Biography

of
GOSWAMI
TULSIDAS
(1532-
1623)
LIFE HISTORY
Tulsidas was born at the 7thday in the month of
shraavan(july/aug) in Rajapur in the Banda district of Uttar
Pradesh.
He was the 16th century legendary Indian poet &
philosopher.
His mother & father’s name were Hulsi & Atmaram Shukla
Dubey respectively.
He got married to the Ratnavali (the daughter of Dinbandhu
Pathak) on 13th day of Jyeshta (may/june) in 1583.
He died in the month of Shraavan(july/aug) in the year
vikram 1632CE.
FACTS ABOUT TULSIDAS
He took 12months to come out of his mother womb. He had
all 32 teeths from his birth & looks like a 5years old boy.
His first word was ‘RAM’ therefore he also named as
‘RAMBOLA’ .
Because of his exceptional birth his parents abandoned him
& took care by her mother’s maid Chuniya for 51/2 years.
Some legends also say that goddess Parvati took avatar of a
Brahmin & took care of Rambola.
He often called as ‘INCARNATION OF VALMIKI’.
He had a son named Tarak who died in his toddler age ,
after his death he devoted his life to god fully and went to
holy city of prayag.
WORK
Twelve works are widely considered by biographers to be written by
Tulsidas, six major works and six minor works. Based on the
language of the works, they have been classified into two groups as
follows-

 Awadhi works – Ramcharitmanas, Ramlala Nahachhu, Barvai

Ramayan, Parvati Mangal, Janaki Mangal and Ramagya Prashna.
 Braja works – Krishna Gitavali, Gitavali, Sahitya Ratna, Dohavali,
Vairagya Sandipani and Vinaya Patrika.

Besides these twelve works, four more works are popularly believed to
be composed by Tulsidas which include Hanuman Chalisa,
Hanuman Ashtak, Hanuman Bahuk and Tulsi Satsai.
RAMCHARITMANAS
Ramcharitmanas is an epic poem in the awadhi language,
composed by hindi bhakti poet Goswami Tulsidas. It
means “lake of the deeds of Rama”. It’s consist of seven
kands. Tulsidas compared the seven kandas of the epic to
seven steps leading into the holy water of lake Manasarvar
“which purifies the body & the soul at once”. Tulsidas
started writing Ramcharitmanas in 1574CE. It took 2years,
seven months & twenty six days for compliting. The first
two parts Bal kand & Ayodhya kand make up more than
half of the work. The other parts are Aranya kand,
Kishkindha kand, Sundar kand, Lanka kand & Uttar kand.
BALAKANDA
So, this book is about how, the glorious Dasharatha, king of
the Ayodhya, can not concieve a son wit his three wives
Kaushalya, kaikeyi and sumrita. His minister & guru sage
Vasishta advices him of a solution: as the sage Rishyaring
to perorm a son-getting ceremony. Then king gets sage for
performing ceremony. Meanwhile, Rakshasa (demon)
known as Ravana was causing problems because of the
boon he had from Brahma. He was invincible to gods,
celestial snakes & devils, but the foolish demon forgotten
to ask protection from men. Thereupon Vishnu decides to
embodied in human form & incarnates himself in
celestial porridge, which was later given to dasharatha’s
three queens by him.
They gave birth to four sons: Queen Kaushalya gives
birth to Rama, Queen Kaikeyi gives birth to Bharata
and Queen Sumitra to twins: Shatrughna & Lakshama.

