Bhadrachalam Temple Story 12
They made a complaint to Thanisha, who in the court, against Gopanna, Tahasildar of Hasanabad, about spending all the govt. revenue in building the Rama temple. Thanisha fired against Gopanna for spending the govt. revenue to construct the temple without his permission. Some prejudices told against Gopanna about the unnecessary activities of him. Thanisha ordered immediately to bring Ramadasu by arresting him. The conspirators felt very happy for the action of Thanisha. The commandor – in – chief of army went to Bhadrachalam to bring Ramadasu. At that time Ramadasu was conducting a meeting with all the people living in Bhadrachalam, to know their problems and solutions for them. Farmers are listening very interestingly. The soldiers feared to arrest the great devotee of Ramadasu. They told the words of Thanisha to Ramadasu.
He himself bowed his head before the soldiersand was redy to go to Golkonda. All the people objected to arrest Ramadasu. They protected the action of Thanisha and objected the soldiers to arrest him and leave Ramadasu. Gopanna requested his own people not to obstruct the soldiers. “Without any interaction, you have to do all kinds of serve to Rama” by saying this, Ramadasu started to Golkonda along with the commander – in – chief of army.
Ramadasu entered the court. The face of Ramadasu was peaceful, Tirunamam was on his forehead, Dothi and Duppata, Muvvalu (telugu) on his legs; Sitara in his hand. As soon as Ramadasu entered the court every one surpised to see him. Without inspiration all the people saluted him. Thanisha followed the people. Thanisha fired against Gopanna for spending the govt. revenue without the permission of him. Ramadasu replied politely that it was the programe of god. All the people wanted to do that programe. He also said that he has appointed by Thanisha only to do welfare activities of the people. He was unable to reject their demand. Thanisha again fired saying “you are not competent to spend the govt. revenue without permission”. Ramadasu answered politely that it was not govt. revenue. It was public money. People paid for it.
We have to provide all kinds of amenities to the people including the welfare activities. Moreover, all the people began to collect donations voluntary and six lakhs of gold coins would be deposited in very near future. “Did you think that construction of temple is important than the order of Thanisha?” Thanisha fired. My Lord! “Listen to me, you are only Lord for Golkonda. But Lord Rama was only the Lord for the entire world. We are all under his court. We are spending the public money for our luxuries life. Is there any wrong in constructing the temple to Lord Rama?”. “We are all servants of Lord Rama”. Thus Ramadasu replied. Without trail, Thanisha punished Ramadasu for a period of Twelve years hard imprisonment and went away from the court. Every one kept quiet.
Gopanna imprisoned. The courtiers tried to convey Gopanna that the order of Thanisha was greater than construction of temple. They failed in conveying them. He was tortured Gopanna. But he did not get fear. He took every punishment as the order of Rama. He always concentrated his mind and heart on Rama. He thought that Lord Rama imprisoned to detach him from all the worldly pleasures. This was all for bad deeds done by him in the last birth. Sometimes Gopanna began to sing about the praise of Rama.
Gopanna tortured bodily severely. All the time, Gopanna was singing in praise of Lord Rama. Sometimes he said “telugu poem”. He abused Ramachandra. Again he appeals Rama to excuse him for abusing. However Gopanna appealed, prayed and begged. Gopanna stood as a modal devotee in the history.
The heart and mind of Rama moved with the appeal of Gopanna. He had shown mercy on him. The time came. Lord Rama was ready to help him. During that night, in Bhadrachalam, Ekantha Seva was going on. Ramadasu also thinking about Ekantha Seva in Bhadrachalam in the Jail only. He thinks that various kinds of performs were giving to Rama. Women were decorating Seetha.All the sweets are giving to them. He himself thought he was in the service of Rama in Bhadrachalam.
He pryed Seetha to recommend his case to Rama while he was on her bed. There was nobody to save him expect Rama. Daughter of Janaka! Please put an ear to his appeal and recommend the case. Seethama recommended the case. Lord Rama thought that the time came to save Gopanna.