ii OM OMKARA GURUDEV DATTA ii
SADGURU SHRI RAMCHANDRA YOGI MAHARAJ
Biography
A brief soul experience on the life of Sadguru Shri Ramchandra Yogi Maharaj
Sadguru Shri Ramchandra Narayan Nakashe became a great Sadguru of the 20th century in the Datta Sampradaya. He was born on 25th July 1945 on the day of Guru Poornima in Nikhare village of Rajapur taluka of Ratnagiri district. From there he planted the grand flag of Guru tradition. He was knowledgeable of the Gita and Dattastotra. He spent some years of his life in the military for national service. He has written more than 6000 devotional songs, many abhangas, a lot of important information on anatomy in the great book Atmanubhav. He has written his own biography in this book.Such a great person lived a simple life and spread spirituality and finished his work by taking Jalasamadhi on 15th February 2013 on Vasant Panchami.
Sadguru Shri Ramchandra Maharaj’s father Shri.Narayan Sheth and his mother Bhagirathi Bai belonged to a well farming family. He was also a small but skilled businessman. They had to travel from place to place for business. His house was rich in wealth. One day their Moti bull got sick. Many medications were taken. But Moti was not feeling well. As he was traveling all over the place for business, many people suggested different solutions to him. But it won’t get any better. In fact, it was a test for him in a way. But this was the beginning of the history of Datta Sampradaya.
Someone suggested to Mr.Narayan that there are Brahmins named Tembe in Pangre village who give medicine. One day at four o’clock in the morning he went to bring medicine to him. Knocked on the front door. But there was no response from inside. There was a humming sound coming from inside. Mr. Narayan went to the back door. When they knocked on the door, it opened automatically. He slowly went ahead asking if it was anyone. Mr.Narayan saw a good big monkey. Whose body, hair was shining and he was reciting the book. Mr. Narayan was trembling with fear and shock. Within a short time, that great monkey Mahabali Hanuman had returned to his original form. That was Sadguru Shri Sivananda Tembe Swami. To whom Sadguru Sri Vasudevananda Tembe Swami and another Sadguru Sri Siddharudh Swami who were blessed by him. Sadguru Shri Shivananda Swami i.e. Hanumant, looking at Shri Narayana and smiling, told him not to tell anyone, gave him some medicine and sent him away. Moti Bullock was cured on the same day. Since then Mr.Narayan started visiting Sadguru regularly.
One day Sadguru Shri Shivanand Swami called him and said, a great legend will be born in your house. From whom the great path of Datta tradition is going to start. A great incarnation work will be done as the child of that legend. You should read Guru Charitra. There is no rule. Only one rule, follow it with faith. On the orders of Sadguru Shivanand Swami, Shri Narayanji started reading Shri Guru Charitra regularly. He used to read in the fields at night in the light of torch or lamp. He used to read in the forest, while doing business, wherever he lived. There was no break in it. Thus Bhagirathi Bai’s days passed and on the evening of Guru Purnima a divine child was born. Her question was what should be named ? In history, Shri Narayan’s cousin was Ramchandra Yogi. He lived in the forest. He used to call many animals by raising his hand and used to talk to them for hours. Because many of his miracles were known, the child was named Ramchandra
after Ramchandra Yogi himself. Many people also call him Baban. As a child, he was knowledgeable of the Gita and Dattastotra.
Sadguru Shri Ramchandra Maharaj started growing up. Shri Narayan’s business stopped completely. Poverty came home. Farming was the only means of livelihood for the family.There was no money to buy clothes or nothing else from outside. Maharaj used to go to school wearing a loincloth made of the torn clothes of a boy named Bablya from the village. One day this Bablya teased him and Maharaj felt very sad. He felt disgusted with his poverty. He took off the loincloth and returned it to the boy and became silent. Bablya teased him again. Ramchandra Maharaj, who was calm, became furious and beat the boy. When he came back from school, he never went to that school again. In the evening, there was a quarrel between the elders and Shri Narayan asked Maharaj, why did you do this? Maharaj told everything.
