T.T.D. Religious Publications Series No.

1085
Price :

Published by Sri M.G. Gopal, I.A.S., Executive Officer,

[Link], Tirupati and Printed at T.T.D. Press, Tirupati.
Srinivasa Bala Bharati

BHAKTA RAMADAS
English Translation
Prof. S. Laxmana Murthy

Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams

Tirupati
Srinivasa Bala Bharati - 137
(Children Series)

BHAKTA RAMADAS
Telugu Version
Sri. S.B.L. Narasimhacharyulu

English Translation
Prof. S. Laxmana Murthy

Published by
Executive Officer
Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams, Tirupati.
2014
Srinivasa Bala Bharati - 137
(Children Series)

BHAKTA RAMADASU
Telugu Version
Sri. S.B.L. Narasimhacharyulu
English Translation
Prof. S. Laxmana Murthy
Editor-in-Chief
Prof. Ravva Sri Hari

T.T.D. Religious Publications Series No: 1085

©All Rights Reserved

First Edition - 2014

Copies : 5000
Price :
Published by
M.G. Gopal, I.A.S.,
Executive Officer
Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams
Tirupati.

D.T.P:
Office of the Editor-in-Chief
T.T.D, Tirupati.
Printed at :
Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams Press
Tirupati.
 FOREWORD
If a beautiful garden is to be raised, one needs to take proper
care of tender flower plants. In the same way in order to create a
good society, great care needs to be taken of young children who
are going to be future citizens of India. All their intellectual attainments
will be futile if they fail to learn of their culture and its greatness.
They need to be told of great men and women of this country so
that they are inspired by their ideals. The essentials of our culture
should be given to them in the form of simple and charming stories.
They will cherish these ideals and be guided by them. They will
promote good and they will love the society they live in. They make
their families proud and bring great prestige to their country when
they grow up into good citizens.
Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams have brought out these
booklets for children in Telugu under Srinivasa Bala Bharati Series.
Although meant for children, they are useful to the elderly too. They
have found place in the book shelves of every family. The stories of
legendary men and women are narrated in a simple way. We hope
that more and more children will read them and profit by them.
I congratulate Dr. R. Sri Hari, Editor-in-Chief, TTD for his
efforts in bringing out the English translations of SRINIVASA BALA
BHARATI SERIES so well. We have received co-operation of many
learned men and women in our efforts to popularize this series. I am
thankful to them.

In the Service of the Lord

Executive Officer,
Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams.
Tirupati.
 FOREWORD

Today’s children are tomorrow’s citizens. They need apt

acquaintance with the life-histories of celebrated persons at tender
so that they get opportunity to lead their lives in an exemplary way.
They will come to know that great things such as Indian culture,
basic tenets of life and moral teachings are abundantly available in
the life-experiences of great men. It is observed that there is no
scope to teach such subjects in school curriculum.
Observing such circumstances the Publication Division of
Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams has published about hundred
booklets in Telugu about the lives of famous sages and great men
written by various authors under the editorship of Dr.S.B.
Raghunathacharya under “Bala Bharati Series”. The response to
these books is tremendous and it has given impetus to publish them
in other languages also. To begin with, some of the books are now
brought out in English and Hindi by T.T.D. for the benefit of boys
and girls and the interested public.
These booklets, primarily intended to the growing children and
also to the elders to study and narrate the stories to their children,
will go a long way to sublimate the aspirations of the children to
greater heights.

R. SRI HARI
Editor-In-Chief
T.T.D.
Welcome To Srinivasa Bala Bharati Series

The series is the outcome of abundant grace of Lord Sri

Venkateswara.
This will be an unfailing source of inspiration to the young.
It enshrines the best of Bharatiya tradition. May this noble
endeavour be successful.
India has been known for its culture and civilization, its ethical
and dharmic way of life from time immemorial. India has marched
ahead with its commitment to dharma, its resistance to adharma, its
espousal of life-affirming values and its humane attitude to life as a
journey towards God realization. Those who embodied these values
in their life have been a beacon of light to us. Their impact is deep on
the life we lead. Young boys and girls will find them exemplary and
feel proud of their invaluable heritage. They will love their motherland
and dedicate themselves to its service.
It is therefore necessary that the young learn about these great
men and women so that they will realize their indebtedness to them
for their selfless contribution to the enrichment of life. This should
indeed be a chief component of true education which ensures the
perennial continuity of Indian Culture and Civilization. SRINIVASA
BALA BHARATI SERIES has come into existence to acquaint the
young boys and girls with right perspective of Indian life and values
through a series of booklets written exclusively for this purpose
describing in brief the lives of great men and women.
We welcome you to share our joy in launching these booklets.

