Author of the greatest medieval devotional poetical work concerning the acts of Rama. (Glossary for the Vahinis)

Tulsidas is also known as Goswami Tulsidas.

Poet Tulsidas wrote the beautiful story of Ramayana for the sake of propagating the great name of Rama to the world, as an example of an ideal human being. (SSB 1977, p. 6)

Tulsidas in one of his famous songs described the beauty of Shri Rama thus:

Shri Ramacandra kripalu bhaju, mana, harana bhava bhaya darunam ।

navakanja-lochana kanja-mukha, kara-kanja Pada-kanjarunam ॥1॥

It means ‘Oh! Ramachandra! Your eyes are like the fully ripened buds of the lotus flowers. Your face is like the petals of a lotus flower. If only we have the good fortune of witnessing your beautiful divine form, we do not at all crave for worldly objects. Oh! Rama! A thousand Manmadhas (God of love) are no match to your nail even.’

This song has become so famous that people sing it as a prayer song before commencement of the proceedings in any conference or auspicious occasion in Utter Pradesh, even today.

Tulsidas gradually moved away from worldly desires and relationships and experienced bliss in divine bondage. The life stories of great souls are indescribable. (Beacons of Divine Wisdom, Part 1, p. 174)

Inner meaning of the advice of Tulsidas

Tulsidas was a contemporary of Meera. She wrote a letter earlier to Tulsidas seeking a clarification from him as to how she should conduct herself when there is a clash between her personal life and her devotion to God. ‘Rana is putting me to great trouble due to his self-interest. I am not creating any problems to him wantonly; I am following the divine command. However, I had to flout his orders now and then. Kindly clarify whether it is correct on my part to do so?’ Tulsidas replied, ‘It is necessary to submit to the King’s orders to a certain extent in worldly matters. This is your duty. However, one need not care any individual, however high he may be, in matters relating to devotion to God. You are aware that the demon King Hiranyakashipu out his son Prahlada to great torture. Still, Prahlada did not give up his devotion to God. Rather, he ignored even his father’s command. When someone like a husband or even a king comes in your way in matters relating to devotion to God, you need not at all care. Vibhishana, brother of King Ravana moved away from him and sought refuge in Shri Rama, when Ravana came in the way of devotion to God. He did not even entertain the feeling that Ravana was his brother. Similarly Queen Kaikeyi put her son Bharata to great trouble when he wished to go the forest to see his brother Rama. She told him, ‘You need not go to the forest. Be prepared to be coronated as the King of Ayodhya.’ Bharata then disassociated himself from his mother. His policy was that one should renounce even one’s mother when she comes in the way of reaching God. In yet another instance when Emperor Bali was prepared to offer himself totally to Vamana, his Guru Shukracharya tried to dissuade him from doing so in ever so many ways. Emperor Bali then told him emphatically ‘Oh! Guruji! When God Himself approached me to seek my body in charity, why, should I not oblige Him? To whom else can I offer this body? Does God come to anyone and seek alms? Now He has come to me and stretched His hand before me saying, ‘Bhavati Bhiksham Dehi!’(Please give Me alms). Thus, His hand had come under my hand, I have become the donor and He the receiver of alms. How fortunate I am!’ He decided to offer his everything to god, even disregarding the advice of his Guru. These noble souls renounced even the father, mother, brother and Guru in the path of devotion. Hence, you may follow their example when it concerns devotion to god.’ What is the inner meaning of the advice given by Saint Tulsidas? God is greater than anyone else, Mother, father, sisters, brothers, wife and husband, all have come in the middle only! These relationships are like the passing clouds. Before your birth, after your birth and even after death, God is the only ONE who does not undergo change in all three periods of time – past, present and future. Hence, one has to develop unflinching faith in Him. In order to attain God who is eternal, the fleeting constraints created by individuals should not be taken into consideration.

Meera understood the message contained in the letter of Saint Tulsidas. She thought to herself, ‘Oh1 Lord Krishna! My heart is your Mandir (Temple). No one can separate us? She then set out on her journey to god singing, ‘Chalore Man Ganga Yamuna theer.’ (Beacons of Divine Wisdom Part 2, pp. 129-130)

Tulsidas said: ‘Rama! I am helpless, poor and crippled.’ Why did he say he was a Angahina (cripple)? He had hands and legs, head and everything else. Nevertheless he declared that he was a cripple. What is the inner meaning of this? ‘What is the use of having hands when I am unable to serve you, Oh Rama! What is the use of having eyes, when I am unable to see you? So, I am verily blind.’ Tulsidas declared that limbs that are not used in the service of the Lord are as good as lost.