Sadguru Shri Ramchandra Maharaj started spending more and more time in chanting and bhajans. He started contributing to Shri Narayan in his agricultural work. He used to visit Sadguru Shri Shivanand Swami. Sadguru Shri Shivanand Swami always stood by Sadguru Shri Ramchandra Maharaj. Suffix always started coming. In fact, Hanumantji has stood by him in many decisions, all this has been written by Sadguru Shri Ramchandra Maharaj himself in the book called Atmanubhav.
Sadguru Shri Ramchandra Maharaj went to Mumbai for work. One day Hanumant woke him up early in the morning and said, “Are you sleeping? Get up and go to Colaba.” Maharaj got up and reached Colaba. He saw that army recruitment was going on there. Maharaj went there. He was selected as Lance Naik Subedar in the army and inducted into the National Service. Wherever he was transferred, he built small Datta temples and spent his off-duty time in Sadhana. Datta Mandir is the only place to find him.
During this journey his mother Bhagirathi passed away and within a year his father Shri Narayan also passed away. He realized this at the border. Suddenly Maharaj felt dizzy and fell on the ground. Maharaj recovered himself from this pain. He moved on. He got married. After a month of marriage he went back to the army. Here his brothers and their wives made life difficult for Maharaj’s wife Sulochana. They used to write letters of false allegations and read them out to his wife and send them to Maharaj. The reason for this was that the wives of Maharaj’s brothers wanted him to marry their sister. Maharaj married Mother Sulochana against everyone’s wishes. Mother Sulochana followed strict fasts since childhood. She raised her siblings in extreme poverty. She left her studies and started taking care of her siblings. She had great love, faith and trust in God. On the one hand, they sent many mischievous letters to Maharaj and created hatred for his wife in his mind and tried to make him leave his wife. On the other hand, they did not give her food, beat her as much as possible, tortured her so that she would leave the house. Such a situation was created. But mother Sulochana stood strongly..
Maharaj’s national service was completed. Now you should leave for the next task, Mahabali Hanuman Ji ordered. Maharaj resigned and came to the village. He left for Ratnagiri with his family. He used to sell gram and peanuts on the road. Sometimes he started selling juices, sometimes bhel, sometimes vegetables. During this time he had his first daughter Suman, second son Suresh (Dada), third daughter Sushila. He worked outside for some time. Then worked as a security guard in State Bank. Later he got a security job in ST Corporation.
Meanwhile, mother Sulochana’s health deteriorated. There was no relief even after doing everything. He tried all the doctors. Maharaj did not like the advice of the people. Similarly, his friend said, Sharadchandra Swami is in
Shirgaon, go to him. Maharaj reached Shirgaon. There was a small Datta temple there. Many people were sitting at that place and a divine person wearing saffron clothes and open hair was sitting in front. Maharaj sat in that crowd and the person in front called out, “Nakashe, come here from where you are sitting.” Maharaj came near. Folded hands and greeted. Then that person stood up and patted his back and said, “Hey, we are from the same family.” He told a small solution and sent Maharaj back. Mother Sulochana recovered from the pain and Maharaj started going to Shirgaon. This divine man is Sadguru Shri Sharadchandra Swami. Sadguru Shri Nrusinha Saraswati Maharaj had given him darshan. What a coincidence, somehow Datta Maharaj was again standing at the door. The guru that Shri Narayan got was Shivanand Swami, who was actually Hanumant, who always stood by Sadguru Shri Ramchandra Maharaj. His guru was Sadguru Vasudevanand Swami, who was blessed by Sadguru Shri Nrusinha Saraswati Maharaj and now he started experiencing the same feeling again in the form of Sadguru Shri Sharadchandra Swami Maharaj.
