Samarth Ramdas

Introduction

Samarth Ramdas was a saint who lived four centuries ago in Maharashtra and his philosophy transcended all boundaries of time and was aimed for all ages. It is especially relevant for the present day when mankind is engulfed in poverty, consumerism and corruption.  His philosophy of time management is a core principle to a successful life which is now the modern mantra of the corporate world. Since his philosophy was simple yet dynamic involving common sense and aimed at building character it appealed to one and all. This philosophy is much needed today to improve the nation and transform it into a strong and prosperous one.

Birth and Early Life

 Samarth Ramdas was born and named as Narayan Suryaji Thosar in Jamb village, Ambad Taluka of Jalna district in Maharashtra on the banks of the river Godavari on Ramnavami day in 1608 AD to parents Ranubhai and Suryaji Pant. He had an elder brother named Gangadhar. For many generations his family were worshipers of the Sun God and Lord Rama. At the tender age of eight he lost his father and this led to deep inner introspection of life and God. It is said that at the age of 11 years Lord Ram himself appeared before him and instructed him to chant the 13 lettered Ram Taraka Mantra at least once a day repeating it 108 times.  This led to him being called Ramdas by everyone. Soon afterwards his marriage was fixed and Ramdas reluctantly agreed to his mother’s wishes. But it is said that during the wedding he heard the word ‘Savdhan’ or Caution in the wedding vows and felt it was a warning to him and ran away. He went to the holy city of Panchavati near Nashik where he diligently began the worship of Lord Ram which is said to have lasted for 12 long years. During his rigorous sadhana he is said to have been guided by Hanuman and at the end of this period the Lord himself appeared before him and granted him Ashta Siddhi or the 8 great powers. He is also said to have asked him to renew Dharma or righteousness by starting a movement. Ramdas then travelled the length and breadth of India and observed the conditions of the people. He wrote two books based on his experiences Asmani Sultani and Parachakraniroopan. He established Hanuman temples in villages and towns, installed the statue of Lord Ram and began to initiate the celebration of the birth of Lord Ram as Ram Janmotsava. He taught the people to give up passive prayers and cited the example of Hanuman as highlighting the warrior’s role in service to the Lord. He emphasised on the importance of women and their role in society by encouraging them to take up positions of authority and participate in religious activities. He preached that all human beings were equal and removed distinction based on caste and creed.

Society during his period

During the period of Samarth Ramdas foreigners were ruling India. This changed the perceptions of the Indians as they had to bow to their supremacy and follow their dictates. Religion and culture were severely affected. Samarth Ramdas realised that there could be no healthy growth and religious upheaval of society until foreign rule persisted. It was exactly at that time that King Shivaji of Maharashtra was fighting to uproot foreign rule and Shri Samarth realised that King Shivaji was the person he was looking for. Samarth Ramdas’s aim was independence of society not for narrow selfish individual gains but for upholding the moral and spiritual principles of society. He wished to start a new Sect of Sanyasis who would take up politics not to pursue their ambitions but who would first be accountable to God and the society with high moral character and a fervent desire to make a change in society. He felt that saints were not those who prayed silently but who with their piety, knowledge and strength would cast aside their aloofness and help people in distress. To serve this lofty purpose he established Maths or holy places where religious minded people could live and work for the benefit of society. In this way he wished to bring about a balance between social work, politics and spirituality. He was conferred with the name ‘Samarth’ meaning ‘the greatest among the great’.

Samarth Ramdas and Shivaji Maharaj

Samarth Ramdas realised that Shivaji Maharaj was the only Hindu King who fought against Muslim oppression so when Shivaji Maharaj requested him to be his Guru he readily consented. From then onwards in all important matters Shivaji Maharaj consulted and took Samarth Ramdas’s advice. Such was Shivaji’s love and devotion to his Guru that he offered Shri Samarth his whole kingdom considering himself only a Caretaker of it. The great Guru advised him to treat the kingdom as a trust to be ruled wisely and justly before God. Shivaji immediately placed his Guru’s sandals on the throne and from then onwards acted as Regent of the kingdom, ruling it with dispassion under the guidance and orders of his Guru. This was the exemplary Guru-Shishya relationship between Samarth Ramdas and Shivaji Maharaj. His relationship with Shivaji Maharaj was compared to that of Lord Krishna and Arjuna for establishment of truth and righteousness.

Shri Samarth’s literature

Samarth Ramdas wrote considerable literature the most famous being Dasbodh which he wrote in a small cave (Ghal in Marathi) at Shivthar and is an epic in the form of a dialogue between the Guru and disciple. The concepts of Parabrahma, Maya, Atman, the cycles of birth and death and other practical and spiritual topics have been explained here in a simple and lucid manner in the Marathi language to enable the masses to understand easily. It revealed the path of devotion as well as knowledge and is used by householders as well as renunciates as it blends the ways to achieve success in worldly life along with spiritual life. It has also been translated into many Indian languages. Besides this his other noted works are Shri Manache Shlok a small book on meditations, Shri Maruti Stotra a poem in praise of Lord Hanuman, some of the Khands or parts of the Ramayan, Manapanchak, Atmaram, Shivakalyanaraj, Anandavanbhuvan and many other works including the famous Marathi Ganesha Aarthi Sukhakartha Dukhahartha and aarthis to Lord Hanuman and Khandoba which form a guiding light and beacon of hope to mankind in these troubled times.

His teachings

The teachings of Samarth Ramdas motivated and inspired the people of Maharashtra to fight against the tyrannical Islamic rule. He galvanised the common man to work in unity for gaining freedom and self respect. He instilled in them a feeling of confidence and asked them to destroy greed, hatred, lust, egoism and anger. He asked them to feel the presence of the Lord at all times and live for him alone. He exhorted them to surrender totally to the Lord and serve him in all beings.

His Disciples

He had many disciples like Kalyan Swami, Uddhav Swami, Bhim Swami and others who undertook the propagation of his teachings and philosophy.

Later Years

After establishing Maths and appointing worthy disciples as head priests in each of them including women in some of them he returned to his home town on hearing of his mother’s last days. He served her and gave her solace to enable her to die peacefully. In later years, he felt he could meditate better in the forest and hence generally preferred to live there. His last days were devoted to literary activities and to the systematic building up in the North and South of his Maths and disciples.

His passing away

In 1682 at Sajjangad near Satara which was a fortress given to him by Shivaji Maharaj to be used as a monastery, the great Guru breathed his last with the Rama Mantra on his lips. It is said that at that time from his body a dazzling light emanated and he was absorbed in the image of the Lord.

Conclusion

Samarth Ramdas was one of the greatest saint poets of Maharashtra whose unflinching devotion, knowledge of the Parabrahma and literature shone through and though he was internally in a perpetual state of Samadhi he always exhibited a normal state externally as per the socio-political circumstances prevalent during his times. Thus despite carrying on the mantle of the burden of society he was always firmly entrenched in the Lord. He was one of the few saints of India who successfully led a political movement while bringing about a spiritual renaissance in society.