Gurus & Saints of India
Goswami Tulsidas (1532 - 1623)
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 the bars. Tulsi then prayed to Lord Hanuman as
countless powerful monkeys invaded the royal court. The emperor released him
from prison asked Tulsi to pardon him.
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).
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