Life of Ramdas Swami Part One

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Samartha Ramadas's life sketch

 

The night was calm and serene.

That night there was a religious discourse by

Tukaram. People from all

the surrounding villages had gathered

to hear the discourse. Shivaji Maharaj

was also present. People would

forget themselves when listening to the

discourses of Tukaram. It would be so

enchanting.

 

At last Tukaram sang the mangala.

Shivaji Maharaj got up from his seat,

moved a step or two and bowed down

at the feet of Tukaram. ``Blessed I am

by the nectar of your words. I realised that this

kingdom and my rule

over it are all insignificant compared to

Sankeertana (glorification) of Lord Vittala.

Maharaj, release me from the barren

responsibility of this sword and armour.

I too would like to spend the rest of

my life in the Sankeertana of Vittala.

Teach me the Nama-sankeertana.

 

Sant Tukaram, saint among saints,

was neither happy nor surprised at the

words of Shivaji Maharaj. On the other

hand he was very much hurt. ``How

could it be? What would happen if

Shivaji were to abandon his sword and

adorn his hands with Tamboora!''- Tukaram

thought. Patting Shivaji on the

back, he said, ``Up, up ! Only Samartha

Ramadas can be your worthy Guru. He

will tell you what your next course of

action is to be. See him, and follow his

advice. He is your real guide and Guru.''

 

 

Who is this Samartha ?

 

 

Known everywhere as Samartha

Ramadas, Narayana was born in the village

Jamb, on the bank, of the river Godavari

in Aurangabad district. The Shanbhog of

that village was Sooryaji Pant Thosar.

His wife was Ranoobai. Sooryaji Pant

worshipped the Sun God. Gangadhara

Pant was the eldest son of Sooryaji Pant.

Narayana was born next to him.

 

Narayana took birth on Sri Ramanavami, that is,

the ninth day of the

month of Chaitra in the year 1530 of Shalivahana

Era (1608 A. D.).

It was this

Narayana who later became the famous

Samartha Ramadas.

 

 

``I Will Think Over It, Ma''

 

 

Narayana was growing as the darling

son of his parents in Jamb. Unlike his

brother Gangadhara, Narayana was very

mischievous. There was no end to his

pranks.

Disgusted with his mischievous son,

his mother once said, ``How long can

you go on like this, Narayana ?

``What else can I do, mother?''

``Narayana, have you ever given

thought to your future?''

 

``That is all right Ma, I will now

think over it.''

 

``What do you do next, my son.?''

``Let me think over it, mother.''

 

``Think over what?'' she asked him

again.

``Think over this world. About

the future of this universe.''

 

Ranoobai laughed , at her son's

words ``He is always mischievous,''

she thought and kept quiet.

 

 

An Ideal

 

 

Narayana would get over his mischievous tendancy

when he is married,

some said. In those days, it was

customary to perform marriage of boys

by the age of 8 or 10. Why not find

a suitable bride for Narayana ? - thought

his parents. But Narayana declared,

``I shall not marry.'' Narayana would

run away from the spot, whenever

people raised the topic of his marriage,

and hide himself somewhere.

 

One day he was hiding in the temple

of Lord Anjaneya, outside the village. He

did not know how long he was hiding.

 

 

His thoughts were enveloped in Lord,

Anianeya, Life-long celibate, Hanuman

was the devout servant of Sri Rama.

 

Hanumanta - unsurpassed in intellect.

Anjaneya, who had traced Seeta, wife of

Sri Rama. Mighty Maruti ! The very idol

of Maruti inspired Narayana. ``I must also,

lead a life of celibacy, life-long Brahmacharya.

I must also become strong and.

sturdy, like Hanumanta, ''

he thought.

Born on Rama-navami, Narayana saw

from his mind's eye the purpose of his

life, by the darshan of Maruti.

 

 

Changed Narayana

 

 

From that day onwards Narayana

was a changed man. All these days he

was talkative. He suddenly became mum.

