Bhagat Ravidaas Jee

Below is a short article on Bhagat Ravidaas jee:

A GLIMPSE AT THE LIFE OF BHAGAT RAVIDAAS JEE

Background

Bhagat Ravidaas jee was born on Ravivaar (Sunday) into family whose members were declared untouchable by the ancient Indian caste-system philosophy. According to the ancient caste system, humans were 'in principle' high or low according to their birth and no action could alter this inferiority or superiority. Bhagat jee was born into the family of Bhai Santokh Daas jee and Bibi Kalsi Devi Jee, who were poor leather-makers ('Chamaars') by caste and occupation. He was barely five days old when Bhagat Ramanand jee visited his house and blessed the child.

ਜਿਹ ਕੁਲ ਸਾਧੁ ਬੈਸਨੌ ਹੋਇ ॥
ਬਰਨ ਅਬਰਨ ਰੰਕੁ ਨਹੀ ਈਸੁਰੁ ਬਿਮਲ ਬਾਸੁ ਜਾਨੀਐ ਜਗਿ ਸੋਇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
"That family, into which a devotee of Waheguru is born, whether of high or low social class, whether rich or poor, shall have its pure fragrance spread all over the world. ||1||Pause||"
(Bhagat Ravidaas jee, Ang 858)

Adulthood

When Bhagat jee was old enough, he got married and his father inspired him to join the family business. But Bhagat Ravidaas jee was absorbed in devotion of Waheguru. The money he received from his father for business, he spent in the welfare of the Saints and needy. His father was extremely angry with him and threw him out of the house. Bhagat jee did not regret his actions and quietly left home and began to live in a small hut with his wife where they decided to set up a small shop of making and repairing shoes.

ਨਾਗਰ ਜਨਾਂ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਤਿ ਬਿਖਿਆਤ ਚੰਮਾਰੰ ॥
ਰਿਦੈ ਰਾਮ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਗੁਨ ਸਾਰੰ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
"O humble townspeople! I am obviously just a Chamaar, shoemaker, (which you people consider low), but in my heart I cherish the Glories of Waheguru (and for this reason I am no longer low). ||1||Pause||"
(Bhagat Ravidaas jee, Ang 1293)

Meeting the True Guru
Bhagat Ravidas jee, like other Bhagats whose Bani is contained in Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee, was a contemporary of Guru Nanak Dev jee. We know this as Mira Bai who lived during the reign of Mughal Emperor Akbar was a disciple of Bhagat Ravidaas jee. Janamsaakhis and 'Tvareek Guru Khalsa' (p. 80) mention that the Bhagats met Guru Nanak Dev Jee. According to the Meharvaan Janamsaakhi, the Bhagats met Guru Nanak Dev jee at Ayodhya. From reading Gurbani, the Bhagats clearly state that they found the True Guru and that received Amrit & Naam from the Satguru, who can only be Satguru Nanak. Therefore, Bhagat Ravidaas jee became a disciple of Guru Nanak Dev jee. A Gurdwara Sahib is constructed in Ayodha in memory of the historic meeting between Guru jee and the Bhagats.

ਪਰਮ ਪਰਸ ਗੁਰੁ ਭੇਟੀਐ ਪੂਰਬ ਲਿਖਤ ਲਿਲਾਟ ॥
ਉਨਮਨ ਮਨ ਮਨ ਹੀ ਮਿਲੇ ਛੁਟਕਤ ਬਜਰ ਕਪਾਟ ॥੬॥
"When one's pre-ordained destiny awakens and one meets the True Guru, who is the Supreme Philosopher's Stone, then the inner-soul meets with the Supreme Soul, and the stubborn doors of the mind are opened wide. ||6||"
(Bhagat Ravidaas jee, Ang 346)

