Samarth Rāmdās
17th century · Maharashtra · Rāmdāsī tradition
Samarth Rāmdās, born Nārāyaṇa at Jāmb near the Godāvarī, was a saint-poet devoted to Rāma and Hanumān. After years of tapas at Ṭākaḷī near Nashik and long travels across India, he founded the Rāmdāsī sampradāya and established Hanumān temples and maṭhas across Maharashtra, encouraging both spiritual discipline and physical strength.
His Dāsbodh is a practical guide to spiritual and worldly life, and the Manāce Ślok (verses to the mind) are recited by children and adults alike. His later years were spent at Sajjangaḍ near Satara. Tradition connects him with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
Tradition says that at his own wedding, when the priests chanted “Śubha maṅgala, sāvadhāna” — “auspicious moment, be alert!” — the boy took the warning to heart, ran from the ceremony, and devoted his life to Rāma.
Dāsbodh · Manāce Ślok · Sajjangaḍ · Hanumān temples