The creator of Ramcharitmanas Tulsidas was born today
Tulsidas' birth anniversary is celebrated every year on the seventh day of the Shukla Paksha of the Sawan month. He is widely regarded as one of India's greatest saints, celebrated for creating two revered texts of Sanatan Dharma: the Ramcharitmanas and the Hanuman Chalisa.
Born on August 11, 1511, in the 16th century, Tulsidas was popularly known as Goswami Tulsidas. He undertook the monumental task of reworking the renowned Ramayana, originally in Sanskrit.
Legend holds that Tulsidas was born in Chitrakut, spent much of his life in Varanasi and Ayodhya, and the Tulsi Ghat in Varanasi is named in his honor. A devotee of Lord Rama, some believe that his first words were "Ram."
Among his notable works are Kavitavali, Gitavali, Krishna Gitavali, Vinaya Patrika, and Sankatmochan Hanumanashta.
It is believed that Tulsidas was considered the reincarnation of Valmiki, as detailed in the Hindu scripture Bhavishyottar Purana. According to this scripture, Lord Shiva conveyed to his wife Parvati the manner in which Valmiki would reappear in the Kal Yuga.
Historical accounts indicate that Hanuman frequented Valmiki to hear recitations of the Ramayana. Even after Lord Rama's victory over Ravana, Hanuman continued to steadfastly devote himself to Rama while dwelling in the Himalayas.
In a popular myth, Tulsidas is said to have spent an entire year within his mother's womb before being born. Strikingly, he was born with a full set of 32 teeth and the appearance of a five-year-old child. Instead of crying, he instantly began uttering the name of Rama, which led to his being named "Rambola" as he revealed in his work Vinayapatrika. Unfortunately, his father passed away on the fourth night after his birth. Tulsidas recounted in his writings, particularly Kavitavali and Vinayapatrika, the story of his parents' abandonment following his birth.