Ramanandi Sampradaya
रामानंदी संप्रदाय
Devotion to Ram, opened to everyone.
Ram for everyone
Ramananda · 14th–15th centuryIn Kashi, the teacher Ramananda made devotion to Ram a path open to all. He taught in Hindi, the language of the people, not only in Sanskrit, and welcomed disciples of every caste.
His disciples
Tradition names among his disciples a weaver, a leatherworker, a barber and a woman: Kabir, Ravidas, Sena and Padmavati. Their songs carried Ram’s name far beyond the temple walls.
Tulsidas and the Manas
c. 1532–1623Tulsidas retold the Ramayana in Awadhi as the Ramcharitmanas. It became the best-loved book of north India, still sung in homes and on the ghats of the Ganga.
Shabari’s berries
In the forest, old Shabari waited all her life for Ram. In the story told across India, she tasted each berry to offer him only the sweet ones, and Ram ate them gladly. In the Manas, he teaches her the nine forms of devotion: love needs no rank, only a waiting heart.
नवधा भगति कहउँ तोहि पाहीं। सावधान सुनु धरु मन माहीं॥
People on this path
- Ramanandaरामानंद14th–15th century · Kashi
Opened Ram bhakti to people of every caste, teaching in the language of the people.
- Tulsidasतुलसीदासc. 1532–1623
Poet of the Ramcharitmanas, the Ramayana that north India sings.
- ShabariशबरीThe Ramayana
Forest devotee remembered for her patient, humble love.