Sadguru Shri Ramchandra Maharaj asked for Guru Diksha from Sharadchandra Swami. Then he said, if I get the order, I will give you Diksha. When I will remain silent in Shravan, then I will ask permission for you. The silent vow started in Shravan. On the last day, Maharaj met Sadguru. But Sadguru Sharadchandra Swami said to Maharaj, your authority is great. I cannot give you Guru Diksha. Maharaj became disappointed. He said, I have accepted you as Guru.. I will worship you like Eklavya. Maharaj left from there. Then after 21 years, Ramchandra Maharaj met Shri Sharadchandra Swami.
Sadguru Shri Ramchandra Maharaj was felt sad. Many times he would leave his family and go to Narsoba wadi. But Hanuman ji would always slap him and send him back saying that his work is still pending. Maharaj started the resolution of 21 Thursdays. Maharaj would go to Narsoba wadi every Thursday. The first four Thursdays went well. Then he fell ill. He would recover on Wednesday and go to Narsoba wadi. Always after taking darshan on Thursday, he would come home on Friday and again fall ill and lie in bed. The doctors were not able to diagnose the disease. Finally mother Sulochana sold the tea utensils of the house when the money ran out. But there was no improvement in Maharaj’s health. He reached Narsinhwadi on the last Thursday. He took darshan. He took the Rudraksha rosary in his hand for chanting and the thought came to his mind that I have taken the rosary in my hand but which Gurumantra will I chant? With this sorrow in his mind, he reached home. Now his illness had gone away. This was his test. He passed this test. The illness was gone. Maharaj did the pooja and went to sleep. There was a sadness in his mind that what is Guru Mantra? At four o’clock in the morning he had a dream. Divinely brilliant Dattatreya appeared. Why are you worried I am your Guru. ll Om Namo Jai Gurudev Datta ll is your Guru Mantra. Chant it. I am with you. While chanting the Maha Mantra he sat up shouting loudly. Tears were flowing from his eyes. Mata Sulochana asked, what happened? He said, Datta Maharaj appeared before me. He has accepted me as a disciple. I am blessed. I got the Guru Mantra.
The royal path of Sadguru Shri Ramchandra Maharaj opened. There was continuous chanting in the mouth and devotion in the heart. He wrote his autobiography “Atmanubhav” from the study and experience of many books. In which he presented every moment experienced and lived by him. Wrote many abhangs. When this journey was going on, he completed his twelve-year resolution. He used to eat only one meal a day. He used to wake up at four in the morning. Puja and sadhna were going on. The special thing is that no one knew which sadhna he used to do, which mantra was chanting. Such was his journey towards the final goal of salvation. Because his lifestyle was simple, so the onlooker could not know that he was a Mahayogi. In the year 1995, his twelve-year penance was completed. He wanted to leave the world by taking Guru DIksha of sannyas and live with Dutta,, he wrote a letter to Sadguru Shri Sharadchandra Swami. I want Diksha. After 21 years, the
Guru and disciple met. Then Sadguru Sharadchandra Swami said, now you have gone far ahead. You will be my master. Still I will see whether I get the order or not when I take a vow of silence. Then on the last day of the month of Shravan, Maharaj went to meet Sadguru Shri Sharadchandra Swami. Then he said. I did not get any such order. Because you are a great yogi. You have served me as a Guru. Then you bring two orange clothes and two orange bags. On the appointed day, Maharaj went to meet with two bags and two clothes. Sadguru Shri Sharadchandra Swami himself took one cloth and one bag from Maharaj. He put it in front of Datta Maharaj and put it on himself after praying and then giving one bag and lungi to Ramchandra Maharaj, he said, Datta Maharaj has given you the Gurumantra himself, so what else can I give ? But you will not be able to leave the house. You are a monk. But Datta Maharaj has ordered that until your children are settled, you cannot go out of the house. You should take a vow of sannyas. Maharaj felt as his thumb had been cut off. But Sadguru Shri Sharadchandra Swami had seen the future. Maharaj came home. It was evening time. He was looking at Datta Maharaj. His eyes were brimming with tears. These words came out of Maharaj’s mouth. “Now I will not come to meet you. You come to meet me”. This is where the real test began. From then on, he stopped going to Narsoba Wadi. The reason for this is that Maharaj always went to Narsoba Wadi on the full moon day of every month.
