Samarth Ramdas
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Samarth Ramdas (Marathi: समर्थ रामदास) (1608-1681) is considered one of the greatest Hindu saints of Indian history. A contemporary of another Hindu saint, Tukaram, he was a devotee of Lord Hanuman and Lord Rama, the former of which appears in carvings on many of the established mutts (monasteries) he constructed. He was also the spiritual guru of Shivaji, one of the most popular Hindu leaders in history.
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[edit] Early life
He was born in a Deshastha Rugvedi Brahman family under the name Narayan Suryaji Thosar (Kulkarni) to Suryaji Panth and Renuka Bai in Jamb, in Jalna District of Maharashtra, on the auspicious day of Ram Navami. As a boy, Ramdas became curious as to the teachings of his older brother, who was a Brahmin priest. He had often seen his brother take certain people into a sealed room, where he would initiate them in a ceremony or meditation of some sort. From this curiosity, Ramdas saw to inquiring and examining the Hindu scriptures, thereby attaining a mild understanding of their tenets.
It was at this point that he began to isolate himself in prayer. On one occasion, his mother found him in meditation and inquired as to his behaviour. To this he replied, "आई, चिंता करितो विश्वाची" (meaning: Mother, I am praying for all who are suffering in this world), at which his mother began to encourage his meditations. However, his family still urged him to remain secularly inclined, afraid that he would become an ascetic, so preoccupied as he was with religious study at an early age.
Hanuman
[edit] Awakening
When Ramdas (or Narayan as he was known at the time) was twelve years of age, arrangements were made for his marriage. When he was brought before his bride to be, the priests chanted "Sawadhan!" a Marathi word which means - "Be alert" - at which Ramdas bolted away from the ceremony. He thereafter arrived in the town of Takli, near Nasik, where he took up the practice of meditation, praying fervently to Lord Rama, the avatara of Lord Vishnu. After twelve years then, he attained realisation and received the name of Samarth Ramdas.
[edit] Sajjangad and association with Shivaji
Samarth Ramdas was spiritual mentor of the great maratha ruler, Shivaji. Samarth Ramdas found that Shivaji had all the potential virtues to be a great leader and create a "Swarajya" (one's own kingdom). Ramdas described Shivaji as "निश्चयाचा महामेरु, बहुत जनांसी आधारु, अखंडस्थितीचा निर्धारु, श्रीमंत योगी" (loose translation: [He is the one with] a rock solid resolve, [He is] a source of support to the masses, [He is] the great unifier, [He is] a noble and just King).
Shivaji requested Samarth Ramdas to come and stay at Sajjangad (Fort Sajjangad near Satara) and continue his spiritual guidance to him and others in his kingdom.
[edit] Memorable works
He wrote the 205 verses called Manache Shlok.Of his many works, Samarth Ramdas is best remembered for the Dasbodh, a guide to organising one's spiritual and worldly livelihood, for the establishment of many mathas (monastic schools) throughout the Indian subcontinent, and for the school of thought which reflects his dynamic personality and efficient method of organisation. He is also remembered for popularising the 13-character devotional chant of "Sri Rama Jaya Rama Jaya Jaya Rama".
[edit] Sajjangad
Sajjangad was given to Samarth Ramdas
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