Saint Garibdas Ji Maharaj | Biography, Life Story and More
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Saint Garibdas Ji Maharaj | Biography, Life Story and More: Saint Garibdas Ji Maharaj was a spiritual leader and reformer who was born in 1717 in the village Chudani, India. At the age of 10, he was initiated by Almighty God Kabir and started his spiritual journey. He wrote many Banis that are collected as the holy book Garib Das ki Granth. Garib Das Panth is a Kabirpanth, and Saint Garib Das Ji believed that Kabir Sahib is the supreme God in Satlok. He passed away in 1778, and a memorial was established over his remains.
Biography
Full Name:
Aacharya Shri Satguru Dev Garib Das Ji
Maharaj
Other Names:
Satguru Dev, Bandichod ji, Pooranbrahma,
Aacharya Shri
Born:
1717 AD Chudani, Haryana,India
Died:
1778 AD Chudani, Haryana, India
Religion:
Hinduism
Nationality:
Indian
Founder of:
Garibdas panth
Philosophy:
Bhakti
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Biography |
|
|
Full Name: |
Aacharya Shri Satguru Dev Garib Das Ji
Maharaj |
|
Other Names: |
Satguru Dev, Bandichod ji, Pooranbrahma,
Aacharya Shri |
|
Born: |
1717 AD Chudani, Haryana,India |
|
Died: |
1778 AD Chudani, Haryana, India |
|
Religion: |
Hinduism |
|
Nationality: |
Indian |
|
Founder of: |
Garibdas panth |
|
Philosophy: |
Bhakti |
Family and Initial Life Story:
Saint Garibdas Ji Maharaj was born in 1717 in the village Chhudani, Haryana, India to a family of Dhankhar Jats. His father, Shri Balram Ji, belonged to the Dhankhar gotra of Karontha village, and his mother, Shrimati Rani Devi Ji, was from Chhudani. Garibdas Ji was born after 12 years of marriage, and his birthright included 2500 Bighas (1400 acres) of land. He used to go to cow grazing with other cowherds from childhood.
Saint Garibdas Ji Maharaj's birthplace, Chhudani, was the maternal village of his mother, Shrimati Rani Devi Ji. His father, Shri Balram Ji, was married to Rani Devi, who was the daughter of Shivlal Singh. Shivlal Singh had no son and therefore, Shri Balaram Ji was kept in the house. After Shri Balaram Ji, Saint Garib Das Ji Maharaj inherited all of Shivlal Singh's land, making him a wealthy farmer. Despite his family's wealth and social status, Garibdas Ji remained humble and spent his childhood as a cowherd, grazing cows with other children in the village.
Spiritual Journey Details:
In 1717 A.D., Saint Garib Das Ji Maharaj, a spiritual figure and reformer, was born in the Haryana village of Chhudani, in the district Jhajjar. His spiritual journey allegedly began when he apparently met Kabir at the age of 10 years old, going by his own story. He accompanied 'Lord Kabir' to Satlok after receiving his initiation. Kabir also showed him heaven on the road. He noticed Kabir seated on the throne as they arrived at Satlok. Garib Das were startled to see Kabir standing next to him. After some time, the two forms combined, leaving just Kabir on the throne. Kabir then returned him to the planet.
Garib Das ki Granth is considered a holy book in the Garibdas Panth, which is also a Kabirpanth. Saint Garib Das Ji Maharaj told through his Banis that Kabir Sahib is the supreme God in Satlok. The Granth contains his teachings and philosophical thoughts about various aspects of life and spirituality.
Garib Das Ji Maharaj was a rich farmer and inherited 2500 Bighas (big Bigha which is 2.75 times bigger than today's Bigha and counts for 1400 acres of land) from his father, Shri Balaram Ji. Garib Das used to go to cow grazing with other cowherds since childhood. He lived a simple life and dedicated himself to spiritual pursuits. He preached the message of unity, equality, and love for humanity.
