'I dedicate this life to You'

Bhagat Ravidas Ji was pious and religious minded right from the beginning and thus came in contact with many spiritual men and adopted Swami Ramanand Ji as his Guru. Bhagat Ravidas Ji made his living as a cobbler. He distributed a major part of his income among the poor and needy.

There are 41 verses of Bhagat Ravidas in Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Most of them are in very clear Hindi. His poetry is brimming with ardent love for God, Universe, Nature, Guru, and the Name. His sarcasm and pique shows his closeness with God.

I came across this Shabad by Bhagat Ravidas Ji,

dhhanaasaree bhagath ravidhaas jee kee
Dhanaasaree, Devotee Ravi Daas Jee:

ik oa(n)kaar sathigur prasaadh
One Universal Creator God. By The Grace Of The True Guru:

ham sar dheen dhaeiaal n thum sar ab patheeaar kiaa keejai
There is none as forlorn as I am, and none as Compassionate as You; what need is there to test us now?

bachanee thor mor man maanai jan ko pooran dheejai 1
May my mind surrender to Your Word; please, bless Your humble servant with this perfection. 1

ho bal bal jaao rameeaa kaaranae
I am a sacrifice, a sacrifice to the Lord.

kaaran kavan abol rehaao
O Lord, why are You silent? Pause

bahuth janam bishhurae thhae maadhho eihu janam thumhaarae laekhae
For so many incarnations, I have been separated from You, Lord; I dedicate this life to You.

kehi ravidhaas aas lag jeevo chir bhaeiou dharasan dhaekhae 21
Says Ravi Daas: placing my hopes in You, I live; it is so long since I have gazed upon the Blessed Vision of Your Darshan. 21

The tuk shown in italics really made me think about why I am here. It goes to show that we have wondered for lifetimes and now through the grace of Guru Ji have this chance to really make a difference for ourselves. We have this chance to do some serious Kamai, to dedicate our lives to God and the path Guru Ji has shown us in order to help us break out of the bonds we have made for ourselves through our bad actions in countless lifetimes.

I beg Guru Ji to keep me at His charan.