2017-03-22 Wed

If one retains lust, anger, proud, greediness in life. There is no difference between a scholar and a brainless- Sant Tulsidas

Philosophy and literature are the sounds which beat in the rhythm of Indian culture. The effect of its magnificent waves gave birth too many poets and philosophers throughout the eons. But the most significant effect was during ‘Bhakti Movement’ when Indian land saw many great poets and thinker. And amongst them, the most well known was ‘Goswami Tulsidas’ the composer of ‘Ramcharitrmanas’.

Ramcharitmanas is considered to be the greatest work of Hindi literature; it literally means ‘Lake of the deeds of Rama’. Tulsidas composed this poem in Awadhi, a local dialect of Hindi which was generally spoken in large part of north India. The notion of writing this poem in Awadhi was to bring the Sanskrit Ramayana of Valmiki to common masses. For the first time, the story of Lord Ram was available for the commoner to sing, understand, and perform on.

It is said that Tulsidas started writing Ramcharitrmanas in 1631 VS (1574 AD) in Ayodhya on ‘Rama Navami’ (birthday of lord Ram). During that time India was ruled by Mughal ruler Akbar. Tulsidas was also the contemporary of William Shakespeare.

This composition of Tulsidas consists of Dohas and Chaupayees and is divided into Seven Kandas (books or cantos). It is a tale of an ideal king Lord Ram, who ruled Ayodhya. The beginning of each Kandas begins with ‘Mangalacharan’ (invocation) in praise of the Gods. It is to ensure that the ‘Sankalpa’ is finished unobstructed. The ending of the Kandas is similarly concluded by Tulsidas.

The structure of this poem is based on the conversation between ‘lord Shiva’ and his consort ‘Parvati’, Sages ‘Bharadwaj’ and ‘Yajnavalkya’ and finally between ‘Kakbhushundi’ (the King of Birds) and ‘Garuda’. The devotion of Tulsidas to lord Ram reflects in his work like a silken thread which enchants its listeners.

Ramcharitrmanas was also translated into English and to cherish and recognise this holy composition, India post has issued a commemorative stamp in 1975.

To know more about Indian saint click here.