Sant Ramdas (1608-1681) is a very interesting figure in the Bhakti tradition in Maharashtra. Unfortunately, in the ugly politicking rooted in the caste debate, his association with Shivaji Maharaj was chosen to debunk him and his caste. Yet another incident in his life which made him an easy target was the myth of his running away from his own wedding ceremony.
Beyond such scandle-mongering, Sant Ramdas is a wonderful figure. A great devotee of Lord Rama, he instituted major Maruti temples which gave an enervated, emaciated Marathi people the message of developing physical and mental strength.
Equally interesting is the fact that his version of spirituality is not a clarion call to abdicate duties of life in an empty chase of the vague glory. In a very straightforward and insistent way, he tells the ordinary devotee to first and foremost manage the life here and now in a satisfactory mode.
He advises both, the individual and the society. His "Dasbodh" treats the individual follies and the social ills in a direct, upfront way. The materialistic base of spiritual awakening is never lost sight of in his oeuvre.
Personally speaking, I like him as a critical thinker, as a philosopher, as a spiritual guide, and so on. Basically though, I like him as a poet. He is indeed a simply superb poet. Especially noteworthy is his control of the sound design in his poetry. He literally plays with and glories in the rhyme and rhythm in his every line. That makes him most mellifluous which in itself is a great achievement as Marathi is not exactly a soft and sweet language. Indeed a great thinker and a superb poet, his pithy poetry should soon inspire you, too!
Pratima@The rich Marathi Bhakri tradition is indeed intensely interesting, to say the least.
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