A GREAT MAN

Tulasidas was a great man. He suffered much hardship from his early years. He did not know the care and affection of father and mother. He was brought up by the charity of the people. Even after he became a sanyasi, difficulties did not cease. When he settled down in Kashi, many blamed him, and many made fun of him. But he was always patient and calm. Once he said, "Some say that Tulasi does bad deeds. Some call him a big cheat. Some others say that he truly is a devotee of Rama. I can bear all comments. My mind is untroubled. Whatever is to happen to Tulasi, good or bad, is in the hands of Rama."

Kindness and courage were blended in him A Brahmin, it seems, had done something bad. So he came to Kashi to purify himself. The orthodox people kept him at a distance as an outcaste. But Tulasidas treated him as one of his own people. He knew full well that the orthodox people would be furious; he knew he would have to face severe criticism. Yet he ate the food prepared by that brahmin.

Tulasidas was a very great scholar. He had made a profound study of Indian philosophy and literature. But his scholarship did not make him arrogant. For him meditation on Rama was more important than all other things. Whatever the difficulties one should not lose zest in life. One should always do good to others treating all as the children of God, making no distinction of caste, status or rank. This was the way he showed to others and this was how he himself lived.