TULASIDAS

TULASIDAS
( 1487 - 1623 A.D. )
Author of Ramacharitamanasa

Tulasidas: (17th couplet) is a highly revered and
widely read poet-saint of North India who lived for 136 years
from about 1487 to 1623 A.D.
The great poet who composed the `Ramacharitamanasa'. His
boyhood was one of poverty and suffering; but yet he
became a great scholar. One word spoken by his wife
brought him a realization of his true goal; he became a
devotee of Lord Sri Rama. And this poet-saint showed
thousands of people the way to a meaningful life.

'Tulasi Ramayana' is a very famous and great epic of North
India. It relates the story of Sri Rama. It was written by Goswami Tulasidas. (Goswami means one who has renounced the world and has become a sanyasi, that is, an ascetic.) That is why it was popularly known as Tulasi Ramayana. Tulasidas gave it the title, 'Ra macharitamanasa'.
Valmiki, the first poet, told the story of Sri Rama in his
'Ramayana'; after him hundreds of poets have retold it in their
own way. 'Tulasi Ramayana' is one of the most popular and
venerated Ramayanas.
The are many poets who are saints. They were great
scholars as well as great devotees. They lived as rishis.
Goswami Tulasidas too was a great scholar well versed in
Vedic history, philosophy and tradition. People say that
Tulasidas, by virtue of his perfect devotion, was so fortunate
as to meet Anjaneya, the renowned serv ant of Sri Rama. It is
said Anjaneya helped him to see with his own eyes Sri Rama
and Lakshmana.
Tulasidas declared: 'Bhakti is the only way leading to God's
grace. Sri Rama is the Supreme God (Parabrahma). He is the
ideal man. And he is the Lord of this world. His words and
deeds themselves form the code of human conduct in this
world.'
In his 'Ramayana' Tulasidas has narrated the story of Sri
Rama; he has also taught the principles of right living through
different characters. The lessons taught in that work are valid
to this day.
The epic gives beautiful pictures of the right relation between
father and children, and of the affection among brothers. It
also shows how the husband and the wife, mothers-in-law
and daughters-in-law, should conduct themselves. Tulasidas
describes the affection of a teacher for his disciples and the
respect of the disciples for their teacher. But his poem is not
just a moral piece. Tulasidas has narrated the story of Sri
Rama in a moving and delightful way. As we read it we feel
as if we see Rama, Seetha and Lakshmana before our very
eyes.
The Age Of Tulasidas
Goswami Tulasidas was born at the close of the 15th century
and lived upto the beginning of the 17th century.
It was a bad period for the Hindus. They had lost their
freedom and had to struggle hard to maintain their unity. All
their scriptures were in Sanskrit; so many people found them
difficult to understand. As the Hindus had no freedom, it was
difficult for them even to attempt to expound the ideas of their
religion. Women and also some groups among the Hindus did
not have equality.
This state of affairs made gifted and liberal-minded poets
unhappy. Sri Ramananda was a disciple of Sri Ramanujacharya, the
founder of the Srivaishnava faith. He and his disciples lived in
North India. He opened the doors of 'Bhakti' (devotion) to all
and brought hope into the lives of the masses.
It was at this time that Sri Ramananda spread the cult of
Rama Bhakti by preaching that Rama is the protector of all
people. Saint Kabirdas extolled the greatness of Rama - the
formless God' saying that Ram and Rahim were not different.
Thus he tried to bring about unity among the Hindus and the
Muslims.
Sri Tulasidas set before the people the image of Sri Rama as
all virtuous, all powerful, the Lord of the World, and the very
embodiment of the Supreme Reality (Parabrahma). He gave
them the light of 'Bhakti' and thus dispelled the darkness of
fear from their minds. Sri Rama shone as an ideal man and the
protector.
Opinions differ regarding the exact date and place of birth of
Sri Tulasidas. The majority of scholars hold that Sri Tulasidas
was born in Rajapur of Uttar Pradesh in the year 1544 of the
Vikrama Era (that is, 1488 A. D.). Some scholars say that he
was born in 1532 A. D. Others mention different other dates
also.
