On a trip to the city of Satara in Maharashtra, I grabbed an opportunity to visit nearby Sajjangad (meaning “Fort of Good People”). It is a picturesque hilltop fort where the great saint Samarth Ramdas lived and attained Samadhi.

Samarth Ramdas was a 17th century saint and the spiritual Guru of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Samarth Ramdas was a great devotee of Lord Ram and Hanuman.

Believed to be born on Ramnavami day in the year 1608 CE to Suryaji Pant and Ranubai, in the Jamb village of Aurangabad District, Ramdas’ birth name was Narayan Suryaji Thosar. Because of his deep devotion to Lord Ram right from his childhood, people named him Ramdas (Servant of Ram). He acquired the prefix ‘Samartha’ meaning “capable or proficient” much later.

Ramdas firmly believed that Lord Ram and Hanuman provided good examples of courage in adversity. He established numerous temples of Hanuman in various towns and villages of Maharashtra. Walking up the hill to the top of the fort, I observed at least 11 orange-colored Hanuman idols installed on the side rocks.

The story of Samartha Ramdas Swami is most inspiring. He was not a mere saint who indulged in blind Bhakti. He synthesized material and spiritual life by stressing on dedication to work, shrewdness, and above all faith in Ram and Hanuman. He is most remembered for his Advaita Vedanta spiritual text called Dāsbodh (दासबोध) in Marathi language that provides spiritual advice on how to lead one’s life.

Realizing the crucial need for self-governance among the people, Samarth Ramdas raised an organization of highly devoted workers for the upliftment of society. He taught the youth on how to unite and fight the enemy. Inspired by the great social work done by Ramdas, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj took ‘Guru Upadesh’ from him at a place called Chaphal sometime in August 1649.

In 1676, Samarth Ramdas moved from Chaphal to Sajjangad. Within the Sajjangad fort, Ramdas installed exquisite Panchaloha idols of Shri Ram, Laxman, Sita and Maruti specially made and brought from Thanjavur (under Maratta rule at that time). I was fortunate to see these idols nicely decorated and worshipped by hundreds of visitors.

According to historical information, Ramdas spent the latter part of his life in Sajjangad. He lived the life of a selfless saint and used to constantly chant the the 13 syllable mantra of Lord Ram – “Shri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram”. Before taking the simple sathvic lunch (offered free to all devotees), this mantra was recited by all in chorus. There was joy pervading all around while reciting this short and sweet Rama Mantra.

The story goes that after fasting for 5 days in front of the Rama, Laxman, Sita and Hanuman idols, Samarth Ramdas peacefully breathed his last in Sajjangad on Magh Vadya Navami, 22nd January 1682.

One of the most powerful gurus in Indian history, Samarth Ramdas Swami now rests as an eternal Sleeping Saint of Sajjangad continuing to inspire millions of people around the globe.