Short story of Swami Ramdas

Got an opportunity to listen to Govind Giriji Maharaj at Prempuri Ashram in Mumbai. The topic wad Dasbodh. He started with the character of Swami Ramdas ji. 

Ramdas ji was named as Narayan. A small village called Jamb in Jalna district in a Brahmin Family.At the age of 9 years, when he was found crying in a lonely place, he exclaimed to his mother "आई चिन्ता करतो विश्वाची" (I am worried about this world). This is age when one doesn't know anything about all this stuff.

Ramdas ji is considered as the Amshavatar अंशावतार of Shri Hanuman ji (हनुमान).

At the age of 12 years, during his marriage celebration when the Pandit said "शुभ मंगल सावधान" (be alert), something triggered in his mind and he left his home at that moment. He never looked back.  

Around 12 years Ramdas ji is said to have spent at Takli near Nasik doing 2 Gayatri Purashcharan and 13 cr. japas of Shree Ram Jay Ram Jay Jay Ram. Daily schedule included Surya Namaskar. He asked for Bhiksha for his food and other requirement. 

In this time frame he read lots of books and earned lots of knowledge. He is said to be writing down all great books whicj he came across in his study. He Wrote Valmiki Ramayan Granth by hand. Which is yet available at Dhulia in Maharashtra complete in all respects. 

Has talked about 12 different Geeta types that he has referred in bibliography of his famous book Dasbodh. This depicts his knowledge and understanding about the अध्यात्म or Spirituality. 

12 years of Tirth Yatra. This was for understanding the society. It was out of curiosity as to how is the state of the society of India. All around he saw Mugal massacre, Cow slaughter, disrespected ladies and completely fearful society.

He called himself Samarth Ramdas Swami. Please understand that he called Samarth omnipotent "Ram" of whose he is a Sevak or Das. 

One incident in his life. 50 or 60 people took away beautiful women in between thousands of people present in that procession. He found there is a lack of unity in the Hindu society. 

He also observed Punjab which was standing sturdy in front of Mugal massacre and fierce state of affair. This was due to the Sikh Guru parampara.

Post his Bharat Bhraman (भारत भ्रमण), he came back to Maharashtra. His birth place. Say at the age of 36 years. While planning about his social mission.

One of the biggest observation that he made for the Indian society of that time. We need to create the self confidence (आत्म विश्वास). Same observation was made by Swami Vivekanand and Dr Keahav Baliram Hedgewar later. Infact Dr. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar ji is said to have deliberating and speaking on Swami Ramdas ji's granth Dasbodh. 

He gave the mantra called (Jay Jay Raghuvir Samarth) जय जय रगुवीर समर्थ. It means that lets salute the omnipotent Shri. Ram who can help us get self confidence to get over all evils of the society. Pujya Givind Giri ji Maharaj says "Swami Ramdas is a great ideal for प्रतिकार or retaliation which was need of the hour that time."

For this retaliation, he gave the mantra of unity (संगठन). He was the first one to tell the society to unite and work as one force for single objective. He was the one to speak out the word "कार्यकर्ता" or volunteer.

While doing all the study, observation, development, he is the one who setup 1100 maths all around India. Around a list of 700 mathas still exist. He was the one who made people from different castes and even women the key person or Mathadhipati of various Mathas. All his Mathas had two main things..  one library (ग्रन्थालय) and other is gymnasium (व्यायाम शाला). He said both physical and mental capabilities are required to set right the society. 

Ramdas Swami is known to be the mentor of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. But he is said to have NOT been present at the Raigad fort for the Coronation Ceremony program of Shivaji Maharaj. He was at Chapad that time organizing lunch for dalit couples in a Ram temple. He wanted to be in people to spread the massage in the grassroot of the society that we have got our own king now. This is unique!!

Swami Ramdas ji Wrote Dasbodh (दासबोध) at Shivthargadh शिवथारदळ with the help of Kalyaswami. ग्रन्थ नामे दासबोध.... गुरु शिष्यन्चे संवाद.... it was created in format of loose leaf Encyclopedia in evolving way. It's considered to be book of "Life Management". It's like a collection of 200 compositions or समास. Variety of topics that are handled in this book are unparalleled. He has covered everything from Spirituality to politics. Name Dasbodh can mean the "one which is a bodh or knowledge sharing by Swami Ramdas" or even "a massage for Das (one who considers himself to be servant of the lord)".