Goswami Tulsidas remembered on Tulsi Jayanti

Lucknow, Aug 20 (UNI) A grand cultural event was today organised in the Uttar Pradesh state capital by the 'Manas Parivar Sewa Samiti' to commemorate the 515th birth anniversary of Tulsidas, author of the holy Hindu text 'Ramcharitmanas'.

Tulsidas was born to Hulsi and Atmaram Shukla Dube in Rajapur of Chitrakoot district in 1497 AD. He was a Sarayuparina Brahmin by birth and said to be an incarnation of Sage Valmiki, the author of the Sanskrit 'Ramayana'.

Present on the event, Saint Prem Bhushan Maharaj said, ''Tulsidasji was not an ordinary man. He was an incarnation of sage Valmiki. The birth anniversary of such a great personality ought to be celebrated on a National level.'' ''Known as 'Tulsiram' or 'Ram Bola' in his childhood, Tulsidas was passionately attached to his wife Buddhimati until the day she uttered '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 and he left home in search of Lord Ram,'' the sage said, describing the life of Tulsidas.

He added ''Tulsidasji abandoned home, became an ascetic, and spent 14 years visiting various sacred places. It is said that he met Lord Hanuman, and through Him had a vision of Lord Rama. The sage wrote 12 books, the most famous being the Hindi 'Ramayan' - 'Ramcharitmanas' 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 him, which he had written with help of Lord Hanuman's vision. Hanuman Chalisa was his last writeup, the saint maintained.

In Chitrakoot, a grand programme on the ocassion of 'Tulsi Jayanti' was orgainsed at Rajapur village, the birth place of Goswami Tulsidas.

Several intellectuals participated in the programme orgainsed by 'Tulsi Samarak Samiti'.

The Chief Guest of the programme, litterateur Mahendra Sinha, noted Goswami Tulsidas had made remarkable contribution to literature and was not known in India alone, but the world over.

''His writing, in the form of Ramcharitmanas, had always resolved the problems of the people,'' he added.

Tulsidas was also remembered by other guests on the occassion.

District Magistrate Subhash Chandra Mishra assured development of the village and improved facilities for tourists, who throng Rajapur in large numbers.

UNI