Ramananda aka Sant or Swami Ramananda was a Pioneer of the Bhakti Yoga movement and Meditation Music.  This meditation music is sung by , Dr. Freedom and Leela.

Swami or Sant Ramananda was born in 1360 and died in 1470. Ramananda was known as a social reformer who lived in Varanasi in Northern India. He was also known for communicating in simple Hindi, and accepting disciples of all castes.Ramananda’s 12 disciples are very famous- Anantananda, Bhavananda, , , Nabha, Naraharyanda, Pipa, Ravidas, Sain, Sukhanada, and Tulsidas the author of the Ramcharitmanas.

Ramananda (1360 -1470), also called Sant Ramanand or Swami Ramanand was a pioneer of the Bhakti Yoga movement, and a social reformer  who lived in Varanasi in Northern India. He was known for communicating in simple  Hindi, and accepting disciples of all castes.  His 12 disciples are very famous – Anantananda, Bhavananda, , , Nabha, Naraharyanda, Pipa, Ravidas, Sain, Sukhanada, and Tulsidas the author of the Ramcharitmanas.

Ramananda  was born to an upper-caste Brahmin family and  was particularly known for worshipping Lord Rama and his wife Goddess Sita. Ramanuja and Ramananda both believed that the human soul is distinct from the Supreme Spirit and retains its identity and separate consciousness.

Ramananda realised that God can be worshipped by everyone because Lord Rama himself has never stopped the people of any caste from reaching himself. He believed that to truly devote yourself to the Lord Ram, you must forget your caste identity and social status. Ramananda is quoted as saying,  “Let no one ask a man’s caste or with whom he eats. If a man is devoted to Hari, he becomes Hari’s own”.  Ramananda had disciples of all castes.

One poem of Swami Ramanand is recorded in the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy scriptures of the Sikhs. This poem, shabad in the Raga Basant, describes Ramanand’s profound philosophy.

Raga Basant Ramanand, Bhagat Ramanand Ji house one - Ramanand Ji, First House:

Ik Onkar Satgur Prasad || One Universal Creator God. By The Grace Of The True Enlightener:

Kath Jaeeai Re Ghar Lago Rang || Where should I go? My home is filled with bliss.

Mera Chith N Chalai Man Bhayo Pang ||1|| Rehao || My consciousness does not go out wandering. My mind has become crippled. ||1||Pause||

Ek Divas Man Bayee Umang || One day, a desire welled up in my mind.

Ghas Chandhan Choa Bahu Sugandhh || I ground up sandalwood, along with several fragrant oils.

Poojan Chalee Brahm Thaaey || I went to the Holy place, and worshipped ‘Him’ there.

So Brahm Bataaeyo Gur Man Hee Mahi ||1|| ‘That God’ showed me the Enlightener resides within my own heart and mind. ||1||

Jeha Jaeeai Theh Jal Pakhan || Wherever I go, I find that spirit in water and stones.

Too Puu Reyho Hai Sabh Saman || You are totally pervading and permeating in all.

Beydh Puran Sabh Daykhay Joey || I have searched through all the Vedas and the Puranas.

Oohan To Jaeeay Jo Eehan N Hoe ||2|| I would go there, only if the Eternal spirit were not here. ||2||

Satgur Mai Bulhaaree Tore || I surrender to You, O my True Enlightener.

Jin Sakal Bikal Brahm Kaatay More || You have cut through all my confusion and doubt.

Ramanandh Suamee Ramath Brahm || Ramanand’s Lord and Master is the All-pervading Divine Spirit.

Gur Ka Shabad Kaattay Kott Karam ||3||1|| The Word of the Enlightened Shabad eradicates the karma of millions of past actions. ||3||1||