About

A brief history of Banjara’s spiritual Guru

Santh Shri Sevalal Baba

Sevalal Baba, revered by nomad tribes aka Banjaras, was born to the devour couple Dharmani Yaadi and Ramavath Bhima Nayak. They lived in Sevagad (Ramji Nayak Tanda) in the village of Cherlopalli in Gooty Mandal of Anathapur district in Andhra Pradesh. The couple would pray ardently to Lord Parameshwara and Goddess Parvati, for a child..
One day, Goddess Parvati appeared as Goddess Bhavani and presented the divine Prasadam to Bhima Nayak, asking him to give it to his wife Dharmani Yaadi, who will deliver a beautiful boy child, on partaking the Prasadam. Saying so, Goddess blessed Bhima Nayak and disappeared. The divine prophecy came true as Dharmani Yaadi gave birth to a boy child in nine months. The blessed boy child was Sevalal Baba, who was born under the birth star Rohini, on February 15, 1793. Sevalal Baba was devout right from his childhood.
Sevalal Baba was a devotee right from childhood. Legend says that he would play with Goddess Bhavani Jagadamba in the temple premises in Thanda. Bheema Nayak was surprised to see this phenomenon. He promised Goddess Bhavani Jagadamba that he will hand over Sevalal to Her once the boy reaches 12 years of age.
Bheema Nayak told Sevalal about the promise when he attained 12 years of age. That’s when Sevalal decided to seek blessings of Goddess Bhavani Jagadamba. He bathed in a pond called Kalokundo and observed severe penance for 62 days. Pleased by the devotion of Sevalal, Goddess Bhavani Jagadamba appeared and taught him the knowledge of the Vedas.Goddess insisted that he must ask for three boons. He sought immense power to his words and was blessed with the same.
From that day on, Sevalal Baba dedicated his life to the spiritual path. He travelled across India and visited all the Holy places and met many sages, learning all the aspects of Sanatana Dharma. Thus, he emerged as a sage himself and people started worshipping Santh Sevalal Baba.
Sevalal Baba strived for the well-being of the community of Banjaras. He dealt severely with those having vested interests, who used the nomads for carrying out unethical work. He built permanent homes for the tribe, which came to be known as Thandas.
He worked on settling this nomadic tribe in agriculture and other such stable and respectable professions. By creating awareness about education, culture etc., he provided a new way of life to them. Sevalal Baba taught them the importance of the institution of family, thus brought some discipline into their lives.
He also brought to light the importance of chanting God’s name, leading the nomads on the spiritual path. Sevalal Baba was against animal sacrifice. He championed non-violence as the best way of life. Not just those from the nomadic tribe, Sevalal Baba would impart spiritual teachings to anyone who approached him, thus emerging as a guru for one and all.
He displayed miracles like dispelling Maashuchi disease from Hyderabad. All his life Sevalal Baba strived for propagating non-violence and peace in the society. He entered the Mahasamadhi on 14 December, 1806 in Pauragadh in Maharashtra.
The preachings of Sevalal Baba
  • Implement actions only after a careful analysis and examination.
  • Nobody is superior or inferior. All are equal. There is no need to chant, worship anyone or fear anyone. Work hard instead of indulging in debates on worshipping.
  • Only a person who works with courage and faith gets success. If we fear for work, we will surrender to failure.
  • Practice non-violence. Avoid animal sacrifice.
  • Co-exist with nature and show love and care towards animals and birds.
  • Feed the hungry. Help the needy.
  • Stay away from bad habits like smoking and alcohol.
  • Meditate for inner peace.

Gallery