A memorial, Chhatri Saheb, was built at the village of Chhudani after his passing in 1778 A.D. A memorial named Chhatri Sahib was also constructed in his honor. To spread his teachings and ideas, Garib Das Ji Maharaj's devotees have built a number of ashrams and temples throughout India.
Kabirpanth:
The Garibdas Panth is a sect that has its origins in Saint Garib Das Ji Maharaj's teachings and is considered a part of the larger Kabirpanth tradition. In the Holy Kabir Sagar, a text that contains Kabir Bani (Bodh Sagar) and Kabir Charitr Bodh, the Garibdas Panth is mentioned as the twelfth sect of the Kabirpanth. The text suggests that the twelfth Panth would be "the Dawn," and the thirteenth Panth would emerge from it only when Kabir Sahib himself comes in the twelfth Panth.
Work:
According to his followers, the Banis (spiritual hymns) recited by Saint Garib Das Ji Maharaj is considered sacred and compiled in a book called "Holy Garib Das ki Granth". This book is believed to contain only the Banis of Saint Garib Das Ji Maharaj and is revered by his followers as a Holy Book.
Philosophy:
After Garib Das returned to Earth, he delivered several Banis (spiritual hymns) in which he proclaimed Kabir to be the Supreme God in Satlok. He also criticized the spiritual leaders of both Hindus and Muslims for spreading incorrect teachings and practices in society. However, it should be noted that the true teachings of Kabir are a matter of scholarly debate.
Meeting of Saint Garib Das Ji's with Kabir Sahib:
FAQs
Q-1) Who was Saint Garibdas Ji Maharaj?
Ans) Spiritual guide, poet, and social reformer Saint Garibdas Ji Maharaj resided in India in the 18th century. His social equality, compassion, and commitment to the sacred are highly regarded. His followers view him not only as a saint but also as a great spiritual master because of the profound wisdom and unselfish messages he has left behind in their life.
Q-2) What were the major teachings of Saint Garibdas Ji Maharaj?
Ans) Saint Garibdas Ji Maharaj emphasized the significance of spiritual knowledge, contemplation, and devotion to the Divine as the ultimate purpose of mortal life. Believing in the conception of" Ek Onkar" or" One God," Saint Garibdas Ji tutored that all persuasions lead to the same Supreme Being. He stressed the significance of contemplation and naam simran( repeating the name of God) for spiritual elevation and attaining emancipation.
Q-3) Where was Saint Garibdas Ji Maharaj born?
Ans) Saint Garibdas Ji Maharaj was born in the village of Chhudani, in the district of Hissar, in present-day Haryana, India.
Q-4) What is the significance of Satlok in the teachings of Saint Garibdas Ji Maharaj?
Ans) Once, Lord Kabir revealed the knowledge of Satlok to Saint Garibdas Ji. Impressed and curious, Garibdas Ji prayed to Lord Kabir to show him Satlok. Lord Kabir then initiated Garibdas Ji with a mantra and lifted his soul from the body, taking him to Satlok. On their way, Lord Kabir showed Garibdas Ji the realms of Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Indralok, and Swarg Lok. Finally, they reached Satlok, where young Garibdas Ji witnessed Lord Kabir seated on a majestic throne. The living Mahatma, Lord Kabir, who was with Garibdas Ji, started rotating a fan around the throne. As the living Mahatma, Lord Kabir, took his seat, the already seated Lord Kabir stood up, and both forms of Lord Kabir, the living Mahatma and the divine form, merged into one. Only the living Mahatma, Lord Kabir, remained seated on the throne, while the divine intellect continued to function on its own. In this extraordinary experience, Saint Garibdas Ji had the divine vision of Satlok and Lord Kabir's greatness, and he was deeply moved by the spiritual journey with Lord Kabir. This divine revelation strengthened Garibdas Ji's devotion, and he continued to spread the teachings of Lord Kabir, inspiring countless souls on their own spiritual paths.
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