Published on Tuesday, Nov 25, 2008 at 14:23 Hrs.IST

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Published on Tuesday, Nov 25, 2008 at 14:23 Hrs.IST

Exemplary Devotion and Dedication of Ramadas

In

the packed Prasanthi Calendar, where every day is a festive day, one

often gets to see the thrust being given for nation’s cultural and

spiritual renaissance. In the very recent Divine Discourses delivered

on the Convocation day that was followed by the one on 23rd November,

Bhagawan repeated yet again His oft made references regarding the

richness and greatness of Bharat. …And Bharat has the richest reservoir

of spiritual wealth and with this comes an array of great men and women

who had contributed yeomen services to the nation’s cultural and

spiritual build.

Fresh from the festive

mood, Prasanthi’s tale of celebration was on. Every year, 24th November

does not pass empty without a cultural show and so was the case this

year as well, with the tiny tots from the state of Tamil Nadu was ready

with a Musical Drama on the devoted life of one of the well-known

carnatic music composers of South India during 17th century,

Bhadrachala Ramadas.

Bhadrachala

Ramadas was one of the well-known Carnatic music composers of South

India during 17th century. Born in 1620 A.D., Ramadas lived during the

pre-trinity period, before the times of Thyagaraja, Muthuswami

Dikshitar and Shyama Sastri. His father was Linganna Murthy and mother

Kamamba, who named him Gopanna. But later, he became famous by the name

Ramadas due to his unconditional devotion for Lord Rama. His

unflinching devotion and total surrender to Lord Rama earned him the

name of Ramadas, meaning a devout servant o Lord Sri Rama.

The

Musical Drama performed in the Divine presence on the twilight of 24th

November was a portrayal of Ramadas’s total surrender and devotion to

Lord Sri Rama.

The story-line:

One

day, while visiting Bhadrachalam for a `Jatara` (fair), Ramadas noticed

the damaged condition of the temple there. Moreover, the place was very

significant as it is believed that Lord Rama along with Sita and

Lakshmana stayed near the Parnasala there during his exile. So, he

collected money for renovating and reconstructing the temple. But all

his assets finished and he needed more money to complete the works.

Then the villagers requested him to spend the money of revenue

collection for the purpose and they would repay him the amount after

harvesting crops. He did accordingly and spent hundred thousand rupees

of the revenue without the permission of Abul Hasan Qutb Shah. Just

before the completion of the construction of the temple, one night

Bhadrachala Ramadas had a dream in which Lord Rama asked him to have a

holy dip in the Godavari River. So, he did the same and found the holi

Sudarshana Chakra in the river without much difficulty. He also bought

new jewels for the icon of Rama in that temple.

 

In the earlier period of him as Tahsildar, Bhadrachala Ramadas

submitted all the money of collected from revenue to the state

treasury. But later, he started to invest a part of it in building and

renovating the Rama shrine and temples. This resulted in the arrest of

Ramadas by the officials of the Nawab and he was kept at the fort of

Golconda. He was in the prison for almost 12 years. During his stay in

prison, Ramadas composed most of his soul-stirring songs. In those dark

days, he constantly prayed to his favourite deity Lord Rama and begged

for his help. He believed that nothing can harm him and he had nothing

to fear during this punishment period or after that because he is under

the care of Lord Rama.

 

 

 

There is a strange story regarding his relief from the jail. It is said

that being pleased with his devotion, Lord Rama and Lakshmana in the

disguise of two employees of Ramadas went to the palace of the Golconda

ruler Tana Shah. They paid him the entire amount which was Ramadas

Ramadas owed and also received a receipt for the same from the ruler.

The extraordinary magnetism of the two youths and their sudden

disappearance after paying the money made Tana Shah believe that they

were indeed Rama and Lakshmana whom Ramadas had constantly been

worshipping. So, he personally went to Ramadas to release him and also

explained about the incident. Tana Shah then gave him a lot of money

and placed him in a palanquin and sent this great devotee of Rama to

Bhadrachalam to continue his noble work of temple reconstruction.

 

It is said that Ramadas later got `darshan` of his Lord Rama and so he

is considered yet as one of the foremost among the galaxy of Rama

devotees. Many devotional songs composed by him are sung now also in

many parts of the country, especially in South India.

His

greater devotion to Lord Sri Rama and the devoted pain that he

underwent with his unwavering faith in His master in rebuilding the

house of the Lord earned him the name Bhadrachala Ramadas, a name that

is synonymous with pristine love and dedication to the Divine.

37

Balvikas Children, including a tiny little girl of just 3 years from

the state assisted by a team of dedicated devotees put up a most

impressive display in the Divine Presence, all with one intention of

making their Beloved Bhagawan happy. No fruition comes without pain and

these adversities come always with a greater message of His testing and

reassurance that He is with us. Mrs. Soundarya Krishnamurthy, State

Mahila co-ordinator had the inspirational tale of dedication and

co-operation that made the presentation a grand success. The main

character who was to act as Ramadas had an appendicitis operation just

five days before the final rehearsal scheduled for 12th November. And

when the children were about to board the bus, it was lashing rains all

over, and come encouragement from the devoted parents, who dared the

rains to bring the children in time, that Bhagawan would take care and

they should proceed. From the language front, it would be interesting

to note that all these children, of tamil speaking origin without any

base or knowledge in telugu, were narrated the song sequences to get

the best of emotions each character entailed and they excelled. The

drama interspersed with many a keerthan sung in melodious tunes was a

treat to the eye and ears in the presence of the greatest joy man could

ever decipher, Divinity’s physical presence.

A

prayer submitted during Dasara celebrations this year finally

fructified…and the children got a life opportunity in the Divine

Presence. …And the Lord was pleased. Coming down the ramp, Bhagawan

granted a coveted photo session for the children….a cherished

possession to carry back home which would speak of a tale of Divine

Love.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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