The Revealing of 'Dhur Kee Baanee'
With True Guru's Grace, Bhagat jee reached God-consciousness (Brahm-Gyaan) and experienced Waheguru's Divine Light. He was blessed with the gift of revealing Gurbani sent by Waheguru for the benefit of humanity. Forty Shabads were revealed through Bhagat jee that were later incorporated in Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee by Guru Arjan Dev jee. One may think why wasn't Bhagat Ravidaas jee called 'Guru' if he revealed Gurbani? The late Giani Sant Singh Maskeen gave the following analogy to explain the difference between Guru and Bhagat. There is one child who opens his eyes and realizes he is sitting in his mother's lap, and other has to crawl to his mother and then sits in her lap. Then Ten Sikh Gurus had Brahm-Gyaan from the very beginning. They opened their eyes and they were already sitting in the lap of Waheguru. On the other hand, the Bhagats were those who in some point of their life, after spiritual work and effort, experienced the Divine Light and sat in the lap of Waheguru Once they reached this level, Waheguru revealed the Shabad Guru to humanity through these chosen Bhagats. As a consequence there is no difference between the Shabad (Gurbaani) revealed through the Sikh Gurus and the Bhagats. Both are 'Gurbani'.

ਘਟਿ ਘਟਿ ਗੁਪਤੁ ਉਪਾਏ ਵੇਖੈ ਪਰਗਟੁ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਸੰਤ ਜਨਾ ॥
ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਕਰਹਿ ਸੁ ਹਰਿ ਰੰਗਿ ਭੀਨੇ ਹਰਿ ਜਲੁ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਨਾਮੁ ਮਨਾ ॥੩॥
"The Lord who created the whole creation and watches over all is hidden in each and every heart; He reveals Himself in the humble saints who fall at the feet of the Guru. Those saints chant the Name of the Lord and are drenched with the Lord's Love. Their minds are drenched with the Ambrosial Water of the Naam, the Name of the Lord. ||3||"
(Guru Nanak Dev jee, Ang 1171)

The Queen of Chitaur

The queen of Chitaur, Maharani Jhally, had heard of Bhagat Ravidaas jee's greatness. On pilgrimage to Banaaras she visited Bhagat Ravidaas jee and heard Gurbani being sung. Hearing the Divine Praises of Waheguru she became a follower of Bhagat jee. However, the king got enraged on hearing that that his wife had made a low-caste cobbler her Guru. The queen tried to convince her husband of Bhagat jee's greatness which made his mind confused whether or not Bhagat jee was a great saint or not. In order to test Bhagat jee, the king invited him to Chitaur and requested to participate in a religious feast. The Brahmin priests refused to eat alongside a low-caste. Hearing this Bhagat jee moved away. But miraculously, the Brahmins started seeing every person distributing food look like Bhagat jee. They complained to the king. The king understood the mystery and meaning of the incident and became a follower of Bhagat jee.

ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਤਿ ਕੁਟ ਬਾਂਢਲਾ ਢੋਰ ਢੋਵੰਤਾ ਨਿਤਹਿ ਬਾਨਾਰਸੀ ਆਸ ਪਾਸਾ ॥
ਅਬ ਬਿਪ੍ਰ ਪਰਧਾਨ ਤਿਹਿ ਕਰਹਿ ਡੰਡਉਤਿ ਤੇਰੇ ਨਾਮ ਸਰਣਾਇ ਰਵਿਦਾਸੁ ਦਾਸਾ ॥੩॥੧॥
"It is my occupation to prepare and cut leather; each day, I carry the carcasses out of the city. But (O Waheguru!) Your slave who was born in that social-class has come into the sanctuary of Your Naam (Divine-Name), and now the important Brahmins of the city bow down before me. ||3||1||"
(Bhagat Ravidaas jee, Ang 1293)

Undying Faith in Naam

It is said that once a wealthy man felt sorry at Bhagat Ravidaas jee living in poverty and so offered Bhagat jee with the gift of a 'paaras' (the philosopher's stone that turns cheaper metal into Gold). The man assured Bhagat jee that he could get any amount of wealth by making use of it. Bhagat jee asked him to place it in a corner. A few month later, when the same man came to see Bhagat Ravidaas jee, he found the Bhagat jee still living in poverty. He asked Bhagat jee why he had not used the philosopher's stone. Bhagat jee replied, "God's Name alone is the paaras."

