Tulsidas

While Narayan reclined on the serpent Shesh in the sea of milk, some of His devotees arrived. Uddhav, Akrur, Valmiki, Dhruva, Prahlada, and Shuka approached Him and paid their respects to the Lord of the Yadavas. The Savior of the world spoke to Valmiki, saying, "In the Kali Yuga, sins have become intolerable. I desire for you to become an incarnation among mortals and bring about the salvation of humanity. The Ramayana that you composed, in which you sang my name, virtues, and noble deeds, was written in the Sanskrit language that the ignorant people of the Kali Yuga do not understand. Therefore, as an avatar among mortals, inspire them to worship me." Valmiki, upon hearing these words, bowed down before Him.

In the northern India, in the city of Hastinapur (Delhi), in the home of a Brahmin named Atmaram from the Kanoja caste, the sage Valmiki willingly became an incarnation. Atmaram was a pious Brahmin who enjoyed the favor of King Akbar and served in his court. Valmiki's incarnation took place in Atmaram's family. The virtuous Brahmin, Atmaram, performed the birth rituals and naming ceremony for his son, who was named Tulsidas. Tulsidas grew up under the loving care of his parents. As he matured into a young man, he and his wife developed a deep bond. They couldn't bear to be separated and indulged in luxurious clothes, ornaments, pearls, jewels, saffron, musk, sandalwood, flowers, betel leaves, cardamom, cloves, and nutmeg. However, Tulsidas couldn't bear to be without his wife.

Tulsidas' wife, Devi Mamata, faithfully served him with utmost reverence as a devoted wife. One day, when King Akbar was on a tour, Tulsidas immediately joined him and accompanied him. At that moment, a messenger arrived from Mamata's mother's house, urging her to come immediately as her mother was seriously ill. Upon hearing this, she burst into tears and became hysterical. The messenger then revealed, "We lied to you. Your mother has been unwell for many days, but Tulsidas refused to let you go, so we resorted to falsehood." Mamata responded, "My husband has gone on a royal tour. I will visit my mother and return promptly." After receiving permission from her mother and father-in-law, Mamata went to visit her own mother.

Coincidentally, Tulsidas returned home that same evening. He inquired about the situation from his mother and learned everything. He asked, "My dear, why did you leave me and come here?" Unable to sleep on his bed that night, he immediately embarked on a journey, walking ten miles to his father-in-law's house. By the time he arrived, two-thirds of the night had already passed, and all the doors were closed. Tulsidas searched for a way to enter and spotted a large poisonous serpent hanging from above. He grabbed the serpent with his hand and climbed up to the upper floor. Upon entering the house, the servants woke up and saw Tulsidas. At that very moment, the beautiful Mamata woke up and was astonished to see her husband there.

Tulsidas said, "My beloved, why did you leave me and come here? I had to walk ten miles to come for you." Mamata replied, "The Yamuna river is flooded. I don't understand how you managed to enter the house." Tulsidas responded, "Your love for me is so immense that you threw a rope from above, and I crossed by holding onto it." The dutiful wife, bewildered, replied, "Why do you speak falsehood? I never threw a rope from the upper floor." Not knowing what was true or false, she requested, "Show me the rope." Taking a servant and a lamp, they searched for the rope. In that moment, they discovered the enormous serpent hanging from above, terrifying everyone. Holding her husband's hand, Mamata entered the house and said, "Oh Lord of my life, listen to me. You consider yourself wise and clever, but you lack common sense. Driven by your ignorance, you left your mother, father, brother, wealth, and possessions to come for me at night. If this great serpent had bitten you, you would have lost your life. Oh Lord of my life, you know nothing about the transient nature of worldly affairs. Many people have lost their lives pursuing women. When Indra saw the enchanting Ahalya, he succumbed to her beauty. Ravana lost his life pursuing Sita. Many men have lost their lives chasing after women. Just like moths lose their lives attracted by the brightness of a light. Many have lost their lives pursuing women. These wicked people do not recognize Shri Ram, the ultimate refuge for all. Men often love their sons, wives, wealth, and possessions more than their own lives. If only they remembered the feet of Shri Hari (God), their lives would hold true value."

Upon hearing Mamata's words, Tulsidas underwent a change of heart. He said, "Mother, what you say is true," and bowed to his wife. He likened her protection to a mother shielding her child from touching a burning ember. Tulsidas immediately departed and recalled all his past lives. He declared, "I am the Vaishnava Valmiki. I have incarnated in this mortal world to sing the story of Lord Rama with my words and inspire devotion to Him. I was entangled in the pursuit of temporary pleasures." With this transformation, he left for Anandvan (Benares).