S.B. Raghunathacharya
Chief Editor
 On the banks of Godavari
A massive poor feeding activity was in full swing. There was
constant chanting of “Sri Ram”. A large number of people were
happily participating in it. The poor people regarded as the very
human form of Lord Srimannaaraayana were enjoying the delicious
food offered to them with love. A saintly person beaming with
happiness was supervising the arrangements made for the event. He
looked holiness incarnate.
Just then a piece of news-a bolt from the blue-was blurted out
to the crowd assembled there. The only son of the saintly person, a
five year old, slipped into the pit of hot rice-gruel and died. An irony
of fate! A death while a charitable act was in progress. It was
shocking. But he was not upset. He carried the body of the child
and placed it at the feet of Sri Ram inside the temple and closed the
door. No one could make out what he was doing. He began to
appeal to Sri Ram,” Who will take care of us your devotees if you
fail? The child is left to your care. Do whatever you can.” Sri Ram
heard him and was moved. In a few minutes, the child came out of
the temple smiling. He felt exceedingly happy. His life already
dedicated to the service of Sri Ram got a new fillip. Who was this
remarkable man? He was Kancharla Gopanna known as Bhakta
Rama Das.
He was then the Tahasildar of Bhadrachalam. He got a
compound wall; tower etc. built for the temple of Sri Ram there,
spending money from the government treasury. Sri Ram and
Lakshman came to Tanishah on their own to pay back the money
spent from the treasury for which the ruler had jailed Rama Das.
This reveals the depth of his devotion which made Sri Ram intervene
and get him released from prison. Rama Das stands out as an ideal
devotee. He is a source of inspiration to us.
Now read the story in full.
Editor-in-Chief
 BHAKTA RAMA DAS
Hyderabad, capital of Andhra Pradesh is now a
well known city. Nearly three hundred years ago it was
not as prominent as Golconda which lies close to it.
Golconda was then the capital of a small state ruled by
the Nawabs. Although the Nawabs followed Islam,
some of them respected all religions equally. They
wanted all their subjects to live in peace and as one
family. The Nawabs of Golconda were known for
nobility and fairness. Tanishah was one of them.
Tanishah was then ruling the kingdom of Golconda.
Hindus and Muslims lived in great peace and harmony
under his rule because he was impartial and just. He
regarded all religions as equal. He was an ideal king.
The Muslim king appointed Akkanna and Madanna as
ministers in his court. The two were brothers and they
were Hindus. They were good administrators. They
gave no room for fear or favour in discharging their
duty. The kingdom was prosperous and peaceful.
There was perfect rapport between the king and the
ministers.
The holy place of Bhadrachalam :
Tirupati has become a holy place and great pilgrim
centre as it is the abode of Lord Sri Venkateswara. In
the same way, Bhadrachalam in the district of
Khammam of Andhrapradesh has become a holy place
2