He appeared to be thinking over

something always.

 

Brother Gangadhara got married.

Father Sooryaji Pant died. MotherRanoobai began

worrying about

the future

of her son Narayana: ``My son seems

to have lost even his power of speech.

He has become dumb. What should

be done now ?''

 

``All will be right, if you celebrate

his marriage'' - well-wishers told her.

 

People had suggested such a remedy

earlier when Narayana was very

boisterous. Now he had become very

sober and silent. Now also people

suggested the same remedy.

 

Ranoobai also agreed to this. But

her son would kick a row if anybody

raised the subject of his marriage.

 

One day, Ranoobai asked her son.

``My son, will you heed my words or

not ?''

 

Narayana did not break his silence.

 

``I am pleading, as your mother.

Please fulfil my one request.''

Narayana looked up as if to know

what his mother had to say.

 

``You get married. Please fulfil at

least this one wish of your mother,'' she

appealed.

 

It was difficult for Narayana to say

`no' to his mother. Though his mind was

saying `no' his tongue refused to

say so to his mother who was the very

embodiment of love and affection.

 

``All right, mother,'' he said.

 

Ranoobai felt immensely happy, as

if the very heaven was within her reach.

She sent word to her elder brother

Bhanaji, who resided in the neighbouring

village Asangaon.

 

``Will you marry your daughter to

my son Narayana?'' she asked him.

Bhanaji was ready for the alliance.

Preparations for the marriage began fast.

 

 

Sumuhurta Saavadhaana!

 

 

The muhurta (auspicious time fixed)

was fast approaching. The bride and

the bridegroom were standing face to face.

Only a yellow cloth screen (Antarpata)

was separating them. The priest was

uttering the Mangalashtaka in a

loud pitch. Narayana became suddenly

alert when he heard the last few words

of Mangalashtaka ``Sumuhurta Saavadhaana.''

The word Saavadhaana made

him doubly alert. ``I must not be

caught in the web of marriage. The

very purpose of my life will be lost by it.

I must run away before the screen

(Antarpata) is removed,'' he thought.

 

Priests were chanting , Mangalashtaka

verses. People who had gathered in

large numbers to bless the couple were

getting ready to throw mangalashtaka

on their heads. In the meanwhile

Narayana had disappeared from the scene.

The cry, ``Where has Narayana

gone, where is he?'' echoed in the

marriage pandal.

 

 

Where is Narayana ?

What happened to him?

 

 

Panchavati is a sacred place. In the

Tretayuga, Prabhu Sri Ramachandra and

Seetadevi had spent their days in these

parts and, sanctified them.

 

From the marriage pandal, Narayana

went straight to Panchavati on the bank

of the river Godavari. The purpose of

his life and the path to attain it became

clear to him in this sacred place, Nasik.

 

He spent twelve years of his life at

auspicious Panchavati in meditation and

penance. Here, he would leave his bed

two hours before dawn, have a dip in

the Sangama and perform Sandhyavandana,

meditation and Japa.

 

Standing in knee-deep water for

five to six hours a day from the minute

of sunrise till midnoon, he would deeply

engage his mind over God. Fish would

sometimes bite his legs, he would not

mind them. After meditation he would

visit some houses and beg for food. He

would divide the day's collection into

three parts. He would set apart one

portion to the cows, another to the

fish and the third for himself. The rest

of the day he would spend in reading

religious books, and in hearing religious

discourses and devotional songs.

 

The rigorous routine of austerity

of this thirteen-year-old boy would

surprise everyone. This intense Tapas

made his body shine like goldand his

mind became razor-sharp.

 

Has not his personal God, Prabhu

Sri Ramachandra said that one's mother

and one's country were superior even

to heaven ? ``Janani Janma-bhoomischa

swargadapi gareeyasi.'' His love for his

mother and motherland Bharata-varsha

overflowed his mind. Narayana felt:

``I am Ramadasa, servant of Rama,

I shall obey every word of Sri Rama and

follow his footprints.'' Thus Narayana

became Ramadasa.

