Sri Siddharudha Swami

NOW, Ramdas, catching a train going still southward reached Hubli at last. The idea of going to Hubli was put into his head by brother Ramakrishna Rao of Bombay who is a great Bhakta of the famous Saint of Hubli – Sri Siddharudha Swami. Ram took him here to obtain for him the Darshan of this great Sage. It was past midday when he reached the Math of Sri Siddharudha which is about three miles distant from the railway station. The Math consisted of three sets of buildings. The first one in the line was a solid block of granite over which was erected a tall conical Gopura. This temple was intended to serve as a repository of the remains of the Swami after he had entered Mahasamadhi. The other two were extensive buildings constructed in such a way as to leave a large square yard in the interior. Of these, the second one was a Dharmashala wherein reside Sannyasis, Bhaktas and pilgrims. Facing the Math there were two beautiful tanks. On the other side of the tanks there was a grove of trees yielding cool shade. The Math was situated in very charming and healthy surroundings.

Ramdas, entering the Math, was, through the kindness of friends there, duly introduced to Sri Siddharudha at whose feet he prostrated himself most reverently. Here he spent about 10 days most happily. In the mornings and evenings there were reading and exposition of religious texts. Ramdas listened to, nay, drank in the words of wisdom that fell from the lips of the learned Sage. Ram had so arranged matters for him that the Upadesh the Swami gave during those days happened to be just what would lead him further in his spiritual progress. At other times, he would wander about in the fields behind the Math and remain mostly at the tomb or Samadhi of the late Kabirdas, the great Muslim Saint of that place. Ramdas was clearly able to experience a spiritual atmosphere charged with peace and calmness inside the Math and Dharmashala, especially at the time of the presence of the great Swami. Sri Siddharudha was a great Yogi of an advanced age. He was kind, affable, hospitable and full of tranquillity.

Now, news reached Mangalore that Ramdas was staying at the Math at Hubli. His former wife, but present mother (as all women are mothers to Ramdas) and his child came there to fetch him. Sri Siddharudha Swami was appealed to by them in the matter and the kind-hearted Saint advised him to go with them to Mangalore. Ramdas submitted to the order, feeling that it came from Ram Himself. Ram always means well and He does everything for the best. The mother (i.e., Ramdas’ former wife) proposed to him to return to Samsara, to which he replied:

“O mother, it is all the work of Ram. Ram alone has freed humble Ramdas from the bonds of Samsaric life, and he resides now at Ram’s holy feet. He is now the slave of Ram and prays to Him always to keep him as such. To trust and acknowledge His supreme powers of protection over all, and believe that He alone is the doer of all actions and possessor of all things is the only way to be rid of the miseries of life. Therefore, O mother, throw off your burden of cares and anxieties and, approaching the divine feet of Ram, live there always in peace and happiness. This is all poor Ramdas can ask you to do.”

Now, under the kind care and escort of the mother, he started by train and reaching Mormugao embarked upon a steamboat which took them in due course to Mangalore. As the party came up to the Bunder, Ramdas, as bid by Ram, walking in advance, directed his steps straight to the Kadri hills, where he remained for the night. Next day, by Ram’s will, he visited the house of brother Sitaram Rao – a brother by the old relation and a great Bhakta of Ram. A few days later, he had the happiness of the Darshan of his Gurudev (father by old relationship) who had given him the Upadesh of the divine Ram-Mantram. Now (this was in 1923), Ramdas stays by Ram’s command in a cave called “Panch Pandav Cave” on the Kadri hill, and lives there a serene life, devoting his whole time in talking about, writing of and meditating on that all-loving and glorious Ram.

Om Sri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram!