Guru Ramananda was a prominent saint and spiritual leader of the 14th-15th century. Guru Ramananda was a Vaishnav saint, meaning he belonged to the tradition that focused on the worship of Lord Vishnu, specifically through the incarnation of Lord Rama. He was a key figure in the Vaishnavite tradition of Hinduism, which focuses on the worship of Lord Vishnu and his avatars, particularly Lord Rama.
Ramananda is also believed to have lived in Varanasi (also known as Kashi), in addition to Prayag (Allahabad). Varanasi was a significant center for spiritual and religious activity during his time, and it is said that Guru Ramananda spent much of his life there, where he gathered followers and spread his teachings of devotion to Lord Rama.
Saint Kabir appeared in 1398 CE and acquired Guru Ramananda as his Guru but the initiation did not occur through the usual formal ritual. When Kabir met Ramananda, he was a child, and Ramananda, without realizing it, initiated him with a mantra while stepping on Kabir's foot, as Kabir lay on the steps of Ganga Ghat. As child Kabir started crying, Guru Ramananda said, "do not cry, say Ram, Ram. The name of Ram dispels all sorrows". This is how Kabir got initiated from Guru Ramananda.
What is the Actual Truth of Guru Ramananda and Saint Kabir Relationship?
As a 5-year-old child, Saint Kabir engaged in a profound spiritual discussion with Guru Ramananda about his spiritual accomplishments. When Ramananda boasted of his ascent to Trikuti, Saint Kabir requested him to reach Trikuti. At Triveni (a route from Trikuti), Saint Kabir asked Ramananda to unlock the Brahmrandhra, a feat Ramananda was unable to achieve.
Saint Kabir then revealed that he possessed the real mantra capable of opening the Brahmrandhra. Upon reciting the mantra, the Brahmrandhra opened, and Saint Kabir guided Ramananda toward the 11th door. From there, they entered the whirlpool cave (Bhanwar Gufa) and crossed the 12th door into the Eternal Realm, known as Satlok.
In Satlok, Ramananda witnessed an extraordinary scene: God was seated on a divine throne. Saint Kabir, still in the form of a 5-year-old child, approached the throne and began to wave a whisk (chanwar) over the Supreme God. As Ramananda marveled at the sight, he thought, “This must be the Supreme Lord.” To his amazement, the Supreme God stood up, and 5-year-old Saint Kabir sat on the throne, while the Supreme Lord began waving the whisk over Saint Kabir in reverence.
Astounded and overwhelmed, Ramananda was left in awe. Saint Kabir then revealed to Ramananda that He was the Supreme God Himself, who had appeared in Varanasi as Saint Kabir to perform a divine act. God Kabir then returned Ramananda to the earthly realm. When Ramananda opened his eyes back on Earth, he embraced the 5-year-old Saint Kabir in profound realization.
Saint Kabir then initiated Guru Ramananda with the true mantras, granting him divine knowledge. However, he instructed Ramananda to remain his Guru in the eyes of the public to fulfill the divine plan.
