Swami Ramdas
Submitted by barbara on Wed, 07/09/2008 - 10:00.Tags:
Biography
Swami Ramdas was born in Kerala, India in 1884 under the original name Vittal Rao.
He worked as a spinning master in a cotton mill and in 1908 he married.
He experienced difficulties, both in his financial pursuits and domestic life, and seeking relief from his circumstances, he began to chant "Ram" – a name of Hindu God. Soon after, his father gave to him a holy mantra to repeat, the ram mantra.
He quickly became detached from the material world and left on a pilgrimage, taking on the name Ramdas, and living on charity (though he never accepted money). His practice was to view the world as forms of Ram – and thus to see everything that might befall him as the will of God.
In 1922 he encountered the sage, Ramana Maharshi, and received his grace. As a result of this, he went into his first retreat, living for 21 days in solitude in a cave in Arunachala. Upon leaving this cave he was filled with the realization that, “All was Rama, nothing but Rama”
After continuing to live on the roads for many years, his devotees established an ashram called Anandashram for him in Kanhangad, Kerala in 1931. The ashram worked to improve the living conditions of the local people, and continues to this day to share Swami Ramdas’ vision of Universal Love and Service.
Swami Ramdas left his body with the name of Ram in his mouth in 1963.
Teachings
The core of Swami RamDas sadhana is the practice of viewing the world as forms of Ram – and thus to see everything that happens as the will of God.
All is Rama, nothing but Rama.
Swami Ramdas also strongly advocated and practiced universal love and service.
People do not know what the Name of God can do. Those who repeat it constantly alone know its power. It can purify our mind completely... The Name can take us to the summit of spiritual experience.
Place yourself as an instrument in the hands of God who does his own work in his own way.
Just as a flower gives out its fragrance to whomsoever approaches or uses it, so love from within us radiates towards everybody and manifests as spontaneous service.
Locations
A truly lovely welcoming-for-all ashram.
The ashram was founded by Swami Ramdas and Mother Krishnabai in 1931 Their life and is dedicated to the teachings of Swami Ramdas and his vision of universal love devotion to the service of humanity.
Anandashram P.O.,
Kanhangad, Dist. Kasaragod, Kerala 671531, India
Anandashram is located in Kanhangad, in the Mangalore-Shoranur sector of Southern Railway. Most of the important trains halt at Kanhangad. The nearest airport is at Mangalore, about 100 km away, with regular services linking all major cities.
On alighting at Kanhangad Station, one can avail of a bus, taxi, or autorickshaw to reach Anandashram, which is about 5 km away. On the National Highway #17, there is an area known as Ramnagar. On taking the road leading to Panathur, just about half a kilometer away on the right, stands the arch in this picture.
Bhajan Hall:
Programme starts with Vishnu Sahasranamam at 5:00 a.m., followed by Guru Sthuthi, Flower Offering, Ram Nam, Shiv Nam, Bhajans and closes with Arati at 12:30 p.m. The afternoon session begins at 2:00 p.m. with Ram Nam, followed by Hare Rama, Hanuman Chalisa, Bhajans and concludes at 9:30 p.m. with Arati.
Satsang Hall:
Satsang: 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Samadhi Mandirs:
Akhanda Ram Nam: 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Dining room, an extensive library of diverse spiritual books, book store, garden, cow shed.
Excellent accomodation options within the ashram.
Links
View Video
| Name | divinesmile.wmv |
| Video | wmv,320x240,Windows Media Video V7,24 |
| Audio | 16.0 kHz,mono,Windows Media Audio V7 / V8 / V9 |
| Duration | 0:42 min |
| Size | 0.52 MB |
| Name | divinetalks.wmv |
| Video | wmv,320x240,Windows Media Video V7,24 |
| Audio | 16.0 kHz,mono,Windows Media Audio V7 / V8 / V9 |
| Duration | 0:23 min |
| Size | 0.28 MB |
Books & Media
The Essential Swami Ramdas (Library of Perennial Philosophy)
(Paperback)
The writings of Swami Ramdas (l884-1963) possess the same enduring quality found in such classics of spiritual writing as The Way of a Pilgrim and The Gospel of Ramakrishna. Ramdas was one of the greatest saints of the 20th century and he wrote in a simple, eloquent style that any sincere soul—regardless of religion—can understand. Ramdas emphasizes that we can realize God through constant remembrance of the Divine. The Essential Swami Ramdas collects extracts from Ramdas’ many books and it emphasizes the heart of his message: unswerving faith in the mercy of God leads to certain deliverance; surrender to the Divine will is the supreme happiness.
Pro Opinions
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| eBook - In Quest of God by Swami Ramdas | 316.8 KB |
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