He was born into the famous literary Yasadipura family in Surakarta, in Central Java.

[2] He was son of Mas Pajangswara and grandson of Yasadipura II, a famous poet of Surakarta Sunanate.

Once reaching adulthood, Ranggawarsita quickly gained a reputation for his intellectual capabilities which included authoring poetry, grammar books, and working as a redactor for the Dutch periodical Bromartani.

[2] Ranggawarsita authored numerous texts that covered a myriad of subjects which included poetry, mysticism, and ethics.

[2] Additionally, his works included prophecies[3] as well as criticism of the politics and society of his time.