Forsaken By His own Father
Atmaram Dube of Rajapur was a great scholar in Vedic
literature and astrology. His wife was Hulasibai. They were
happy in every way but had no children. They worshipped
Anjaneya and prayed to him with devotion to bless them with
a son. One auspicious day Hulasibai gave birth to a beautiful
baby son.
The new born babe started saying 'Ram, Ram' instead of
crying. So it was given the name Rama Bola (one who said
Ram). So goes a story.
Tularam was a baby of a few days when he lost his mother.
His father also forsook him. People give many reasons for
this. Here is one story. Pandit Dube cast the horoscope of his
son. All the planets were favourable. But the child's star? The
star was 'Moola'. The, father thought, 'This is a bad star. It
will bring me bad luck. I must go away. Otherwise I am
doomed.'
He left the town once and for all. The unfortunate child
was brought up by his old grand-mother. Thus Tularam lost
the love and the care of both the father and the mother.
He became the favourite of all his neighbours. They tended
him, and played with him, gave him something to eat and
blessed him.
When Tularam was able to stand on his legs, he began to go
round the town begging for food. He lived on whatever he
got. In one of his songs Tulasidas recalls how exceedingly difficult
it was for him, as a boy, to get even four grains of gram.
After a few years his grand-mother passed away. Then he
became the child of the whole town. The devotees gave him
to eat whatever was offered to God and that was his daily
food. "The temple is my shelter. God is my father and
mother," Tulasidas has said. "Anjaneya is my father who fed
and brought me up" says Tulasidas recollecting those
childhood days; he then actually lived in a temple of Anjaneya
and every day partook of the food offered to God there.
The Guru
Naraharidas was a reputed scholar, philosopher and story
teller (he, gave discourses on mythological stories of
devotion). Once he came to Rajapur. He stayed in the temple
of Anjaneya. At the request of the people he began a series
of discourses on the Ramayana.
Tularam was filled with pleasurable excitement. Dis courses
of this type which blended music and literature were a feast to
him. He used to attend them every day without fail. Devotion
to Rama lay like a seed in his heart; as he listened to the
discourses, it began to sprout.
Every day the boy sat right in front of Naraharidas and
listened to the discourse with rapt attention. And also the boy
joined the general bhajan, singing melodiously. Naraharidas
grew interested in the lad. He saw the boy's handsome looks,
his delicate figure, large eyes and prominent forehead, and the
bright radiant face. He recognised the mysterious power in
the boy. He pitied him when be learnt that he was an orphan.
One day he asked the boy. "Will you be my disciple?"
Tularam touched his feet with reverence and burst into tears.
Naraharidas lifted him up and patted him on the back.
From that day Tularam became a disciple of Pandit Nara
haridas. In one of his songs Tulasidas has said of this incident,
'I got for my Master God Parameswara Himself in human
form.'
After his discourses in Rajapur Naraharidas set out for
another place. Tularam bowed to Lord Anjaneya and fol
lowed his master. Wherever Naraharidas went Tularam went
with him. His duty was to sing Ram Bhajan before and
discourse began. He sang melodiously. The whole day was
spent in studies. The master taught him various subjects like
the Vedas, the Upanishads, philosophy, mythology and
languages-Sanskrit and Prakrit. Bhajans were held at night.
Thus they travelled far and wide for fourteen years and came
to Soro in Uttar Pradesh. By that time Tularam had mastered
all subjects. He was acquainted with the life of the people. He
could sing much better than his master. He could not only give
discourses on the Ramayana, but also compose poems.
Naraharidas felt extremely happy at his disciple's
accomplishments.
Marriage And Renunciation
Tularam had attained scholarship in all branches of learning;
the teacher Naraharidas himself arranged for his marriage.
Tularam married Ratnavali, a very beautiful and accom
plished daughter of a brahmin by name Deenabandhu Pathak.
Parting from his master who loved him more than a father was
very painful to Tularam. Yet bound by the master's wish and
his own duty he became a householder.
