Tulsidas

After bathing in the Bhagirathi, Tulsidas adopted severe austerities. He rejected cooked food and fruits, and he lived on fallen leaves. Every morning, after bathing, he would pray to Shri Ram, saying, "O Dweller in Ayodhya, O Husband of Janaki, show me a manifestation of Yourself." To cleanse himself, he would go into the forest and pour any remaining water in his vessel onto the roots of trees. He continued these austerities for twelve years, constantly repeating God's names without ceasing for a single moment.

One day, while Tulsidas went into the forest to wash himself, he poured the water on the roots of a tree. Suddenly, he saw a terrifying demon standing before him with joined hands. The demon said to Tulsidas, "I am pleased with you. Whatever blessing you may ask, I will give it to you." Tulsidas, astonished, asked the demon who he was and why he was pleased with him. The demon replied, "I am a demon who has been here for a long time. I drink the water you pour on the roots. We demons are not allowed to drink water from wells, tanks, rivers, or the sea, so I am very thirsty. You have supplied me with water for these twelve years. I will give you whatever you ask for."

With a bewildered mind, Tulsidas thought to himself, "I desired a visible manifestation of Shri Ram, and as a result, this ghost has shown me favor. I planted a mango tree and got bitter squash as the fruit. So, despite my good austerities, it is this ghost who is pleased with me. Instead of a wish-fulfilling cow, a pig appeared. Instead of a beautiful royal swan, I saw a crow. It seems that instead of meeting Shri Ram, this ghost is pleased with me. It is like expecting association with the good but encountering a reviler. While seeking philosophical knowledge, I may stumble upon sensual stories. Instead of meeting with Ram, it is this ghost who is pleased with me. It is like desiring the shade of the wish tree but finding a forest of Sindi trees. Instead of meeting with Ram, this ghost is pleased with me. It is similar to desiring scientific knowledge and then hearing some heretical story. Instead of meeting with Ram, this ghost is pleased with me. While desiring a garland of pearls, a pile of crystals falls before me. Instead of seeing the Husband of Janaki, this ghost has been pleased with me. While desiring to see the ocean of milk, I suddenly see a pool of water. So, instead of meeting the slayer of Ravana, it is this ghost who is pleased with me."

After listening to Tulsidas, the demon said, "You seem to be a wonderfully clever man. So ask of me a gift worthy of me to give. Do not hesitate. One should never judge something as great or small if it serves our purpose. If one refuses to use borax, gold will not melt in the melting pot. If one refuses to use fine thread, he will not be able to string a garland of flowers. And without an iron needle, one will not be able to sew a coat. One should not refuse to use a broom because it is made of Sindi. A wise man is willing to use common things to carry out his purpose." Tulsidas said to the demon, "You have become pleased with me, you say. I have no further desire in my heart than that you should help me meet Shri Ram."

As the name of Ram was heard by the demon, he stepped back and said, "If I should repeat His name with my lips, it will mean my destruction. If you really wish to meet Him, Maruti, who is His servant, can manifest himself to you." Tulsidas replied, "Where is Maruti? Show him to me at once. He will fulfill my desire." The demon answered, "You constantly listen to the puranas. An aged Brahman comes there. He is Maruti. If you ask who he is, I will tell you how he can be recognized. He arrives and sits before anyone else and leaves after everyone has gone. He carries a staff and wears a cap on his head. He wears old garments and a loin cloth. If you see a form like that, you will know that he is the head of the monkeys." After speaking, the demon became invisible, and Tulsidas returned to his hermitage.

The next day, after taking his bath and repeating God's name as usual, Tulsidas hurried to where the purana was being read. Suddenly, an aged Brahman appeared and seated himself there. Tulsidas saw that his appearance matched the description given by the demon. After the purana reading was finished and all the listeners had left, the aged Brahman silently started to leave. Tulsidas followed him, and when they got outside the city, Hanuman (Maruti) was walking swiftly. Finding himself alone with him, Tulsidas held the Brahman's feet and said, "Swami, have compassion on me, Thou Mighty One." The Brahman asked him, "Hello, who are you? Why have you held my feet? I am a poor helpless lowly one." Tulsidas replied, "You are Maruti, the devotee of Ram." Hearing this, he fell at his feet again. Maruti thought to himself, "He is the muni Valmiki who has descended as an avatar." He immediately embraced Tulsidas, expressing his love for him. Maruti said to Tulsidas, "I am pleased with you." Tulsidas replied, "My only desire is for you to help me have a manifestation of Shri Ram." Maruti said, "I will do so," and then became invisible.