Sevalal Maharaj
Sant Sevalal Maharaj (15 February 1739 - 4 December 1806) was an Indian socio-religious reformer and is now revered by the Banjara community as a spiritual guru. He was a disciple of Jagadamba and was celibate throughout his life.
Sevalal Maharaj | |
|---|---|
| Born | Seva Bhima Ramavath 15 February 1739 Surgondankoppa, Davangere district, Hyderabad State |
| Died | 2 January 1773 (aged 33) Ruhiyagad |
| Resting place | Pohra, Washim district Maharashtra |
| Occupation | Social reformer |
Sevalal died at Ruhiyagad and was buried at Pohra in Washim district, now in the state of Maharashtra. His tomb still stands there, adjacent to a temple dedicated to Jagadamba. Although he was opposed to personality cults and rituals, it is a popular destination for Banjaras at Hindu festivals such as Diwali. Similar adjacent temples dedicated to Sevalal and to Jagadamba exist elsewhere and also attract worshippers in significant numbers.[1]
A temple has been recently built in Surgondankoppa village, near Nyamathi Taluk, in Davangere district, Karnataka.
Philosophical principals
He stated 22 major principles for Banjara life, known as the Seva Bollies:
- Protect the forest and the environment
- Live the natural life in consonance with nature
- Do not practice discrimination toward anyone and any form
- Live a life with dignity
- Do not lie, be honest (sat Boli), and do not steal others belongings
- Do not talk ill of others and do not harm others
- Respect women, and girls are living goddesses
- Do not worry and live fearless, be courageous and confident life
- Shade the greediness and material sensual comforts
- Protect the water and provide water to the thirsty and also never involve in selling water which is biggest crime/sin
- Provide food to hungry and help the needy people
- Respect elders and love youngers, and also respect animals
- Never leave the forest and Do not destroy the forest, if you destroy the forest then you are destroying yourself
- Do not consume toxic substances and completely avoid drinking alcohol
- Do not involve in illicit relationship
- Meditate have inner peace, and study, seek knowledge and gain the Knowledge
- Do not not be lured by modern life style and comfort, and must engage with physical activity
- Love humanity and not money, and have comradeship with fellow community persons
- Have reasoned life and avoid all superstitious beliefs
- Respect you parents, take care of your family and the community, and never break the brotherhood in the community
- Protect the culture and language of the community, speak Gor Bhasa/Gorboli and also celebrate all the community's festivals which are connected with the nature, and avoid those festivals which causes harm to nature
- Should follow the norms and maintain identity of the Gor, be connected with nature and do not exploit it
Sevalal have been a man of exemplary truthfulness, courage, concerned, humanitarian, disciplined, meditative, a great musician, a rationalist who fought against superstition, and a benighted devotee of Sheetala and Sati Devi includes Jagadamba.[2]
The colonial British administrators also quote his stories, but they place him in the 18th century and identify his original name as Siva Rathod.
Folk songs
There are folk songs praising Sevalal that are popular during Banjara festivities.[1]
References
- Burman, J. J. Roy (2010). Ethnography of a Denotified Tribe: The Laman Banjara. Mittal Publications. p. 94. ISBN 978-8-18324-345-2.
- Naik, Lalitha (2009). Banjara Hejjegurutugalu. Bangalore: Karnataka Rajya Patragara Ilakhe. pp. 42–84. ISBN 978-8190843812.
Further reading
- Naik, Dhanasing B. (2000). The Art and Literature of Banjara Lambanis: A Socio-cultural Study. Abhinav Publications. ISBN 978-8-17017-364-9.