Samarth Ramdas’ original name was ‘Narayan Suryaji Pant Kulkarni’ (Thosar). He was born in 1608 on Ramnavami day, at noon, in Jamb, a village in the Jalna district of Maharashtra, in a DeshasthaRigvedi Brahmin family of the Jamadagnigotra. His father, Suryaji Pant, was a worshiper of the Sun God and recited the ‘Aditya HridayaStotra’ daily. He served as the village Patwari but spent much of his time in devotion. His mother, Ranubai, was a distant relative of Saint Eknath’s family.
One day, Ranubai told Narayan (his childhood name), “You play mischief all day, do some work. Look at your elder brother Gangadhar, how he takes care of the family!” This remark struck Narayan deeply. A few days later, Narayan abandoned his mischief and began meditating in a room. When his mother could not find him, she asked her elder son, who also had no idea of Narayan’s whereabouts. Later, in the evening, they found him deeply engrossed in meditation. When his mother asked him what he was doing, Narayan replied, “I am concerned for the entire world.”
After this incident, Narayan’s routine changed. He encouraged the youth to understand that the nation’s progress is possible only through healthy and well-built bodies. Therefore, he advised physical exercise and the worship of Hanuman, establishing Hanuman idols wherever he traveled. He traveled across India, setting up Hanuman idols, monasteries, and heads of monasteries to instill a new consciousness throughout the nation. Samarth laid the foundation of his public work by celebrating Ramnavami in Masur village and founded the Chafal Ram Temple in 1570. He established 11 Hanuman temples in different villages initially and later throughout the country, totaling around eleven hundred monasteries founded by Samarth Ramdas.
“Maratha titukamilaava, Maharashtra dharma waadhava” (The Marathas should be united, and Maharashtra should spread the faith) was his guiding principle. He organized and created the ‘Ramdasi’ sect based on the principles of caution and wisdom, striving to achieve his mission through this organizational work.
The chant of “Jai JaiRaghuveer Samarth” awakened Maharashtra. From the valleys to the mountain tops, the same voice echoed, not just in Sahyadri but in the valleys of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Kaveri. He established impartial leadership in society by constructing monasteries and heads of monasteries from Ashtadhimanchal (the eight regions) to Ashtadhimachal (the eight regions). Combining the power of religion and state, his nationalism inspired the minds of the empowered youth. He established the worship of three deities: Shri Ramchandra, AdishaktiTuljaBhavani, and Shakti Maruti Ray. He set up hundreds of Maruti temples, living in the hills and valleys, contemplating the welfare of society and the country. He showed the path of religion and self-liberation to every element of society, many orphans, destitute children, and women.
Influenced by the literature of Saint Eknath, Samarth preached the need to understand the balance between worldly and spiritual life. He dreamt of AnandvanBhuvan, awakening KshatraTeja (the spirit of a warrior) and Brahma Teja (the spirit of a sage) to make India strong. His methods appeared strange to the outside world, often perceived as a madman, carrying a small bow and a large number of stones, throwing them at anything he saw. He gave the mantra “Shri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram” to those genuinely interested in his teachings.
Samarth Ramdas preferred living in the forest for better meditation. In his final days, he dedicated his time to literary activities and systematically organizing his disciples and monasteries in both the north and south. His literary works like ‘Dasbodh,’ ‘ManacheShlok’ (verses addressing the mind), ‘Karunashtak’ (hymns to God), and ‘Ramayan’ (describing only the conquest of Lanka by Shri Ram and the defeat of Ravan) are very popular.
As a tribute to Ramdas’ extraordinary patience and determination in re-establishing Hinduism in India, people gave him the name ‘Samarth’ (all-powerful), which he fully deserved. The great guru of Maharashtra breathed his last in 1682 at Sajjangad near Satara, a fort given to him by Shivaji for his residence. Ramdas repeated the Ram mantra in his final breaths. A bright light emerged from his body as he departed the world, merging into the image of Lord Ram. His last instructions to his disciples were: “Do not dwell much on bodily desires. Engage in Satsang (company of devotees). Keep the image of Lord Ram in your heart. Always chant the name of Lord Ram. Destroy lust, greed, anger, hatred, and ego. See Lord Ram in all beings. Feel His presence everywhere. Live solely for Him. Serve all beings as His manifestation. Surrender completely and without hesitation to Him. You will always reside in Him. You will attain immortality and eternal bliss.”
