Rāidās

Saint Raidas, also known as Ravidas, is one of the greatest mystic saints of Indian bhakti (devotion) movement. His biographical details are very few and contradictory. According to the most popular belief, he was born in a low caste, cobbler family in a village near Varanasi. His father was a shoemaker by birth. That is why, in his childhood, Raidas learned shoemaking in the name of education. He died in Varanasi in 1576 AD.

It is said that Raidas was of such a saintly nature that he used to donate everything that he earned for the whole day. As he grew up, he spent most of his time in remembrance of God. He preached pure devotion to God. He used to make shoes in his hut while writing poems, and singing “bhajans” or devotional songs which were an outcome of his spiritual experience. His poems and songs often revolved around his low social position and his relation to God. For instance, “Prabhuji tum chandan ham pãni, jãki angang bãt samãni,” which means God you are the sandalwood...