Ravidas Chalisa

Victory and praise to you, Ravidas. Pour out your grace, O friend and well-wisher of God's devotees.

Your father was a devout man named Rahu, and your mother carried the name Karma.

You were born near Kashi in the Madur locality. Counted among the so-called untouchables, you earned your living by working with hides.

By the time you were twelve years old, love for Hari had already settled deep in your heart.

You came to be known as a disciple of Ramanand. Receiving true knowledge from him, your name and standing grew.

You held scriptural debates in Kashi and offered teaching even to the learned scholars there.

A devotee of Mother Ganga came to you, and you gave him a single cowrie shell as a humble offering to carry.

The pandit took that small shell to the river and offered it to Mother Ganga on your behalf.

Mother Ganga reached out her hand and accepted the gift, and the boundless glory of her devotee was thus made known.

The pandits of Kashi stood amazed when they witnessed this act of the one who removes the fears of worldly life.

Then the river sent back a jewel-set bracelet, marking Ravidas as a true and worthy devotee.

O pandit, hand this to my devotee, the one who has served the divine from his very first birth.

The pandit came to Ravidas and gave him the bracelet, fulfilling the wish that had been set in motion.

Then Ravidas said gently, 'Bring me a second bracelet to match this one, my friend.'

The pandit swore an honest oath that Mother Ganga had given only this one and no second bracelet.

Then Ravidas spoke words of calm wisdom, and all the pandits were set at ease.

If the mind stays always pure and good, then Mother Ganga herself dwells within one's own home.

He then dipped his hand into his small leather-worker's water pot and drew out a second bracelet from it.

The pandits felt humbled and abashed in their hearts, and quietly went their separate ways.

From that day a saying spread far and wide: if the heart is pure, the Ganga flows even in a humble water pot.

Once more a dispute arose, as the pandits gathered together and set up a test.

Whoever could make a Saligram stone float upon the Ganga, they said, would be called the truly powerful devotee.

Everyone went to the banks of the Ganga to set their sacred stones floating on the water.

All the other stones sank in midstream, and every heart filled with deep dismay.

Only Ravidas's stone stayed afloat, and gods and people alike raised shouts of joyful praise.

Your name, Ravidas, rang out in honour, while a stir of wonder ran through the whole city.

When challenged, you opened your own chest and let milk flow, revealing the sacred thread present from birth within.

Seeing this, every man and woman was astonished, and the learned ones forgot all their pride and arguments.

You engaged in deep discussion of knowledge with Kabir, and left even him struck with wonder at your insight.

You gave guidance to Guru Gorakh as well, and he honoured you as a saint of rare distinction.

Sadna Pir argued long with you, and you patiently offered him your teaching.

Sadna the butcher was won over within his heart, and word of this reached as far as Delhi.

Hearing rumours that his faith had been slighted, Sikandar Lodi was filled with anger.

He summoned you to his court and pressed you with reasons to convert to his religion.

You refused to accept his demand, and so you were thrown into prison.

In that confinement you received the vision of Krishna, and all your deepest hopes were fulfilled.

The locks broke open and the prison gave way, and the pride of Sikandar was brought low.

You returned in honour to the city of Kashi, received there with respect, dignity, and acclaim.

You became the guru of Meera, the devoted yogini who came from a noble Kshatriya line.

You gave her boundless teaching and carried her safely across the ocean of worldly existence.