Ravidas (1450 – 1520 CE) was born near Varanasi, and was a younger contemporary of Kabir Das. Little is known for certain of his life. There is some suggestion that like Kabir Das he was a disciple of Ramananda, and also like Kabir Das that he came from a very low segment of society, for his family, being leather workers, would have been ‘untouchable.’ It is believed that Ravidas met Guru Nanak, the founder of the Sikh religion, and a number of his poems are included in the Adi Granth Sahib. It has also been suggested that he was the guru of the Rajasthani mystic and poet Mirabai.

You are me, and I am You — what is the difference between us?
We are like gold and the bracelet, or water and the waves.

If I did not commit any sins, O Infinite Lord,
how would You have acquired the name, ‘Redeemer of sinners’?

You are my Master, the Inner-knower, Searcher of hearts.
The servant is known by his God, and the Lord and Master is known by His servant.

Grant me the wisdom to worship and adore You with my body.
O Ravi Das, one who understands that the Lord is equally in all, is very rare.