Samarth Ramdas Swami’s guidance on rendering worldly responsibilities

Teachings of Samarth Ramdas Swami

‘Samarth Ramdas Swami’s perspective of life, thought process and tradition of thoughts are different from other Saints. Though He did attribute importance to Spirituality like other Saints, He also gave equal importance to worldly life and duties. Hence, He says,

आधी प्रपंच करावा नेटका । मग घ्यावें परमार्थविवेका ।
येथें आळस करूं नका । विवेकी हो ॥
प्रपंच सांडून परमार्थ कराल । तेणें तुम्ही कष्टी व्हाल ।
प्रपंच परमार्थ चालवाल । तरी तुम्ही विवेकी ॥

-Dasbodh, dashak 12, samas 1, ovi 1 and 2

Meaning : Humans should first perform their worldly duties with perfection and then consider practising Spirituality. O intelligent people, do not become lazy. If you try to practice spirituality by neglecting worldly duties, then you will become unhappy. Only when you balance worldly life and spirituality well, you will then be considered intellectual.

Samarth’s interest in politics

गनिमाच्या देखतां फौजा । रणशूरांच्या फुर्फुरिती भुजा ।
ऐसा पाहिजे किं राजा । कैपक्षी परमार्थी ॥

-Dasbodh, dashak 19, samas 9, ovi 25

Meaning : A valorous king is one who gets inspired to fight the moment he spots the armies of his enemy. He should always be concerned about the welfare of his subjects and should protect them.
In a prayer unto Deity Bhawani, He pleads Her to accomplish the task of moulding and growing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. This depicts His interest in politics.

Importance of seeking alms

‘ब्राह्मणाची मुख्य दीक्षा । मागितली पाहिजे भिक्षा ।’ (दासबोध, दशक १४, समास २, ओवी १)

It was necessary for His disciples to seek alms. He says ‘the main feature in the code of conduct of a Brahman (Priest) is begging for alms. Begging for alms is the means of surveying the entire society. His objective was that by the means of begging for alms, one should study the entire strata of the society.

जेणें जिंकिली रसना । तृप्त जयाची वासना ।’ (दासबोध, दशक २, समास ७, ओवी ५६)

By consuming the food obtained through this means, one can gain control over likes and dislikes and the taste. The one who gains control over his tongue and motor organs becomes Mahant and thereby capable of serving society most meticulously.

The four point mission programme of Samarth

मुख्य हरिकथा निरूपण । दुसरें तें राजकारण ।
तिसरें तें सावधपण । सर्वविषईं ॥
चौथा अत्यंत साक्षप……॥’

-Dasbodh, dashak 11, samas 5, ovi 4 and 5

Meaning : When describing the virtues of a leader, Samarth says that the first virtue is the strong foundation of Spirituality and the second one is being meticulous in transactions and dealings. Extreme caution in conduct is the third one and remaining engrossed in activities continuously is the fourth virtue.

This was His four-point mission programme.

Reference : Harivijay, Deepawali 2011