Guru Ravidas, also known as Guru Raidas, was a mystic poet-saint of the bhakti movement in India during the 15th to 16th century CE. His exact life details are uncertain, but he is believed to have been born in 1450 CE and died in 1520 CE. Ravidas advocated for the removal of social divisions based on caste and gender, and emphasized unity in the pursuit of spiritual freedom. He was born in a Chamar community, considered untouchable, and initially worked as a leather worker. Ravidas gained spiritual knowledge from various sources, including the Brahmin bhakti-poet Ramananda. His devotional verses are included in the Sikh scriptures Guru Granth Sahib and the Panch Vani text of the Dadu Panthi tradition. Ravidas is revered by followers of the Ravidassia religious movemen
Guru Ravidas's literary works are primarily found in the Adi Granth of Sikhs and the Panchvani of the Dadupanthis. In the Adi Granth, 40 of Ravidas's poems are included, covering topics such as justice, dispassion, and the true essence of a yogi. Some later poems have been falsely attributed to Ravidas. His hagiographies depict a struggle within Indian society and include legends of miracles. Ravidas's philosophy explores the concepts of Nirguna-Saguna and Sahaj, emphasizing boundless loving devotion to God. There is a debate between Kabir and Ravidas on the nature of the Absolute, with Kabir arguing for monism and Ravidas arguing for the unity of the anthropomorphic and the Absolute. Different versions of Ravidas's philosophy exist, with the 17th-century Bhaktamal text presenting a more Vedic-aligned perspective and 20th-century texts by Dalits reflecting resistance against the caste system and idol worship.
Life span: 1398 – 1540
