On August 3, 2014, the birth anniversary of Sant Tulsidas will be celebrated in commemoration of the life of this most renowned personality of Hindi as well as world literature. Although he lived over five hundred years ago, the message of his life is an evergreen one. The example left by this literary giant is most instructive to all of mankind caught up in a world riddled by challenges of various kinds.
From street child to sage poet, from ‘adham’ (unworthy) to ‘aadi kavi’ (foremost of poets), from a life of ‘vishay’ (worldliness) to one of ‘vimukt’ (liberation), Tulsi’s experiences were such that they propelled him to become an outstanding devotee, an example for all. Surviving under the most impoverished conditions, he went from pillar to post until he met his Guru Naraharidas. This encounter was one of the turning points of his life as his Guru steered him on the path of ‘gyaan bhakti’ (enlightened devotion) and ‘shuddh karma’ (pure action). From Shri Narahariji this willing ‘shishya’ (disciple) acquired knowledge of various Hindu scriptures.
Later on, Tulsi was married and his world became totally consumed by his love for his wife, without whom he could not bear to live for a moment. Realising the depth of his attachment for her, Ratna, his wife, suggested to him, ‘Raam bhajo, saba kaam tajo.’ (‘Give up everything and seek Raam.’). This advice was an impetus that sparked off a sudden shift from worldliness to an intense desire to seek God. That bit of advice from his wife marked the initiation of Tulsi’s spiritual quest, which drove him to travel from place to place, searching through several experiences and encountering countless obstacles on the way.
His journey to his Lord spurred him on to compose several poems. The most popular was the writing in ‘Avadhi’ of the Shri Raamcharitra-maanas. This writing was met with stiff opposition from other Sanskrit scholars who condemned the text and tried to destroy it. However, his faith stood strong as the book received the stamp of the Divine Himself.
Some of his other writings include: Dohavali, a collection of Dohas, consisting of 573 miscellaneous Doha and Sortha verses mainly in Braja with some verses in Avadhi. There is also
Kavitavali, Gitavali and Vinaya Patrika – a petititon of humility.Also, the very popular Hanuman Chalisa, Hanuman Ashtak and Hanuman Baahuk were composed by this sage poet.
Tulsi’s quest for the Lord grew in intensity with every illness, every disappointment or challenge that confronted him. Until the very end of his life on earth Tulsi’s faith never floundered. In like manner, we too must immerse ourselves in a spiritual milieu, not brooding over the impermanence of life, while straddled amidst the many physical, material and social challenges. Despite the perceived dehumanising environment in which we could find ourselves at times and the apparent chaos that may surround us, we need to be receptive of all possibilities and realise the higher purpose of our existence. With the guidance of one’s Guru, who is like the gardener of our lives, we need to pluck out all weeds of negativities, water our lives with sincere ‘bhakti’ and prune good habits. In this way, we would, like Tulsidas, reap the fruit of spiritual prosperity.
