Miscellaneous - Religion   

Turning point

CHENNAI: There is no second opinion about the necessity of a Guru (preceptor) in spiritual life. The Guru is revered as God as he is a veritable manifestation of divine grace. But, quite often, the Guru may not be a person who would become a constant counsel during the spiritual quest. A chance meeting with a God-realised one or divine intervention through someone by way of an experience during pilgrimage to sacred abodes or even through a known person can bring about a total transformation in a spiritual seeker and become a turning point in his life.

The manner in which Tulasidasa became a saint was a case in point, said Sri Muthukrishnan in his discourse. Tulasidasa’s parents were very devout and so he had the right environment for spiritual growth. But he was so enamoured with his wife in his youth that it became an obsession, and he neglected his duties. Once when the king sent for him as his father who was his preceptor had gone on pilgrimage, Tulasidasa excused himself unable to be separated from her.

When he returned home he found to his dismay that she had gone to her father’s house. Without heeding his mother’s advice to go in the morning as it was a stormy night, Tulasidasa set off in great haste. A river separated the two villages and it was now in spate, and not a soul was in sight. To his luck he found something floating on the water and he took hold of it and crossed over to the other bank.

Even though he stood pounding on the door of her house no one heard him in that blinding rain. In order to gain entry he took hold of what appeared as a rope dangling from the tree near the balcony and climbed inside. His wife could not believe her eyes when he stood before her in the dead of the night. But the good lady took him in and offered hospitality.

It was only later in the morning that it transpired that what he thought was a rope was a python and the log he had used to cross the river was a corpse. Her casual remark that he would realise God if he had the same ardent desire for Him wrought an instant transformation. Thanks to his wife Tulasidasa became the renowned saint who composed the immortal devotional classic Ramacharitamanasa.

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