ਕਹੁ ਰਵਿਦਾਸ ਸਭੈ ਨਹੀ ਸਮਝਸਿ ਭੂਲਿ ਪਰੇ ਜੈਸੇ ਬਉਰੇ ॥
ਮੋਹਿ ਅਧਾਰੁ ਨਾਮੁ ਨਾਰਾਇਨ ਜੀਵਨ ਪ੍ਰਾਨ ਧਨ ਮੋਰੇ ॥੩॥੧॥
"O Ravidaas! Say- (those who have been plundered by desires) all run around deluded like madmen and do not understand (that the true support of Life is Waheguru's Name); I have the Lord's Name as my only Support; He is my life, my breath of life, my wealth. ||3||1||"
(Bhagat Ravidaas jee, Ang 974)

Bhagat jee lived to a ripe old age of 151 years, and died in 1529 at Chittor, in Rajasthan. An umbrella-like tomb in his memory still stands there. It was Bhagat Ravidaas jee' firm faith in Waheguru that he was able to ultimately achieve oneness and union with the Creator.

ਜੈਸਾ ਰੰਗੁ ਕਸੁੰਭ ਕਾ ਤੈਸਾ ਇਹੁ ਸੰਸਾਰੁ ॥
ਮੇਰੇ ਰਮਈਏ ਰੰਗੁ ਮਜੀਠ ਕਾ ਕਹੁ ਰਵਿਦਾਸ ਚਮਾਰ ॥੪॥੧॥
"O Ravidaas, the tanner! Say- (As I deal with the Lord's Name, I know that) the love of this world is like the pale, temporary color of the safflower. However, the color of my Lord's Love is permanent, like the dye of the madder plant. ||4||1||"
(Bhagat Ravidaas jee, Ang 346)

Caught In The Crossfire - BBC Documentary

• This documentary looks at the tensions between Sikhs and the Indian authorities in the 1980s, looks at real life events and examines to what extent peoples lives were affected.
  
  
  
  
  
  

'Always Remember Death' Sakhi

If you Remember death you will not Sin

Kabeer, we are puppets of clay, but we take the name of mankind. We are guests here for only a few days, but we take up so much space. SGGSJ

There once was a young student who went everyday to visit a wise and spiritually blessed old man. Each day after school the boy would visit and listen to the old man narrate the Guru's teachings and in turn he would help the old man with chores. The old man would always be very happy to see the boy. However one day the boy came to the old man's home as he did everyday.

Upon entering the old man summoned him to his side at once. The old man had a grave look on his face. After sitting the boy down he started

"Dear boy tomorrow you will die and visit me no longer, you will not see the sun rise, not hug your parents and siblings, not eat a morsel of food as this is your final day on earth."

The boy began to weep loudly.
"Why are you crying?" the old man said, "I told you, that you have the rest of the day to live, why don't I start our daily lesson?"

"Baba Ji, leave me be" cried the boy. "Let me say my final farewell to my family and friends, please."

"Very well" said the old man, "but remember you have little time left."

The boy raced home and told his family and friends the wise mans prophecy. Everyone wept and embraced him. After he could shed no more tears, he went to his bed room and began to watch the clock. "Only 6 hrs left to die," he thought to him self. Then only 3 hours left, then 5 minutes left and the old man came inside his room.

"Let us talk," said the old man.

"You want to waste time talking"? said the boy "I am going to die soon!"

"God can make anything can happen in a second and you have 5 minutes left so lets talk," said the old man.

"Ohh Baba leave me alone and let me die in peace. I am in so much regret of my past deeds!" cried the boy.

"Very well, but answer one question and then I’ll leave you alone," said the old man. The boy agreed.

"In this day did you slander anyone's name, speak unpleasantly to anyone, harm someone, lie, or commit any sin?" said the old man.

"No all I thought about was dying" said the boy.
"How can I do anything else?"

"That is the lesson I was trying to teach you" said the old man. The way you have not done anything wrong in the last 24 hours is the same way i have done nothing wrong in the last 46 years!"

Moral: the human body is a time bomb waiting to go off, we should Jap Naam as much as we can and not waste our golden chance of human birth in sins and maya!

The Importance Of Rehit

Gurbani is our guidance (supreme teacher) that will guide us to achieve our salvation. The teachings of Guru Ji are also known as Gurmat. The person that follows every teaching of the Guru is known as a Gurmukh. When Guru Gobind Singh Ji created the Khalsa Army he also got some of his Sikhs to write down the Rehat Marayada (Sikh code of conduct). For a Sikh it is very important to live according to the discipline set out in the Sikh code of conduct. The Sikh who lives by the code of conduct and reads a lot of Gurbani is sure to get the Gurus blessings and achieve their salvation.

