Tulsidas

King Akbar was in Delhi when someone informed him about Tulsidas. Intrigued, the king decided to witness the miracles himself. He summoned his wise ministers and shared his desire with them, saying, "I want you to arrange a meeting with the Vaishnava Tulsidas. Find a messenger who is highly knowledgeable in Brahma, an eloquent speaker, and capable of persuading Tulsidas to come here. Prepare a palanquin and carriage and bring him to me swiftly. I wish to personally witness the extraordinary things I have heard."

The minister replied, "Your command is my duty." He gathered a group of wise and articulate speakers along with some soldiers and set off for Benares. They reached Tulsidas' hermitage and stayed there for the day. The news was conveyed to Tulsidas that the king had summoned him. They said, "The king has heard about you, considering you a remarkable God-loving Vaishnava devotee. He has sent us to invite you as he desires to meet you." Upon hearing the request, Tulsidas thought to himself, "I must ensure that all the people in that kingdom chant the name of God. If noble Vaishnavas are free from selfish desires, why should they wander from one place to another? It is indeed Lord Hari's command that they should strive to save humanity. Ignorant and wicked individuals are engulfed in darkness and ignorance. Good men wander to rescue them. As we have witnessed, the king has sent a messenger, and everyone is aware of it."

Tulsidas, a devout follower of God, immediately set off, chanting Hari's name with great enthusiasm, and swiftly arrived in Delhi. The king personally came forward and prostrated himself at Tulsidas' feet. He then seated Tulsidas on his throne and whispered to his servants not to let him leave. The king worshiped Tulsidas with the sixteen traditional worship materials and began praising his extraordinary powers. The king said, "I have heard about your incredible abilities, how you have transformed into a deity yourself. You made a stone bull consume food and even resurrected a dead body with your blessings. Your actions seem impossible to me, and I cannot comprehend your power."

Tulsidas humbly replied, "All of this is the doing of Lord Ram. I am but a helpless individual who has surrendered his heart to Ram." Upon hearing this, the king requested, "Introduce me to Ram. If you don't do so, I will not allow you to leave." With these words, the king returned to his palace, stating, "Only if Tulsidas shows me a manifestation of Ram will I consider him a noble Vaishnava."

While Tulsidas remained on the throne, the servants warned him, "You will not be permitted to leave. Waste no time and grant the king a glimpse of Lord Ram. If you fail to do so, he will undoubtedly detain you." Upon hearing their words, Tulsidas began praising Hanuman, and Hanuman promptly appeared before him. Tulsidas said, "I am in great distress, and that's why I have thought of you. Please alleviate my suffering and magnify the glory of God's name."

Hanuman then performed a marvelous miracle. He summoned his army of monkeys, and numerous mighty heroes descended from heaven. Like clouds appearing in the sky during the rainy season, or as blades of grass sprout when rain falls on the earth, or as a swarm of locusts emerges during a famine, this army of ten thousand monkeys suddenly materialized. The monkeys paid homage to Hanuman and asked, "Please tell us your command." Hanuman replied, "I have gathered you here to display your natural characteristics to the king. Upon receiving this command, the monkeys sprang into action. They climbed onto rooftops, destroying tiles, uprooted trees, and hurled them at people. Panic gripped Delhi, and a loud commotion ensued. They broke the noses and cut off the ears of some individuals, twisted the necks of others, and carried some by their legs, moving upwards. As women carried water jars on their heads to the River Jamna, the monkeys snatched their clothes and threw them into the river. They seized fathers-in-law and mothers-in-law as they walked through alleys, intertwining their beards and braids of hair before running away. Those who did not worship Lord Ram or persecuted Vishnu's devotees were lifted and thrown into foul drains. The monkeys raided the storehouses of the wicked merchants who never shared their food, and there was an uproar in the city. They entered the king's palace, mutilating noses and ears. This caused further chaos. The five hundred wives of the king, along with his concubines, were all seated together when the monkeys doused them with dirty water. They swiftly apprehended thieves, adulterers, and the wicked, lifting them and carrying them away from the palace, ultimately casting them down. They snatched garments and ornaments, flying into the sky and delightfully distributing them to the poor and those in need, making the destitute prosperous. They looted the merchants and chastised liars. The king's servants rushed to inform him of the unfolding events, saying, 'An army of monkeys has arrived, wreaking havoc on everything. Delhi appears as if it's filled with an army of monkeys, just like the sky teems with clouds during heavy rainfall. The monkeys are furious, causing great tumult in the city.' The king remarked, 'It seems like the time for the destruction of all things has arrived.' Wise men present advised the king, saying, 'Tulsidas is a great Vaishnava. You should not persecute him. If the monkeys' anger intensifies, they will turn Delhi upside down.' The king found their counsel remarkable and acknowledged his mistake, saying, 'When Durvasa persecuted Ambarisha, he had to face humiliation. I have faced the same consequence due to my persecution of you. I am reminded of my injustice.' Thus, he approached Tulsidas, joined his hands in reverence, and stood before him. Akbar said, 'O devotee of Vishnu, restrain this army of monkeys. I persecuted you out of ignorance, not comprehending my actions. Just as Duryodhana suffered humiliation when he attempted to harm the virtuous Draupadi, I too have faced the consequences of persecuting you.' Upon hearing this heartfelt request, Tulsidas replied, 'You desired to see Lord Ram, and it is His army that has arrived. Just as the sun rises at dawn, spreading light across the world, this great hero has come with an advance guard, O king. Hearing about someone generates desire, meditation on that someone fosters devotion, and a direct manifestation of God ignites a longing to know more about Him. Therefore, the monkeys have arrived first, and Ram will follow them. An army of eighteen billion beings is accompanying these monkeys. These eighteen billion monkey warriors will be followed by Ram. Your good fortune knows no bounds. Lord Ram is coming to meet you.' After hearing this, the king declared, 'I have already seen enough of Ram.' He then grasped Tulsidas' feet and continued, 'I failed to understand His power. If an army of ten thousand monkeys can cause such destruction, then an army of eighteen billion would mean the end of the world.' Moved by the king's compassionate request, the monkey army vanished, and all the people worshipped Tulsidas. Tulsidas remained in Delhi for a year, passionately singing the praises of the extraordinary events in Lord Ram's life. As a result, all the residents of Delhi began incessantly chanting the names of God, and even the ignorant and dull minded became wise through their association with him.