Tulsidas

Himself lives in His Name, chanting the Name is a powerful means of developing devotion towards Him. One must surrender to Lord Ram, and pursue devotion to Him, without any consideration of self-interest. Saint Tulsidas never founded any school of followers, nor did he take the position of Guru. However, his teachings have had a profound influence on the people of North India.

INCIDENTS FROM HIS LIFE

There is an interesting story associated with Ramcharitmanas. It is said that once some thieves went to Tulsidas’s ashram with the intention of stealing the great work. They were unable to enter as there were two blue- complexioned guards at the gate with bows and arrows. During the day, when the thieves confessed this to him, Tulsidas wept on the realization that Lord Ram and Lakshman had themselves come to protect his work.

Another legend goes that once Tulsidas went to Vrindavan and visited a temple of Lord Krishna. On seeing the idol, he was moved by the beauty but expressed his inability to offer obeisance to the Diety as he could only bow his head in front of Lord Ram. The Lord revealed himself in the form of Lord Ram with bow and arrows to fulfil his devotee’s desire. Thus, He conveyed the powerful message that Lord Krishna and Lord Ram are the same Supreme God.

It is said that once Tulsidas brought back to life the husband of a poor woman. When news reached the Mughal emperor at Delhi, Tulsidas was taken prisoner and ordered to perform a miracle to save his own life. Tulsidas humbly replied that he had no special powers and was only a devotee of Lord Ram. Tulsidas prayed to Hanuman and when armies of monkeys entered the royal palace, the king had to admit defeat.

MAHASAMADHI

Tulsidas is believed to have left for his worldly abode sometime in the early seventeenth century A.D. at the age of ninety-one, in Kashi.

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