The book details the miraculous birth of Rama and his

brothers Lakshmana, Bharata and Shatrughna, their
early life in Ayodhya and education with Rishi
Vasishtha. Also included are Rama's slaying of the
demoness Tataka of the forest, his slaying of the
demon Subahu and his hordes who defile the yajnas
of Vishvamitra, his deliverance of Ahalya and his
wedding with Sita.
AYODHHYA KANDA
Ayodhya kanda is the second book of the valmiki
ramayana. In this book, ageing King Dasaratha
therefore decided to install him as his successor.
Preparations were made for a grand and splendid
inaugural ceremony. Initially, Kaikeyi was overjoyed to
hear that Shri Rama would be crowned yuvraja the
following day. But, mother sarasvati perverted the mind
& speech organ of manthara, the hump-backed
maidservent of kaikeyi. As manthara addressed her, her
mind slowly chnaged. She thought that it would put hr
in the inderior postion and would banish/kill Bharta.
She asked for the two boons that were offered by king.
Install Bharata yuvaraja,
 Banish Rama to forest for fourteen years.
Helpless king accepted the request. After receiving the
news , Shri Rama was not moved by the changed in his
future but accepted his father’s reluctant decree with
absolute calmness. He was joined by angry Lakshmana
& devoted mother Sita who said, “the forest where you
dwell is Ayodhya for me, & Ayodhya without you is a
vertiable hell for me.” Guha, a Nishada chieftain, met
Sri Rama and paid homage to him. The Lord embraced
him, but could not accept his hospitality as he was
under the vow not to enter a town.The simple-minded
boatman would not let Sri Rama enter his boat
without his washing his feet.
He had heard that the touch of the Lord’s foot had
converted a stone into a beautiful woman – he did not
want his means of livelihood turned into a woman!
Unable to bear the grief of separation, King Dasaratha
passed away. Bharata returned from his uncle’s home
and when he learnt about the tragic events, he railed
against his scheming mother and refused to accept the
kingdom. He at once set out to meet Sri Rama,
determined to bring him back. Although Bharata tried
in various ways to coerce Sri Rama to return to Ayodhya
as king, the lord was insistent on keeping his promise.
Bharata returned, carrying Sri Rama’s sandals which he
placed on the throne. He ruled as Sri Rama’s regent from
Nandigrama, a little village away from the city.
ARANYA KANDA
During their exile,Sri Rama, Mother Sita and Lakshmana
journeyed southward.They visited the hermitages of
many great sages. After spending more than ten years,
they settled at Panchavati in the Dandaka forest.
A rakshasi woman, Surpanakha, the sister of Ravana,
was captivated by the matchless beauty of Sri Rama.
She attempted to seduce him. But when she failed to
win either of the two princes, she turned to
attackMother Sita. Lakshmana cut off her nose and
ears as a punishment. Hearing of this, her demon
brother, Khara, organized an attack against the
princes. Sri Rama destroyed Khara and his huge army.
In order to avenge her humiliation, Surpanakha approached Ravana. She well
knew of his weakness for women, and the wily demoness described the
bewitching beauty of Mother Sita. Her intention to bring this beautiful
 woman to him was foiled and she was mutilated. Ravana was aroused more
by lust than by anger and he resolved to punish Sri Rama by capturing
Mother Sita.
Ravana elicited the aid of Maricha who assumed the form of a golden deer and
enticed Mother Sita. Entranced by the beauty of the deer, she pleaded with
Sri Rama to get her the deer. Leaving Mother Sita under Lakshmana’s guard,
he endlessly chased the deer. Unable to capture the deer, he shot a fatal
arrow at it. With his last breath, Maricha called out the name of Lakshmana
in the voice of Sri Rama. When Mother Sita heard the cry, she was afraid that
his life was in danger. She insisted that Lakshmana rush to his aid.
Lakshmana tried to assure her that Sri Rama was invincible, and that it was
best if he obeyed Sri Rama’s orders to protect her. On the verge of hysterics,
Mother Sita insisted that it was not she but her lord who needed
Lakshmana’s help. After drawing a protective circle round the cottage, he
stipulated that she was not to go outside the circle.
When Ravana found her alone and unprotected, he appeared in the guise of an
ascetic requesting Mother Sita’s hospitality.
Unaware of his devious plan, Mother Sita left the protection of the
circle, and was then forcibly carried away by Ravana. Jatayu, a
giant vulture and friend of Sri Rama, tried to rescue Mother Sita,
but was mortally wounded. Mother Sita kept her presence of
mind, and dropped her jewels among some monkeys.
When Ravana reached Lanka, he kept her under guard in the Asoka
Garden. Ravana used various means of persuasion to force her to
accept him. Of course, Mother Sita was eternally devoted to Sri
Rama and rebuffed his overtures.
Sri Rama and Lakshmana learnt about Mother Sita’s abduction
from Jatayu. Because of his devotion and service to Sri Rama,
Jatayu received liberation from Sri Rama. The princes
immediately set out in search of Mother Sita. During their
quest, Sri Rama  killed a demon Kabandha, thus liberating him
from a curse. They also met the ascetic Shabari, who directed
them towards Rsymukha Hill where they would meet Sugriva and
Sri Hanumanji.
KISHKINDHA KANDA
Rama and Lakshman continued their search for Sita. Along the
way, they found Rishyamook mountain where Sugriva lived
with his minister Jambavan and associate Hanuman. Sugriv
saw Rama and Laksman at the foothills.
He discusses with Hanuman as to whether they have been sent
by his brother Bali. Hanuman disguises himself as a brahmin
and approaches Ram and Laksman. Hanuman recognises
Rama and surrenders himself to his holy feet.
He tells Rama that Sugriv had seen Sita’s abduction. Ram asked
Sugriv why he was residing in the mountains instead of
Kishkindha, Sugriv tells the story of how his brother Bali
became his enemy.
SUGRIV EXPLAINS NOW HIS BROTHER BALI BECAME
HIS ENEMY IN KISHKINDHA KANDA.
“After the demise of our father, Bali was crowned king. There was a
great enmity between rakshas Mayavi and Bali owing to some
female. One night Mayavi arrived at the doors of Kishkindha and
called Bali for a fight. On hearing the voice Bali did not tolerate
and came out in all his anger to kill the demon. On seeing Bali
and me coming from a distance, rakshas Mayavi ran away and he
speedily entered in an un-enterable cavity under the ground,
covered with grass Bali asked me to stay there on the alert at the
entrance of the cavity and entered that cavity.
After staying at the entrance of the cave for one year and on seeing
the blood that started to flow from out the cave and sounds of
screaming rakshas came, but the screaming of Bali were unheard,
Sugriv concluded in mind by the indications that Bali was dead
and covered the cavity’s opening with a mountain similar
boulder, returned to Kishkindha, and assumed kingship .
After killing Mayavi when Bali could not find any exit
from the cavity as its mouth was closed , in anger he
smashed hilltop and from there Bali exited that way
and journeyed back to kingdom to find Sugriv ruling
in his place. His eyes were reddened in anger and he
concluded that his brother had betrayed him.
Sugriv tried to explain the circumstances under which
he was made the King only to keep the kingless
kingdom under control and now returning this
custodial kingdom to Bali Sugriv was thrown out of
the kingdom, Bali forcibly took Sugriv’s wife, Ruma,
and the brothers became bitter enemies and owing to
his fear ,Sugriv had entered this safest mountain
Rishyamuka, which was impenetrable for Bali.
ALLIANCE BETWEEN RAMA AND SUGRIVA IN
KISHKINDHA KAND.

