Shri Ravidas Chalisa
Spiritual Purity, Ego Removal, Equality, Devotion, Awakening
Bandau Veena Paani Ko,
Dehu Aay Mohin Gyaan.
Paay Buddhi Ravidas Ko,
Karun Charitra Bakhaan.
Matu Ki Mahima Amit Hai,
Likhi Na Sakat Hai Daas.
Taate Aayon Sharan Mein,
Purvahu Jan Ki Aas.
рее Chaupai рее
Jai Hove Ravidas Tumhari,
Kripa Karahu Harijan Hitkaari.
Raahu Bhakt Tumhare Taata,
Karma Naam Tumhari Mata.
Kashi Dhing Maadur Sthaana,
Varn Achhoot Karat Gujaraana.
Dwaadash Varsh Umar Jab Aai,
Tumhare Man Hari Bhakti Samaai.
Ramanand Ke Shishya Kahaaye,
Paay Gyaan Nij Naam Badhaaye.
Shastra Tark Kashi Mein Kinho,
Gyaanin Ko Updesh Hai Dinho.
Ganga Matu Ke Bhakt Apaara,
Kaudi Dinh Unahin Uphara.
Pandit Jan Taako Lai Jaai,
Ganga Matu Ko Dinh Chadhaai.
Haath Pasaar Linh Chaugani,
Bhakt Ki Mahima Amit Bakhaani.
Chakit Bhaye Pandit Kashi Ke,
Dekhi Charit Bhav Bhay Naashi Ke.
Ral Jatit Kangan Tab Dinha,
Ravidas Adhikaari Kinha.
Pandit Deejau Bhakt Ko Mere,
Aadi Janm Ke Jo Hain Chere.
Pahunche Pandit Dhing Ravidasaa,
Dai Kangan Purai Abhilasha.
Tab Ravidas Kahi Yah Baata,
Doosar Kangan Laavahu Taata.
Pandit Jan Tab Kasam Uthaai,
Doosar Dinh Na Ganga Maai.
Tab Ravidas Ne Vachan Uchaare,
Pandit Jan Sab Bhaye Sukhaare.
Jo Sarvada Rahai Man Changa,
Tau Ghar Basati Matu Hai Ganga.
Haath Kathauti Mein Tab Daara,
Doosar Kangan Ek Nikaara.
Chit Sankochit Pandit Kinhain,
Apne Apne Maarag Linhain.
Tab Se Prachalit Ek Prasanga,
Man Changa To Kathauti Mein Ganga.
Ek Baar Phiri Parayo Jhamela,
Mili Panditjan Kinhon Khela.
Saaligram Gang Utaravai,
Soi Prabal Bhakt Kahlavai.
Sab Jan Gaye Gang Ke Teera,
Moorti Tairaavan Bich Neera.
Doob Gaeen Sabki Majhdhaara,
Sabke Man Bhayo Dukh Apaara.
Patthar Moorti Rahi Utraai,
Sur Nar Mili Jaikaar Machai.
Rahyo Naam Ravidas Tumhara,
Machyo Nagar Mahan Haahakaara.
Cheeri Deh Tum Dugdh Bahayo,
Janm Janeu Aap Dikhaayo.
Dekhi Chakit Bhaye Sab Nar Naari,
Vidwanan Sudhi Bisari Saari.
Gyaan Tark Kabira Sang Kinho,
Chakit Unhun Ka Tum Kari Dinho.
Guru Gorakhahi Dinh Updesha,
Un Maanyo Taki Sant Vishesha.
Sadna Peer Tark Bahu Kinha,
Tum Taako Updesh Hai Dinha.
Man Mahan Haaryo Sadan Kasaai,
Jo Dilli Mein Khabari Sunai.
Muslim Dharm Ki Suni Kubdaai,
Lodhi Sikandar Gayo Gusai.
Apne Grih Tab Tumahin Bulaava,
Muslim Hon Hetu Samjhaava.
Maani Nahin Tum Uski Baani,
Bandi Grih Kaati Hai Raani.
Krishna Darsh Paaye Ravidaasa,
Safal Bhai Tumhari Sab Aasha.
Taale Tooti Khulya Hai Kaara,
Maam Sikandar Ke Tum Maara.
Kashi Pur Tum Kahan Pahunchai,
Dai Prabhuta Aru Maan Badhai.
