Tulsidas

All the inhabitants of Benares listened to Tulsidas' katha, which praised God, and they built a hermitage for him. Wealthy and pious men became his disciples, receiving the mantra from Tulsidas. They would bring various offerings and place them in the hermitage. Tulsidas would dine with a thousand Brahmans every day, ensuring that any poor or hungry person who came to the hermitage left satisfied. His reputation grew among the people, and they brought him abundant amounts of money, golden plates, and silver in great quantities. Some gave, while others took away. Some reviled him, while others praised him. However, Tulsidas remained unaffected by their actions. He experienced neither joy nor sorrow. Just as the sky remains untainted by the three seasons in the heavens, Tulsidas remained untouched.

After the Brahman's feast, the enthusiasm of Kirtan followed. Devotees gathered in large numbers to chant God's names. People left their doors open as they slept, contemplating the feet of Shri Ram in their dreams and waking states. Meanwhile, two thieves saw an opportunity. They noticed that there was no guard at Tulsidas' hermitage who would refuse them entry. They thought they could enter without fear, steal the golden plates, and carry away as much as their hands could hold.

Once the Kirtan ended, the audience fell asleep. At that moment, the two thieves arrived and began stealing. They collected the golden plates, bundled them up, placed the load on their heads, and hurried towards the gate. However, as they approached, they saw two sturdy men sitting there with bows and arrows. Surprised, the thieves thought to themselves, "There was no guard here a while ago. We should turn back quickly." They went towards the northern gate and saw a person with a shining countenance, wearing a crown and ornaments, and holding a bow and arrow. Ashamed, the thieves retreated and tried the southern gate, only to find more doorkeepers sitting there. Perplexed, they returned and sat down.

The thieves believed that the guards with bows would eventually leave, allowing them to quickly take the golden plates. So they waited patiently for four ghatikas (a measure of time) and then approached the gate to check. To their astonishment, they still saw the two men with bows and arrows, ready to shoot. Fearful, the thieves dropped the golden plates and rushed towards the gate, but they were not allowed to pass. The night passed with great anxiety, and as the sun rose, Tulsidas and the other devotees woke up to light the wicks for their morning prayers. After reciting God's names in the early morning, Tulsidas came out of his hermitage, and at that moment, the two thieves fell at his feet.

Filled with emotion, the thieves pleaded for forgiveness, and Tulsidas asked them who they were. They confessed, "We are thieves who came to rob you. We made a bundle of your golden plates and were waiting in your hermitage. We are deeply sorry for our actions. You are a devotee of Ram, supremely generous. You leave your door open at night, and so we entered without fear."

Having many disciples, Tulsidas asked them about the guards at the gate and why they were placed there without his knowledge. He reminded them that he was indifferent to whether people gave or took away from him and urged them to worship Shri Ram with love. The disciples replied, swearing by his feet, that they didn't know who was guarding the door. The thieves added, "The one seated there had a brilliant face, wore a crown and ornaments, a yellow robe, and had a dark complexion. He is still there."

Everyone was astonished and approached the gate to look, but they saw nothing and found it perplexing. Tears welled up in Tulsidas' eyes as he realized, "Ram and Lakshman have become my doorkeepers at this time. What I couldn't achieve through severe yogic practices or visits to sacred places, I have now obtained by having Ram, the Dweller of Ayodhya and the Husband of Sita, as my doorkeeper. His touch sanctified the stone slab and saved Ahalya. He is the supremely generous one who bestows eternal life. He has become my doorkeeper."

Tulsidas exclaimed, "Victory, Victory to the noble Ram, the Supreme Being, the Supreme Generous one, the Friend of the blue-necked Shiva, the Savior of the world, Ram Krishna!" He continued praising Shri Ram, recounting instances where He fulfilled the desires of His devotees. Tulsidas then forgave the thieves and told them to take whatever they desired and return home without hesitation.

Overwhelmed, the thieves fell at his feet, requesting mercy and his reassuring touch. They acknowledged their sinful and evil nature but recognized that their association with Tulsidas had transformed them. They had the privilege of witnessing a manifestation of Ram due to their actions, just as the touchstone turns iron into gold or the dawn dispels darkness. Tulsidas considered their encounter with Ram a stroke of great fortune that required no effort on their part.

Upon hearing this, the thieves made a respectful gesture to Tulsidas and abandoned their malicious intentions, choosing to remain in his hermitage. Tulsidas recalled Lord Krishna's teachings to Uddhava in the Shri Bhagavat Purana about the significance of associating with the good and how it leads to the appreciation of God's praises. The thieves, once evil and adulterous, had become good men through their association with Tulsidas. They began listening to the praises of God and chanting His names regularly.