Bhadrachala Ramadas was a devotee of Bhagavan Sri Ram
and a great composer of Carnatic music in the 17th century. Story of Bhadrachala
Ramadasu shows that without any doubt Bhagavan will appear to save his true
devotee from sufferings on earth.
and a great composer of Carnatic music in the 17th century. Story of Bhadrachala
Ramadasu shows that without any doubt Bhagavan will appear to save his true
devotee from sufferings on earth.
Bhadrachala Ramadas was born as Gopanna in 1620. He was born
in a family, which had keen interest in spirituality.
in a family, which had keen interest in spirituality.
During the reign of Abdul Hasan Tana Shah, the nawab of the
Qutub Shahi dynasty at Golconda, Gopanna was appointed as a Tahsildar of
Palvancha Paragana, which included the holy Bhadrachalam and the famous Rama
Temple.
Qutub Shahi dynasty at Golconda, Gopanna was appointed as a Tahsildar of
Palvancha Paragana, which included the holy Bhadrachalam and the famous Rama
Temple.
The holy temple of Sri Ram at Bhadrachalam was in a
dilapidated condition. His intense love for Sri Ram made Gopanna help the
villagers in rebuilding the temple.
When the villagers did not have enough money, Gopanna was
forced to borrow money from the tax revenue of the nawab.
forced to borrow money from the tax revenue of the nawab.
The villagers had promised to pay it back but due to
unexpected drought the crop of villagers failed and they could not return the
money to Gopanna.
unexpected drought the crop of villagers failed and they could not return the
money to Gopanna.
Gopanna failed to pay the tax money and he was imprisoned.
Gopanna composed some of the finest keertanas in his prison
cell.
cell.
One day two youngsters arrived at the court of nawab and
paid the dues of Gopanna with interest.
paid the dues of Gopanna with interest.
The golden coins paid by the youngsters
had the coronation of Sri Ram on one side and that of Hanuman on other side. It
is believed that the youngsters were Sri Ram and Lakshman. The coins that were
paid were known as Rama Takka it can be seen even today in the temple.
The nawab realized the greatness of Gopanna and released
him. He made the land around the Bhadrachalam Rama Temple tax-free.
him. He made the land around the Bhadrachalam Rama Temple tax-free.
The greatness of Gopanna gave him the name Bhadrachala Ramadas.
On another topic