Out of the four children of Sadguru Shri Ramchandra Maharaj, Suresh (Dada) got married and the second son Santosh, i.e. our today’s Sadguru Shri Swami, completed his education and started a business of making detergent soap. Meanwhile, some people of his village started harassing him. There was chaos in the lives of the villagers. What does it mean when a boy from a poor family starts a factory? They tried to harass him regarding the Gram Panchayat. But Suryavanshi Sir of Ratnagiri, District Industries Center, stood by Swami. He got all the legal permissions without any bribe. Later, some people of the village put pressure on the banks and stopped Swamiji’s loan, due to which Swami had to face financial crisis. There was no money in hand. Maharaj’s eldest son Suresh (Dada) left the house. Swami had nine accidents in a single year. In such a situation, a mountain of debt was created. The business was closed. The economy was completely in disarray. Dada had come home again. He was running the house by driving a rickshaw. Ramchandra Maharaj and the children tried a lot. But the debt problem was not solved. He was telling the bank, you take the business to the market, auction it and solve the problem. But the bankers were also not ready to do anything like that. One day Maharaj took a pledge of Nirvana worship on Wednesday. Datta free me from this, otherwise I will be free from his feet. He bowed to the goddess of food. On Thursday morning he drank water three times and started Nirvana worship. Friday passed. He did not talk to anyone. Just kept looking at Datta Maharaj. As if he was having a big fight with Datta Maharaj. No food, no water, nothing. On Saturday he did Nitya Puja and was sitting on his chair. A stubborn yogi was sitting in front of Datta Maharaj. At four in the evening a voice came to Maharaj’s ears. “See what is going to happen. You take back your resolution.” This order was actually from Dattatreya. Maharaj Datta sat in front of Maharaj and took back the resolution and with faith everything became smooth again.
Sadguru Shri Ramchandra Maharaj woke up at 4 am on Thursday as usual. His daily routine of worship began. At 5:30 in the morning, Kakad Aarti began and suddenly Maharaj fell on the ground empty handed. All the family members rushed. Maharaj was completely stunned. Dada and Swami Maharaj went to the nearest hospital. After examining him, the doctor asked to take him to Rajapur city. When Maharaj’s rickshaw was heading towards Donivade village of Rajapur, Swamiji closed his eyes and saw Shri Nrusinha Saraswati Maharaj. He prayed to him and was surprised that Ramchandra Maharaj had already started on the way to Purna Ghat. Went to the doctor and he checked him up and said, you have no problem, you can go home. It is the grace of Datta Maharaj.
In the year 2000 on 6th July, Thursday, Ashad Panchami day Sadguru Shree Swami issued a resolution of 21 thousand chants of II ॐ Guruvay Namah ॥ mantra. At seven in the evening he completed 21 thousand chants. “ॐ” was being uttered loudly from his mouth and he came into a state of frenzy. Swamiji’s appearance had completely changed. Swamiji held Ramchandra Maharaj’s right hand firmly with his right hand and was looking at Maharaj with the sound of ॐ. Swamiji asked, “Do you recognize me?” On asking this question Maharaj said, if I don’t recognize you then who else will. Swamiji asked, “Say, what do you want?” On hearing these words Maharaj became conscious. In a moment Maharaj thought, he is no longer my son. This storm has arisen. He will leave us for the next task. So he asked for five vows and determined the path of Swamiji’s life. First promise, you cannot leave this land. This is your Karma Bhoomi and the place where you sit
should be your samadhi. You should always stay here. Second promise, this place should be known as Prati Gangapur. Third promise, it should be a centre of knowledge instead of miracles. Fourth, move towards charity while living in this world. Fifth, the glory of Datta’s feet should be popular. Swami ji made a promise to Maharaj and Swami ji’s journey started like a storm.