 

 

Visit to Holy Places

 

 

Ramadas wanted to go round the

whole country and study the conditions of the

people.

What is the meaning of going round the whole

country?

Should he visit every hook and corner

of it? No, it is enough if one visits the

holy places which represent the entire

country and its people.

An interesting thing happened in

Paithan. That was the reason, people

say, why Ramadas was begun to be

called ``Samartha Ramadas.''

 

By then well known for his

impressive discourses and Keertans,

(singing of hymns), one day Ramadas

was walking on the banks of Godavari.

He was carrying a bow in one hand

and some Brahmins saw it

 

One of them asked.,

``Do you

know the use of the bow?''

 

``Yes,'' he replied.

 

``Then aim at that bird there,''

said some of them, pointing to a bird

flying high in the sky.

One shot of Ramadas brought the

bird down to the earth.

 

``You are a sadhu, you say. Should

you kill an innocent bird ? What a

sinful act you have committed !'' the

Brahmins commented.

 

``You asked me to kill it!''

 

``Can you commit a sin because

some one asks you to do so?''

 

``Yes, true, one should not,'' said

Ramadas.

 

``You must repent for the sin of

killing the bird. Otherwise you will

have to suffer for it,'' warned the

Brahmins.

 

Ramadas accepted to repent, and

performed some sacrifice. Then he asked

the Brahmins, ``Am I now free from

the sin ?''

 

Brahmins said, ``You are free.''

``Then how is it that the bird is

still dead?''

``But how can a dead bird come

back to life ?''

 

``If the bird cannot come to life,

then how am I to be sure that I got

rid of the sin?'' Ramadas asked them.

Ramadas took the bird in his hands,

prayed with great devotion to Lord Sri

Ramachandra. The bird began breathing.

Lo, it flattered and flew away! From

that day onwards people began to

address Ramadas as Samartha Ramadas. Thus goes

the story.

 

Then Ramadas journeyed to Kashi

in the North. On the way he would take

rest in villages and fill his stomach by

begging for food. Ramadas keenly

observed the prevailing conditions

customs and manners of people during

his journey throughout the length and

breadth of the country.

In one of his poems, Ramadas has

given the following picturesque description of

the

conditions that existed then

in the country.

``Subjected to foreign invasions

the villages are deserted, lands are left.

uncultivated. Even in places where

people managed to live, they appeared

to be living as if faced with an

impending deluge. High prices of

daily necessities of life have made

their life most miserable. Many have

put an end to their life by taking

poison. People are disgusted with

life.

 

He was heartbroken by the sight.

Is there no salvation for these people?

he implored God.

 

In this frame of mind Ramadas

entered the temple of Lord Vishwanatha

a Kashi (Banaras). Kashi is a holy

place, a great pilgrimage centre. People

flock there in thousands from all parts

of Bharat.

 

One day Ramadas was taking

rest outside the temple after the darshan

of Lord Vishwanatha. His imposing

personality attracted the attention of

the devotees visiting the temple. He

entered into conversation with them.

An important aspect of life he came

to realise from these talks.

 

 

Hanuman. at Hanuman Ghat

 

 

As you know, the temple of Kashi

Vishwa natha is built on the banks of

the river Ganga. Steps are built to

facilitate bathing. But nowhere was

there to be seen a statue of Hanuman.

 

People requested Ramadas

``Maharaj, the statue of Maruti has to

be insialled at the Ghat if it is to be

called really Hunuman Ghat.''

 

Ramadas thought ``Yes, this place

cannot be called Hunuman Ghat without

Hanumanta.'' He succeeded in install

an idol of Anjaneya there.

 

Waves of thought rose in the mind

of Ramadas. ``What is this? Who am I ?

