Shri Swami Samarth Guru Ramdas

14
th
to 16
th
century
Akbars ruling and his son Sarnjaha ruling reflected the teachings of Saint Kabir- the message of love.
Both rulers had helped in developing culture hence Indian culture values were maintained. But whatever
progress made was destroyed at once by Aurangzeb. It was called Dark Era of Indian spirituality the
ruling time of Aurangzeb.

Aurangzeb became enemy of Hindus along with any religious believers and any liberal dogmas. Through
his orthodox (Rudhivad kattartavad), he even killed Muslim Suffi saints.

Evil was on the rise. The Mughals destroyed all Hindu temples, tortured the common man and ruled
them by force. He banned on development or repair of any temples. He tried his best to destroy vedic
culture. He destroyed every educational institutes Banaras and like cities of education centers. Attacked
the core beliefs/practices of worship. People were resigned to fate/destiny. Indias cultural values were
endangered.

None of the field of human life he left of destroying. (Ready) crop destruction through fire or through his
ary became bery common during his government.

Religious abhorrence and communism destroyed national integrity and patriotism. Policies of Muslim
rulers severely ruined national proud and wealth. All these made an easy entry for European
businessmen later on they embezzled Entire County.

Since ages of Human history, Indian culture had assimilated different dogmas, cultures and religions and
it enlighten more and more in its originality. But this was time Indian culture was under attack of two
different cultures. Indian family values, Indian female independence and the values developed by Indian
scholars, Rishis were under direct conspiracy of Muslim rulers and European businessmen.

This was the time when the existence of human consciousness and human values was endangered. This
was the time of second revolution.

During this dark age, Indian society had many saints keeping the lighted lamp of human values.
Mahaprabhu Chaitanya sampraday , tukaram, Muktabhai, Naamdev, Eknaathm Ghyaneswar, and many
saints all over India were spread hence the energy produced was not sufficient to fight against prevailing
threat. It has Knowledge and devotion but the need of time was different.
The need of time was a personality can give awake national courage through both manly strength and
soul awaking. Humanity needed a personality who can challenge and threat the evil forces that was the
life of Samarth Guru Ramdas. His whole life was a message of integration - organization. Guru Ramdas
realized that if this descent wasnt curtailed in time, it could mean a real danger for humanity.

Following onwards need to organize and make story out of it -----

17
th
century

Guru Ramdas key principle was Life Organization, based on Bhakti (Devotion) Yog.
He was born on Ram Navmi, and was devotee of Lord Ram (and Lord Hanuman). He emphasized taking
care of the body, mind and soul.

Eager from childhood about spirituality.
Avoided getting married at age 12.
Started upasana by the banks of Godavari for 12 years.
Slept for 4 hours per day.


At the age of 12, started 12 years of Tap (penance, Sadhana). 3 hours jap daily, standing in the river.
Followed by 12 years of traveling all over India to observe the social situation and state of mankind.
(Teerthatan)
Started establishing several Ashrams (Mutths). Ramdas moved around quite a lot, and in the process,
used several Ghal (Marathi: ), which are small caves used for meditation.

Awakened the common man, stirred up valor to fight against oppression.
Saint Shri Samarth Ramdas inspired, motivated, the disappointed and dejected people of Maharashtra.
His teachings are still green in the memory of people, in the form of books, in Marathi namely Dasbodh,
Manache Shlok, Atma Ram. They are relevant for present times also. English versions of these books and
management vision on Dasbodh, in form of Sprinklings of Management from Dasbodh are presented for
the benefit of humanity.
Led his disciple, King Shivaji to fight against the Mughals, who lived as an ideal for the society.

Main book: Das Bodh
Lecture http://ramshewalkar.com/mp3_3.html parts 3, 4
Principles of life, deep rooted in Bhakti (faith/devotion).
Applies to everyone, reveals solutions to every problem.
How to spend 24 hours in a day?
How to spend your life (from birth to death)?
How to live in the society?
Whatever you do, be humble; give the credit to God and success, glory will come to you!
Atma Tatva beyond the Creator (Brahma), Sustainer (Vishnu) and Destroyer (Mahesh/Shiva).
Worship path for the common man: Sagun (with form, Atma) first, Nirgun (without form, Parmatma)
next. To follow Nigun worship is not possible for everyone.
MahaDwar olandave, mag dev darshan ghyave. Step wise approach to reach God or experience divinity.
Ramayan analogy: Laxman Sagun bhakti, Bharat Nirgun bhakti.
Mahabharat: Arjun Sagun, Uddhav Nirgun.
After my death, fear not, worry not! I will always be alive amongst you via the teachings of Das Bodh.
1571 Shivaji met him in a forest. Coronation ceremony followed. (Ramdas was not present at the
coronation ceremony, preferred to be in his Ashram. Similar example of Gandhiji not present during the
Independence celebrations.)
After Shivajis death, Swami Ramdas left his body after 2 months. Very close relationship between the
Guru and disciple.
Ultimate goal of his life: Establishment of Swarajya. Freedom struggle. Groundwork (devotion) was done
from the 13
th
century but Swami Ramdas lighted the spark to convert thought to action.
References
Akhand Jyoti February 2000 pages 17-27