as it is the abode of Lord Sri Ram. It was a small

village. It became a renowned place of pilgrimage
subsequently because of Ram Das. But it is also equally
true that Ram Das became famous because of
Bhadrachalam. Ram Das lived a saintly life totally
dedicated to Sri Ram of Bhadrachalam. He was a great
poet-musician. His kirtans are so popular that almost
every Telugu speaking man or woman is familiar with
one or two of his kirtans.
The birth of Rama Das, his childhood and
education :
There is an old village called NELAKONDAPALLI
near Bhadrachalam. A pious couple-Linganna and
Kamamba of Kancharla family of Atreya gotra-lived in
this village. A child was born of them on an auspicious
day. They called him Gopanna who came to be known
as Ram Das later on. Gopanna was initiated into learning
after AKSHARABHYASAM (a religious ritual
performed before learning the alphabet) at the age of
five. He was a quick learner. Gifted with a sweet voice,
he used to recite scores of devotional verses in Sanskrit
to the delight of the villagers. He was particularly fond
of Bala Ramayana and became a strong devotee of Sri
Ram. Even as a child, he was like Prahlada immersed
in the devotion of Sri Ram all the time. Listening to the
story of Sri Ram attentively, he would regret that he
was not born during the time of Sri Ram to enjoy the
 3

holy company of Sugriva and Hanuman. He longed to

be in the service of Sri Ram.
Marriage and birth of a son :
Gopanna became a young man and got married.
His wife was called Kamalamba. Marriage proved no
obstacle to his devotion to Sri Ram which became
stronger as the days rolled by. Living the life of an
ideal householder, he studied the sacred lore of Sri
Vaishnava cult of devotion under the spiritual guidance
of Raghunatha Bhattar, a great scholar. The loving
couple-Gopanna and Kamalamba got a son. They
named him Raghuram.
Taraka mantra initiation :
In the meantime, a devotee called Kabir Das came
to the village. Gopanna treated him as an honoured
guest and extended loving and respectful hospitality
to him. Pleased with Gopanna, Kabir Das initiated him
into Sri Rama Taaraka Mantra. Gopanna was
overjoyed and sang a kirtan in ecstasy celebrating the
great event in his life (I have got taaraka mantra and I
am extremely fortunate…) He became an ardent
practitioner of the mantra japa and believed that it had
made his life meaningful.
The parents of Gopanna passed away leaving
impressive patrimony for him. He was content to spend
his time in chanting the sacred name of Sri Ram and
providing generous hospitality to the pilgrims at
4

Bhadrachalam. One day he decided to do annadan

(largescale feeding of the poor). But he felt sad that he
had not got sufficient money to do annadan. His wife
Kamalamba gave him all her ornaments and asked him
to organize the massive poor feeding with the money
got from selling the ornaments. With active participation
and co-operation of his wife, Gopanna went on to
spend his money for annadan. It did not take him long
to lose all his patrimony because of his charitable
activities. He lost his ancestral property, and he did
not earn anything on his own. He became too poor to
take care of the basic needs of his family.
Appointment as Tahasildar :
Akkanna and Madanna who were ministers in the
court of Golconda Nawab were closely related to
Gopanna. He was their nephew. They came to know
that he had been reduced to poverty because of his
generosity, and they asked him to visit Golconda so
that could help him to tide over the crisis. When he
reached there, they prevailed upon Tanishah to employ
him in some capacity. Acceding to their request, the
king employed him as the Tahasildar of Bhadrachalam
region. Gopanna was reluctant to serve under an
ordinary king because he was convinced that Sri Ram
alone was his master and that he was committed to his
service throughout his life. Akkanna and Madanna
categorically told him, “You have lost your patrimony
by spending it all on pilgrims and temple activities. If
 5

you refuse to take up this employment, how will you

provide for your family?” He had no answer. He agreed
to serve as the Tahasildar albeit reluctantly. He thanked
the king and his benefactors and returned to his village
with the good news. His wife felt happy, and so did
the people of his village.
He left his native village on an auspicious day for
Bhadrachalam accompanied by his family and friends
to take up the assignment as the Tahasildar of the region.
He was given a warm welcome as the people of
Bhadrachalam had already heard of his charitable
activities and his steadfast devotion to Sri Ram.
Gopanna was a polite officer. He was free from
pride and arrogance. He won love and affection of the
people. Therefore he did not feel any difficulty in
collecting taxes. He was prompt in crediting the tax
money to the treasury of the Nawab. The king was
pleased with him and appreciated his honesty and
efficiency.
As soon as he felt comfortable with his new
position, Gopanna resumed annadan at Bhadrachalam.
He was able to get the willing participation of the people
in Sri Ram bhajan and in the charitable activities like
annadan.
Son lost and restored :
Then there came an unexpected jolt. The ways of
providence are indeed inscrutable.
6