Shabad by Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji (Sarbloh Granth)

Rehani rehai soiee Sikh Mera, Ohu Sahib Mai Uska Chera

They are a true Sikh who follows the discipline/teachings. They are my master and I their slave.

Bina Rehat Ne Sikh Kahavai, Rehat Bina Dar Chota Kavai

Without the Sikh discipline (rehat), call not yourself a Sikh, without Sikh rehat at the court of God you shall receive punishment.

Pritham Rehat Yahe Jan, Khande Ki Pahul Shhekeh.

The First/supreme discipline is to drink the nectar of the double edged sword (Amrit)

I have not love for appearances or for high castes. It is discipline that I love. - (Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji)
Rehatnama Bhai Sahib Singh Jee

Those who turn away from their responsibility to accept the Guru's orders will receive punishment in God's Court.
Thankhaanama Bhai Nand Laal Jee

Those who turn their faces away from the True Guru shall have their faces blackened. Night and day, they suffer in pain; they see the noose of Death always hovering above them.
Ang 29 Guru Amar Daas Jee Raag Sri Raag

Without discipline the whole world remains deluded. Without discipline they will go to hell.
Rehatnama Bhai Desa Singh

The Sikh of the Guru should study Rehat and discipline and they should adopt those principles that please the Guru.
Rehatnama Bhai Chaupaa Singh Jee

The most important principle is to forever remember the Rehat given by the Singhs at the initiation ceremony.
Rehatnama Bhai Desa Singh

The Sikh never abandons the code of conduct.
Rehatnama Bhai Desa Singh

Instability of the World

Instability of the World

We are currently living in Kuljug (Dark Age), this is the time were evil pervades the world.

• People have lost faith in God (atheist).
• People commit all these weird rituals which bring nothing in return.
• People perform ruthless deeds for example the genocide of people and the killing of animals.
• People have lost their consciousness – have no fear of karma (what goes around come around) or God.
• All morals, dignity and self respect have been lost.
• People oppose Gods natural laws. For example homosexuality
• People are stuck in greed and materialism

People that practice truth are very rare, and the people that practice the truth are opposed by the wicked beings. The truthful person is seen as being weird in this Dark Age by the public. The truthful have to undergo hardships and struggle to protect their righteous beliefs as most of the world is intoxicated by corruption.

Ang 445 Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji

Aasaa, Fourth Mehla:

In the Golden Age of Sat Yuga, everyone embodied contentment and meditation; religion stood upon four feet. With mind and body, they sang of the Lord, and attained supreme peace. In their hearts was the spiritual wisdom of the Lord's Glorious Virtues.
Their wealth was the spiritual wisdom of the Lord's Glorious Virtues; the Lord was their success, and to live as Gurmukh was their glory. Inwardly and outwardly, they saw only the One Lord God; for them there was no other second. They centered their consciousness lovingly on the Lord, Har, Har. The Lord's Name was their companion, and in the Court of the Lord, they obtained honor. In the Golden Age of Sat Yuga, everyone embodied contentment and meditation; religion stood upon four feet. ||1||

Then came the Silver Age of Trayta Yuga; men's minds were ruled by power, and they practiced celibacy and self-discipline.
The fourth foot of religion dropped off, and three remained. Their hearts and minds were inflamed with anger. Their hearts and minds were filled with the horribly poisonous essence of anger. The kings fought their wars and obtained only pain. Their minds were afflicted with the illness of egotism, and their self-conceit and arrogance increased. If my Lord, Har, Har, shows His Mercy, my Lord and Master eradicates the poison by the Guru's Teachings and the Lord's Name. Then came the Silver Age of Trayta Yuga; men's minds were ruled by power, and they practiced celibacy and self-discipline. ||2||

