9. Tulsidas

 Tulsidas was a renowned poet, saint, philosopher, and social reformer who lived in India during the 16th century (1511–1623). A devoted follower of Lord Rama, he authored Ramcharitmanas, a vernacular rendition of the Ramayana in the Avadhi dialect. Revered as the reincarnation of Valmiki, Tulsidas also composed the famous devotional hymn Hanuman Chalisa in praise of Lord Hanuman.

He spent much of his life in Varanasi, where the Tulsidas Ghat is named in his honor. He was instrumental in establishing the Sankatmochan Temple dedicated to Hanuman, where it is believed he had a divine vision of the deity. Tulsidas is also credited with initiating the tradition of the Ramlila, a dramatic enactment of the Ramayana. His influence on Hindustani music and Hindi dance-dramas, particularly the Ramlila, remains profound.

1. Birth

Tulsidas was born on the seventh day of the Hindu month of Shravan in Rajapur (Chitrakoot) on the banks of the Yamuna River. His parents, Hulsi and Atmaram Dubey, are thought to have lived during either 1532 or 1554. He is said to have lived for 126 years.

According to legend, his mother carried him in her womb for 12 months. At birth, the child had 32 teeth and did not cry; instead, he uttered the name "Rama." This earned him the name Rambola. Tragically, his mother died soon after his birth, and his father passed away four days later.

A woman named Chuniya, a friend of his mother, took the orphaned child to her village and raised him. However, Chuniya also passed away when Rambola was just five and a half years old, leaving him completely orphaned. Rambola survived by begging and is said to have been protected by Goddess Parvati, who appeared in the form of a Brahmin woman.

Tulsidas later recounted parts of his life in his works, while additional details about his life were chronicled in Bhaktamal by Nabhadas and Bhaktirasabodhini by Priyadas, written over a century after his death.

2. Reincarnation of Valmiki

Many believe Tulsidas was the reincarnation of Valmiki. According to the Bhavishyottar Purana, Lord Shiva told Goddess Parvati that Valmiki would be reborn in the Kali Yuga. It is said that Hanuman, a devotee of Lord Rama, would often listen to Valmiki recite the Ramayana. After Ravana's death, Hanuman withdrew to the Himalayas and prayed to Lord Rama.

3. Education

Rambola received Virakta Deeksha (initiation into ascetic life) and was renamed Tulsidas. At the age of seven, Nahari Das performed his Upanayana (sacred thread ceremony) in Ayodhya. Tulsidas himself mentions this in his work Ramcharitmanas. He first heard the Ramayana from his guru in Ayodhya.

At the age of 15 or 16, Tulsidas traveled to Varanasi, where he studied Sanskrit grammar, Hindu scriptures, philosophy, the four Vedas, six Vedangas, and astrology under his guru, Shesha Sanatana, at the Panchaganga Ghat. With his guru’s permission, he later returned to his birthplace, Chitrakoot, where he began narrating the Ramayana.

4. Marriage and Asceticism

On the 13th day of the first month of 1583, Tulsidas married Ratnavati, the daughter of a relative named Pathak. The couple had a son, Taraka, who passed away in early childhood.

A popular story illustrates Tulsidas's love for his wife. Once, after returning late from a temple visit, Tulsidas discovered that Ratnavati had gone to her father’s house. Determined to see her, he journeyed over 20 kilometers through torrential rain, crossing the overflowing Yamuna River without a boat. He climbed into her room using what he thought was a vine, only to realize later that it was a snake.

When Ratnavati saw his devotion, she scolded him, saying, "If only you showed this kind of love for God!" Deeply moved, Tulsidas renounced worldly life and went to Prayagraj to live as an ascetic. However, some historians suggest he remained celibate his entire life.

5. Vision of Hanuman and Rama

According to legend, while writing the Ramayana, Tulsidas was blessed with a vision of Hanuman. Tulsidas asked how he might see Lord Rama when falling at the deity's feet. Hanuman advised him to go to Chitrakoot.

At Chitrakoot, Tulsidas settled at the Ramghat Ashram. One day, while circumambulating the mountain, he saw two princes on horseback but failed to recognize them as Rama and Lakshmana. Later, while grinding sandalwood in a temple, Lord Rama appeared before him and requested a sandalwood tilak. Only then did Tulsidas realize he was in the divine presence of Lord Rama.

6. Devotion to Rama

Tulsidas’s unwavering devotion is illustrated in another story. When a murderer begged alms in Rama's name, Tulsidas welcomed him and offered food despite neighbors’ objections.

To prove the murderer’s redemption, Tulsidas asked the stone Nandi idol in a Shiva temple to eat food blessed by the man. Miraculously, the idol consumed the offering, silencing critics and affirming Tulsidas’s faith.

7. Encounter with Emperor Jahangir

The Mughal emperor Jahangir once summoned Tulsidas and demanded a miracle to prove his devotion. Tulsidas humbly refused, stating he was merely a devotee of Rama. Angered, Jahangir imprisoned him.

However, monkeys soon wreaked havoc in the palace and prison. When someone suggested that the chaos was caused by Rama’s wrath, Jahangir released Tulsidas, after which the disturbances ceased.

8. Final Days

In his final years, Tulsidas suffered greatly, developing painful wounds on his hands. During this time, he composed Hanuman Batuk, a hymn to Hanuman, praying for relief. His illness reportedly vanished soon after.

Tulsidas continued to inspire devotion through his sermons. On one occasion, he reminded a woman, proud of her beauty, that all her attributes were gifts from Lord Rama, guiding her towards a path of spiritual reflection.

Legacy

Tulsidas’s life and works, including Ramcharitmanas and Hanuman Chalisa, inspire millions. His dedication to Lord Rama and his contributions to literature, music, and drama ensure his lasting legacy.

References:

1) http://www.varanasi.org.in/tulsi-das

http://creative.sulekha.com/when-tulsidas-said-his-wife-oh-…

3) http://www.hindupedia.com/en/Goswami_Tulsidas

4) https://youtu.be/CNDRfTfihuQ

5) https://youtu.be/8wAXFjkcSlE