While Gopanna and his wife were busy with

annadan, their five year old son fell into the pit which
was filled with hot gruel and died. Unfortunately no
one noticed it. When they discovered it, it was already
too late to save the child. When Kamalamba came to
know of it, she could not bear the shock. She ran to
her husband to inform him. Gopanna was busy feeding
a group of devotees. Controlling her unbearable grief,
she waited for her husband to get free and then informed
him of the tragedy. Gopanna did not utter a word. He
began to sing of Sri Ram in grief. The people were
taken aback by this seemingly irrational behavior. Then
he gathered the dead body into his arms and started
walking briskly. The crowd followed him. He went
straight to the temple of Sri Ram. Placing the body at
the feet of the deity, he came out and closed the door
of the temple. Then he thus addressed Sri Ram, “You
are the refuge of the destitute. You provide succor to
the afflicted. I have given your name to my son. I have
taught him to sing your kirtans. Why did you snatch
him away my only son from me? If you do not save
him now, who will ever come to the rescue of your
devotees?” He began to sing the kirtans in ecstasy.
Then the door of the temple opened on its own. The
child Raghuram came out smiling and embraced his
mother. It was an incredible miracle. The people were
astonished. The deep devotion of the pious couple
was exemplary.
 7

Resolving to build a huge temple :

Gopanna used to frequent the temple at
Bhadrachalam. It was a small shelter which a devotee
called Tammala Dammakka had built for Sri Ram a
long time ago. The present temple complex did not
exist then. Gopanna felt that it was too small and wanted
to raise a huge temple in its place with antarala (middle
hall), mukha mantapa (front hall), prakara (compound
wall) and gopura (temple tower). He wanted to adorn
Sri Ram with gold ornaments studded with precious
stones. But it was beyond his means. He was as usual
busy with his official duties and his service to Sri Ram.
He never failed to discharge his duties. And he was
steadfast in his devotion. He would collect the tax due
to the ruler and also along with it seek small
contributions from the peasants for building the temple.
They contributed their mite without grudging. But the
amount thus collected from the peasants was just
enough to level the ground and build steps to make it
easy to go to the temple. He knew that peasants were
too poor to do more in spite of their deep devotion, as
the rains failed causing a severe famine in the region.
Spending tax money Collected :
Gopanna was determined to build the temple at
any cost. He did not want to leave the work incomplete.
He had no money except the collected tax amounting
to six lakh varahas. This was the money to be credited
8

to the treasury in a day or two. He thought over the

problem deeply for hours and came to the conclusion
that the only way was to spend the tax money collected
for building the temple.
 9

He thought, “The king is rich, and he gets tax money

from all other regions. This amount is merely a pittance
for him. Moreover, he was spending the money for a
cause which people love. The king also will not mind.”
He decided to spend the amount of six lakh varahas
for building a great temple for Sri Ram. The
construction progressed at a quick pace. Expert
sculptors worked hard and a beautiful temple was
ready. Gold ornaments studded with precious stones
were made for Sita, Ram, Lakshman, Bharat, Satrighn
and Hanuman. The installation rituals were performed
under the guidance of agama scholars. The temple was
sanctified and idols were installed. Devotees came to
Bhadrachalam from far and wide in great joy. A number
of celebrations took place at regular intervals as enjoined
by sastras. Gopanna started the convention of
performing Kalyanotsavam at the temple on Sri Ram
Navami day. The convention is followed even now.
Bhadrachalam became another Vaikuntha on earth with
continuous bhajan of Sri Ram and joyful celebrations
round the year. People began to call him Ram Das
affectionately. In course of time, Gopanna came to be
known as Ram Das of Bhadrachalam.
Complaint against Ram Das :
Ram Das became popular. The people began to
love him all the more for his piety and uprightness. As
his popularity grew, a few wicked men got jealous of
10