Tularam had everything - good looks, youth, education,
honour and a good income too. Rich people used to invite
him now and then to their houses, honour him and offer him
money.
His wife Ratnavali was a beautiful and a virtuous girl. Tularam
loved her very much. They led a happy life. No wonder that,
in his state of joy and contentment, he thought less and less
about God.
He loved his wife so much that for years he did not send her
to her parents' house at all.
One day Pandit Tularam went to a neighbouring village to
give a discourse.
The some day Ratnavali's brother came to see her. Ratna vali
had not as much as glanced at her parents' house ever since
her marriage; when she saw her brother she remembered her
parents and began to weep.
The brother in fact had come only to take her home. he
comforted his sister. He said, "Come, let us go home sister.
You can stay with us for a few days and come back. Mother
is longing to see you", Ratnavali loved her parental home so
much that for a moment she decided to go. But she hesitated.
She said, "My husband is not at home. How can I come
without his consent? Besides he cannot bear to be
without me even for a short time. Let him come home;
you can talk to him about this. I too will request him.
Then we can go."
But the brother argued with her and persuaded her. She
locked up the house and left the key with the neighbour and
said: "Please give this key to my husband when he comes
home, and tell him that I am returning the day after
tomorrow." She then went with her brother.
It was dark when Pandit Tularam came home. When the
neighbour gave him the key and his wife's message, he
became very angry. Without his wife the house looked bleak
as a cave. Every hour his boredom grew. He lay down but
could not sleep. It was past midnight. He decided to go to his
father-in-law's house. And he started at once.
It was the month of Shravana. The sky was heavily over cast
with clouds. It was dark all around. He had just stepped out
of his house when there was a heavy downpour of rain
accompanied by thunder and lightning.
But Tularam did not change his mind. He walked on get ting
wet in the rain, and came to the banks of the river Ganga. The
river was in full floods. He asked the ferryman to take him
across the river.
"What? You wish to cross the floods in this rain and wind?
Impossible," said the ferryman.
At the sight of the racing waters of the Ganga in floods,
Tularam's heart sank. But the infatuation for his wife drove
him on. He gathered courage, tucked up his dhoti firmly and
jumped into the river. He swam against the current and
reached the other bank.
He did not stop even to wring his clothes.
He raced to his wife's house and shouted, Ratnavali,
Ratnavali'.
Ratnavali wondered who could have come in such heavy rain.
She opened the door and there stood Tularam ! His clothes
were all wet and water was dripping. He was shivering with
cold.
Ratnavali was amazed. She was also happy to think of his
intense love for her. At the same time she pitied his condition.
Could he not stay alone for one day? How foolhardy it was
to swim across the river in high floods! The thought made her
angry.
She said, "What can I say, my lord? Aren't you ashamed
of yourself? You have come running after me! If you had
the same intense love for Sri Rama, He Himself would
have appeared to you. Then you would have been saved
from the cycle of births."
These words of his wife struck Tularam like a thounder bolt.
Drenched in the rain he was shivering, but now he began to
perspire. His mind reeled and his heart was in turmoil. The
veil of attachment that had covered his devotion was torn
asunder.
He went away without looking back even once.
What happened to Ratnavali after Tulasidas left her? We do
not know. Tulasidas has not mentioned her name any where
in his books.
Tulasidas
'Is there another fool like me? Entangled in the love of my
wife, I forgot Lord Rama and I have just wasted all my time!
Never again shall I forget Sri Rama and never shall I think of
a woman. Sri Rama is everything to me.' So resolving,
Tularam became 'Tulasidas' from that day. What his master
had been saying in his discourses came back to his mind: 'Sri
Rama is all merciful and all powerful. He is so magnanimous
that he will never forsake
his devotees.'
Well, then will Sri Rama forsake me?
Tulasidas's mind was made up. He now travelled to Chi
trakoota.
On his way he visited many holy places. He was in the
company of devotees and saints.
