THE BANI OF SHRI GURU RAVIDAS JI

THE BANI OF SHRI GURU RAVIDAS JI

An Introduction

Guru Ravidas Ji travelled extensively throughout India preaching and his poems indicate a good knowledge of Hindi, Urdu, Persian and many other regional languages of India. As a result his followers are found in many states of India such as Uttar Pardesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra.

Guru Ravidas Ji’s bani is based primarily on twelve manuscript sources which date from AD 1582 to AD 1698. The manuscripts come from four traditions. First, a non-sectarian tradition represented by the Fatehpur Manuscript of AD 1582. Second the Dadu Panthi tradition, represented by eight Manuscript Source of AD 1636 to AD 1698. Third, a Rajasthani Nath Siddha tradition represented by two Manuscript Source of AD 1660 and AD 1681, and fourth, the Punjabi tradition as represented by the Adi Granth of AD 1603-4.

There 40 hymns and 1 shalok of Guru Ravidas included in Ad Granth (Guru Granth Sahib), namely; Raga - Siri (1), Gauri (5), Asa (6), Gujari (1), Sorath (7), Dhanasari (3), Jaitsari (1), Suhi (3), Bilaval (2), Gaund (2), Ramkali (1), Maru(2), Kedara(1), Bhairau (1), Basant (1), and Malhar (3). One with slight variations is given in both Rag Sorath and rag Maru.

In his writings Guru Ravidas displays an aesthetic simplicity, piety and loving devotion to the Lord. Yet at the same time he boldly proclaims his low caste status and fearlessly challenges and exposes the hypocrisy of the upper caste proud Brahmins. His vision of a casteless society ‘begumpura’ was the precursor to the founding of the Khalsa.

We @ Chamars.net have included all the verses of Guru Ravidas Ji’s bani taken solely from the Guru Granth Sahib with appropriate English transliteration. We will however endeavour to collate all the bani as listed earlier from other extant sources and publish it for you in the near future.