22 Facts About Swami Ramdas

Swami Ramdas was an Indian saint, philosopher, philanthropist and pilgrim.

Swami Ramdas became a wandering ascetic in his late 30s and after attaining moksha while still alive established Anandashram in Kanhangad, Kerala.

Swami Ramdas is the author of several books, the most famous of which is the spiritual autobiography In Quest of God.

Swami Ramdas was born as Vittal Rao in Hosdurg, Kerala, India on 10 April 1884 to Balakrishna Rao and Lalita Bai.

Swami Ramdas was a voracious reader and was admired for his mastery of the English language; he was deeply interested in drawing, sculpture and theatre.

Swami Ramdas began to move quickly from one job to another all over Southern India, with spells of unemployment in between.

Swami Ramdas was deeply influenced by the teachings of Sri Krishna, Jesus Christ, the Buddha, and Mahatma Gandhi, and frequently turned for spiritual guidance to The Bhagavad Gita, The New Testament, The Light of Asia, and Gandhi's books Young India and Ethical Religion.

Swami Ramdas left home on the night of 27 December 1922 after writing a farewell letter to his wife.

Swami Ramdas changed his name to 'Ramdas' and made three vows: to dedicate his life to Sri Ram, to observe strict celibacy, and to live only upon food that was freely offered to him as alms.

Swami Ramdas spent the following months visiting centres of pilgrimage all over India, including Puri, Dakshineswar, Kashi, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Kedarnath, Badrinath, Mathura, and Brindavan; in all these places he was fed, clothed and guided by complete strangers.

Swami Ramdas then went further south to visit Sri Siddharudha Swami at Hubli.

For two years from the time of the significant change which had come over him, Swami Ramdas had been prepared to enter into the very depths of his being for the realization of the immutable, calm and eternal spirit of God.

Swami Ramdas would feel as if his very soul had expanded like the blossoming of a flower and, by a flash as it were, enveloped the whole universe embracing all in a subtle halo of love and light.

Swami Ramdas soon left the cave to start another pilgrimage.

Swami Ramdas began displaying the siddhis, or spiritual powers, that accompany enlightenment, and attracted large crowds wherever he went.

Until he stopped travelling due to poor health, Swami Ramdas spent a couple of months here every year; during the rest of the year, this Ashram hosted other famous saints.

In 1954, Swami Ramdas went on a world tour, visiting Europe, the United States, and East and South-East Asia.

In World Is God, Swami Ramdas gives an eloquent description of his state at the time:.

Swami Ramdas' life has no future, as it has transcended time and space.

Swami Ramdas firmly believes that all creeds, faiths and religions are different paths which ultimately converge to the same goal.

Swami Ramdas said, 'My Ram is the great Truth, Impersonal, dwelling in the hearts of all beings and creatures in the universe.

Swami Ramdas believed that all spiritual norms and institutions were useful only up to a point.