| Samarth Ramdas | |
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Samarth Ramdas |
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| Born | 1606 Jamb, Jalna District, Maharashtra, India |
| Died | 1682 Sajjangad |
| Birth name | Narayan Thosar |
| Titles/honours | Sant in Marathi, meaning "Saint" |
| Literary works | Shri Manāche Shlok, Shrimat Dasbodh |
Ramdas (Marathi: समर्थ रामदास, Rāmdās) (1606–1682) 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.
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Ramdas Swami was born in a Deshastha Rugvedi Bramhan family to Suryāji and Rānu-Bāi Thosar in Jāmb in Jalna District of Maharashtra on Ram Navami (the birth festival of Lord Ram), 1530 according to "Shāliwāhan Shak" calendar. His given name was Nārāyan.
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.
When Ramdas was eight, his father died; and when he was 18, his mother arranged his marriage. However, he wanted to pursue a monastic life. He ran away in the middle of the wedding ceremony, before the marriage vows were exchanged.
During the Hindu marriage ceremony, the last word which seals the marriage is "Saavdhan" meaning, 'be careful'. Swami Ramdas interpreted that word to mean that he had to be careful not to get entangled in the bonds of Maya, and must seek Self realization.
Ramdas moved around quite a lot, and in the process, used several Ghal (Marathi: घळ), which are small caves used for meditation. The famous ones include: [1]
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 11 temples of Hanuman in Maharashtra and promoted physical exercise to develop a healthy society.
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 Manāche 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 Māruti 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 Sukhkartā Dukhhartā Vārtā Vighnāchi. He also composed several other prayers such as Satrane Uddane Hunkaar Vadani to Lord Hanuman and Panchanan haivahan surabhushan lila to Lord Khandoba.
[[|thumb|right|x216px| text|Chhattrapati Shivaji, a disciple of Swami Ramadasa was the founder of the Maratha Confederacy]] Samarth Ramdas had many disciples. Kalyan Swami worked as a writer for Ramdas, recording his songs and prayers. Ramdas tested him in many ways before giving him this responsible position. Other noteworthy disciples included Udhhw Swami, Vena Swami, Akka Bai, Bhim Swami, Dayanand Prabhu, and Diwakar Swami.
There is dispute going on whether Ramdas swami was never Guru of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Some people or organizations like Akhil Bharatiya Maratha Mahasangh, Maratha Seva Sangh, Sambhaji Brigade claims that Brahmin historians have overemphasized the roles of Ramdas Swami (who were Brahmins) on the life of Shivaji. Shivaji considered Samarth Ramdas had never 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 (सज्जनगड) - Fort of the sacred.[2]
In the 20th century, Nana Dharmadhikari undertook to spread the philosophy of Samarth Ramdas.
Dear Moderator,
kindly add in the bleow paragraph his great disciples name 'Bhagwan shridhar swami'He was ardent follower of shri samarth he took sanyas diksha from him and did lot of work to promote sanatan dharma as guided him by shri samarth. He is one of the great disciple of swami samarth.which is mentioned in your wikipedia itself!!
"Chhattrapati Shivaji, a disciple of Swami Ramadasa was the founder of the Maratha Confederacy]] Samarth Ramdas had many disciples. Kalyan Swami worked as a writer for Ramdas, recording his songs and prayers. Ramdas tested him in many ways before giving him this responsible position. Other noteworthy disciples included Udhhw Swami, Vena Swami, Akka Bai, Bhim Swami, Dayanand Prabhu, and Diwakar Swami".
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