him. They were waiting for an opportunity to undermine

his prestige and make him miserable. Now they found
a reason to complain against him to the king and get
him dismissed from the king’s service. They went all
the way to Golconda and submitted to the king that
Ram Das being a spendthrift had spent all the tax
money on building the temple and wasted it like his
patrimony. They also told him that he had become
mad doing Ram bhajan all the time neglecting his duties
as the Tahasildar of the region. They urged him to
punish him and dismiss him from service. The king
got this complaint verified with the spies. When they
confirmed the malicious report, he got annoyed with
Ram Das and ordered his immediate arrest.
Tanishah felt that it was necessary to probe the
matter deeply and decide the quantum of punishment
for the grave offence committed by Ram Das. A fair
trial was required. The ministers including Akkanna and
Madanna and many other high officials of the court
assembled. After detailed deliberations, it was decided
that Ram Das deserved exemplary punishment. They
wanted it to serve as a deterrent to other erring officers.
Akkanna and Madanna also endorsed the verdict, as it
was considered a major offence.
When the king’s messengers came to arrest Ram
Das, he was busily engaged in the service of Sri Ram
in the temple. They found him endowed with
extraordinary radiance and lost in deep devotion. They
 11

were reluctant to arrest him, but they could not go

against the king’s order. They told him that they had
come to arrest him as ordered by the king. He calmly
heard them and surrendered to be taken by them to
Golconda as a prisoner. He was handcuffed and led
to the court. Ram Das constantly repeated to himself
the prayer of Sri Ram, “I bow to Sri Ram again and
again. He delivers his devotees from fear. He gives
bountifully. He is the most pleasant one”. With this
prayer on his lips he went to Golconda as a prisoner.
Tanishah was seated on the throne in the royal hall.
The ministers, vassal kings, officers of the court and
others were also seated there. Ram Das was brought
into the hall bound in heavy fetters. He looked calm
and serene dressed in ascetic garb with a string of
Tulasi beads, deep in meditation and indifferent to
whatever was in store for him.
The king was moved deeply. There was regret in
his mind that he had ordered his arrest. His first impulse
was to apologize to him. Yet he had to restrain himself.
His position as the king restricted his freedom. He
gravely surveyed the court. Those who were present
at the court were anxious about the punishment the
king might decide to give. There were so many thoughts
in the mind of the king. He was in fact convinced that
Ram Das was innocent. He did not spend money of
his personal luxuries. He did what the people had for
long wanted, a temple for them there. He felt no anger
12

whatever for him. Yet he was obliged to fix responsibility

and the quantum of punishment as law of the land
demanded so that the case of Ram Das would not set
a bad precedent. While these thoughts were uppermost
in his mind, the officers of the court read out charge
sheet with the permission of the king. “Kancharla
Gopanna(Ram Das) is accused of misappropriation
of government funds which he has recklessly spent on
the construction of temples and towers without seeking
the king’s permission. He is hauled up before the court
for exemplary punishment for the grave offence”, the
charge sheet read.
The king then asked Ram Das if he had anything to
say in his defense. Ram Das said the following :
“Your Majesty, I bow to you. You are a generous
king and you rule the kingdom impartially without any
discrimination based on religion. I thought that you
would appreciate if I got a temple of Sri Ram built for
the people as it was their long cherished desire. It would
make them happy and they love you all the more for
the kind favour done. It was a small amount for a
monarch like you. I am firm in my belief that I have
done no wrong. You may punish me if you feel that I
have committed a grave offence. I will accept it
obediently.” Ram Das remained unruffled meditating
on Sri Ram.
The King was all appreciation for Ram Das. Yet
he had to uphold law. He said, “You have used the tax
 13

