Auspicious Shravan at Sandipani – Day 25
Why did Shri Tulsidasji create Shri Ram Charit Manas?
Shri Ram Katha purifies the whole world. People who understand Sanskrit can enjoy reading Valmiki Ramayan whereas others will enjoy Tulsiji’s Manas.
Learned scholars have mentioned that Shri Valmikiji from treta yug re-incarnated as Tulsiji in Kalyug. Thereafter when Tulsiji wrote about the character of Shri Ram, he changed two things. Firstly, he wrote it in Hindi spoken by ordinary people in villages, so that ordinary people can understand it. Secondly, the purpose of writing changed. When Shri Valmiki ji wrote the Ramayan, the purpose was to provide guidance to people about an ideal life. But when Tulsidasji wrote Shri Ram Charit Manas, the purpose was:
‘Swaantaha sukhaay Tulsi Raghunaathgaathaa, Bhaashaanibandhmati majjul maat noti’.
Meaning, for my own bliss, to teach my own mind (not to preach to others) and to purify my speech by singing the Manas. Tulsidasji has not just written the Manas. After writing it, he has also sung it.
God says, I live where my devotees meet and sing my work, qualities and name. Govind is pleased with singing. During ras leela when Shri Krishna disappeared due to the ego in the Gopis, the Gopis pleased Shri Krishna by singing the Gopi Geet and Govind re-appeared amidst them.
Why has God said that I am Saam Veda? Because the verses of Saam Veda are sung. Why did Tulsidasji have to sing the Ram Charit Manas?
Shri Tulsidasji said that I obtained internal bliss through writing, my mind was enlightened with knowledge on reading several times, but how could I purify my speech without singing?
‘Nij gira paavani karan kaaran Ram jasu Tulsi kahyo.’
So Shri Tulsidasji created Shri Ram Charit Manas for three reasons:
1. To gain internal peace by writing;
2. To enlighten the mind with knowledge by thinking and reflecting upon it; and
3. To purify the speech by singing with devotion