New History of the Marathas v1.c16.24

v1.c16.24

The famous saint Rāmdās was the *guru* from whom Shivaji received formal initiation and to whose shrine he made grants of land which are found recorded in a sanad in which the royal donor eloquently describes his feelings of reverence and devotion. There are two opposite views on the question of Shivaji's relations with Rāmdās, one school of writers maintaining that this saint was the sole inspirer of Shivaji's work in the political field as well as in his spiritual life. The other view is that Rāmdās had hardly any share in Shivaji's constructive work as a king. Rāmdās certainly appeared in the region round about Satara, just about the time that Dādāji Kondadev and Shivaji took possession of Sinhagad (1644). From this date onward the two persons made Mahārāshtra their main field of activity for over thirty years; and they must certainly have heard of each other's work and felt respect for it. Rāmdās' description of the best man (*Uttama Purusha*) occurring in his *Dāsabodha*, seems to me to convey a deep inner meaning, pointing to his having just before heard of Shivaji's suppression of Afzalkhan. So one may justifiably maintain that instead of Rāmdās inspiring Shivaji in his political ideals, it was Rāmdās who was led to effect a change in his outlook and teaching, after observing a clear demonstration of the hero as King in the person of Shivaji. Thereafter Rāmdās began to feel that no religion could stand and thrive without a strong leader of men coming forth to defend it; in other words, that political power was necessary for maintaining religious liberty. The truth appears to be this. Rāmdās at first confined his teaching only to the spiritual regeneration of society coupled with practical hints for making life a success. He established a chain of monasteries throughout the land where physical education was imparted with special attention to the formation of bodily strength and character. The presiding deity in these *mathas* was the athletic demi-god Hanuman. But to look upon these monasteries as secret training centres of Shivaji's political activity or as institutions for political spying to help him, is mere guess work of twentieth century Indian politics.