Thursday, Dec 20 2007

Home News Business Movies Astrology Food Samachar Shopping Sports Videos    More   Veg Recipes | Non Veg Recipes | User Recipes | Expert Recipes | Health & Nutrition | Tips | Post a Query | Post a Recipe | My Bawarchi

By Meera Sashitala (Source: Free Press Journal) Raidas also known as Ravidas, was a cobbler by caste and started shoe-making as a child he made beautiful shoes for mendicants. Peace-loving and humble Raidas preached his doctrines without commenting on those who differed. He was a strict monotheist and preached that God was accessible to all. To Raidas God alone could grant redemption from our sins and passions. Raidas was known as a saint as well as a poet. The author of Bhaktambala, Nadhadasa, laid that Raidas was skilled "in untying the knots of doubt". Bridge also thinks that Raidas "was of even purer faith than Kabir." But, there was not much difference in their views regarding social or religious reforms. Raidas did not write any treatise but composed only devotional songs or bhajans which were highly literary. These songs have been compiled by is disciples and many have been included in the Granth Saheb. To quote the last four lines from his `pada' "Tohi mohimohi tohi antar kaisa" it says: Thou O Lord, are the Searcher of hearts, Though the servants of God, we know God. Grant me, O Lord that my body may be Thy Shrine. Few, O Ravidas, see God in everything. Raidas hailed from Varanasi this sect in North India, especially Uttar Pradesh, well-known as Ravindasis. They were Hindus and comprised of tanners and shoemakers. They also called themselves Adi Hindus. They are not looked down upon, though intermarriages and interdining with higher Hindu castes are not allowed. The community ranks in numbers next to Ramanandis and Kabirpanthis. There are two sects among the Vaishnavites, one worshipping Krishna and the other Rama, both regarded as the incarnations of Vishnu. Ramananda, Kabir and Raidas belonged to the latter school of thought. Raidas's compositions from part of the collections of hymns and prayers sung by his sect at Varanasi. From Bhaktamala Ramananda, a Brahmachari gave offerings to the deity. Once he found it difficult to concentrate. He suspected some defect in the offerings. On inquiring, he found that the source of offering was not pure Ramananda exclaimed "Ha Chamar." The Brahmachari soon passed away and was born again as Raidas, the son of a cobbler. The infant nursed the anger refuse to take any feeds. The anxious parents approached Ramananda. Immediately he recognises the baby. He whispers a mantra into the child's ear and the child takes its feeds and grows to be of Rama Bhakt. Raidas trade flourishes. Once he suffers loss and he is aim great distress. God in the disguise of a Vaishnava comes and presents him with a philosopher's stone telling him its virtues. Raidas does not attach any importance to it real treasure is the name of God, he days. Odd shower gold coins. But Ramdax he is not moved. Then God appears in his dream and advises him to use the money to erect a temple. Raidas becomes the priest. People complaint to the King against him. To Calamities will befall if an outcast worships and distributes prasad they say. The King orders the `Salagram' to be brought, and it is placed on a cushion in the assembly of Brahmins. The Brahmins vie with each other and try to remove it by chanting mantras and hymns. All in vain. Raidas chants his `pada' And lo! The Salagram flies into his arms. The King is convinced Raidas's magnanimity as a saint is establishment. Thali, the Rani of the disciples of Raidas Chitere. The Brahmins protested. Raidas requests her to invite the Brahmins to a feast. When they sit to eat to their amazement, between every two Brahmins there appears a Raidas! This miraculous multiplication of himself convince the Brahmins of his greatness. They become his disciples.