Bhaktisandesam / Tulsidas

[Guest guest]

Goswami Tulsidas (1532 – 1623)

Author of Ramcharitmanasa

 

Birth & Parentage: Tulsidas was born to Hulsi and Atmaram Shukla Dube

in Rajpur, Uttar Pradesh, India in 1532. He was a Sarayuparina

Brahmin by birth and an incarnation of Sage Valmiki, the author of

the Sanskrit Ramayana. It is said that Tulsidas did not cry at the

time of his birth, and was born with all thirty-two teeth intact. In

his childhood, he was known as Tulsiram or Ram Bola.

 

From Family Man to Ascetic: Tulsidas was passionately attached to his

wife Buddhimati until the day she uttered these words: " If you would

develop for Lord Rama even half the love that you have for my filthy

body, you would certainly cross the ocean of Samsara and attain

immortality and eternal bliss " . These words pierced his heart. He

abandoned home, became an ascetic, and spent fourteen years visiting

various sacred places. It is said that Tulsidas met Lord Hanuman, and

through him had a vision of Lord Rama.

 

Immortal Works: Tulsidas wrote 12 books, the most famous being the

Hindi Ramayan — " The Ramcharitmanasa " that is read and worshipped

with great reverence in every Hindu home in Northern India. An

inspiring book, it contains sweet couplets in beautiful rhyme in

praise of Lord Rama. " Vinaya Patrika " is another important book

written by Tulsidas.

 

Wanderings & Miracles: Tulsidas lived in Ayodhya for some time, and

then shifted to Varanasi. He once went to Brindavan to visit the

temples of Lord Krishna. Seeing the statue of Krishna, he said, " How

shall I describe Thy beauty, O Lord! But Tulsi will bow his head only

when You take up bow and arrow in Your hands " . The Lord revealed

Himself before Tulsidas in the form of Lord Rama with bow and arrows.

 

It is believed that Tulsidas's blessings once brought the dead

husband of a poor woman back to life. The Moghul emperor in Delhi

came to know of this miracle and sent for Tulsidas, asking the saint

to perform some miracles. He declined saying, " I have no superhuman

power, I know only the name of Rama " , only to see himself behind

bars. Tulsi then prayed to Lord Hanuman and countless powerful

monkeys invaded the royal court. The emperor released him from prison

and begged Tulsi for his forgiveness.

 

Last Days: Tulsi left his mortal body and entered the Abode of

Immortality and Eternal Bliss in 1623 A.D. at the age of 91. He was

cremated at Asi Ghat by the Ganga in the holy city of Varanasi

(Benaras).

 

 

***********************

 

Jai Shree Krishna !