Sant Shiromani Guru Ravidas placed as much emphasis on righteous action as he did on faith, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister (CM) Dr Mohan Yadav said on Thursday, underlining the enduring relevance of the saint’s teachings in guiding society.

Addressing the idol installation ceremony of Sant Ravidas Maharaj in Raisen through video conference from his official residence in Bhopal, CM Dr Yadav said his government remained committed to honouring revered personalities who had shown society the path of social harmony and moral conduct.

The Chief Minister said he would visit Raisen shortly and pay floral tribute to the newly installed idol of Sant Ravidas.

Sant Ravidas’ teachings remain relevant

CM Dr Yadav said the country was observing the 650th birth anniversary of Sant Ravidas through the Samarasata Sankalp Abhiyan, under which development camps and social harmony yatras had been organised since July. The campaign will continue until February, he said.

He added that under Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi’s leadership, the Centre was focusing on the welfare of young people, women, the poor and farmers, while also giving particular attention to strengthening social harmony.

“Saints have always provided invaluable guidance to society,” CM Dr Yadav said, recalling some of Sant Ravidas’ best-known verses.

Quoting the saint’s words, “Aisa chahun raj main, jahan mile saban ko ann. Chhot-bado sab sam base, Ravidas rahe prasann”, the Chief Minister said the verse reflected a vision of a society where everyone had access to food and people of all social groups lived together as equals.

‘Devotion makes the soul pure’

CM Dr Yadav also referred to Sant Ravidas’ famous devotional verse, “Prabhu ji tum chandan hum paani, jaaki ang-ang baas samani”, describing it as an expression of the intimate relationship between the devotee and God.

He explained that, just as sandalwood fragrance permeates water when the two come together, sincere devotion to God can purify and uplift every part of a person’s being. The teaching, he said, reflected the saint’s deep spiritual love and sense of closeness with the divine.

The Chief Minister also cited the popular saying “Man changa to kathauti mein Ganga”, attributed to Sant Ravidas. Its essence, he explained, is that when a person’s mind and intentions are pure and sincerely devoted to their work, even an ordinary vessel used for soaking leather can become as sacred as the Ganga.

Raisen celebrates social harmony

CM Dr Yadav praised the participation of people from different sections of society in the Samarasata Yatra and Samarasata Bhoj organised in Raisen, calling it a commendable example of social unity.

He said saints such as Ravidas had devoted their entire lives to promoting harmony and bringing different sections of society together.

Former minister Dr Prabhuram Choudhary, speaking at the beginning of the programme, informed the Chief Minister that the installation of Sant Ravidas’ idol had been completed and work was also under way to install a statue of Dr BR Ambedkar nearby. CM Dr Yadav approved the allocation of Rs 25 lakh from the state government for the installation of Ambedkar’s statue.

The programme was attended by former ministers Surendra Patwa and Rampal Singh, along with Sant Dhaniram, Sant Maniram, Rakesh Sharma and social worker Jamna Singh.