 |
| Samarth Ramdas Swami |
The strength derived from the movement is that of those who are involved in that movement. But there must be God in that movement.
The one who gives such a thought is Samarth Ramdas Ji. Samarth Ramdas Swamiji’s full name was Narayan Suryajipant Thosar. His mother’s name was Ranubai. He was born on Chaitra Shukla Navami 1530 in Kasbe Jamb village of Jalna district of Maharashtra. It can also be said to be a coincidence that on the date and muhurat on which Samarth Ramdas was born, Lord Shri Ram was also born on the same date and muhurat. Samarth Ramdasji’s ancestors were doing Ram Bhakti for twenty-two generations, so it can be said that he had inherited Ram Bhakti. The result of the rituals of Ram Bhakti, which has been going on for twenty-two generations, means the birth of Samarth Ramdasji.
The social and religious conditions at that time were quite un-favorable. India was ruled by Qutub Shahi, Adil Shahi, Nizam Shahi, and Mughals at that time. People did not have religious freedom. These irreligious, sinful, and evil forces were creating ruckus in the form of Yavana power. At such a time, Samarth Ramdasji was born, ignited by the brilliance of Hanuman.
When Samarth Ramdasji was eight years old, his father died. After the death of his father, he was brought up under the supervision of his elder brother Gangadhar. It is believed that when Gangadharpant refused to teach mantras to Samarth Ramdasji due to his age. Saddened by that matter, Samarth Ramdasji complained about this to Lord Shri Ram. At that time Lord Shri Ram himself appeared to him and gave him the mantra of ‘Shri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram. After attaining this mantra, he started contemplating introvertedly.
The lifetime of Samarth Ramdasji can be divided into four parts. First his childhood, second his penance during that period, third, his travels to places of pilgrimage across the country and fourth, the work of the salvation of people from the banks of the Krishna River, which can also be considered as the period of his taking Samadhi.
Samarth Ramdasji started his penance in a village called Takli near Nasik. His routine in those days was very difficult. His day used to start before sunrise. He used to perform two hundred Suryanamaskars every day. Along with the chanting of ‘Shri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram, he also used to worship Gayatri. Then he used to arrange his food by asking for alms. There were sweets in the alms given to him, but Samarth Ramdasji used to collect all the alms and eat it by mixing it in the water of the river.
From this incident, we can see how alert he was during his penance. In a day he used to chant the name of Ram thirteen thousand times. He used to study theology and Vedas by going to Panchavati. At a very young age, he came to know the importance of studying. He imbibed a lot of body power, and morale during his Takli stay.
During his journey, he met Hargobindsinhji, the sixth Guru of the Sikhs in Kashmir. At that time Guru Hargobindsinhji kept two swords and five hundred armed soldiers with him. Then Samarth Ramdasji thought that the religious leader should be unarmed and nirmohi. He asked this question arising in his mind to Guru Hargobindsinhji. According to the circumstances of that time, Guru Hargobindsinhji said that the people who have come from outside are ruling our country, the root cause of this is our being disarmed. Due to this our country, religion has come into danger. If we want to establish religion and country again, if we want to save the honor of our mothers and sisters, then we have to be armed. With this answer, the Samarth Ramdasji’s determination to worship power became stronger. Samarth Ramdasji, after touring the whole of India, when established Organizations (Sanghatana), Monastery, he propagated worship of power on a large scale.
Samarth Ramdas Swamiji felt bad when he saw society as dependent on fate and the future. Samarth Ramdas Swamiji chose a place called ‘Chafal’ to start his work. He installed an idol of Lord Rama and started celebrating the festival of ‘Ram Janmotsav’. He established Hanuman temples in towns and villages to teach the youth the importance of exercise and taught them to unite and fight the enemy. He highlighted the role of warriors in society. Samarth Ramdas Swamiji established many study centers across the country. His teaching of patience and faith in the face of adversity helped people to deal with difficult situations.
Samarth Ramdasji revived the Karma yoga which has been uttered in the Bhagavad Gita. Samarth Ramdasji removed the soot of oblivion that had accumulated due to time on the traditions of our country. By making spirituality easy for the people, he connected the service of society with spirituality. He urged people to find the God who resides within man. He urged them to help the people they meet by doing so. He believed that individuals, families, and education are big organization in themselves. If these three are fully developed then society and country move on the path of progress.
Samarth Ramdasji used to believe that only individual and goodwill for others can build a good man. Just as there are police stations from place to place to run the state systems properly, in the same way, to organize and awaken the society, Samarth Ramdasji established 1100 monasteries all over India. By handing over the responsibility of those monasteries to some people, they were entrusted with the work of social awakening along with the worship of Shri Ram. In order to protect our country and religion, Samarth Ramdasji says that one should fight for country and religion, in this fight if required one should take the life of others and sacrifice ourselves too if required. Samarth Ramdasji says that by killing those who are traitors, one attains God and there is no doubt about it.
In a book called Dasbodh, Samarth Ramdasji has explained in detail spirituality as well as politics and our behavior. This book is also beneficial for those who are not interested in spirituality. Progress can be made in the spiritual field also through those qualities that one should have to be successful in the world. What we know, we should teach everyone. In this kind of preaching of Ramdasji, we can see that his words are always timeless. No work is big or small, it is necessary to make effort to do every work, this truth Samarth Ramdasji has told. Even today, in many homes, people regularly recite Dasbodh, Mana ke Shloka (Manache Shloka) told by Samarth
Ramdasji.
The knowledge which Samarth Ramdasji increased, the cultural heritage to which he gave new life, that monastical knowledge and cultural heritage is eternal and infinite.
....Vijendra Sonawane