What should be the will of God that

I should be brought here from such a

far-off place and ordered to build the

temple ? There must be some purpose.

What can it be ?'' Ramadas began to

ponder over it. Then the purpose of

his life, the message of God, became

clear to him like crystal.

 

``It is true that Bharatavarsha is

greater than heaven. But that is of

no use without freedom - like the

Hanuman Ghat without Hanuman.

Hanuman is well known for his

strength and valour, `buddhimataaM

varishhThaM' the wisest among

wise.

 

``He was also a tower of strength.

He possessed unsurpassed intellect. It

was his effort which enabled Ramachandra to get

back his wife Seeta.

To worship Hanumanta means worshipping strength

and valour. This

goal of freedom should have a firm

foundation in the minds of the people

of Bharata. Then alone could they

have independence, the Seeta of freedom.

 

``It is true that Bharateeyas are as

intelligent as Hanuman. If they can

make up their mind, there could be

none to equal them both in strength

and intellect. They could cross the

seas and climb mountains. The idol

of Hanuman must be installed in the

minds of the people, like installing the

statue of Hanuman in Hanuman Ghat.''

 

 

Vow to Protect Motherland

 

 

Ramadas had a clearer picture of

his life's mission at the holy Kashi.

 

Ramadas visited many places in

North India. Then he turned his mind

towards South. He went up to the

holy Rameswara and then to Tirupati,

and came to Pampakshetra on the

banks of the river Tungabhadra. He

had the darshan of Lord Virupaksha.

Hardly a few decades had passed since

the Vijayanagar Empire had been razed to

the ground. In his restless efforts to

climb the heights of spiritual glory,

sage Vidyaranya had realised the

importance of preserving Dharma. He

had striven hard, day and night, for

the establishment of the Vijayanagar

Empire.

 

Likewise, the

pontiff of Sri Vyasaraya

mutt provided necessary advice

and guidance to Krishnadevaraya of

Vijayanagar in building the empire,

 

While the nation and the character of its people

are in grave danger,

spiritual aspirations and efforts at

personal salvation by the heads of

religious institutions and individuals

should be kept aside for the time

being. The first and foremost concern

of all citizens should be to resolve the

challenges, confronting the nation.

 

Shivaji was at the time faced

with a similar situation.

 

When Vijayanagar was on the

verge of an attack by enemies,

spiritual activities alone could not be

sufficient to defend the country.

Strength of arms and ammunition and

the determination to drive out the

enemy were needed. Mere love of

one's motherland is not enough, might

of the muscles is necessary. It should be

acquired by hard-effort, and nurtured and

developed. Irrespective of whether one

is a family man or a monk or a soldier,

everyone should be prepared to die in

defending the motherland. Ramadas

saw this need.

Ramadas came to Pandharapura,

the abode of Lord Vittala. When

Pundalika, a great devotee of God

Vittala, was engaged in the nursing of his

aged parents, God himself came to give

darshan to his devotee and test him. But

to Pundalika, the darshan of God Vittala

was not of as much importance as his

service to his parents.

 

``My first duty is to my parents

without fulfilling it I have no time to

welcome you'' he told Vittala. ``Till

then please be waiting on the bricks,''

he added, throwing two bricks. This is

the story of Vittala of the famous

Pandharapura. One can see even to this

day God Vittala standing on the two

bricks with arms akimbo.

 

Ramadas derived a lesson even from

this legend. It is the first and foremost

duty of every person to attend to the

needs of his parents and not to forget

them with the excuse that worship of

God should come first.

 

One's motherland is one's true

mother. Swadharma, duty, is one's

father. It is not right to go to the

Himalayas and perform penance in search of

God forgetting one s duty to one's mother

and motherland. One should first

discharge one's duty to the land of one's

birth; then one could turn his thoughts

towards other-worldly things or heaven.

These were the thoughts that

coursed through the mind of Ramadas.

