Ramadasa Visvasa

[Guest guest]

I do not know about Swami Ramdas but I know about Ramadasa Visvasa in Cc who

was very learned in the scriptures, chanting Rama's Name twenty-four hours,

externally humble and even served the Vaisnavas menially like Raghunatha

Bhatta but was ignored by Lord Caitanya because the Lord understood that in

his heart he wanted to become one with Lord Rama and was puffed up due to

his learning.

 

Cc Antya 13.90-110

 

Accompanied by a servant carrying his baggage, Raghunatha Bhatta started

from Varanasi and traveled along the path leading through Bengal.

 

In Bengal he met Ramadasa Visvasa, who belonged to the kayastha caste. He

was one of the king's secretaries.

 

 

Ramadasa Visvasa was very learned in all the revealed scriptures. He was a

teacher of the famous book Kavya-prakasa and was known as an advanced

devotee and worshiper of Raghunatha [Lord Ramacandra].

 

Ramadasa had renounced everything and was going to see Lord Jagannatha.

While traveling, he chanted the holy name of Lord Rama twenty-four hours a

day.

 

When he met Raghunatha Bhatta on the way, he took Raghunatha's baggage on

his head and carried it.

 

Ramadasa served Raghunatha Bhatta in various ways, even massaging his legs.

Raghunatha Bhatta felt some hesitation in accepting all this service.

 

"You are a respectable gentleman, a learned scholar and a great devotee,"

Raghunatha Bhatta said. "Please do not try to serve me. Just come with me in

a happy mood."

 

Ramadasa replied, "I am a sudra, a fallen soul. To serve a brahmana is my

duty and religious principle.

 

"Therefore please do not be hesitant. I am your servant, and when I serve

you my heart becomes jubilant."

 

Thus Ramadasa carried the baggage of Raghunatha Bhatta and served him

sincerely. He constantly chanted the holy name of Lord Ramacandra day and

night.

 

Traveling in this way, Raghunatha Bhatta soon arrived at Jagannatha Puri.

There he met Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu with great delight and fell at His

lotus feet.

 

Raghunatha Bhatta fell straight as a rod at the lotus feet of Sri Caitanya

Mahaprabhu. Then the Lord embraced him, knowing well who he was.

 

Raghunatha offered respectful obeisances to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu on

behalf of Tapana Misra and Candrasekhara, and the Lord also inquired about

them.

 

"It is very good that you have come here," the Lord said. "Now go see the

lotus-eyed Lord Jagannatha. Today you will accept prasadam here at My

place."

 

The Lord asked Govinda to arrange for Raghunatha Bhatta's accommodations and

then introduced him to all the devotees, headed by Svarupa Damodara Gosvami.

 

Thus Raghunatha Bhatta lived with Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu continuously for

eight months, and by the Lord's mercy he felt increasing transcendental

happiness every day.

 

He would periodically cook rice with various vegetables and invite Sri

Caitanya Mahaprabhu to his home.

 

Raghunatha Bhatta was an expert cook. Whatever he prepared tasted just like

nectar.

 

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu would accept with great satisfaction all the food he

prepared. After the Lord was satisfied, Raghunatha Bhatta would eat His

remnants.

 

When Ramadasa Visvasa met Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the Lord did not show him

any special mercy, although this was their first meeting.

 

TEXT 110

 

antare mumuksu tenho, vidya-garvavan

sarva-citta-jnata prabhu--sarvajna bhagavan

 

Within his heart, Ramadasa Visvasa was an impersonalist who desired to merge

into the existence of the Lord, and he was very proud of his learning. Since

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is the omniscient Supreme Personality of Godhead, He

can understand the heart of everyone, and thus He knew all these things.