Samarth Ramdas (1608–1681), a 17th-century Marathi saint and poet, founded the Ramdasi sect and authored the influential Dasbodh. He advocated a balanced path of devotion to Lord Rama and Hanuman along with disciplined worldly action. Through his teachings and establishment of mathas across Maharashtra, he promoted spiritual awakening, moral strength, and the concept of “Maharashtra Dharma”. He played a key role in the spiritual and political rejuvenation of society by inspiring courage, unity, and ethical leadership during a turbulent period.