Remembering the Legacy : "Shri Ramdas Navami" - Celebrating the Life of a Spiritual Luminary

Shri Samarth Ramdas Swami Ji, one of the greatest saints of 17th century India, is remembered today as well after years of his taking samadhi on 15th Feb. 1681. Hence every year 'Shri Ramdas Navami' is observed in his honour on the Navami tithi of Krishna Paksha in Phalgun month. This year, this auspicious day is falling on '4th March 2024.'

Born into a Marathi Deshastha Rigvedi Brahman family at Jamb (a village in present day Jalna district) of Maharashtra on the occasion of Rama Navami in the year 1608, the childhood name of Shri Ramdas was 'Narayana.' His parents were Suryaji Panth and Renuka Bai. He lost his father at a tender age of 7. It is believed that since then, he started engrossing in the thoughts of the divine. As his elder brother Gangadhar was a Brahmin, Ramdas grew up seeing him performing Hindu rituals and got attracted to his brother's teachings. He built an inevitable interest in having knowledge of Hindu scriptures and inclined towards meditation and the spiritual world. There's an amazing legend behind the same:

"As Ramdas Swami was very mischievous during his teenage years and his mother used to receive so many complaints from the people. Hence one day she scolded him. Upset with the same, he isolated himself and started meditation. After a while, when his mother found him and inquired about it, he said that he was praying for the sufferings of all the people in this world." His mother got really very happy with this and encouraged his meditations. But at the same time, she was also worried what if his son would become an ascetic as he is preoccupied with religious study at a very early age.

He grew up learning more about spirituality. He was a contemporary of Tukaram Maharaj and an ardent devotee of Shri Ram and Lord Hanuman. It is believed that he had the 'Saakshat Darshan' of Shri Ram when he was young & hence he got the name 'Ramdas.' As a true devotee, he had also established 11 Hanuman temples (today called '11-Murti') in southern Maharashtra. He has also stayed at Nasik for 12 years as an ascetic in complete devotion to Shri Ram. During this time, he devoted himself completely to meditation, exercise and religion. He is considered to attain enlightenment at the age of 24.

There's also an interesting story related to his marriage:

When he was sitting at the wedding mandap with his bride, as a Pandit chanted the word 'Savdhaan' during a ritual, he fled away from there and disappeared within a twinkling of an eye.

The sole aim of Shri Swami Samarth Ramdas was to spread Hindu religion all over the world. He was the initiator of the 'Samartha sect.' He established nearly 700-1100 monasteries across the Indian subcontinent during his travels to Mahabaleshwar and Masur. During his travel to the Himalayas, he met Hargobind, the sixth Sikh Guru at Srinagar. His literary works such as Asmani Sultania, Parachakraniroopan and many more are preserved till the date. Among all of them, 'Dasbodh' is of the topmost relevance which has been translated to many languages as well. He has also studied Sanskrit and written Rishi Valmiki's Ramayana in his own language. One can find this manuscript still preserved in the collection of Sri S.S. Dev of Dhubliah. As an ardent devotee of the Almighty, he has also given various soothing bhajans and aartis to the world. One of the very famous bhajan 'Shri Ram Jaya Ram Jaya Jaya Ram' was written by him. 'Sukh Karta Dukh Harta' bhajan was also given by Swami Samarth Ramdas Ji. The very well known 'Manache shlok' is also one of the best creations of Swami Samarth Ramdas Ji.

He was an exponent of Bhakti Yoga. With his yogic power, he once restored a dead body to life by sprinkling holy water over it in the name of Shri Ram. Ultimately, he blessed a woman who had just lost her better half. He is believed to be an Advaitin and a Bhakta in one. He used to believe that wherever he went either it was Pandharpur or Mahabaleshwar, Shri Rama himself ordered him to go to these places.

He was also the Guru of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Bhonsle, the first Maratha ruler. A historian, Stewart Gordon concludes about their relationship as:

"Older Maratha histories asserted that Chhatrapati Shivaji Raje was a close follower of Swami Ramdas, a Brahmin teacher, who guided him on an orthodox Hindu path; recent research has shown that Shivray did not meet or know Ramdas swami until late in his life. Rather, Chhatrapati Shivaji followed his own judgement throughout his remarkable career."

Being a dedicated and fervent disciple of Swami Ramdas, Chhatrapati Shivaji Raje ruled his kingdom by placing the sandals of his Guru on the throne and adopted an orange coloured flag under his guidance. There's a beautiful legend about Shivaji Raje’s ruling the kingdom in the name of Saint Ramdas and his adoption of Gerua flag:

As Swami Ramdas used to ask for Bhiksha, one day his very keen disciple, Chhatrapati Shivaji Raje noticed his Guru going about the streets for Bhiksha. Ultimately Shivray got surprised and wasn't able to understand why his Guru was asking for Bhiksha from people despite the fact that his obedient disciple had already placed all the resources at the feet of his Guru. However, Sadhus aren't easy to understand. Then Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj called his companion Balaji and told him to give a chit to Swami Ramdas Ji as he came into the palace. As his Guru arrived and received that chit from Balaji, it read that Chhatrapati Shivaji is giving him the throne of his very own kingdom and is ready to serve as his devotee the whole life ahead. Then Swami Ramdas made Chhatrapati Shivaji Raje understand. He told him to rule his kingdom in his (Ramdas) name & take a Gerau chaddar for his banner under his own Guru's guidance. And thus we today know how the Gerua banner came to Shivray.

After spending immense years in visiting holy pilgrimages, he got to know from someone that his mother had lost her eyesight in the sorrow of his separation. On knowing this, he went straight forward to his mother & offered prostrations to her. She became so happy on seeing her son after years. He touched the eyes of his mother and got back her eyesight with the help of his achieved yogic powers.

Unfortunately, he left us with his very inspiring teachings in the year 1681 and started his journey towards heaven. It is believed that during his time of departure, a dazzling light emerged out of his body and Swami Ramdas was absorbed in Shri Ram's image. And today in his great honour, we are observing 'Shri Ramdas Navami.' On this day, people from various parts of the country visit Sajjangarh fort (the samadhi of Shri Ramdas). Many worship Saint Ramdas on this holy day and keep a fast from sunrise to sunset. The speeches are also held at many places to teach today's generations about the greatness of Shri Ramdas that even after his heavenly departure from earth, his great teachings are still alive.

The very last words of Shri Ramdas Ji to his disciples are also a source of inspiration to today's youth:

"Do not think much of your bodily wants. Have Satsang with devotees. Keep the image of Lord Rama in your heart. Repeat the name of Lord Rama always. Annihilate lust, greed, anger, hatred and egoism. See Lord Rama in all creatures. Love all. Feel His presence everywhere. Live for Him alone. Serve Him in all beings. Make total and unreserved surrender unto Him. You will always live in Him alone. You will attain immortality and eternal bliss."

Shubh Shri Ramdas Navami !