From his pilgrimage all over the country

Ramadas realised that the nation was

in grave danger.

 

 

The Right Disciple

 

 

Ramadas sent word to Shivaji

Maharaj as soon as he returned to

Maharashtra.

 

Prostrating at the feet of Ramadas,

Shivaji begged of him : `` I seek your

advice. Show me a path to salvation.

You are my Guru. You alone must save me.''

 

Ramadas felt immensely happy when

he saw Shivaji. In him. he saw the

person who could fulfil the high ideals

he had set forth.

 

``Shivaji is not an ordinary person.

He has all the qualities of becoming the

man of the age,'' Ramadas thought.

 

``Shivaba, I have heard you have

taken an oath before Rohideswara to

free the country from foreign bondage.

From my recent tour I have fully realised

the danger the country is facing. The

people should be freed and their glorious

heritage should be restored. Then alone

could this great land be smiling with

plenty and happiness. Why think of God

and the other world now ? You have to do

much to free your people from the fear

of foreigners. God is waiting to help

such people. Do not forget the oath

you took before Rohideswara. Service

to your people is service to God.''

 

Shivaji Maharaj heard his Guru with

rapt attention and devotion.

 

 

``Be a Strong Fort''

 

 

Shivaji Maharaj worshipped the feet

of Ramadas. In retrun Ramadas gave to

Shivaji a coconut, a fistful of mud and

two fistfuls of sandstone.

 

The coconut signifies auspiciousness, according

to Hindu belief. The

mud symbolises one's motherland. And

the sand-stone is the sign of strength of

defence, an impenetrable fort. To be

doubly ready to defend one's country and

countrymen is what is meant. That was

the message of Ramadas.

 

``Maharaj, be like a strong fort to

your people. May you be successful

in your endeavour to defend the

country and drive away the enemies.''

 

With these words Ramadas blessed Shivaji Maharaj.

 

Ramadas discussed the ways and

means of helping and co-operating with

Shivaji Maharaj in his struggle to free

the country. Ramadas gave a gist

of the principles of his teachings to

Shivaji when they parted. These words

are included in the Dasabodha which

Ramadas wrote later.

Those words are:

 

``Put down mercilessly those who

carry tales and also those who rebel

against you. Leave no work half

done. He is unfortunate who shows

disregard for the task entrusted to him.

What is the use of a coward ? One

who cannot face danger is not a

soldier. Courage is the stepping-stone

to success. Go ahead with your task

in the name of God.''

 

Shivaji Maharaj returned to his

place with these words of advice.

 

 

``Am I Your Narayana ?''

 

 

Ramadas began to think of the

next course of action. He decided to

move to the banks of Krishna from

Godavari. Adil Shah was the principal

enemy of freedom that Shivaji was

contemplating to restore. Therefore

Ramadas thought that his stay on

the banks of Krishna which was in

the occupation of Adil Shah would

be an ideal place to be of assistance

to Shivaji. Before settling there,

Ramadas wished to have the darshan

of his mother at Jamb village.

 

Ramadas came to Jamb, stood in

front of his house, and shouted, ``Jaya

Jaya, Raghuveera Samarth !''

 

Brother Gangadhara's wife came

out with alms (Bhiksha). She could

not recognise Ramadas.

 

Laughing, Ramadas said,

``Sister-in-law, I am not a beggar, I am

your Narayana.''

 

She lifted her head and saw

Ramadas. She then recognised him.

She ran into the house to convey

the information to her mother-in-law.

Ranoobai, mother of Ramadas, was

overjoyed to hear that her son who

had run away from the marriage pandal

had returned.

 

Ramadas entered the house. He fell

at the feet of his mother. She was

taken aback to see her son in the

saffron robe, long beard and long hair.

 

She could say nothing at first as

she was dumbfounded. But then she

uttered, ``Narayana, my Narayana !''

 

``Yes, Ma, I am your Narayana.''

