Tulsidas Jayanti is celebrated in ‘Sharavana’ month on ‘Saptami’ of the
‘Krishna Paksha’ (Seventh day of the dark fortnight of the moon). In 2025 it is
being celebrated on 31st July. Tulsidas is believed to be a reincarnation of
Valmiki, the original composer of the ‘Ramayana’. He was born in 1511 CE in
Rajapur, Uttar Pradesh. It is believed that he was born with 32 teeth and uttered
the first word Ram. He was adopted by Narharidas because he was made an
orphan at the age of five years. He and Narharidas went to Ayodhya where he
gave him Ram Mantra and a new name as Tulsidas.
Tulsidas’s most renowned work is the ‘Ramcharitmanas’ which is an
epic poem. It eloquently narrates the life and virtues of Lord Rama. Tulsidas
composed it in Avadhi Dialect and made the divine tale of Rama accessible to
all. This poetic composition is a spiritual guide and a grand literary masterpiece
with philosophical insight, ethical teachings and poetic grandeur. It may be
added that Mrs. Alka Puri, (M.A. Hindi) B.Ed, mother of the author, had a
profound knowledge of Ramcharitmanas.She could recite its couplets quite
often on various occasions.
Tulsidas composed several other significant works like Hanuman
Chalisa, Vinaya Patrika, Dohavali, Kavitavali, Hanuman Ashtak, Bajrang Baan
etc. in very simple language. The Tulsi Ghat on the Ganges in Varanasi is
named after him. He was married to Ratnavali and had a son named Tarak who
left this world soon. Tulsidas left this world at the age of 111 on 30 July, 1623.
In an exclusive telephonic interview, Prof. Pradyumna shah Singh, Head,
Department of Jain Budha Darshan, Faculty of Sanskrit, Vidya Dharma vigyan ,
Banaras Hindu University told the author “Ramcharitamanas is the Epic, composed
by Mahatma Tulsidas, the great poet of Hindi literature. His command was also on
Sanskrit poetics which can be seen in the slokas composed by him at the starting of
every Kand of Ramcharitamanas. It is generally said that Goswami Tulsidas ji had
started composing Ramcharitmanas in Varanasi at the river bank of Holi Ganga at
Assi Ghat. Since he was composing this Epic in Avadhi language therefore Pandits
of Varanasi started opposing him. Goswami ji was blessed by Hanuman ji, being
advised by him he left Varanasi and reached Ayodhya and accomplished his dream
assignment within a stipulated time of two years. There are seven Kandas in
Ramcharitamanas viz., Balkand, Ayodhyakand, B, Kishkindhakand, Sundarkand,
Lankakand and Uttarkand. It is said that this is the outcome of the teaching of Vedas
and by upnishadas. This is not a simple epic but there is a story of Lord Ram from
beginning to end. In this story Ram is Hero and Ravan is villain. Sita is great lady
Hero and Lord Hanuman is the greatest devotee of Lord Ram who helped him not
only in the battle but in every step of his difficult life. Mata Sita blessed Hanuman to
live everywhere due to his unparallel devotion to Lord Ram”.
It is worth mentioning that Dr. Ajit S. Puri, noted father of the author, while
serving on senior positions in Shri Laxmi Narayan Marwari Hindu and Apex
Hospitals, Varanasi, he visited Kashi Vishwanath Temple and often participated in
sacred Ganga arti (prayer). He observed that people including foreigners visited
places related to Goswami Tulsidas and had a great reverence for Ramcharitmanas
by him. Ganga remained full of such visitors and devotees. Dr. Puri also visited
Benaras Hindu University and had a healthy interaction with the then Vice-
Chancellor, 2008. He was also awarded Punjab Rattan same year.
Dr. Jaswant Singh Puri
Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa)
Social Activist
Punjab Rattan, Member, Dewan Family,
Erstwhile Princely State of Patiala, Punjabi University Medalist
(Author of the world acclaimed book ‘Rise and Decline of the Mughal Empire’
A Copy of the Book was presented to His Holiness & Nobel Laureate, Dalai Lama of Tibet)