What worry could an ascetic have? Where he halts is his
town, where he rests is his home. The devotees of Rama are
his relations. The earth is his bed and the sky is the roof.
Tulasidas formed a brotherhood of the devotees of Rama. He
sang and composed songs. He wrote books and preached to
the people.
Though he was learned in Sanskrit, he composed poetry in
the languages the people spoke. They were only different
dialects of Hindi used in North India. He wrote for the
common man and not for the learned. It was in the lan guages
actually used by the people that he gave talks and discourses
glorifying Bhakti.
The Path Of Bhakti
'Sri Rama is the Parabrahma. He is all powerful. He is
Purushothama (The Man Supreme). His deeds, words, man
ners and conduct alone are the models of an ideal life. Singing
hymns in His honour as his servants is the only way to attain
His grace and attain salvation. Knowing Him to be their
master, The duty of human beings is to offer their services to
Him.' This is the sum and sub stance of the Bhakti cult of
Tulasidas.
After some time Tulasidas began to think of leaving
Chitrakoota. This was because he had a feeling that he would
not be able to see Sri Rama there. So he went to Ayodhya,
the birth place of Rama. For a long time he did 'tapas'
(leading a very strict life, giving up all pleas ures and devoting
all the time to the contemplation of God) there. But even there
he did not get the vision of Sri Rama. His mind was not at
ease. Day by day his desire to see Sri Rama grew more and
more intense.
One day it suddenly flashed to his mind that God Anja neya's
grace was essential for him to see Sri Rama. Yes. Anjaneya
was the greatest devotee of Sri Rama. Only he could help
Tulasidas see Sri Rama. So the first thing was to see
Anjaneya.
The Meeting With Anjaneya
People say that Tulasidas got the opportunity of seeing
Anjaneya because of the help of a Brahmarakshasa (a spirit under curse). Kashi (Banares) is a holy place on the banks of the sacred
river Ganga. The famous temple of Lord Vishwesh wara is in
Kashi. And it is also the home of Hindu culture. In one part of
Kashi there was a temple of Anjaneya. Tulasidas made it his
home. He used to bathe in the Ganga every day and then go
to the Vishweshwara temple to offer prayers; thereafter for
hours he would be immersed in meditation. In the evening he
gave discours es. In this way a few years passed.
One day as usual Tulasidas poured water out of his vessel at
the foot of a tree.
As Tulasidas was returning with his head bowed, suddenly a
brahmarakshasa appeared before him, and saluted him. The
water was sanctified by the touch of Tulasidas; it fell on the
rakshasa and he was freed from a curse. Full of gratitude the
liberated spirit said to Tulasidas, "Please tell me, sir, what I
can do for you."
There was but one wish that haunted Tulasidas day and night
and that was to see Sri Rama by winning the grace of
Anjaneya.
So he said to the brahmarakshasa, "Please help me to meet
God Anjaneya."
The spirit said: "An ugly old man comes to listen to your
discourses in the temple every day. Probably you have
not noticed him. He is the first to come and the last to go.
His looks are disgusting. But he is none other than
Anjaneya. Look for him."
So Anjaneya himself' had been attending his discourses!
Tulasidas jumped with joy.
In the evening Tulasidas went to the discourse hall full of
devotion.
The ugly old man was already there in a corner.
Tulasidas felt like running to him, and failing at his feet and
crying out, "Show me Lord Sri Rama." But he checked
himself. The discourse began.
The entire discourse that evening seemed to be meant only for
that old man. All the time Tulasidas's eyes were fixed on him.
The discourse concluded with Ram Bhajan; the audience
dispersed. The old man also slowly got up and began to walk
away. Tulasidas followed him.
The old man left the main road and took a path leading to a
forest. Tulasidas noiselessly walked behind him, praying
within himself to Anjaneya.
They were now in the heart of the forest. Tulasidas suddenly
ran up to the old man and fell at his feet, praying: "My
master, please show me Sri Rama. Lord Anjaneya, have
mercy on me."
The old man pretended to know nothing. Shaking him off he
said, "What is all this? I am not Anjaneya. Let go my
feet."
