Ramdas ji has a special place amongst all the saints in India. His knowledge and work guided several people. Even today people get enlightened by reading and listening to his narratives and books. The birth of Sant Ramdas was a very auspicious event. Ramdas ji has carried forward the saint tradition with his brilliant talent, personality and mature thinking. Ramdas ji has carried forward the saint tradition with his talent, personality and thought. Ramdas ji had a very attractive personality which got him a special place among all the saints.
He resolved all conflicts and defeated his opponents by his powerful oratory skills. He was at par with Pandits and other scholars. Through his knowledge, he tried to overcome every obstacle that came in the way of his saintly faith. The history of the Indian saint tradition is quite ancient, saints were born in India from time to time. Among them, the name of Ramdas has been particularly notable.
He was born in the year 1606 and expired in the year 1682. He is considered as one of the great saints of Maharashtra. He had written a lot of poems in Marathi. In his lifetime, he made several long trips across India and preached his principles. Several memorials were constructed at these places and we can visit them to date. Ramdas ji’s name is taken with a lot of reverence in the category of great saints like Kabir, Raidas, Namdev, Dadu etc.
Why is Das Navami celebrated
Samarth Guru Ramdas ji’s death anniversary is celebrated as Das Navami. Ramdas Ji took Samadhi on Falgun Krishna Navami. Even today this day is celebrated by his devotees with a lot of enthusiasm. His followers organise get-togethers and perform bhajan kirtans to mark this day. Ramdas ji spent the last few years of his life at the Parli fort near Satara in Maharashtra. In his early times, he did not stay anywhere for long in one place and travelled a lot but he spent the last few years of his life at the fort. His samadhi has also been built here.
Ramdas ji Childhood
Ramdas ji had an interesting childhood. It is believed that he was a very mischievous child and used to keep playing pranks. His parents received several complaints from the neighbours because of this mischievous behaviour. On one such occasion, Ramdas ji’s mother admonished him for his mischief which was disturbing others. She compared Ramdas ji with his brother. She was very upset that Ramdas ji was not like his brother who used to take care of everyone, help everyone and worry for everyone. This comparison had a deep impact on Ramdas ji. He decides to prove himself and so starts meditating.
One day, he sits in seclusion and remains in meditation for a long time. Throughout the day, when parents are not visible and they ask their elder son, where does Ramdas say that he does not know. Both parents are worried and they go out in search of Ramdas. Finally, after searching a lot, Ramdas ji meets in a room at home. He is sitting in that room absorbed in meditation. Then he is asked why he was sitting at this place like this, so Ramdas ji says that I am worrying about the whole world here. This incident changes the nature of his life.
A similar incident takes place on another day. Randas ji secludes himself and sits for mediation for a long period of time. When he is not seen for an entire day, his parents start looking out for him. They inquire with the elder brother who too was unaware of Ramdas ji’s whereabouts. Both the parents start worrying. Finally, after searching a lot they find Ramdas ji in a room completely absorbed in meditation. His parents ask him as to why he is sitting alone in a room. To this, he replies that he is worrying about the whole world. This incident changes the direction of his life.
Work done by Ramdas
Ramdas ji undertook several activities which led to the welfare of people. His daily routine was also very interesting and impressive. Ramdas ji had a big influence on the youth throughout his life. He also travelled on foot. A lot of people followed him on these tours on foot. He installed Hanuman’s idols at places he visited. He also built some monasteries and helped in the creation of a higher consciousness across India.
Ramdas ji was called so because of reason. As per the story, Ramdas ji leaves his marriage Mandap in the middle of the marriage. After leaving his marriage mid-way he engages himself in the worship of Lord Rama. He got the name Ramdas only because of his devotion to Ram and the penance he observed for Lord Ram.
Despite leading a very simple life, he influenced everyone in an extraordinary manner. He had a stronghold in Yoga. He always chanted Ramnam. He followed everything he preached. He was well-versed in music. Several of his compositions were such that one could sing them in various Ragas.
Ramdas ji’s Compositions
Ramdas ji’s life was spent in inaccessible caves, mountains, forests and banks of rivers. It is here that he created many of his compositions. Ramdas ji wrote the texts Dasabodh, Atmaram, Manobodh etc. His Dasbodh Granth is in the form of dialogue between a Guru and a Shishya. He had also composed several Aartis which are sung till today in several parts of the country.
He covered several topics like politics, administration and science in his compositions. Many beliefs and stories are related to his life. It is believed that he had seen Lord Rama in his childhood. It is one of the other reasons he is called Ramdas. Shivaji Maharaj considered Ramdas ji his guru. The light of such a great saint spread and illuminated in every corner of India.