Religion and Customs - Param Sidda Trikacharya Swami Ramji Maharaj - The stand out Shaivite saint of Kashmir

Upender Ambardar

Mahamaheshacharya Swami Ramji Maharaj, the renowned mystic saint scholar of Kashmir Shaivism, occupies a highly honoured place in the religio-philosophical landscape of Kashmir The very name of Swami Ramji Maharaj is sufficient to remind us of his massive contribution in reviving the Kashmiri Shaivism In the yesteryears, when the tumultuous times and social upheavals had pushed Shaivism in Kashmir to the margins Swami Ramji Maharaj not only helped propagate it among the masses, but also resurrected the Shaivite tradition by teaching the related scriptures and texts amongst his devotees and followers.

The Shaivite ashram established by Swami Ramji Maharaj was usually thronged by his devotees to listen to his discourses. He played a monumental role in reviving and popularising the Trika philosophy It is only due to his efforts that the Kashmiri Shaivism enjoys acknowledgement and recognition at both, national and global level, and is now a glorious part of the social memory of Kashmir.

Swami Ramji Maharaj was born to Pandit Sukhdev Braroo and Smt. Vanmali at Qaziyar Habba Kadal Srinagar, on December 18, 1854, the day of Paush Krishna Paksh Dwadishi. His father, Pt Sukhdev ji was a well-known saintly person and had deep knowledge of Shaivite texts The young Ramji, as expected, had initial learning and education at his home under the guidance of his father His insatiable appetite for learning made him to come in contact with Shri Lal Joo Kakroo, who was also well versed in the Trika thought. Subsequently the young Ramji was taken under the guidance of Shri Mansa Ram Monga, popularly known as Man Kak, who was a famous Shaivite saint and scholar of his time. A deserving disciple, under a worthy Guru, thereby received vigorous guidance of the Agam Shastra texts, occasionally referred to as Tantraism The Agama literature is considered to be vast as it includes various Shaiva Agamas, numerous Shakti Agamas, a host of Pancaratra Samhitas and various Up-agamas.

Swami Ramji Maharaj, as per the then practice was married at an early age to Smt Saraswati Devi But sadly, the marital bliss was short lived due to her sudden demise The loss of his lone 3 year old son further impacted his family life. This detachment from family obligations and mundane attachments made Swami Ji to engage fully in spiritual pursuits and yogic practices. He, In the process, became a fully enlightened soul and a realised Para- bhairava in the living life He would remain in meditative practices and deep sadhna most of the time. He remained in his Kak Asana- the crow posture, with his knees pressed to his chest for 20 long years. It speaks volumes about his yogic powers and transcendental attainments He was also endowed with the divine grace of Shakti pada, which is regarded as the flowering of one's spiritual perfection. His Anuraga Shakti was so immense that a bare gaze or a simple pat was enough to initiate spiritual transformation in an aspirant.

Swami Ramji Maharaj established Shaiv (Trika) ashram in May 1884 at the downtown area of Fateh Kadal Sninagar. The ashram is now called as Shri Ram Shaiv (Trika) Ashram, and is one of the most renowned Shaivite teaching centres in Jammu and Kashmir in the contemporary times. The Ashram symbolises divine grace, where spiritually inclined people flock for a silent retreat, inner peace and awakening of the self The then ruler of the J&K state, Maharaja Pratap Singh was also an ardent devotee of Swami ji Maharaj He would visit the ashram on the eve of his annual Darbar move to pay obeisance and seek blessings from Swami ji.

Amongst his various devotees, Swami Mahatb Kak ji Swami Vidhydharjs and Swami Govind Koul Jalali were his foremost disciples Their contribution has also been immense in the spread and propagation of Shaivite thought and the Trika tradition in the length and breadth of Kashmir Swami Ramji Maharaj had himself deputed his chief disciple, Swami Mahtab Kak ji to teach Kashmir Shaivism to the young Swami Lakshman Joo, who later achieved global fame and acknowledgement as a saint and a Shaivite scholar.

Swami Ramji Maharaj attained on January 14, 1915, on the pious day of Magh Krishna Prakash Triodashi.

i It is pertinent to state that Parmisht Guru Swami Ramji Maharaj will always be remembered for his voluminous efforts and colossal role in giving a new lease of life to Kashmir Shaivism.

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Courtesy:- Upender Ambardar and 2023 June Koshur Samachar