The Brass Age of Dwaapar Yuga came, and people wandered in doubt. The Lord created the Gopis and Krishna. The penitents practiced penance, they offered sacred feasts and charity, and performed many rituals and religious rites. They performed many rituals and religious rites; two legs of religion dropped away, and only two legs remained. So many heroes waged great wars; in their egos they were ruined, and they ruined others as well. The Lord, Compassionate to the poor, led them to meet the Holy Guru. Meeting the True Guru, their filth is washed away. The Brass Age of Dwaapar Yuga came, and the people wandered in doubt. The Lord created the Gopis and Krishna. ||3||

The Lord ushered in the Dark Age, the Iron Age of Kali Yuga; three legs of religion were lost, and only the fourth leg remained intact. Acting in accordance with the Word of the Guru's Shabad, the medicine of the Lord's Name is obtained. Singing the Kirtan of the Lord's Praises, divine peace is obtained. The season of singing the Lord's Praise has arrived; the Lord's Name is glorified, and the Name of the Lord, Har, Har, grows in the field of the body. In the Dark Age of Kali Yuga, if one plants any other seed than the Name, all profit and capital is lost. Servant Nanak has found the Perfect Guru, who has revealed to him the Naam within his heart and mind. The Lord ushered in the Dark Age, the Iron Age of Kali Yuga; three legs of religion were lost, and only the fourth leg remained intact. ||4||4||11||

Passing On Of The Guruship

Passing of Gurship from one Guru Sahib to another Guru Sahib

nwnik rwju clwieAw scu kotu sqwxI nIv dY ] (966-16, rwmklI, blvMif qy sqw)
naanak raaj chalaa-i-aa sach kot sataanee neev dai.
Nanak established the kingdom; He built the true fortress on the strongest foundations.

lhxy DirEnu Cqu isir kir isPqI AMimRqu pIvdY ] (966-16, rwmklI, blvMif qy sqw)
lahnay Dhari-on chhat sir kar siftee amrit peevdai.
He installed the royal canopy over Lehna's head; chanting the Lord's Praises, He drank in the Ambrosial Nectar.

miq gur Awqm dyv dI KVig joir prwkuie jIA dY ] (966-17, rwmklI, blvMif qy sqw)
mat gur aatam dayv dee kharhag jor puraaku-ay jee-a dai.
The Guru implanted the almighty sword of the Teachings to illuminate his soul.

guir cyly rhrwis kIeI nwnik slwmiq QIvdY ] (966-17, rwmklI, blvMif qy sqw)
gur chaylay rahraas kee-ee naanak salaamat theevdai.
The Guru bowed down to His disciple, while Nanak was still alive.

sih itkw idqosu jIvdY ]1] (966-18, rwmklI, blvMif qy sqw)
seh tikaa ditos jeevdai. ||1||
The King, while still alive, applied the ceremonial mark to his forehead. ||1||

lhxy dI PyrweIAY nwnkw dohI KtIAY ] (966-18, rwmklI, blvMif qy sqw)
lahnay dee fayraa-ee-ai naankaa dohee khatee-ai.
Nanak proclaimed Lehna's succession - he earned it.

joiq Ehw jugiq swie sih kwieAw Pyir pltIAY ] (966-18, rwmklI, blvMif qy sqw)
jot ohaa jugat saa-ay seh kaa-i-aa fayr paltee-ai.
They shared the One Light and the same way; the King just changed His body.

JulY su Cqu inrMjnI mil qKqu bYTw gur htIAY ] (966-19, rwmklI, blvMif qy sqw)
jhulai so chhat niranjanee mal takhat baithaa gur hatee-ai.
The immaculate canopy waves over Him, and He sits on the throne in the Guru's shop.

lµgru clY gur sbid hir qoit n AwvI KtIAY ] (967-1, rwmklI, blvMif qy sqw)
langar chalai gur sabad har tot na aavee khatee-ai.
The Langar - the Kitchen of the Guru's Shabad has been opened, and its supplies never run short.

