| Great Poets |
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| Biographies of Great Indians & Hindus |
TULASIDAS |
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| The GuruNaraharidas was a reputed scholar, philosopher and storyteller (he
gave discourses on mythological stories of devotion). Once he came to Rajapur. He stayed
in the temple of Anjaneya. At the request of the people he began a series of discourses on
the Ramayana.
Tularam was filled with pleasurable excitement. Discourses of this type, which blended music and literature, were a feast to him. He used to attend them every day without fail. Devotion to Rama lay like a seed in his heart; as he listened to the discourses, it began to sprout. Every day the boy sat right in front of Naraharidas and listened to the' discourse with rapt attention. and also the boy joined the general Bhajan, singing melodiously. Naraharidas grew interested in the lad. He saw the boy's handsome looks, hisdelicate figure, large eyes and prominent forehead, and the bright radiant face. He recognized the mysterious power in the boy. He pitied him when be learnt that he was an orphan. One day he asked the boy. "Will you be my disciple?" Tularam touched his feet with reverence and burst into tears. Naraharidas lifted him up and patted him on the back. From that day Tularam became a disciple of Pandit Naraharidas. In one of his songs Tulasidas has said of this incident, 'I got for my Master God Parameswara Himself in human form.' After his discourses in RajapurNaraharidas set out for another place. Tularam bowed to Lord Anjaneya and followed his master. Wherever Naraharidas went Tularam went with him. His duty was to sing Ram Bhajan before and discourse began. He sang melodiously. The whole day was spent in studies. The master taught him various subjects like the Vedas, the Upanishads, philosophy, mythology and languages - Sanskrit and Prakrit. Bhajans were held at night. Thus they traveled far and wide for fourteen years and came to Soro in Uttar Pradesh. By that time Tularam had mastered all subjects. He was acquainted with the life of the people. He could sing much better than his master. He could not only give discourses on the Ramayana, but also compose poems. Naraharidas felt extremely happy at his disciples, accomplishments. |
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