 

``True, you are my Narayana. But

what is this? Which devil has taken

hold of you ?'' she asked.

 

Ramadas laughed heartily at his

mother's remark. ``Mother, it is true a

devil has taken hold of me. But you

do not know what sort of devil it is !''

 

``The divine force that is in Vaikunta

descended to earth. Born to Kousalya,

it finished Tataki,'' Ramadas went on

singing in his melodious voice. ``The

force that has taken hold of me is

Prabhu Sri Ramachandra he said

jocularly.''

 

Tears of joy rolled down the eyes

of his mother on hearing these words.

Ramadas narrated his wanderings in

detail. Finally he said : ``I went round

the country and saw decadence of

morality and virtue (Dharmaglani) in

men.''

 

``What? Have men abandoned

Dharma?'' she said aghast. ``Oh, very

bad; very very bad,'' she muttered.

 

``Good will come out of this evil,

mother; good will certainly come out of

it,'' Ramadas consoled his mother,

speaking as if in a dream.

 

 

The Temple of Sri Rama

 

 

After spending a few days with his

mother, Ramadas went down South to

select his field of activities. On the way

he installed idols of Anjaneya at Taakali

Maahuli, Mahabaleswar, Vai, Karad and

many other places.

 

He had gymnasiums (Vyayamashalas)

built in front of those temples. It was to

present the ideal qualities of courage and

character before the people. He

composed inspiring stotras in simple

Marathi for their daily chanting.

 

Bheemaroopee Mahaarudraa Vajra Hanuman Maruti .

 

Vanaaree Anjaneesutaa Raamaduta Prabhanjana ..

 

By chanting these verses daily, one

can acquire unsurpassed strength and

intellect.

 

Ramadas thought of settling in

Chaphal village on the banks of the river

Mand situated amidst sylvan surroundings.

He requested the villagers for a piece of

land to build a temple of Prabhu Ramachandra.

 

Their rough answer was: ``Go away

and build the temple in the burial-ground

on the outskirts of the village.''

 

``Very good,'' said Ramadas. He

made up his mind to build a beautiful

temple in the burial-ground itself. For

one who was dreaming of creating a

heaven out of ruins, building a temple in a

burial-ground would hardly present a

problem !

 

The work of construction began and

in a few days the temple was ready. In

the depths of Krishna river he searched

for the stone image of Prabhu

Ramachadra and installed it in the

temple.

 

Near by at Pratapagadh Shivaji

Maharaj had his palace. This news

reached him. He went to Chaphal, met

Ramadas and offered his deepest respect.

He provided Ramadas all the assistance

needed for the construction of the

temple.

 

 

Same Shivaji

 

 

Shivaji Maharaj was growing strong

day by day. The area under his control

was extending. It gave Ramadas great

joy.

 

Ramadas learnt that Afzal Khan,

trusted lieutenant of king Adil Shah,

was marching southwards with the

challenge that he would bring back

Shivaji either dead or alive. He also

learnt that Afzal Khan, on the way,

had destroyed many holy places like

Tulajapur and Pandharpur. Afzal Khan

was about to attack Shivaji with a

strong force. Like death personified,

Afzal Khan waited at the gates, eager

to finish off Shivaji.

 

It worried Ramadas greatly. Day

in and day out he thought over it.

How would Shivaji safely escape from

this mortal danger ? He prayed to

goddess Tuiaja Bhavani.

 

``None but you could save, my Shivaji

from the savage enemy. I should, have

the fortune to see Shivaji safe after

routing the enemy.'' That was the

incessant prayer Ramadas fervently offered

to goddess Tulaja Bhavani.

 

Afzal Khan had come to kill

Shivaji but it was he who was killed

by Shivaji. With the death of Afzal Khan

the throne of Adil Shah began to shake.

Shivaji's might, name and fame spread

far and wide.

 

Ramadas was immensely happy at

turn of events. He blessed Shivaji

with all his heart.

 

 

 

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