Krcy idiq KsMm dI Awp KhdI KYir dbtIAY ] (967-2, rwmklI, blvMif qy sqw)
kharchay dit khasamm dee aap khahdee khair dabtee-ai.
Whatever His Master gave, He spent; He distributed it all to be eaten.

hovY isPiq KsMm dI nUru Arshu kurshu JtIAY ] (967-2, rwmklI, blvMif qy sqw)
hovai sifat khasamm dee noor arsahu kursahu jhatee-ai.
The Praises of the Master were sung, and the Divine Light descended from the heavens to the earth.

quDu ifTy scy pwiqswh mlu jnm jnm dI ktIAY ] (967-3, rwmklI, blvMif qy sqw)
tuDh dithay sachay paatisaah mal janam janam dee katee-ai.
Gazing upon You, O True King, the filth of countless past lives is washed away.

scu ij guir PurmwieAw ikau eydU bolhu htIAY ] (967-3, rwmklI, blvMif qy sqw)
sach je gur furmaa-i-aa ki-o aydoo bolhu hatee-ai.
The Guru gave the True Command; why should we hesitate to proclaim this?

puqRI kaulu n pwilE kir pIrhu kMn@ murtIAY ] (967-4, rwmklI, blvMif qy sqw)
putree ka-ul na paali-o kar peerahu kan^H murtee-ai.
His sons did not obey His Word; they turned their backs on Him as Guru.

idil KotY AwkI iPrin@ bMin@ Bwru aucwiein@ CtIAY ] (967-4, rwmklI, blvMif qy sqw)
dil khotai aakee firni^H baneh bhaar uchaa-ini^H chhatee-ai.
These evil-hearted ones became rebellious; they carry loads of sin on their backs.

ijin AwKI soeI kry ijin kIqI iqnY QtIAY ] (967-5, rwmklI, blvMif qy sqw)
jin aakhee so-ee karay jin keetee tinai thatee-ai.
Whatever the Guru said, Lehna did, and so he was installed on the throne.

gur AMgd dI dohI iPrI scu krqY bMiD bhwlI ] (967-7, rwmklI, blvMif qy sqw)
gur angad dee dohee firee sach kartai banDh bahaalee.
Guru Angad was proclaimed, and the True Creator confirmed it.

nwnku kwieAw pltu kir mil qKqu bYTw sY fwlI ] (967-7, rwmklI, blvMif qy sqw)
naanak kaa-i-aa palat kar mal takhat baithaa sai daalee.
Nanak merely changed his body; He still sits on the throne, with hundreds of branches reaching out.

dru syvy aumiq KVI msklY hoie jMgwlI ] (967-8, rwmklI, blvMif qy sqw)
dar sayvay umat kharhee maskalai ho-ay jangaalee.
Standing at His door, His followers serve Him; by this service, their rust is scraped off.

dir drvysu KsMm dY nwie scY bwxI lwlI ] (967-8, rwmklI, blvMif qy sqw)
dar darvays khasamm dai naa-ay sachai banee laalee.
He is the Dervish - the Saint, at the door of His Lord and Master; He loves the True Name, and the Bani of the Guru's Word.

blvMf KIvI nyk jn ijsu bhuqI Cwau pqRwlI ] (967-9, rwmklI, blvMif qy sqw)
balvand kheevee nayk jan jis bahutee chhaa-o patraalee.
Balwand says that Khivi, the Guru's wife, is a noble woman, who gives soothing, leafy shade to all.

lµgir dauliq vMfIAY rsu AMimRqu KIir iGAwlI ] (967-9, rwmklI, blvMif qy sqw)
langar da-ulat vandee-ai ras amrit kheer ghi-aalee.
She distributes the bounty of the Guru's Langar; the kheer - the rice pudding and ghee, is like sweet ambrosia.

gurisKw ky muK aujly mnmuK QIey prwlI ] (967-10, rwmklI, blvMif qy sqw)
gursikhaa kay mukh ujlay manmukh thee-ay paraalee.
The faces of the Guru's Sikhs are radiant and bright; the self-willed manmukhs are pale, like straw.

isKW puqRW GoiK kY sB aumiq vyKhu ij ikEnu ] (967-15, rwmklI, blvMif qy sqw)
sikhaa^N putraa^N ghokh kai sabh umat vaykhhu je ki-on.
Guru Nanak tested His Sikhs and His sons, and everyone saw what happened.

jW suDosu qW lhxw itikEnu ]4] (967-16, rwmklI, blvMif qy sqw)
jaa^N suDhos taa^N lahnaa tiki-on. ||4||
When Lehna alone was found to be pure, then He was set on the throne. ||4||

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