But Tulasidas persisted.
"I know it all now. You are Hanumantha, the trusted
servant of Sri Rama. I won't leave your feet unless you
reveal your true self to me and fulfil my wish, come what
will. even death" said Tulasidas. He implored and en treated
him in several ways.
Then Anjaneya appeared in his true form and said, "Look,
hide yourself behind this bush. Sri Rama and Lakshmana
will come this way shortly. Then you can see them."
There are several stories about how Tulasidas saw Sri Rama
and Lakshmana.
Here is one story.
Sri Rama And Lakshmana
Tulasidas felt immensely happy and once again touched
Anjaneya's feet in reverence. He danced in ecstasy chanting
Sri Rama's sacred name and crouched behind the bush as
directed by Anjaneya. He was all eyes as he watched.
Tulasidas waited and waited. Two princes on horse-back
passed that way. Tulasidas sat there, his mind fixed on, Lord
Rama. But Sri Rama and Lakshmana did not come at all.
After a long time Anjaneya appeared in the disguise of the
same old man. Tulasidas once again clasped his knees and
prayed: "Lord Anjaneya, I have waited so far, but Sri
Rama and Lakshmana haven't come. Don't you pity me
even now? Won't you show me Sri Rama and Lakshmana
now at least?'.' Anjaneya said with a smile: "Did you not
see two princes on horseback? They were Sri Rama and
Lakshmana." Tulsidas was very unhappy as he realized
his own ignorance. "Miserable that I am, my own eyes
turned out to be my enemies," he said weeping. Once again
he prayed to Anjaneya.
He seemed to hear Anjaneya speaking from the sky: 'Go to
Ayodhya; you will have darshan of Sri Rama, Seetha and
Lakshmana in their gracious form.'
There are other stories also about how Tulasidas was able to
see Sri Rama and Lakshmana.
It is said that after some years Tulasidas had another
opportunity of seeing Sri Rama; it is also said Sri Rama asked
him to put a mark of sandal paste on his forehead.
There is an episode in the 'Ramacharitamanasa'. When, after
crossing the river Yamuna, Sri Rama, Seetha and Lakshmana
step into Chitrakoota, a young hermit pros trates at their feet.
He is overcome with devotion and forgets himself. Seetha
Devi bestows her blessings on him.
It is said that, at this point, Tulasidas recalls how he had seen
Sri Rama; the young hermit, it is said, is Tulasidas's picture of
himself. 'Ramacharitamanasa'
Tulasidas left Kashi and went again to Ayodhya. While he
was in Kashi he seems to have composed two poems; 'Janaki
Mangala' and 'Parvathi Mangala'. In Ayodhya he did rigorous
tapas in utter solitude for some time. Then he made up his
mind to write the 'Ramacharitamanasa'. He himself saw Sri
Rama, Seetha and Lakshmana in this epic; and he enabled the
readers, too, to see them.
Tulasidas has depicted most effectively in his 'Ramachar
itamanasa' how by his own example Sri Rama, the God born,
as man, set an ideal before the people of this world. Just as
Sri Rama is sketched as an ideal leader and king, Seetha Devi
is portrayed as a gem of ideal womanhood. She shines as a
bright lamp placed on the threshold, illuminating two homes -
that of her parents and that of her husband. She was dear not
only to her parents but also to her servants.
At the time of sending her to her husband's house, all the
queens and their companions were sad. The very parrots in
golden cages cried, "O, where is Seetha?"
This is just one example to show how Tulasidas's picture of
the simplicity and goodness of Seetha Devi is differ ent from
Valmiki's picture. There are some very touching episodes in
the 'Ramacharitamanasa', which are not found in other
Ramayanas.
These delicate flowers of the poet's imagination give forth a
sweet fragrance of Bhakti.
One such episode reveals Guha's Bhakti. He is the chief tain
of the boatmen and a staunch devotee of Sri Rama. When Sri
Rama, Seetha and Lakshmana come to the forest Guha
serves them in many ways.
