Swami “Papa” Ramdas

Born as Vittal Rao in northern Kerala, India, he worked as a spinning master in a cotton mill and was married in 1908. Unsatisfied with conventional life and seeking inspiration, Vittal began to chant the sacred syllable “Ram." He was initiated by his father in mantra, Sri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram, to which he added “Om" to chant Om Sri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram. 

Taking the name Ramdas, he embarked upon the life of a wandering mendicant. When there was no food for days, it was “Ram in the form of no food.” Every relationship, good or bad, was Ram in the form of whatever or whoever appeared before him. In 1922, the wandering sadhu encountered Ramana Maharshi, the great sage of Mt. Arunachala in Tiruvannamalai. Years later, Ramdas wrote about this meeting as a definitive turning point in his sadhana that led him to a period of solitude in a cave on Mt. Arunachala, at the base of which was Ramanashram, the ashram of Ramana Maharshi. During this time a profound illumination suffused the being of Ramdas, and after six weeks, he left the cave reverberating with the realization, “All was Ram.” 

As Swami Ramdas began to draw devotees, one particularly bright light, Krishnabai, became his feminine counterpart. Together they established Anandashram in Kanhangad in 1931. For over thirty years Ramdas and Krishnabai guided sadhus, wanderers, and pilgrims of many faiths from around the world. After his death in 1963, Mataji Krishnabai became the spiritual preceptor of Anandashram, followed by Swami Satchidananda and, currently, Pujya Swami Muktananda. Anandashram continues today as a thriving spiritual environment for seekers of all paths and traditions. The essential teachings of Ramdas and Krishnabai are:

Nama: Taking refuge in the Divine Name.

Dhyana: The inward journey

Seva: Service to God through humanity.