money without permission. It is against law. If you feel

that you have done the right thing, let Sri Ram come
and repay the money to the treasury and get you
released from prison. Till then you will languish in
prison cell”. The officers of the court arrested him
and led him to prison. Calm and serene Ram Das
followed them.
Ram Das in prison :
The prison cell where he was lodged was a torture
chamber. He was whipped and made to carry heavy
loads on his head. Bound in heavy iron chains, he was
forced to walk on sharp spikes and thorns. Ram Das
remained steadfast in his faith and prayed to Sri Ram
all the time. Miraculously he was immediately relieved
of his excruciating pain. He was offered rice cooked
with equal quantity of salt. But it used to change into
delicious food by the grace of Sri Ram. The security
guards of prison were amazed that he was in the least
worried about the torture he was subjected to.
Convinced that Sri Ram had been protecting him in
prison, the security guards too began to recite Sri Ram
bhajan themselves.
His life in prison was painful. He could bear it
because of his devotion to Sri Ram. One day in sheer
exasperation he asked Sri Ram the reason for his
suffering. “What have I done to deserve all this?” was
his cry to Sri Ram. He endured all the pain inflicted on
him singing of Sri Ram ecstatically, but he felt keenly
14

that he was not able to see the deity of Bhadrachalam.

He urged upon him to visit him in prison. There is a
moving kirtan of his “Sri Ram, a mere word from you
has become as precious and rare as a piece of gold.”
He enumerated his acts of service to Sri Ram and
referred to the expensive ornaments he had gifted to
him, Sita and Laxman and asked him angrily why he
took it all happily as though it was his father’s property.
One day Tanishah came to visit him in prison. He
found Ram Das being subjected to inhuman torture.
But Ram Das smiled at him and sang a kirtan to the
effect that he had no worry since he was a sincere
devotee of Sri Ram who would never abandon his
devotees in misery. The king was astonished that Ram
Das bore the torture uncomplainingly and with a gentle
smile on his lips. He felt that it was the result of his
intense devotion to Sri Ram, and decided to seek a
way to release him without causing discomfiture to the
royal court.
Ram Das composed and sang kirtans taking Sri
Ram to task for failing to save him from his misery.
Finally, he composed a kirtan appealing to Sita, Sri
Ram’s consort to prevail upon Sri Ram to get him
released from prison, as he had found Sri Ram’s
insensitive indifference to his sorry plight inexplicable.
Sita was moved to tears, and she could not ignore his
fervent appeal to her. She persuaded Sri Ram to act at
once citing a number of instances of his quick response
 15

to the cries of his devotees like Dhruva, Prahlada,

Gajendra and even the sinful Ajamila. She was critical
of his attitude in regard to an innocent and humble
devotee like Ram Das.
Sri Ram discussed a plan with his brother
Lakshman to get Ram Das released from prison, and
both of them decided to visit Tanishah in the guise of
servants carrying with them six lakh varahas which Ram
Das had owed to the king’s treasury. Meanwhile Ram
Das got ready to end his life vexed with Sri Ram’s
impervious attitude of indifference to his miserable life
in prison. He had sung kirtans for hours sometimes
criticizing Sri Ram bitterly for letting him down. Tired
and despaired, he fell asleep before he could consume
poison to end his life.
Ram and Lakshman pay the money :
Tanishah had a dream in which he found two young
men approaching him with money and paying it for the
release of Sri Ram Das. He told of his dream to his
wife. Just then Ram and Lakshman came to meet the
king. They introduced themselves as Ramoji and
Lakshmoji, servants of Ram Das. They said that they
had come with the money from Ram Das to pay the
king and get his release from prison. They gave him
the money bag and obtained the receipt of payment.
When they reached the prison cell with the receipt,
they found that Ram Das was about to consume
 17

poison. He lifted the cup to his lips. Then Sri Ram

appeared before him as Tanishah, snatched the cup of
poison from him and showed him the receipt of payment
assuring him that he could go home as a free man.
Ram Das was beside himself with astonishment. It
was incredible that two young men claiming to be his
servants had carried six lakh varahas to Tanishah while
he was still shut up in a prison cell. The prison guards
confirmed the truth of it. Ram Das felt that Sri Ram
had done it in his boundless compassion for him. He
was sorry that he had wavered in his faith. “Sri Ram
will never abandon his devotees”, he thought. He prayed
to Sri Ram in deep anguish to forgive him. People
were grateful to Ram Das for revealing Sri Ram’s
compassion to them through his devotion.
Tanishah felt remorseful. He was convinced that
Ramoji and Lakshmoji were none other than Sri Ram
and Lakshman. He regretted his failure to recognize
them. He thought. “I should have fallen at their feet
and sought their forgiveness at once.” He ordered the
prison guards and other servants to bring Ram Das to
the royal court in a golden palanquin, dressed in the
finest silk clothes and adorned with expensive jewellery.
When the palanquin bearing Ram Das reached the
royal court, Tanishah himself received him in all humility
begging him to forgive him for the tortures he was
subjected to in prison, and prayed to him to accept
18