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samarth_Ramdas

Samarth Ramdas (16061682) was a prominent Marathi saint and religious poet in the Hindu tradition in
Maharashtra, India. Samarth Ramdas was a devotee of Lord Hanuman and Lord Rama. His birth name
was Narayan Suryajipant Kulkarni Thosar.
Place of birth Jamb, Jalna District, Maharashtra, India
Early life
As a child, Ramdas showed an inclination toward metaphysical contemplation and religion. One
recorded incident tells how he was walking in the dark and bumped into something under a tree.
Fetching a light, he saw a local villager who had been arbitrarily hanged by the Mughals, foreign rulers of
India. This incident fired in him a desire to be free in all aspects of the world: free from foreign rule and
also free from Maya, the illusion that prevents individual souls from realizing their unity with the greater
Self, Ultimate Spirit.
Spiritual Development
For the next twelve years, Ramdas devoted himself to studying Hindu religious books, to meditation,
and to prayers in a place named Panchavati, near Nashik on the banks of the Godavari River. At age 24
he took the name "Ramdas", meaning "servant of Lord Ram," an incarnation of God.
Ramdas practised physical yoga exercises as well as meditation. The Surya Namaskara or Sun Salutation
was his favourite as it involves every part of the body. It is said that he would do 1,200 Sun Salutations
every day, believing that no spirituality could be attained if the physical body was not strong.
In addition to his veneration of Ram, Ramdas worshipped Ram's divinely strong servant Lord Hanuman.
He established 12 temples of Hanuman in Maharashtra and promoted physical exercise to develop a
healthy society.
Writings
Ramdas Swami was a gifted composer. He produced considerable literature in verse form in Marathi.
Among his works, two compositions particularly stand out: A small book of meditations, Shri Manche
Shlok, advises ethical behaviour and love for God, and a large volume, Dasbodh, provides advice on both
spiritual and practical topics. Ramdas also wrote the Shri Mruti Stotra, a poem in praise of Hanuman,
the AatmaaRaam, 11-Laghu Kavita and Raamayan (Marathi-Teeka).
His most popular composition is the Marathi song/prayer to Lord Ganesh Sukhkart Dukhhart Vrt
Vighnchi. He also composed several other prayers such as Satrane Uddane Hunkaar Vadani to Lord
Hanuman and Panchanan haivahan surabhushan lila to Lord Khandoba.
Disciples
Chhatrapati Shivaji considered Samarth Ramdas his spiritual Guru and sought his advice many times.
Shivaji requested Ramdas swami to move his residence to a fort named Parali & establish his permanent
monastery there. The fort was subsequently renamed Sajjangad () - Fort of the sacred.

People of all castes, religion respected Swami Ramdas.
Idols were immersed in the river at the time due to the oppression.
Find your God in the true sense was his message. Started building Hanuman temples (based on his
devotion to Lord Ram), to encourage youth to visit the temple, develop physical strength and study
Hanumans (and hence Rams) life and their ideals/principles.
Built Ram temple at Chaphal, in a cemetery. Threw stones regarded as Gods, in the river form of
education against blind faith.
He approached villagers with the intention of educating young children, to teach them Sanskars and
develop them as better citizens. For the kids, 100 Surya Namaskar daily. Goal for the year 1000 Surya
Namaskar. If your body is not strong, you cant serve others.
Everyone is the same, caste, religion is no barrier.
What to pray for? What to ask God? Wisdom, Capability, nothing more.
Several Muslims were followers. Usage of Urdu was not uncommon.
Responsible for construction of social and human foundation.
Key characteristics: Self confidence, Faith in Lord Ram.
Changed the image of a Saint at the time.