Sugriv formed an alliance with Ram. Sugriv asked Ram’s help in return for
his help in searching Sita. The two hatched a plan to topple Bali from the
throne.
Sugriv was full of doubts whether Ram could kill Bali. (Sugriv told Ram
that Bali had received a boon from Brahma, according to which anyone
who comes before him will lose half his strength to Bali, thereby making
Bali invulnerable to any enemy. Once Ravan called Bali for a fight when
Bali was doing his regular Shiva Puja. He took Ravan in his tail and took
him around all the world. Humbled, Ravan called for a truce. )
Sugriv told many unbelievable stories of Bali’s power. As a proof, he
showed Ram a hole in a saal tree which Bali had made in one shot.
When it was Ram’s turn, he penetrated seven trees of saal in a row with
one arrow. After crossing the trees, the arrow even made a strike on a
huge rock and splits it into pieces. Sugriv was happy.
SUGRIVA CHALLENGES BALI FOR BATTLE
Ram encouraged Sugriv to challenge Bali for a duel and bring him
outside Kishkindha. Accordingly a duel ensued wherein Bali
assaulted Sugriv and chased him off. Sugriv asked Ram why he did
not come to his rescue. Ram told that he could not make out
difference between the two brothers for they were alike. Ram asked
Sugriv to wear a flower garland as a mark of identification between
the two brothers and again challenge Bali, so with that
identification of garland he could aim his arrow at the other dueler.
After encouraging Sugriv to challenge Bali for a second time duly
wearing a flower garland as a mark of identification between the
two brothers, Sugriv challenged Bali for duel. Bali came out only on
pacifying Tara, his wife, who deterred Bali from going to fight a
duel with Sugriv, as she doubted that Sugriv must had come with
Ram. A fierce battle ensued between Bali and Sugriv, In the battle,
Bali proved his might making Sugriva run for cover. At that
instance, Ram hiding behind a tree injured Bali with his arrow.
Ram faced the injured Bali. Bali told Ram if he was searching
his wife he should have come to him for help and
friendship. Whoever took Sita even if it is Ravan I had
defeated them and would have taken them at your feet and
at your mercy.
Bali argued with Ram, why he had to kill him in a cowardly
way. Ram explained to him about the various purusharthas
and granted him moksha.Bali was then convinced and also
asked his son Angada to stand by Sugriv and assist Ram in
the searc of Sita.
(It is also said, Ram promised Bali to give him a chance to
avenge his unjust murder. Bali was reincarnated as the
hunter and archer Jara in Mahabharata (Dwapar Yug). Jara
was the cause of the death of Shri Krishna (the
reincarnation of Shri Ram) when he struck his feet by an
arrow taking them to be a deer.)
Sugriv Forgets His Promise After Crowned As King In Kishkindha
Kandam