the money paid to him by Ramoji and Lakshmoji. He

wanted the money to be spent for the temple at
Bhadrachalam.
Ram Das told the king that he was extremely
fortunate because he was able to get darshan of Sri
Ram and Lakshman who had met him to deliver the
money. Ram Das was honoured with gifts in the royal
court. He was reinstated as the Tahasildar of
Bhadrachalam region. A royal decree was announced
that every year the government would send pearl
thalambralu and ornaments to the temple at the time of
Kalyanotsavam. The practice is still in vogue. Ram
Das took leave of the king and the ministers including
Akkanna and Madanna his maternal uncles. He returned
to Bhadrachalam covered with glory.
While on his way to Bhadrachalam, a gang of
dacoits waylaid him to rob him of the money he was
carrying. He was unarmed so were his companions.
Though all his companions were worried, Ram Das
remained unruffled calling upon Sri Ram to protect
him, in a beautiful kirtan “Pahi Rama prabho” which
has become most popular ever since. Sri Ram appeared
to the wicked gang in a fierce form, and they took to
their heels in great fright.
Ram Das took a dip in the cool and refreshing
water of Godavari and went to the temple of Sri Ram
of Bhadrachalam in great love and delight like an
20

innocent child. The crowds thronged round him in deep

veneration. He was received at the temple with temple
honours to the accompaniment of mangaladhvani. He
worshipped Sri Ram at the temple with intense
devotion.
In a short time he got different ornaments of gold
made to adorn Sita, Sri Ram and Lakshman in the
temple. He got numerous choultries built for the
convenience of the devotees. All this was done with
the money which Tanishah had given him at the time
of departure from Golconda. Bhadrachalam became
as holy and beautiful as Vaikuntham. It was often called
Bhooloka Vaikuntham. The experience of Ram Das
proved the power of Divine Grace beyond doubt.
There persisted the doubt as to why Tanishah got
the darshan of Sri Ram while Ram Das a great devotee
did not. Sita asked Sri Ram why this had happened.
Sri Ram said, “In his previous birth, Tanishah was a
devotee of Lord Siva. He wanted to get the darshan
of Lord Siva, and he took a vow that he would perform
abhishek of Siva for a year by bringing water from
Ganga. But by some error in the calculation of time,
he concluded his vow a day in advance. He failed to
get the darshan of Lord Siva. Infuriated by this he
broke the pitcher of Ganga water on the Siva linga.
Siva cursed him that he would be born as one whose
birth will deny him the worship of Siva throughtout his
 21

life since he had lost his patience and broke the pitcher
on Siva linga. He was born as Tanishah whose faith
forbade him the worship of Siva. However he was
born a king because of his devotion to Siva. He also
had the glorious darshan of Sri Ram as Tanishah.
Ram Das in his previous birth caught and caged
for sport a parrot for twelve years. Therefore in this
birth he had to undergo imprisonment for twelve years.
He is a great devotee now. At the end of his life here,
he will reach me.” The doubts of Sita were dispelled
and she was relieved of her anxiety.
Years rolled by. Ram Das developed pain while
walking. He could not walk to the temple for darshan
of Sri Ram. Old age and consequent infirmities, made
him unhappy. He prayed to Sri Ram to liberate him.
During meditation Ram Das felt that he had got
intimation from Sri Ram that he would soon depart
from this world and reach him. Ram Das became
absorbed in the bhajan and meditation of Sri Ram.
One day a celestial chariot descended from the
sky to take him to Sri Ram. He bowed to Sri Ram of
Bhadrachalam reciting a prayer. While stepping into
the chariot, he called out to his wife who had served
him so devoutly to join him. She could not join him as
she was busy making a garland for Sri Ram’s worship
at home. She said that she would go “a little later.”
Ram Das left alone as it was destined.
22