The next day Guha is to ferry them across the river. Sri Rama
is about to step into the boat. Then Guha behaves in a way
which at first seems strange. He says to Rama, "My Lord,
pardon me; I cannot allow you to get into the boat until I
wash your feet. The mere touch of the dust of your feet
turned a stone into a woman, the wife of a sage. What am I to
do it my boat turns into a woman at the touch of the dust of
your feet?" (Ahalya had become a stone by a curse; the
divine touch of Sri Rama made her again a woman).
Tulasidas has depicted this situation very touchingly. In the
words of Guha, a fine sense of humour, innocent devotion
and Rama's divinity are all reflected at the same time.
Tulasidas has also brought out Bharatha's intense love for his
brother, the affection of Dasharatha for his son, the simplicity
of Sumitra. Rama's magnanimity and grace in his treatment of
Shabari and Jatayu and many other such virtues.
The scholars of Tulasidas's times thought that epics ought to
be composed only in Sanskrit. Tulasidas knew that scholars
would object that his epic was in Hindi, the language of the
common man. But he believed that good poetry, like the
sacred river Ganga, should be accessible to one and all and
should reach everyone.
On the whole, Tulasidas's 'Ramacharitamanasa' preaches the
traditional values of truth and righteousness, but presents them
in greater splendour in a new context. When people had lost
courage and were groping in dark ness, Tulasidas's
'Ramacharitamanasa' appeared as a guiding light of culture; it
showed them the divine figure of Sri Rama in the bright light
of Bhakti.
Challenge
Tulasidas thought that Kashi was the best place for the
publication of his work. So he went again to Kashi. In the
same cottage, the old activities of the day and the evening
discourses were resumed. But now he recited passages from
his own 'Ramacharitamanasa' and explained them.
The scholarship and genius of Goswami Tulasidas won the
admiration of the people of Kashi.
They regarded him as the incarnation of Valmiki. Several
scholars became his disciples. Thousands of people realized
the greatness of Bhakti and became devotees of Sri Rama.
Has there been an age without the wicked and the jealous?
There is a story about how the attempts of such people to
discredit the 'Ramacharitamanasa' ended only in confirm ing
its greatness.
The detractors joined hands. They planned to insult the
'Ramacharitamanasa' and destroy its popularity. One day a
conference of scholars was held in the temple of Lord
Vishwanatha. All reputed works of literature, religion and
philosophy were read out. The 'Ramacharitamanasa' also was
recited. Then all the works were arranged in a pile. The
crooked fellows put the copy of the 'Ramachar itamanasa' at
the bottom, as a deliberate insult. But the next morning when
the doors of the temple were opened the
'Ramacharitamanasa' was found on top of all the books. Then
everybody realised the merit of the 'Ra macharitamanasa' and
the greatness of Tulasidas.
Another such incident happened.
The opponents of Tulasidas joined together. They took a
copy of the 'Ramacharitamanasa' to Madhusudan Saraswathi,
a great master and exponent of Advaita philosophy and said,
"Please tell us what you think of this book, sir."
Madhusudan Saraswathi was an advaiti, Tulasidas did not
belong to this school of philosophy. So the crooked fellows
thought that Madhusudan Saraswathi would surely condemn
that book. Then they could easily carry on their propaganda
against the work. But what happened was entirely different.
Pandit Madhusudan Saraswathi read the entire work, then he
said: "There is a plant called Tulasi in the garden of
poetry. Sri Rama is the bee buzzing about the flowers of
poetic beauty that have blossomed on its branches."
The Will Of Maruthi
The reputation of Goswami Tulasidas was not limited to
Kashi only. It spread all over North India. Many Mus lims
also became Tulasidas's followers and worshipped Rama.
There is a story associated with Emperor Jahangir. The fame
of Tulasidas reached the ears of Jahangir. He wanted to see
Tulasidas.
When Tulasidas visited Agra, the emperor invited him and
treated him with great respect.
The emperor said, "I hear that you perform miracles. Let
me see a miracle."
Tulasidas modestly replied, "I don't perform miracles. All
powers belong to Sri Rama."
