Tulsidas: An Overview of His Early Life
Tulsidas, the revered saint-poet, was born in the quaint village of Rajapur in the Banda district of Uttar Pradesh, India. His mother, Hulsi, and father, Aatmaram Dubey, were his parents.
Early Life and Mystical Beginnings
The early years of Tulsidas were shrouded in mystical occurrences. Legend has it that instead of crying at birth, the first utterance from his lips was the name of Lord Ram, signifying an extraordinary beginning.
Contrary to the norm of childbirth occurring within nine months, Tulsidas’s birth transpired twelve months after conception, marking an unusual entry into the world.
During Tulsidas’s birth, several unusual signs were reported. Generally, humans develop a set of 32 teeth by the age of 30-40 years. However, Tulsidas was born with a complete set of 32 teeth, defying the norm.
Trials and Transformations
Tragedy struck soon after his birth when Tulsidas lost his mother. Misinterpreting this event as ominous, his father distanced himself from the child.
For five years, Tulsidas was under the care of a maid. Eventually, Sant Sri Narhayanand brought Tulsidas to Ayodhya, where he was named Ramboi. After completing his education in Ayodhya, he journeyed to Kashi and…
Devotion and Spiritual Union
Tulsidas’s devotion to Lord Ram deepened after his marriage to Ratnavali. Legend holds that due to his wife’s influence, he renounced domestic life and embraced the life of a hermit, engrossed in devotion to Lord Ram. Their marriage was documented in Ratnavali.
During one storytelling session, when Tulsidas narrated a tale, Pandit Deenbandhu Pathak, Ratnavali’s father, was immensely moved and orchestrated her marriage to Tulsidas.
At the age of 29, after their marriage, Ratnavali went to her maternal home for a while. Tulsidas’s profound love for his wife, stemming from his solitary childhood, drove him to visit her without prior notice.
The Revelation and Transformation
Ratnavali, fearing societal judgment, urged Tulsidas to return. Unwilling to leave, she used a couplet to express that the affection he held for her physical form should be directed towards the divine, implying that embracing God’s love could transcend worldly attachments.
These words struck Tulsidas profoundly. On that very day, he relinquished his familial life, returned to his village, and assumed the life of a sage. There, he commenced narrating the tales of Lord Ram, immersing himself and others in devotion to the divine.
Tulsidas’s journey from an enigmatic childhood to a revered saint-poet showcases the transformative power of spirituality and love for the divine. His devotion and literary contributions continue to inspire spiritual seekers and readers alike.
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