Climbing Sajjangad, Meeting My Own Mind!

I had been meaning to write about my visit to Sajjangad for a long time. Somehow, some experiences take time before they are ready to be put into words. This is one of them.

I visited Sajjangad a couple of years ago, the sacred samadhi sthal of Samarth Ramdas Swami. At that point in time, I honestly knew very little about him. I knew the name, I knew he was a great saint, and I knew this fort in the Western Ghats near Satara held his samadhi. That was about it.

After the visit, something stayed with me. A quiet curiosity. I began collecting a few books and reading about his life and teachings. I wouldn’t say I studied deeply, I skimmed, paused, reflected. And yet, even that was enough to feel a shift.

When I came across Manache Shlok, it felt unexpectedly personal. Each shloka felt like it was not written for the world, but for one’s own mind. There was no preaching to others. No philosophical show-off. It was intimate. Direct. Almost corrective at times. In a world full of confusion, dilemmas, spiritual noise, and endless “methods,” these shlokas speak straight to the mind and ask it to settle down. To look at itself honestly. To discipline itself.

What struck me most was how naturally the essence of the Upanishads and Vedanta flows through them, not as heavy philosophy, but as lived instruction. There is devotion to Shri Ram at the center, but alongside that there is a firm insistence on self-control, moral courage, detachment from greed, awareness of ego, and responsibility toward society. It is devotional, yes, but it is also deeply practical.

Each of the 205 shlokas is advice given to one’s own mind. Not to reform others. Not to impress anyone. Just a conversation within. And somehow, it feels shockingly modern. The teachings are not merely spiritual in a ritualistic sense. They shape character. They build inner strength. They cultivate seriousness. There is a certain rigor in the tone, as if Ramdas Maharaj refuses to allow the mind to indulge in weakness for too long.

When I think of Sajjangad now, I don’t first remember facts or history. I remember the feeling. The fort stands quietly amidst the hills, wrapped in greenery and cool winds. The atmosphere is calm, not dramatic, not overwhelming, just deeply settling. There is a silence there that feels alive. You don’t feel the need to speak loudly. You don’t even feel the need to think loudly.

It is the kind of place where you tell yourself, “I should come here again.” Not for sightseeing. Not even necessarily for ritual. Just to sit. To be.

Walking through the premises, standing near the samadhi, something within becomes still. And when I later read Manache Shlok, I felt that the physical stillness of Sajjangad and the inner discipline of the shlokas were somehow connected.

I am leaving below a few shlokas that felt very powerful to me during my reflections. If you ever find some free time, I genuinely suggest reading these with their meanings. Slowly. Without rushing. Not as poetry, but as a conversation with your own mind. And maybe, if curiosity nudges you enough, you’ll search more about Samarth Ramdas Maharaj. Maybe you’ll read a few shlokas. Maybe one day you’ll find yourself climbing the steps of Sajjangad.

नको रे मना क्रोध हा खेदकारी।

नको रे मना काम नाना विकारी॥

नको रे मना लोभ हा अंगिकारू।

नको रे मना मत्सरु दंभ भारु॥६॥

O mind, never (entertain) the regret-producing anger,

O mind, never the various affliction-producing desires,

Never, at all times, take to pride,

O mind, never carry the burden of jealousy and hypocrisy.

देहे त्यागितां कीर्ति मागें उरावी।

मना सज्जना हेचि क्रीया धरावी॥

मना चंदनाचे परी त्वां झिजावे।

परी अंतरीं सज्जना नीववावे॥८॥

When the body leaves, let (your glory) prevail,

O virtuous mind, let such acts alone be adhered to,

O mind, wear out like the sandalwood,

Yet, (bring) solace to the hearts of the righteous.

जनीं सर्वसूखी असा कोण आहे।

विचारें मना तुंचि शोधुनि पाहे॥

मना त्वांचि रे पूर्वसंचीत केले।

तयासारिखे भोगणें प्राप्त जाले ॥११॥

Who of all is contented?

By pondering, O mind, investigate and see for yourself.

O mind, that which you have gathered in the past,

(You have) acquired the experiences accordingly (now).

न बोलें मना राघवेवीण कांहीं।

जनी वाउगें बोलता सुख नाहीं॥

घडिने घडी काळ आयुष्य नेतो।

देहांतीं तुला कोण सोडूं पहातो?॥२३॥

O Mind! Speak of Rama and nothing else whatsoever,

Untrue or idle words bring no happiness to the mind.

Moment by moment, Time (Death) is taking away your life,

Who (except Rama) will be able to release you at the hour of death?

मना वीट मानूं नको बोलण्याचा।

पुढें मागुता राम जोडेल कैंचा॥

सुखाची घडी लोटतां सूख आहे।

पुढें सर्व जाईल कांही न राहे॥२५॥

O Mind! Do not feel weary or disgusted by this advice,

For if you lose this chance, where will you find Rama again?

Pleasure prevails (only) during the moments of pleasure,

Everything then vanishes and nothing remains.

असे हो जया अंतरी भाव जैसा।

वसे हो तया अंतरी देव तैसा॥

अनन्यास रक्षीतसे चापपाणी।

नुपेक्षी कदा राम दासाभिमानी॥३५॥

As is the devotion in one's heart,

Thus dwells the Lord in his heart,

Rama protects the unswerving (devotee),

Proud of (his) devotees, Rama never forsakes them.

Hari om!

-acintya