Meera Yogavati Guru Kinho,
Jinko Kshatriya Vansh Praveeno.
Tinako Dai Updesh Apaara,
Kinho Bhav Se Tum Nistaara.
рее Doha рее
Aise Hi Ravidas Ne,
Kinhain Charit Apaar.
Koi Kavi Gaavai Kitai,
Tahoon Na Paavai Paar.
Niyam Sahit Harijan Agar,
Dhyaan Dharai Chalisa.
Taaki Raksha Karenge,
Jagatpati Jagdeesha.
About Shri Ravidas Chalisa
The best-known story in the hymn is that of the kaudi and the bracelet. A devotee of Mother Ganga gave Ravidas a small cowrie shell as an offering. The pandits of Kashi carried it to the river, and Mother Ganga herself extended her hand, accepted it, and sent back a jewel-studded bracelet for Ravidas. When the pandits brought him only one bracelet and swore that Ganga had given no second one, Ravidas put his hand into his kathauti, the small leather trough of his cobbler''s trade, and drew out the matching bracelet. From this arose the famous saying "Man changa to kathauti mein Ganga": if the mind is pure, the Ganga resides even in a humble vessel.
The Chalisa then describes the Saligram test. When scholars challenged the worth of his devotion, it was agreed that whoever''s idol floated in the Ganga would be recognised as the true devotee. The idols of the pandits sank in mid-stream, while the stone idol of Ravidas floated, and gods and people raised cries of victory. In another episode, the hymn says he revealed a sacred thread from within as proof, leaving the learned speechless. It also recalls his debates with Kabir, his guidance to Sadna the butcher, and the respect Guru Gorakhnath showed him.
When news of these events reached Delhi, Sikandar Lodhi summoned him and urged him to convert to Islam. Ravidas refused and was imprisoned, but the Chalisa says he received a vision of Lord Krishna, the prison locks broke open, and he was later honoured in Kashi. It closes by noting that Meera accepted him as her guru and received his teaching, which carried her across the ocean of worldly existence.
Devotees believe that reciting the Chalisa with faith removes ego, brings mental peace, and encourages pure, virtuous thinking. Its lasting message is that true worship depends on purity of heart and not on birth, rank, or ritual.
тЭУ Frequently Asked Questions
Question: What is the meaning and story behind "Man Changa To Kathauti Mein Ganga"?
Answer: The Chalisa says that when Ravidas was asked to produce the second bracelet that Mother Ganga had sent, he put his hand into his kathauti (the small leather water-trough used in his cobbler''s work) and drew out the matching bracelet. The saying that arose from this means that if the mind is pure, the holiest river is present even in a humble vessel.
Question: What happened with the cowrie shell (kaudi) offered to Mother Ganga?
Answer: A devotee of Ganga gave Ravidas a kaudi as an offering, which the pandits carried to the river. According to the Chalisa, Mother Ganga extended her hand, accepted it, and returned a jewel-studded bracelet for Ravidas, to the amazement of the scholars of Kashi.
Question: What was the Saligram floating test mentioned in the Chalisa?
Answer: A dispute arose over whose devotion was greater, and it was decided that the one whose idol floated in the Ganga would be declared the true devotee. The pandits'' idols sank in mid-stream, while the stone idol of Ravidas floated, and gods and people alike raised cries of victory.
Question: Why was Guru Ravidas imprisoned by Sikandar Lodhi?
Answer: The Chalisa recounts that after the debate with Sadna the butcher, news reached Delhi and Sikandar Lodhi summoned Ravidas, urging him to convert to Islam. When Ravidas refused, he was imprisoned, but the Chalisa says he received a vision of Lord Krishna, the locks broke, and he was later honored in Kashi.
Question: Who were Guru Ravidas''s parents and spiritual teacher according to this Chalisa?
Answer: It names Rahu as his father and Karma as his mother, mentions his home near Kashi at Mandur, and says that devotion to Hari awakened in him at the age of twelve and he became a disciple of Swami Ramanand. It also says that Meera accepted him as her guru.
Question: When should the Ravidas Chalisa be recited?
Answer: Sunday mornings and Magha Purnima (Guru Ravidas Jayanti) are considered most auspicious, after lighting a lamp of pure ghee or sesame oil before the image of Guru Maharaj.
