ਪਉੜੀ ੧੭

The tanner (Ravidas) became renowned as bhagat (saint) in all the four directions.

In accordance with his family tradition he would cobble the shoes and carry away the dead animals.

This was his outward routine but in reality he was a gem wrapped in rags.

He would preach all the four varnas (castes). His preaching made them rapt in the meditative devotion for the Lord.

Once, a group of people went to Kasi (Varanasi) to have their sacred dip in the Ganges.

Ravidas gave one dhela (half a pice) to one member and asked him to offer it to the Ganges.

A great festival of Abhijit naksatr (star) was on there where the public saw this wonderful episode.

Ganges, herself taking out her hand accepted that paltry amount, dhela, and proved that Ravidas was one with Ganges as warp and weft.

For bhagats (saints,) God is their mother, father and son all in one.