Sant Tulsidas ji:
Tulsidas ji was born to Hulsi and Atmaram Shukla Dube in Rajpur, Uttar Pradesh, India on, Shravan Shukla Saptmi , Vikrami Samvat1554. He was a Sarayuparina Brahmin by birth and an incarnation of Sage Valmiki, the author of the Sanskrit Ramyana. At the time of birth, Goswamiji was as healthy as a five-year old boy and instead of crying, He uttered "Ram". At this moment, he was named as "Raambolaa".
Tulsidas ji is regarded as an incarnation of the great sage Valmiki. In Bhavishyottar Purana, Lord Shiva tells Parvati how Valmiki got a boon from Hanuman to sing the glories of Lord Ram in vernacular language in the Kali Yuga.
Nabhadas, a contemporary of Tulsidas ji and a great devotee, also describes Tulsidas ji as incarnation of Valmiki in his work Bhaktmaal. Even the Ramnandi sect (Tulsidas ji belonged to this sect) firmly believes that it was Valmiki himself who incarnated as Tulsidas ji in the Kali Yuga.
Nabhadas, a contemporary of Tulsidas ji and a great devotee, also describes Tulsidas ji as incarnation of Valmiki in his work Bhaktmaal. Even the Ramnandi sect (Tulsidas ji belonged to this sect) firmly believes that it was Valmiki himself who incarnated as Tulsidas ji in the Kali Yuga.
Tulsidas ji’s wife’s name was Buddhimati (Ratnavali). Tulsidas ji’s son’s name was Tarak. Tulsidas ji was passionately attached to his wife. He could not bear even a day’s separation from her. One day his wife went to her father’s house without informing her husband. Tulsidas ji stealthily went to see her at night at his father-in-law’s house.On a stormy night he crosses the turbulent river on a corpse and climbed up the window of his wife’s room on a snake.
This produced a sense of shame in Ratnavali She said to Tulsidas ji, "My body is but a network of flesh and bones. 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 Sansara and attain immortality and eternal bliss".
This produced a sense of shame in Ratnavali She said to Tulsidas ji, "My body is but a network of flesh and bones. 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 Sansara and attain immortality and eternal bliss".
अस्थि चर्ममय देह मम, तामे ऐसी प्रीती,
तैसी हों श्री राम में, होती न तव भव भीती
These words pierced the heart of Tulsidas ji like an arrow. He did not stay there even for a moment. He abandoned home and became an ascetic. He spent fourteen years visiting the various sacred places of pilgrimage.
Tulsidas ji used to throw the remaining water from his water-pot,after his daily ablutions, at the roots of a tree which was occupied by a spirit . The spirit was very much pleased with Tulsidas ji. The spirit said, "O man! Get a boon from me". Tulsidas ji replied, "Let me have Darshan of Lord Ram". The spirit said, "Go to the Hanuman temple. There Hanuman ji comes in the guise of a leper to listen to the Ramayan as the first shrota (listener)and leaves the place last of all. Get hold of him. He will help you". Accordingly, Tulsidas ji met Hanuman ji, and through His grace, had Darshan or vision of Lord Ram at Chitrakoot.
Tulsidas ji wrote twelve books. The most famous book is his Shri Ram Charita Manas—in Hindi. He wrote this book under the directions of Hanuman ji . This Ramayan is read and worshipped with great reverence in every Hindu home in India. It is an inspiring book. It contains sweet couplets in beautiful rhyme. Vinaya Patrika, Dohavali, Ramagya Prashna, Kavitavali, Barvai Ramayan are other important books written by Tulsidas ji.
Once,some thieves came to Tulsidas ji’s Ashram to steal. They saw a blue-complexioned guard, with bow and arrow in his hands, keeping watch at the gate. Wherever they moved, the guard followed them. They were frightened. In the morning they asked Tulsidas ji, "O venerable saint! We saw a young guard with bow and arrow in his hands at the gate of your residence. Who is this man?" Tulsidas ji remained silent and wept. He came to know that Lord Ram Himself had been taking the trouble to protect his bhakta.
One day a murderer came and cried, "For the love of Ram give me alms. I am a murderer". Tulsi called him to his house, gave him sacred food which had been offered to the Lord and declared that the murderer was purified. The Brahmins of Varanasi reproached Tulsidas ji and said, "How can the sin of a murderer be absolved? How could you eat with him? If the sacred bull of Siva—Nandi—would eat from the hands of the murderer, then only we would accept that he had been purified". Then the murderer was taken to the temple and the bull ate from his hands. The Brahmins were put to shame.
Tulsidas ji started writing Shri Ramcharit Manas on Ramnavami of Vikrami Samvat 1631 and completed the seven kands after 2 years, 7 months 26 days.
Tulsidas ji reicted the whole granth in the Shiva temple of Kashi Vishwanath. The granth was left in the temple overnight. Next day when the temple doors were opened, the granth had the imprint on its front page : Satyam -Shivam- Sundaram !
Tulsidas ji 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 whenYou take up bow and arrow in Your hands". The Lord revealed Himself before Tulsidas ji in the form of Lord Ram with bow and arrows.
It is believed that Tulsidas ji’s blessings once brought the dead husband of a poor woman back to life. The Moghul emperor at Delhi came to know of the great miracle done by Tulsidas ji. The emperor asked the saint to perform some miracle. Tulsidas ji replied, "I have no superhuman power. I know only the name of Ram". The emperor put Tulsi in prison and said, "I will release you only if you show me a miracle". Tulsi then prayed to Hanuman ji. Countless bands of powerful monkeys entered the royal court. The emperor got frightened and said, "O saint, forgive me. I know your greatness now". He at once released Tulsi from prison.
It is believed that Tulsidas ji’s blessings once brought the dead husband of a poor woman back to life. The Moghul emperor at Delhi came to know of the great miracle done by Tulsidas ji. The emperor asked the saint to perform some miracle. Tulsidas ji replied, "I have no superhuman power. I know only the name of Ram". The emperor put Tulsi in prison and said, "I will release you only if you show me a miracle". Tulsi then prayed to Hanuman ji. Countless bands of powerful monkeys entered the royal court. The emperor got frightened and said, "O saint, forgive me. I know your greatness now". He at once released Tulsi from prison.
Tulsi left his mortal body and entered the Abode of Immortality and Eternal Bliss at the age of 91. He was cremated at Asi Ghat by the Ganga in the holy city of Varanasi (Benaras).
Tulsidas ji was one of the best poets ever to have graced Bharat. His verses were written in Avadhi known today as Hindi and are accessible to everyone. His grantha-Shri Ram Charita Manas was referred to by Gandhiji, as the greatest book ever written. It is impossible to write a brief note about Tulsidas ji and be content about it.
With Best Wishes -on behalf of Hindu Samaj Australia Inc
Pandit Akashdeep
Phone: 03 8338 8937
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www.gyanbhakti.com
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