faith shone brighter than ever!
The Divine Presence at the Queen's Feast
Upon the earnest prayers and many requests of Queen Jhalli of Chittor, Sant Ravidas Ji visited Chittor.
The queen welcomed him with great pomp and presented him with many gifts.
On this occasion, the queen organized a grand feast for all the saints and sages.
Brahmins also attended the event, but due to their belief in untouchability, they refused to eat the cooked food at the feast. So, the queen arranged for raw ingredients, and the Brahmins prepared their own meals.
Guru Ravidas Ji ’s Detachment to Wealth
Sant Ravidas Ji lived like an ordinary man, though many great kings, queens, and wealthy people were his followers. One day, a philosopher brought a stone to Shri Raidas Ji and told him that this stone could turn iron into gold. The philosopher pressured Ravidas Ji to take the stone and build grand buildings instead of his simple hut, but Ravidas Ji refused.
Shri Ravidas Ji always taught his followers never to be greedy for wealth, as it is never permanent.
The Miracle at River Ganga
Once, due to complaints from some Brahmins, Ravidas Ji was called by the King of Kashi to his court.
Sant Ravidas Ji and the priest were asked to bring their deity idols to the banks of River Ganga on an appointed day. The king announced that if one of the idols floated in the river, that person would be the true priest, otherwise false.
Both reached at the banks of River Ganga and prepared according to the king’s order. The Brahmin brought a light weight deity idol wrapped in a cotton cloth, while Ravidas Ji brought a 40-kilogram deity idol.
A large crowd gathered at the riverbank to witness this event along the king.
The first chance was given to the Brahmin priest. He recited many mantras and placed the idol in River Ganga, but it sank into the deep water!!