The emperor was stubborn. He said, "I won't let you go
until you show me a miracle." He imprisoned him in the
fort of Salimgad (Gwalior). 'Everything is Anjaneya's will,'
said Tulasidas and sat down with folded hands.
All of a sudden a band of monkeys burst into the palace.
They rushed into the queens' apartment and caused great
havoc. They were not afraid of even the soldiers. It was only
after Tulasidas was released that the emperor was free from
their menace.
From that time Tulasidas and his followers were never
troubled by the emperor. So goes a story.
Historians say that, during this period, Tulasidas wrote 'Satsai'
- a book of 700 verses.
Krishna And Rama
Gradually the number of followers of Tulasidas grew
enormously. Poets like Nabhadas, Pranachand Chowhan,
Hridayaram and Agradas became his disciples, too. In spired
by his preachings and ideal life they devoted themselves to the
task of spreading the cult of Rama Bhakti.
Once Tulasidas came to Mathura, the centre of Krishna's
devotees. Goswami went to the temple of Krishna. He was
greeted and welcomed warmly by the holy men there. They
said to him, "Sir, we believe that you are a matchless devotee
of Sri Rama. Is it true you never sing of any gods other than
Sri Rama?"
Tulasidas said, 'No. It is not so. In fact Sri Rama is Sri
Krishna." And then he composed on the spot a song on Sri
Krishna and sang it. Though it was on Sri Krishna, the
attributes were those of Sri Rama. The saints and sages
gathered there were highly pleased. It is said that a miracle
took place. Even as Tulasidas's song ended the idol of Sri
Krishna (with a flute in his hand) in the inner shrine appeared
as the idol of Sri Rama holding a bow in his hand.
People who witnessed this sight stood amazed. They were full
of praise for Tulasidas who showed that Sri Rama and Sri
Krishna were one.
After this Tulasidas composed his 'Krishna Geetavali'.
Goswami. Tulasidas had visited all the holy places. He spent
his last days in Kashi. It is said that in his last days he suffered
from pain in the arms. Having lived a fruitful and saintly life of
136 years Tulasidas passed away in 1680 of the Vikrama Era
(i.e. 1623 A. D.) in Asighat of Kashi.
Scholars say that Goswami Tulasidas has written 37 books.
But only 12 of them have survived.
A Great Man
Tulasidas was a great man. He suffered much hardship from
his early years. He did not know the care and affection of
father and mother. He was brought up by the charity of the
people. Even after he became a sanyasi, difficulties did not
cease. When he settled down in Kashi, many blamed him,
and many made fun of him. But he was always patient and
calm. Once he said, "Some say that Tulasi does bad deeds.
Some call him a big cheat. Some others say that he truly
is a devotee of Rama. I can bear all comments. My mind
is untroubled. Whatever is to happen to Tulasi, good or
bad, is in the hands of Rama."
Kindness and courage were blended in him A brahmin, it
seems, had done something bad. So he came to Kashi to
purify himself. The orthodox people kept him at a dis tance as
an outcaste. But Tulasidas treated him as one of his own
people. He knew full well that the orthodox people would be
furious; he knew he would have to face severe criticism. Yet
he ate the food prepared by that brahmin.
Tulasidas was a very great scholar He had made a profound
study of Indian philosophy and literature. But his scholarship
did not make him arrogant. For him meditation on Rama was
more important than all other things. Wha tever the difficulties
one should not lose zest in life. One should always do good to
others treating all as the children of God, making no
distinction of caste, status or rank. This was the way he
showed to others and this was how he himself lived.
Immortal Poet
Tulasidas showed the way of Bhakti. It is a good way of life
even today. The characters he has sketched such as Sri
Rama, Lakshmana, Bharata, Seetha, Anjaneya, Vib
heeshana, Jatayu, Guha and Sugreeva are ideal figures of
Vedic culture. We should rejoice that such a great poet and a
saint of such high order as Goswami Tulasidas was born in
this country, and lived and carried on his mis sion here.