Vishnavachakrachudamani Jagadguru Ramanandacharya, who glorified the Indian ancient tradition in every way, made an unparalleled contribution to the religious and cultural renaissance. His vast personality and achievements spread the stream of Sri Ram devotion throughout North India. His spiritual consciousness honored the Indian tradition. It seems that he placed the goddess of devotion on the throne of everyone’s heart, and the entire Vaishnava tradition felt honored to have him. It is well-known about him: “Bhakti Dravid Upajyao Layau Ramanand.” Clearly, he brought the devotion of the ancient tradition to the masses, transforming the entire era.
Life
Swami Ramanandacharya was born into a Brahmin family in the holy region of Prayagraj. His father’s name was Pandit Punya Sadan Sharma, and his mother’s name was Sushila Devi. According to the Ramananda sect, his appearance was on Magha Krishna Saptami, Samvat 1356. Some scholars consider his period to be 1356-1470 CE. Considering various opinions, it can be said that he was born in the mid-14th century and left the world in the mid-15th century. It is said that one day his mother went to the temple to see Lord Shrevenimadhav, where she heard a divine voice saying, “Mother, you will have a son.” She found a garland and a right-handed conch in her lap. She was very pleased with this divine gift and shared the news with her husband. One day, she saw a divine light coming from the sky, which entered her mouth. She fainted but later felt a unique power within her. At dawn, a radiant child was born without causing any pain to the mother. The child had several divine marks on his body, including a clear tilak mark on his forehead. The family priest named the child ‘Ramanand.’ As a child, a parrot would often come to him, repeating ‘Ram-Ram,’ which later became the foundation of his life and devotion. Swami Ramanand undertook the monumental task of uniting the Hindu society by removing the deep-seated animosities and bitterness among various sects and sub-sects.
Education and Renunciation
His education was completed in Kashi. Being exceptionally intelligent and having an extraordinary memory, Ramanand Ji mastered scriptures and Puranas at an early age. As a monk, he set out to revive Indian social, cultural, and religious consciousness. In his famous text Vaishnavamatajabhasakar, he proclaimed: “Sarve Prapatteradhikarino Matah” (Everyone is always entitled to surrender at the feet of the Lord). This was an extraordinary revolutionary voice in medieval India, providing the despondent, hopeless, and melancholic masses with the nectar of hope, faith, and joy.
Disciples
By cleansing the traditional impurities of society, he established a universal Vaishnavism or humanism-based sect, attracting followers from all castes and classes. His prominent disciples included Anantanandacharya, Sursurananda Ji, Sukhanand Ji, Narharyananda Ji, Yoganand Ji, Pipa Ji, Kabir Das Ji, Bhavanand Ji, Sen Ji, Dhanna Ji, Galvanand Ji, and Raidas Ji. They are mentioned among the twelve principal disciples in Bhaktamal:
Anantanand Kabir Sukha Sursura Padmavati Narhari
Pipa Bhavanand Raidas Dhanna Sen Sursura Ki Gharahari.And many other disciples and sub-disciples were one greater than the other.
These twelve disciples are also known as Dvadasa Mahabhagavata. They were referred to as the Dvadasa Aditya. Apart from these disciples, many others were dedicated to the upliftment of the era. It is noteworthy that Bhaktamal mentions: “Ramananda Raghunath Jyon Dutiya Setu Jag Taran Kiyo,” indicating that Swami Ramanandacharya created bridges for salvation, similar to Sri Ramachandra Ji. The Vaishvanara Samhita states: “Ramananda: Swayam Ramah Pradurbhuto Mahitale.” Another verse says: “Jagadguru Acharya Bhupa. Ramananda Ram Ke Roopa.”
Indeed, he initiated people from all castes and classes into his sect but gave strict instructions to maintain the sanctity of the varna system. In essence, he rejuvenated the varna system enshrined in the golden chest of the Indian ancient tradition, with Sri Ram residing at its core.
