Introduction
After giving practical rules for waking up, studying, and handling daily tasks, Samarth Ramdas Swami talks about the inner mind. Having lost both their father, Shreshtha Gangadhar Swami, and their mother in rapid succession, young Ramji and Shamji were going through deep pain. They had already seen that life can change suddenly and that people do not stay on this earth forever.
In this second half, their kaka warns them never to get fooled by outer show or pride. He teaches them how to keep their hearts clean, do good to others, and earn lasting respect that stays behind even after a person is gone.
6. Big Talk and Fancy Clothes Mean Nothing Without Common Sense
प्रचीतीविणे बोलणे वेर्थ वायां । विवेकेविणें सर्व ही दंभ जायां ॥
बहु सज्जला नेटका साज केला । विचारेंविणें सर्वही वेर्थ गेला ॥ ६ ॥
Prachitivine bolane vertha vaya | Vivekevine sarv hi dambh jaya ||
Bahu sajjala netaka saj kela | Vicharevine sarvahi verth gela || 6 ||
Swami clearly dislikes empty show-off. Giving big, loud speeches about things you have never done yourself is just empty talk. Putting on a show without real understanding quickly falls flat.
A person can wear grand silk clothes, costly gold chains, and dress up neatly for family functions. But if there is no sense inside the head, and if one lacks vivek (clear thinking), all that fancy get-up is completely wasted. Real value comes from having a thoughtful, kind mind, not from expensive clothes.
7. Sweet Words Outside, Bitterness Inside
वरी चांगले अंतरी गोड नाही । तया मानवाचे जिणे वेर्थ पांही ॥
वरी चांगले अंतरीं गोड आहे । तयालागि कोणी तरी शोधिताहे ॥ ७ ॥
Vari changale antari god nahi | Taya manavache jine verth pahi ||
Vari changale antari god ahe | Tayalagi koni tari shodhitahe || 7 ||
Here, Swami gives a simple way to understand people. We often meet people who smile and speak very sweetly in front of us, but talk badly behind our backs out of jealousy. Swami says clearly: living such a double-faced life is a complete waste.
On the other hand, look at a simple person who wears ordinary clothes, makes no big claims, but has genuine kindness in their heart. Such people are like gold. When any trouble or sorrow comes into a house, people do not call the loud show-offs; they go looking for the quiet person whose heart is warm and dependable.
8. Never Let Bitterness Settle Inside Your Mind
सदा अंतरी गोड ते सांडवेना । कदा अंतरी वोखटे ते खपेना ॥
म्हणोनी बरा गुण आधी धरावा । माहाघोर संसार हा निरसांवा ॥ ८ ॥
Sada antari god te sandavena | Kada antari vokhate te khapena ||
Mhanoni bara gun adhi dharava | Mahaghor sansar ha nirasava || 8 ||
Everyday life brings tough situations. Friends might let you down, people may be ungrateful, and unexpected problems will come up.
Swami gives Ramji and Shamji a strong shield: no matter how rough people are on the outside, do not let that bitterness enter your heart. Do not keep any ill-will, grudges, or thoughts of revenge (vokhate). If you practice patience and good habits right from your childhood, you can face any difficult situation in life without losing your peace of mind.
9. Earn a Clean and Respectable Name
भला रे भला बोलती तें करावें । बहुता जनांचा मुखें यश घ्यावें ॥
पुढें शेवटीं सर्व सांडूनि जावें । मरावें परी कीर्तिरूपें उरावें ॥ ९ ॥
Bhala re bhala bolati te karave | Bahuta janancha mukhe yash ghyave ||
Pudhe shevati sarv sanduni jave | Marave pari kirtirupe urave || 9 ||
Remembering their parents’ sudden demise, Swami gently explains a basic fact: when our life comes to an end, we leave behind every piece of land, every single rupee, and every house. Nothing goes with us.
What actually stays behind? Only your good name and the blessings of people. Live so well and help others so selflessly that whenever anyone hears your name, they should say from their heart, “Kiti bhala manus”—what a good, noble person! Even after our physical body is gone, our good deeds and clean character must live on in people’s memories (kirtirupe urave).
10. Do Not Wait for Tomorrow to Be Good
बरा वोखटा सर्व संसार जाला । अकस्मात येईल रे यमघाला ॥
म्हणोनि भले सांगती सत्य चाला । जनीं दास तो सीकवितो मुलांला ॥ १० ॥
Bara vokhata sarv sansar jala | Akasmat yeil re yamaghala ||
Mhanoni bhale sangati satya chala | Jani das to sikavito mulanla || 10 ||
Swami ends his letter with loving urgency. Life has both good and bad days, and time waits for no one—bad news or death comes without an invitation.
Never say, “I will become truthful, honest, and helpful after I grow old.” Walk on the straight path of truth from today itself. Listen carefully to the advice of elders and well-wishers. Signing off lovingly as ‘Das’ (servant), Ramdas Swami stands with his late brother’s sons like a father, holding their hands and showing them the right path to walk on.
Summary of Part 2
Through this heartfelt letter, Samarth Ramdas Swami did not merely offer comforting words to his orphaned nephews; he handed them a lifelong compass for righteous living. He taught Ramji and Shamji that genuine self-respect does not come from wealth, high family status, or fine garments, but from an unblemished character and useful service to society. He cautioned them that time slips away without warning, so one must never delay doing good or walking on the path of truth. By teaching them to look beyond immediate grief and personal ego, he urged the young boys to grow into pillars of strength, earn the spontaneous blessings of the community, and keep their late parents’ name bright forever.
With the divine grace and supreme blessings of Samarth Ramdas Swami, let true wisdom, noble conduct, and discernment (vivek) prevail on each one of us.
|| Jay Jay Raghuveer Samarth ||
Mulana Updesh…explained in English nicely and reaches to the heart.
मुलांना उपदेशपर स्पष्टीकरण अतिशय उत्तम!!!!!
खूप सुंदर..जय जय रघुवीर समर्थ