After death of Bali, Ram crowned Sugriv as king of

Kishkindha and Angada, Bali’s son was made yuvaraj.
Sugriv. regained his wife Ruma.
Sugriv soon forgot his promise and spent his time in
debauchery which filled Ram with great anger. Ram
asked Laksman to bring Sugriv to him. Laksman
entered the royal court and threatened to burn the
entire city to ashes Monkey Queen, Tara, convinced
Sugriv to honor his pledge. Laksman brought Sugriv to
Ram and upon seeing him, Sugriv fell at His feet and
begged forgiveness.
Sugriv Get Ready With His Army To Search For Sita In
Kishkindha Kand

Sugriv immediately ordered the gathering of the region’s bear and

monkey community. Armies of bears and monkeys were dispatched
north, south east and west to search for Sita. Ram knew that only
Hanuman was really capable of finding Sita. He asked Hanuman to
narrate the agony of separation to Sita.
Hanuman was joined by Angad, Nala, Kesari and Jambavan as well as
many others as they head to the south. As the army approached the
coast, Jambavan and Angad saw a cave by the shore of the ocean.
The cave was occupied by Sampati (who was actually Jatayu’s older
brother.). There was a conversation during which Angad told that
Jatayu died serving Ram and thereafter Sampati narated his story.
(When he and his younger brother Jatayu, were young, used to
compete as to who could fly higher. On one such instance Jatayu flew
so high that he was about to get seared by the sun’s flames.
Sampati saved his brother by spreading his own wings and
thus shielding Jatayu from the hot flames. In the process,
Sampati himself got injured and lost his wings. As a result,
Sampati was wingless) He told the monkeys that he was
sure that Sita was captive in Lanka. The island was 400
hundred miles away and and added that whoever cross the
vast ocean in one leap would accomplish the task.
Angad said he could cross ocean in one leap but he won’t be
able to come back. While the discussion was on,
Hanuman was seated in silence. When all the options ran
out, everyone’s eye were sat on Hanuman. Jambavan
reminded Hanuman about his extraordinary latent
powers. Jambavan knew that Hanuman was the only one
capable of the task. He also told Hanuman that he was
born to accomplish the work of his master, Ram.
SUNDAR KANDA
 After learning about Sita, Hanuman assumes a gargantuan form and makes a
colossal leap across the ocean to Lanka after defeating Surasa, the Mother of the
Nagas and Sinhika, who is sent by the Devtas.
In Lanka, Hanuman hears Rama's chant from Vibhishana. Vibhishana recognizes
Hanuman as a devoted Ram Bhakt (devotee). From Vibhishana, Hanuman comes
to know location of Sita in Ashok Vatika.
In the Ashok Vatika, Sita is wooed and threatened by Ravana and his demon
mistresses to marry Ravana. Hanuman reassures her, giving Rama's signet ring as
a sign of good faith. He offers to carry Sita back to Rama, however she refuses,
reluctant to allow herself to be rescued by any one, other than her husband. She
says that Rama himself must come and avenge the insult of her abduction.
Hanuman then wreaks havoc in Lanka by destroying trees and buildings, and
killing Ravana's warriors. He allows himself to be captured and produced before
Ravana. He gives a bold lecture to Ravana to release Sita. He is condemned and
his tail is set on fire, but he escapes his bonds and, leaping from roof to roof, sets
fire to Ravana's fortress and makes the giant leap back from the island. The
joyous search party returns to Kishkindha with the news.
LANKA KANDA
Nal and Nil spearheaded the bridge construction as advised by Ocean
Deity.The Monkey army collected stones and trees and helped
enthusiastically. And very speedily the task of building the bridge was
concluded and ready. Ram established a Shivaling at Rameshwaram and
offered worship devotedly. Sri Ram and Laxman along with the army of
monkeys reached Lanka quickly. Ravan hearing the news of their appearance
was flabbergasted thoroughly. He never dreamt that monkeys could cross the
ocean to Lanka so easily. Mandodari again begged Sita’s surrender but Ravan
was unmoved totally.Before attacking, Ram tried to persuade that Sita be
returned by his enemy. Angada, Ram’s envoy, informed Ravan of greatness of
Sri Ram hopefully. He tried all means to convince Ravan and find a way out
of crisis peacefully. But Ravan was adamant on confrontation rather than
conceding tactfully. Angad dared all in Ravan’s palace to budge his feet, but
none could clearly. This failure made Ravan irritated and he started
defaming Ram profusely. Finding it unbearable then Angad hit the ground
causing tremors abundantly. Even Ravan’s crown fell down to earth and the
meeting so ended fruitlessly.