http://www.samarthramdas400.in/eng/journey.php
A saint for all ages who aimed at building powerful & virtuous human religion. Though he lived four
centuries ago, his teaching transcends all limits of time. His philosophy not only reawakened &
rejuvenated the then doomed spirit of Maharashtra, but is equally valid for today's Indian scenario,
engulfed by corruption, poverty, promiscuity & reckless consumerism.
The principles governing his philosophy are very simple to follow and yet unique as they appeal to the
commonsense, demand action in life & aim at building character through actual behavioural changes.
According to Samarth Ramdas, "time-management" is at the core of successful life.
Isn't it the same as the modern managerial jargon? which is directed effectively towards the highest
truth. Only Samartha's philosophy can rescue our nation today from its present doom, take the nation
on the part of health & wealth, by teaching youth self-courted & imbibing self-dignity.
The birth name of Samartha Ramdas Swami was Narayan Suryaji Thosar. He was born on Ramnavami in
the year 1530 (Marathi), (1608 AD) in Jamb village on the banks of Godavari river. He was a firm believer
in God and stood by his principles. He felt sad because people got stuck in the unending cycle of life and
death. At the age of 11, he attained enlightenment. Lord Ram told him, Go to the banks of the river
Krishna and start a new sect.
Narayan reluctantly agreed to marry to satisfy his mothers wishes. He was 12 years of age, but as soon
as he heard the word `Savadhan(Caution) in the wedding vows, he became cautious and ran away! He
went straight to Panchavati and prayed to Lord Ram. Then he went to Takli village near Nashik, where
rivers Godavari and Nandini meet.
He would wake up before sunrise and exercise. His exercise used to consist of `Surya Namaskars, a
series of positions each of which involved prayers to the Sun. He used to stand in chest deep water in
the river and chant Shri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram. Chanting used to continue until noon. In afternoon
he used to go to Lord Rams temple in the forest and read spiritual books. In evening he used to attend
lectures on spirituality and songs praising Lord Ram. At night he listened to `Bhajans (devotional songs).
He used to pray to Lord Ram before retiring. He followed this routine for 12 years. As a result of his
devotion, Lord Ram appeared before him and asked him to start a new sect. Soon people forgot his
original name `Narayanand started calling him `Samartha Ramdas. Ramdas means loyal devotee of Lord
Ram.
In the Marathi year 1554 (1632 AD), he left Takli to start his spiritual journey. For next 12 years, he
crisscrossed India and minutely observed condition of people. He realized that frequent floods, famines
and attacks by fanatics had destroyed social life of people. Everyone was scared and depressed. Based
on his experiences he wrote 2 books named Asmani Sultani and Parachakraniroopan.
Ramdas Swami felt bad when he saw the society depending so much on fate and providence. In Marathi
year 1566 (1644 AD) Samartha Ramdas Swami chose Chafal for initiating his mission. He installed a
statue of Lord Ram and started celebrating the festival of Ram Janmotsava (Birth of Lord Ram). He
established temples of Hanuman in towns and villages to convey importance of exercise to youth and
taught them to get together and fight the enemy. He highlighted warriors role in society. Samartha
Ramdas Swami established many study centres across the country. His teaching of patience and faith in
the face of adversities helped people to deal with difficult conditions.
He understood the importance of the role of women in a harmonious society. He encouraged women to
participate in religious work and gave them positions of authority. He had 18 staunch women disciples.
Wennabai took care of the study centre at Miraj, Akkabai took charge of Chafal and Sajjangad. He
strongly reprimanded an old man who was against women participation by saying that everyone came
from a womans womb and those who did not understand their importance were not worthy of being
called a man.
He abhorred distinction based on caste and creed. According to him, all human beings are equal. He was
a true supporter of socialism and secular society.
During this period, Raja Shivaji was in the process of establishing ` Hindavi Swaraj. Samartha Ramdas
Swami and Shivaji Maharaj met in a historical meeting at Shinganwadi near Chafal in 1571 (1649 AD).
Samartha Ramdas Swami said that Maharashtra existed because of Shivaji Maharaj. Samartha Ramdas
Swami, through his teachings and his impact on society, helped him in realizing his dream.

Samartha Ramdas Swami left for his heavenly abode on the 9th day of Magh in 1603 (1681 AD) at
Sajjangad.
His contribution to the field of literature is unparalleled. Dasbodh , ` Manache Shlok , ` Atmaram,
`Manapanchak , ` Anandavanbhuvan, ` Shivakalyanaraja and many more are relevant even today. Like
a light house his teachings are guiding force in todays troubled times.