![]() ![]() Whereas many of them were only either poet and worshippers and staunch advocates of Hinduism through Bhakti Marg, while not being politically inclined, Samarth Ramdas alone, whilst remaining effectively a saint and poet, was a dynamic political thinker and activist. Samarth Ramdas (1608-1681) stands out as an extraordinary saint in the dazzling assemblage of medieval Indian saints. The above advice about Afzal Khan establishes a relation that they came to understand one another and acknowledges that Samarth Ramdas was a valued adviser and behind-the-scenes associate of Shivaji Maharaj. Samarth Ramdas was highly impressed with the bravery of Shivaji Maharaj and decided to guide him in any which way he could. In 1647 Shivaji Maharaj conquered Torangad, Purandar and Kondhana forts plundering Moghul territory when he was barely 17 years old. When Samarth Ramdas came to settle in a small village of Chaphal in 1644 in Maharashtra Shivaji Maharaj was planning to conquer territories from the Moghuls. The letter has also a metaphysical tone of giving some kind of advice. The letter was in the form of Owi (four liners) written in code words probably because of the secrecy which necessarily shrouds political activity against foreign rule. For example, when Afzal Khan left Bijapur in 1659 to kill Shivaji Maharaj, Samarth Ramdas wrote him a letter alerting him that the enemy has left Bijapur and advancing towards Pune. The historical references, documents, and evidence make it believe that Samarth Ramdas was a political advisor to Shivaji Maharaj. National Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar had remarked not long ago that Samarth Ramdas was not a Guru of Shivaji Maharaj but that is far from the truth. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. Archives
December 2022
Categories |