 To save Laxman, Hanuman displayed his might and
intelligence certainly. He flew to Mount Kailash, couldn’t
identify the herb that was called sanjivani. So Hanuman then
carried the full hill top with all its plants unhesitatingly. Thus
Laxman was cured and Sri Ram embraced Hanuman so
affectionately.  Ravan lost many warriors, called for help of his
brother. Kumbhkarn hopefully. Kumbhkarn declined for
unjust cause but Ravan made him agree finally, With his
enormous might, Kumbhakarna proved very destructive
certainly. Ram cut his head and flung it afar falling in front of
his brother Ravan lastly. Meghanad tried his best in battle but
succeed not in demoralizing his enemy. So he performed
yagna to become invincible and gain powers extraordinary.
He was stopped, killed mid-way by Laxman before he reached
invincibility. Distressed by loss of his son Meghanad, Ravan
was alone to fight finally.
 In battle of Ram and Ravan, Vibhishan told Ram secrets
of his immortality. Do but lie at the very source of
nectar in his naval deep inside his body. Ram attacked
Ravan, destroyed his ten heads and nectar source
immediately. Thereafter Ravan breathed his last and
died at the hands of Sri Ram finally.  Vibhishan as Sri
Ram proclaimed was crowned as King of Lanka
concludingly. Sri Ram met Sita after she passed though
a fire pyre to prove her chastity. Sri Ram, Laxman and
Sita returned to Ayodhya as exile time ended shortly.
In the Pushpak Viman with his warriors where Bharat
awaited impatiently.
UTTAR KANDA
After the great triumph over Lanka, Ram returns to ayodhya sitting in pushak viman.
He was accompained by Sita. Laxman, Sugriva, Hanuman and scores of monkey
warriors. As the 14 yers of exile was about to come to an end, people of ayodhya
awaited or the arrival of their future king with belated breath. Hanumanji became
the messegner and pass on the good news that ram is approaching ayodhya. People of
ayodhya lined up on both the sides of the street to have a glimpse of Shri Ram. Kul-
Guru Vashishta, Bharat, Shatrughna, and three mothers welcomed them. A grand
reception marked the return of Ram, Sita and Laxman to ayodhya along with monkey
soldiers. Commemorating this great event. Diwali- the festival of lights is celebrated
every year by Hindus.
Vashishta then performed ceremonial rituals of crowning Ram as king Ayodhya . Six
months passed this way. All monkeys, in pink of their happiness, forgot their worldly
duties. Sri Ram reminded them of their roles with heavy heart, one by one,
everybody departed from Ayodhya with great morality and justice, making his people
happy and prosperous in every possible way and thus set an example of ideal
kingdom as ‘Ram-Rajya’ . In due course of time Sita gave birth to two sons names
Lava and Kush.
The last chapter of Ramcharitmanas is called Uttar kand, which
means that it’s actually not part of Ramayan, or in true sense, the
story about life and works of Lord Ram. Uttar Kand mostly contains
Lord Shiva and Pravati’s lie, Kagbhsundi’s life and tale of this many
previous births.
Ramayana thus depicts an idol for ordinary human beings. Lord Ram
symbolizes truth and justice. Sita symbolizes compassion and
patience, Laxman symbolizes sacrifices and services while
Hanuman symbolizes devotion, wisdom and energy. Each character
of Ramayana is unique and gives inspiring message on morals and
values to be followed in our day to day life. That’s why the popularity
of this epic has not diminished with the passage of time but on the
contrary is every increasing with time. Ramayana today is not
confined only as the epic of. Hindus but have major effect on other
countries and religions.
In the end, it would be justified to say that the message of Ramayana
is that truth always prevails and righteousness ultimately wins.
CONCLUSION
In the whole of Indian literature, Tulsidas is
supreme....The devotion in his poetry is of the
same order as of philosophy. And from the
beginning to the end, not a word or an idea, can
be spotted which is not perfectly neat and pious.
No poet in England has ever been in the masses
what Tulsidas has been to the people of this land.
The Ramacharitamanas undoubtedly is the great
poem worthy to rank among the great classical
masterpieces of world literature.
BIBLOIGRAPHY
The following links & sources:-
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tulsidas
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVEuaWgjkFc
https://universalteacher.com/1/kishkindha-kand/
https://
nationalviews.com/about-sunderkand-ramayana-story
-facts-details
https://
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ara%E1%B9%87ya-K%C4%81%
E1%B9%87%E1%B8%8Da
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2MHOXyvHsA