ਰਾਮਾਨੰਦ (raamaa-naňd)
Meaning: noun: Ramanand, a 14-15th Century saint-poet, whose single hymn is included in the Guru Granth Sahib.
Quote:
ਕਤ ਜਾਈਐ ਰੇ ਘਰ ਲਾਗੋ ਰੰਗੁ॥
ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! (ਹੁਣ ਹੋਰ) ਕਿਥੇ ਜਾਈਏ? ਹਿਰਦੇ-ਘਰ ਵਿਚ ਹੀ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਦਾ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ-ਰੰਗ ਲਗ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ।
kat jaaeeai re ghar laago raňg.
Where else should I go? My heart is imbued with the love of the Divine. -Bhagat Ramanand, Guru Granth Sahib, 1195
Message: When one is completely imbued with the love of the Divine and has found peace, what necessity is there to look elsewhere?
Explanation: Bhagat Ramanand was born in Allahabad, India, in a Brahmin family. It was his belief in the worship of the One Almighty and his liberal views regarding caste distinctions that led to a well-established tradition of Bhakti movement in India.
A number of saints like Kabir, Ravidas, Dhanna, Pipa, Sain, etc. are known to be his disciples.
Only one of his hymns in Raag Basant is found, which is included in the Guru Granth Sahib.
In this hymn, Ramanand gives us an idea about what he had gone through and finally where-from he had received the correct understanding about the reality.
He had indulged in rituals and performed ablutions at places of pilgrimage where he saw water only. He had been to temples where he found stones only.
The study of and searching into scriptures (Vedas and Puranas) had not provided the answer or led to enlightenment.
It is through the true wisdom only that the reality dawned on him and he recognised the all-pervading Divinity present in his own heart.
All his difficult and troublesome doubts have finally disappeared. Bad karma or actions ceased.
Why, then, should one go anywhere else or perform pointless rituals?
When one follows the teachings of the Guru and becomes a better person, complete bliss is attained.
You can listen to the hymn here.
