Was this 17th-century saint a mystic, a militant, or a political advisor?

Cultures · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Samarth Ramdas was a Marathi philosopher who rejected pacifism, advocating for physical strength and active social engagement. From his legendary encounter with a Sikh guru to his influence on modern Indian nationalists, Ramdas remains a complex, polarizing figure whose literary works continue to shape the cultural landscape of Maharashtra today.

Born Narayan Thosar in 1608, Ramdas spent twelve years as an ascetic near Nashik before embarking on a subcontinent-wide pilgrimage. Unlike many contemporary saints, he did not advocate for withdrawal from the world. Instead, he emphasized the necessity of physical prowess and active participation in society, arguing that saints should work toward social transformation. His philosophy, rooted in Advaita Vedanta, encouraged the use of militant means to resist foreign occupation, a stance that distinguished him from the pacifist Warkari tradition.

Ramdas established an extensive network of monasteries, with estimates suggesting he founded between 700 and 1100. His literary output was vast, including the influential Dasbodh and numerous devotional hymns. He was notably progressive regarding gender, appointing women like Vennabai and Akkabai to lead monasteries and reprimanding those who questioned their authority. He famously asserted that those who failed to respect the source of human life were unworthy of being called men.

His legacy is marked by intense scholarly debate, particularly regarding his alleged role as a spiritual mentor to the Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. While some traditions claim a deep connection, other historical accounts dispute any direct association. Regardless, his influence on later figures—from Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Vinayak Damodar Savarkar to the founder of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Keshav Hedgewar—is well-documented. Today, his hymns, such as the Ganesha-dedicated Sukhakarta Dukhaharta, remain staples of ritual life in Maharashtra.

A pivotal moment in his life was his meeting with the sixth Sikh guru, Hargobind. Challenged by Ramdas on why he carried arms and maintained an army despite being a spiritual leader, Hargobind replied that he was internally a hermit but externally a prince, using arms to protect the poor and destroy tyrants. This synthesis of spiritual devotion and worldly duty resonated deeply with Ramdas, who reportedly found the explanation appealing to his own mind.

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