Our Sadguru Shri Swami Ji is the first and last disciple of Sadguru Shri Ramchandra Maharaj. There is a temple of Gangeshwar in the village. Swami Ji used to go to that temple and worship by offering flowers and lighting incense sticks. He used to clean the place. But the villagers felt that this was wrong. They started harassing Maharaj and his family. They invited Swami Ji, Dada and Maharaj to the temple. The villagers asked Bhagwan nine times if this was a mistake. But Bhagwan was saying no. Later a person named Shankar talked to Bhagwan and agreed to the villagers. Then, as per the plan, the drama started in front of the village. Maharaj said, I will not accept. I have just done devotion. We will hold the bell, then everyone protested. Then Maharaj said, if you have decided to tie the body with grass and set it on fire then please do so. I do not want to get justice from you. I have no option but to suffer. Now this Gangeshwar will get me justice. Until Gangeshwar gives me justice, we will not climb the steps of Gangeshwar’s temple. The whole village left the temple. Swamiji, Dada and Maharaj paid their last respects to Gangeshwar and left the temple. Maharaj had last seen Gangeshwar with teary eyes. After that, Gangeshwar and he never met again. This incident happened in 2001. He was thrown out of the village. If anyone visited his house, he was fined. Attempts were made to pressurize Maharaj in many ways. But when they came to know that Maharaj was not being pressurized from anywhere, they tried to misbehave. Fake news was given in newspapers and TV. As if he was a big criminal. In this way, complaints were made to the police. As if he was creating terror in the villages. When the police noticed this, they took his side patiently from the very beginning. Earlier, Maharaj had a well in the village. A false case was registered against that well. Maharaj got it removed. Attempts were made to destroy evidence in the Gram Panchayat and the court. Not only the roads of the village but also the footpaths were closed. The water supply was also stopped by the Gram Panchayat. They would steal the cars of the people who came to the monastery, threaten them and drive them away. Maharaj was not perturbed at all. He continued his path of devotion in silence.
Sadguru Shri Ramchandra Maharaj created many sanskars. He always saw selfishness in the salutations of miracles. He never showed off his attainment of divine knowledge nor ever talked about it. Maharaj always used to say, Bhakti is not ordinary innocence, it is a honeycomb. Sadguru Maharaj got the ultimate salvation from the world. Bhakti is the best sadhna. There is salvation in the name of Datta. He told this to everyone. Sadguru Shri Dattatreya’s infinite devotion and power of devotion. Acceptance of extraordinary knowledge through devotion. It was seen that Datta is attained in this way.
On 15 February 2013, on the day of Vasant Panchami, at about seven in the morning, Sadguru Shri Ramchandra Maharaj sat in the deep water of the nearby dam and took Jal Samadhi, this is where his great journey ended.
That day he woke up at four in the morning as usual. He wrote a letter. In it he wrote, “I am taking Jal Samadhi.” This was because some people in the villages would harass Swamiji behind his back. Shri Ramchandra Maharaj was kept for the darshan of devotees till the evening of the next day. The Brahmins of Narsobawadi performed the Samadhi ceremony underground. The Brahmins came to the house. Seeing the devotional atmosphere, they said, we will stay here with you. They were kept in the Maharaja’s room itself. After dinner, he went to Maharaja’s room to sleep. When he was sitting, he really saw that Maharaj was sitting on his bed. The Brahmins bowed to him. Maharaj blessed them and disappeared. On the twelfth day of Samadhi, the invocation of Shri Narayan started. Maharaj’s photo was placed at his place of meditation. As the mantra treatment was going on, his ash-marked foot prints were imprinted on the table and many people became convinced that Sadguru Shri Ramchandra Maharaj was a great yogi.