The chariot flew up into the air while the people

witnessed the miracle in wonderment. They began to
reminisce the glorious events of his life at
Bhadrachalam and Golconda-his unflinching devotion,
temple building, imprisonment, release from prison,
return to Bhadrachalam and final departure. While they
were lost in contemplation, they heard from above the
kirtans being sung ‘Bhajare Raghuramam, maanasa
bhajare Sri Ramam” and “Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare”
In course of time, Kamalamba, wife of Ram Das
too joined her husband by the grace of Sri Ram.
Their son Raghuram spent his life in the worship
of Sri Ram at Bhadrachalam.
EVERLASTING GLORY BE UNTO LORD
SRI RAM
***************************************
A Few Kirtans of Ram Das :
1) Taraka mantramu korina dorikenu dhanyudanaitini
orannaa|
Meerinikaaluni dootalapaaliti mrityuvu ani
nammannaa|
(I have got the Taaraka mantra I longed for. O
Brother, you should keep the faith secure in your mind
24

that it gives death to the messengers of the god of

Death).
2) Takkuvemi manaku ramundokkarundu varaku|
Prakka todugaa bhagavantudu mana chakradhaari
yai chentane yundaga||
(What do we want as long as Lord Sri Ram alone
is by our side bearing the Chakra?)
3) E tiruna nanu dayachoochedavo inavamsottama
Raamaa|
Naa taramaa bhava saagarameedanu nalinadalekshana
Raamaa||
(O Sri Ram the best descendent of solar race, I
do not know how you take care of me. Can I ever
cross the ocean-like worldly life?)
4) O Raama, nee naama memi ruchiraa O Raama
nee naama mento ruchiraa
Kariraaja prahlaada dharani vibheeshanula gaachina
nee naama memi ruchiraa
(How exceedingly sweet is your name! How very
sweet indeed!
How very sweet is your name that has saved
Gajendra, Prahlada, goddess earth and Vibheeshana!)
5) Sitaaraamaswaamee ne chesina nerambemee|
Khyaathiga nee pada kanja yugalamune preethi
talupaga||
 25

(O Sitaram, what crime have I committed? I have

meditated on your lotus-like feet.)
6) paluke bangaaramaayenaa? Kodandapani paluke
bangaaramaayenaa?
Paluke bangaaramaaye, pilichina palukavemi?
Kalalo neenaama smarana maruva chakkani tandri)
(A mere word from you has become as precious
and rare as a piece of gold. Sri Ram, you bear a long
bow. A word from you has become as rare as a piece
of gold. It has indeed become as precious as a piece
of gold. Why don’t you respond when I call? I do not
fail to remember your name even in a dream.)
7) Ikshwaaku kula tilaka ikanaina palukave
Ramachandraa|
Nannu rakshimpakunna rakshakulevarinka
Raamachandraa||
(O Sri Ram, born of Ikshwaaku race, speak at
least now. Who will save me if you do not?)
8) Adugudaati kadalaniyyanu naakabhayamivvaka
ninnu viduvanu|
Gadiya gadiya tirigi tirigi adigitini vesaraga
vacchenu||
(I will not allow you to move till you assure me of
your protection. I am now tired of praying and
wandering all the time.)
26

9) Nanubrovamani cheppave sitamma talli nanu

brovamani cheppave|
Nanubrovamani cheppu naareesiromani janakuni
kootura jananee janakamma||
(O Mother Sita, kindly ask Sri Ram to save me.
You are great among women. You are the daughter of
king Janaka. You are like my mother. You ask him to
save me.)
10) Paahi Raamaprabho! Paahi Raamaprabho!
Paahi bhadraadri Vaidehi Raamaprabho!
(O Sri Ram, save me. O Sri Ram, save me. You
reside in Bhadrachala with Sita.)
11) Antarangamuna aatmaaraamudu ananta
ropamuna vintalu salukaga||
(This entire world is full of Sri Ram. This world
entire is full of Sri Ram. This world entire is full of Sri
Ram. Atma Ram does strange things in my inmost
heart)

