# Sevalal Maharaj

Sevalal Dharamani Yaadi Bheema Naik (Rathod) also known as Sevalal Maharaj/Bhaaya/Baapu (15 February 1739 – 04 December 1806) was an Indian socio-religious reformer and community leader, and is revered by the Gor Banjara community as the supreme god and a spiritual guru. Guru Sevalal Maharaj was born to Bheema Naik Rathod (father) and Dharamani Yaadi Bheema Naik Rathod (mother) in 18th century. He died at Ruhigarh (Yavatmal District) and was buried at Poharadevi in Washim district, now in the state of Maharashtra. His samadhi still stands there, adjacent to a temple dedicated to goddess Jagadamba devi. Although he was opposed to personality cults and rituals, it is a popular destination for Banjaras. Similar adjacent temples dedicated to Sevalal and to Jagdamba exist elsewhere and also attract worshipers in significant numbers.
There are folk songs praising Sevalal that are popular during Banjara festivities. Every Banjara/Gor/Lambadi village or hamlet has a temple for Sri Sevalal Guru. All the Banjara hoist a pink or red colour flags for the jagadamba and white colour for the shri sant sevalal maharaj at spiritual sites in every village to show deep sense of spiritual reverence and claim the deep sense of community dignity.
Unimpeachable and Unquestionable Words of God Sevabhaaya in Banjari: 1. Rapiya katoro paali vakiya. 2. Soner shing vakjaaya. 3. Yaadin beta bhaari vhiya. 4. Rapiyar tera chalaa vakiya. 5. Randiro raaj aaya. 6. Ghare-gharem nayak vhejaaya. 7. Gor-garibena daandan khaya, wori saat peedhi narakem jaaya. 8. Vaana-Vaanar dak aaya. 9. Palakeri vaat malakem kaliya. 10. Bhai-bhairo pata koni. 11. Sasu-bodiro pata koni. 12. Baap-betaaro jama koni. 13. Ganvu dhanem vako aaya. 14. Ghare-gharem kallol machiya. 15. Jaalajo-chhaalajo pachach maanajo. 16. Rapiya lena aali-aali fariya to bhi anaaj mala koni. 17. Haadakaar dhera padajaaya. 18. Gali-galim nangaara vaajiya. 19. Godhanen chara mala koni. 20. Baara kosepara divo laagiya. 21. Paapiro saal riy. 22. Nangaarare ghorema riy gormati. 23. Laambi-zadim gor vas jaaya. 24. Paane aad paan bachayu, gorun kesula naayi moraayu. 25. Maar gor banda kariya chhand, ghar-ghar naandiya musal kanda. 26. Punjab deshem jalam liyu, Sindh- Punjabeti dala laayu. 27. Akhtar-bakhtar baalo riy, maatepar ghoongato-topi riy. 28. Haarem chiroyi bhaala riy, kaali peeli bhagawi dhaala riy. 29. Tolaram ep aswaar riyu, panch mahalen dala aaya. 30. Dalero teen kos ghero riy, ek dalero teen bhaag vhiya.
31. Ek dala punaam jaaya, punaari gaadi sthaapan kariya. 32. Ek dala mahur gaden jaaya, wot jagadamba ro divo laagaya. 33. Ek dala pohara-umari jaaya... wot teen dev eke paalem beshiya... wot rapiya terasari puja vhiya. 34. Chhati kariya jen saathi riu, haay kariya jen dher paadiu. 35. Jamale haatem aaya jen taar liu, daay haatem aaya jen khatam kariu. 36. Paach paara riy jen aabhariu (taariu). 37. Fitoor firangi dhaas jaaya, vat janataaro raaj aaya. 38. Chaar dan janata raaj kariya, sanya maratharo raaj marathan jaaya. 39. Wore baad rathod raaj aaya, nagpurem jhanda lagaaya. 40. Niti-dharmeti raaj chaliya, satbhagat jalmen aaya. 41. Kamal patta haatem liya, tam lokun vaachan vatayu. 42. Maari vaat khoti vhejaaya to chaanda-suriya narakem jaaya.

## Sri Sevalal Guru Preachings

1) Serve the community as you do your own family.
2) Do not discriminate against anyone on any grounds.
3) Worship nature and don't detach from nature.
4) Plant trees and protect trees and animals. Don't sell animals to butchers.
5) Respect women.
6) Girls/daughters must be treated as Goddesses.
7) Do not practice violence.
8) Do not tell lies even at the cost of your own life; don't talk ill about others.
9) Do not steal other's belongings.
10) Protect the community language (Goar Boli) and costumes.
11) Respect all elders and love all younger ones.
12) Fight against the dowry.
13) Avoid being greedy, lustful, and self-interested.
14) Seek knowledge, always be an obedient student and a rigorous learner.
15) Help the weak and needy people.
16) Give water to the thirsty, and never sell water.
17) Protect the identity of community (be a Gor and not a Kor).
18) Get liberation from ignorance, poverty and superstitions.
19) Don't kill animals.
20) Do not stay away from the Forest Area. Stay away from mainstream towns and cities.
21) Maintain cleanliness.
22) Worship Satibhavani.