The story of Bhakta Ramadasu, also known as Bhadrachala Ramadasu, is a tale of devotion, sacrifice, and unwavering faith in the Hindu deity Bhagavan Sri Rama. Bhakta Ramadasu was a 17th-century saint and devotee of Bhagavan Sri Rama, who lived in the region of Andhra Pradesh, India.
Ramadasu was born to Linganna Murthy and Kamamba in
Nelakondapalli village of Khammam district, Telangana, in the year 1620. He was
named Gopanna by his parents. From a young age, Gopanna showed deep reverence
for Bhagavan Sri Rama and often sang bhajans (devotional songs) in his praise.
In his early adulthood, Gopanna served as the Tahsildar
(revenue official) in the court of Abdul Hasan Qutb Shah, the ruler of Golconda
(present-day Hyderabad). Despite holding a prestigious position, Gopanna's
heart remained devoted to Bhagavan Sri Rama. He spent most of his earnings on
constructing temples and organizing festivals in honor of his beloved deity.
The turning point in Ramadasu's life came when he heard the
plight of Bhagavan Sri Rama's temple in Bhadrachalam. The temple, dedicated to Bhagavan
Sri Rama, was in a state of disrepair, lacking proper facilities for devotees.
Driven by his love for Rama, Ramadasu resolved to rebuild the temple and make
it a grand abode for his beloved deity.
However, Ramadasu faced a significant obstacle in his path –
he lacked the funds required for the temple's construction. Undeterred, he
decided to use the state treasury for the temple's renovation. He borrowed a
substantial sum from the treasury, fully intending to repay it later.
As the construction progressed, Ramadasu's actions caught
the attention of the Qutb Shahi administration. When questioned about the
missing funds, Ramadasu fearlessly declared that every penny was spent in the
service of Bhagavan Sri Rama. However, the authorities didn't believe him and
imprisoned him for misappropriation of funds.
During his imprisonment, Ramadasu continued to sing bhajans
in praise of Bhagavan Sri Rama, drawing the sympathy of the people. Moved by
his devotion, Bhagavan Sri Rama himself appeared in the dream of the ruler,
Abdul Hasan Qutb Shah, and instructed him to release Ramadasu and forgive his
debts.
As per another version of the story, it is said that two
young men arrived at the court of the ruler and paid him the amount along with
interest that Bhakta Ramadasu had taken from the treasury. When the king checked
the gold coins it had the emblem of Bhagavan Sri Rama. The two young men soon
disappeared. It is said that the ruler was taken aback by the strength of the devotion
of Bhakta Ramadasu. When the ruler narrated about the incident, Ramadasu
immediately recognized that the two young men were Bhagavan Sri Rama and his
brother Lakshman.
Upon his release, Ramadasu resumed his service to Bhagavan
Sri Rama with even greater fervor. He completed the construction of the
Bhadrachalam temple, which stands as a testament to his unwavering devotion to
this day. Ramadasu's life exemplifies the power of faith and the triumph of
devotion over adversity.