When we hear the name Goswami Tulsidas, an image of devotion, sacrifice, and literature emerges before our eyes, an image that has given a new dimension to Indian culture. But did you know that the life of this great saint was once immersed in worldly attachments? His journey towards renunciation began with an incident that changed the entire course of his life. This was the event that transformed 'Ramabola' into Goswami Tulsidas.
Birth and Early Life
Tulsidas was born on August 4th in the Rajapur village of Chitrakoot district, Uttar Pradesh. An interesting legend surrounds his birth, claiming that his first word was "Ram." This is why he was named 'Ramabola'. His childhood was filled with hardship. He lost his parents at a very young age. Orphaned, he had to endure many difficulties and hardships. Yet, despite these sorrows, his deep devotion to Lord Ram remained.
He understood at a young age that his life's purpose was Ram bhakti (devotion to Ram). The love for Lord Ram that awakened in his heart during childhood became the guiding force of his entire life. Even in difficult circumstances, he never abandoned the name of Lord Ram, and this very sentiment helped establish him as a great saint and poet.
A Devotee Immersed in Worldly Love
In his youth, Tulsidas married Ratnavali, a beautiful, intelligent, and devout woman. Ratnavali was as calm as she was cultured. Tulsidas loved his wife immensely. He couldn't bear to be away from her, constantly thinking about her. His wife began to hold more importance in his life than God. He became so engrossed in her beauty, words, and companionship that the rest of the world seemed insignificant. But this love, initially blissful, slowly became the greatest test of his life.
Ratnavali knew Tulsidas possessed the potential for greatness, but this blind love was diverting him from his path. She worried that he might forget his life's purpose, and this concern one day changed history.
The Night That Changed Everything
Once, Ratnavali went to her parents' home for a few days. Tulsidas loved her so much that he couldn't bear to be apart from her. Within days, he became restless. It was the month of Sawan (July-August), with heavy rain and floods in the river. No sensible person would venture out in such weather, but love-struck Tulsidas disregarded any danger. He was determined to meet Ratnavali at any cost.
Upon reaching the riverbank, a boatman refused to ferry him across. What he saw then was shocking. A corpse was floating in the river, and mistaking it for a log, Tulsidas used it to cross. He somehow reached his in-laws' house, and there, he mistook a snake for a rope to climb the wall. Furthermore, the bamboo he used to climb the wall was actually a dried animal bone.
When he reached his wife's room in the dead of night and Ratnavali saw him in this state, she was astonished. When Tulsidas explained everything, Ratnavali, not as a wife but as a wise woman, advised him. She said, "If you have shown such love for my mortal body, imagine the blessings if you had directed this love towards Lord Ram." Ratnavali's words impacted Tulsidas so deeply that his mind turned towards renunciation that very moment. This was the night that transformed 'Ramabola' into Goswami Tulsidas.
A Wife's Rebuke Shapes His Life's Direction
Seeing Tulsidas so blindly devoted to her that he thought only of her day and night, Ratnavali one day, in anger but with profound words, jolted him. She said, if you have shown this much love for my mortal body, imagine the state you would have been in if you had directed this love towards Lord Ram; you would have already been free from worldly bonds. Her words struck Tulsidas deeply. It was as if someone had suddenly awakened a person from a deep slumber. At that very moment, Tulsidas understood the truth of his life.
He decided to abandon his wife, family, and worldly attachments to dedicate himself entirely to the devotion of Lord Ram. Ratnavali's rebuke changed the direction of his life, transforming him from an ordinary householder into a great saint who went on to compose the immortal work, 'Ramcharitmanas'.
The First Step Towards Renunciation
Ratnavali's honest and sharp words touched Tulsidas deeply, shaking him to his core. The very next day, he left his home and fully embraced the path of renunciation. His mind, now free from worldly attachments, became immersed in the devotion of Lord Ram. He wandered from village to village and town to town, chanting Ram's name and praying for a glimpse of God. The fire of devotion that had ignited in his heart burned brighter and brighter each day. This devotion made him the great saint who later composed the immortal work, 'Ramcharitmanas'. This journey of Tulsidas marked the first step on the ladder of renunciation and devotion, leading him to the highest peaks of spirituality.
The Composition of Ramcharitmanas
After embracing renunciation, Tulsidas traveled to many pilgrimage sites. He performed deep meditation at sacred places like Kashi, Ayodhya, and Chitrakoot. Pleased by his devotion and penance, Lord Shiva blessed him. He then had a vision of Hanuman, who showed him Lord Ram in Ayodhya. This was a turning point in Tulsidas's life, infusing him with new energy and prompting him to deeply study the character of Lord Ram. Following this spiritual experience, he began composing 'Ramcharitmanas,' which became his most famous work.
Tulsidas wrote Ramcharitmanas in Awadhi, making it accessible to the common people so they could understand the glory of Lord Ram. This epic is not merely a religious text but also the soul of Indian culture and society. Besides Ramcharitmanas, Tulsidas also composed many other important and popular works like Hanuman Chalisa, Vinaya Patrika, Dohavali, and Kavitavali. These works remain immensely popular, evoking devotion in people's hearts. Tulsidas's literary contributions have served as a source of guidance and inspiration for Indian society for centuries.
The Inspiration of Tulsidas's Life
The life of Goswami Tulsidas teaches us that if a person understands their inner truth and achieves self-realization at the right time, they can make their life incredibly successful and elevated. The source of Tulsidas's inspiration was the honest and stern lesson from his wife Ratnavali, which lifted him above worldly love and dedicated him to the devotion of Lord Ram. Tulsidas was not just a devotee or poet; he was a great social reformer.
Through his writings and poems, he kindled love, devotion, sacrifice, and morality in people's hearts. His compositions still guide society and teach us the importance of truth, honesty, and dedication in life. Thus, both his life and poetry inspire us to adopt high ideals and fulfill our duties honestly.
The journey from 'Ramabola' to 'Goswami Tulsidas' is not merely the story of one person; it shows that transformation in life is always possible—regardless of circumstances. If inner awakening occurs, even worldly attachments can become a ladder to reach God.
