14. Dinner of Ravidass Ji
at Chittorgarh
Once Rani Jhalan Bai of Chittorgarh visited Benaras on
pilgrimage. She paid homage at many temples. There she heard of
perfection in enlightenment of Guru Ravidass Ji. She went to the place
of Guru Ravidass Ji at Seer Govardhanpur, Benaras and listened his
religious discourses. She was highly convinced and influenced by Guru
Ji. She was so much impressed that she prayed Guru Ji to make her his
disciple. Guru Ji told her to adopt some high-caste saint as Guru as she
belonged to Rajput caste. But she implored and insisted to become his
disciple. Seeing her truthfulness and perseverance in conviction, Guru
Ji initiated her and made her his disciple. The Pandits could not bear
that a Rajput queen should become disciple of a low caste saint. They
complained to Raja Sangram Singh that his queen had adopted Ravidass Ji
as her Guru. At this the king was annoyed with the queen. However, she
talked high of Guru Ji and his enlightenment and charismatic powers that
he had. After hearing this, the king also developed regard for Guru Ji
and cherished to see him. The king and queen arranged a Sat Sang (religious congregation for
discourses) at Chittorgarh. Guru Ji was prayed to attend the Sat Sang as
the Chief Guest. After spiritual deliberations community dinner was
arranged in honour of Guru Ravidass Ji. Guru Ravidass Ji knew
spiritually that Pandits would not take meals if he sits in line with
them. Therefore, he preferred to sit alone in a separate room. However,
when service of food was ready the Brahmans stood away and refused to
sit with Guru Ravidass Ji, because they said, he belonged to low caste.
When Guru Ji came to know all about it he agreed to sit alone in another
room. Then the Pandits agreed to take meals. The food was served. When
the Pandits began to eat food they were astonished to see that Guru
Ravidass Ji was sitting on both sides of each of the Pandits. On right
side, he was there and on left side he was again there. The Pandits felt
ashamed and repented for their unruly behavior with Guru Ravidass Ji.
They prayed Guru Ji to forgive them. They were forgiven. All of them
became Guru Ji’s disciples.