PUNJAB UNIVERSITY, CHANDIGARH (I NDIA (Ce ll. Heartiest Congratulations on the 631st Birth Day of It is also true that the path told by him has become the beacon light for the Dalit movement in the country and abroad. But to raise a loud voice at his times was no less than a clarion call to dismantle the unjust system of Brahminical social order. Some scholars are of the view that Guru Ravidass did not form an organization nor he launched any consistent and systematic agitation against the system of untouchability. He also reiterated on the urgent need of remembering the formless God whom he addressed by varied names. It is against this very system of religiously sanctified social differentiation that Guru Ravidass envisioned establishing a state where there would be no place for untouchability and social oppression.įor the social transformation of the society, Guru Ravidass laid emphasis on labour, compassion, virtue, prohibition of alcohol and all bad deeds. The fourfold division of Hindu society is a big lie and a trick to make and keep a large section of the Indian society under the cruelty and control of the few in the name of purity-pollution principle made by the so-called Brahmins. Every body is capable of worshipping Him.
He completely rejected the concept of living on charity or miraculous wealth obtained by Paras.īy defeating the famous Kashi Pundits in a formally organized Shastrartha, Guru Ravidass proved that merit is not the fiefdom of so called upper castes alone. Guru Ravidass elevated the status of the labour by emphasizing on the fact that honest labour is empowering. He became a model for his fellow beings to overcome the hierarchical barriers of Brahminical Social Order and to establish Begumpura - a state without fear and sorrows.
He also said that one need not to hide his caste or leave his low profession to reach God. He rejected the tradition of Brahmin mediator to reach the Supreme Being. He opened a frontal attack against the system of Untouchability.
He belonged to the lowest of the low castes in India whose touch used to be considered polluting to the Savarnas. ( Editor, Guru Ravidass Ji Maharaj, whose 631st birth anniversary is being celebrated throughout the world, was a great saint/Guru of medieval Bhakti movement of North India.