Purandharadaasa also sang in the same manner. ‘Alas, even when they are endowed with eyes, the do not see your glorious form! Even when they have ears, they do not listen to the songs in the praise of the Lord.’ (SSS Vol.28, p. 89)

There were many Sages and Saints who were ready to sacrifice their lives for the sake of Rama. Tulsidas was a great devotee of God who lived on the Chitrakoota mountain. Every day after bath, he would offer holy water to a tree. One day, a spirit appeared in front of him and said; ‘Oh master, while you discourse on Ramayana, there is a person, an old man who comes here first and is the last one to leave. Tomorrow, you must cling on to his feet and ask for a boon.’ The spirit disappeared.

On the next day, Tulsidas was busy preparing sandal paste and singing the name of Rama. After sometime, the old Brahmin came there. Tulsidas began discoursing on the Ramayana. At the end of the discourse, everyone went except the Brahmin. Tulsidas went to him and fell at his feet. The Brahmin asked Tulsidas what boon he wanted. Tulsidas replied: ‘I want to have the darshan of the beautiful form of Shri Ram.’ The Brahmin then said; ‘You will have the darshan of Shri Rama in a few days.’ Who was this Brahmin? It was none other than Hanuman. He would present himself wherever the glory of Rama is sung. Hanuman always passes in to rapture while listening to the glory of Rama,

A few days later, a boy of tender age came to Tuslidas when he was preparing sandal paste for the Lord. He approached Tulsidas and said; ‘Oh grand sire, will you give some paste to me? Tulsidas readily agreed to do this favour for the boy. While he was giving the paste to the boy, the birds of the tree felt pity for Tulsidas, since he did not recognise that the boy was the same Lord Rama. For whom he had been pining for so many years. The Lord is everywhere:

Whether you are in the forest or in the desert,

Whether you are in town or village,

Whether you are on the mountain- top or mid- stream,

The Lord helps the hapless ones.

Two days after this incident, the old man asked Tulsidas whether he had seen the Lord on the previous day. Tulsidas replied in the negative. Then the old man said: ‘Who do you think came yesterday in the form of a boy to take the sandal paste to worship Him in one form only. Ramachandra is the in –dweller of your heart. Your heart is the altar of God. Don’t install anyone in the altar of your heart except the Lord. My son, you may give room to your kith and kin in any part of your house, but do not install them in the altar of your shrine. Kith and kin come in the middle and go away in the middle. Serve them, but do not give your heart to them. Fill your heart with compassion. A heart laden with compassion is the temple of the Lord. Hridah+Daya makes Hridayam.’ Hanuman taught this lesson to Tulsidas and disappeared. (SSB 1996, p. 73)

Chanting of the Divine Name of Sai Rama will destroy mountains of sin. I often tell you Pibare Rama rasam (drink the nectar of Lord Rama’s Name). Tulsidas prayed to Rama for the nectar of His love. When sugar and water are mixed, syrup is formed. Likewise, when your love becomes one with Divine Love, then it becomes nectar, the experience of which makes you immortal. (SSS Vol.33, p. 47)

Tulsidas hailed Rama as the protector of the universe and declared that the very name Ra-aa-ma represented the three powerful deities, Agni, Surya and Chandra (the Fire-God, the Sun-God and the Moon-God). (SSS Vol.22, p. 54)

The song of Tulsidas: ‘Nava Kanja Lochana Kanja Mukha Kara Kanja Pada.’ In this song, the hands feet, face, eyes, etc., of the Lord are all compared to the lotus flower. He prays for that lotus to stay in his heart forever. Both Radha and Radhika prayed to Krishna to dwell permanently in their heart. Such intense devotion is rare these days. Today, people merely say, ‘Krishna, Krishna,’ as they go round or pass by a temple. Of what value is such part-time devotion? They are bhaktas (devotees) merely for name’s sake.

You must strive to earn the great wealth of God’ s love. Only then will you enjoy the experience of unity.

Sarvatah Pani padam Tat Sarvatokshi Siromukham,

Sarvatah Srutimal loke Sarvam avrutya Tisthati

(Bhagavad Gita Chapter 13 verse 14)

(with hands, feet, eyes, head, mouth and ears pervading everything, God permeates the entire

universe). (SSS Vol.32 Part II, p. 48)

Tulsidas demonstrated the fact that wherever you go, whatever you feel, the name of Rama is contained therein. Tulsidas reached the end of his life by proclaiming the greatness of of the name of Rama. In Ramayana, there are several instances which enable you to derive the strength that is necessary for facing various situations that come up in one’s life. Not only in worldly matters and spiritual matters, but in daily life, every human being can perceive the grace of the name Rama. (SSB 1977, pp. 5-6)