Tulsidas

Taoshobuddha

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Tulsidas 1532-1623

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Tulsi Das

© 2010, Taoshobuddha

Printed and Published by TAOSHOBUDDHA MEDITATIONSTM

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TAOSHOBUDDHA MEDITATIONS.

Cover design and graphics: Anand Neelamber

Photography: Taoshobuddha

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TAOSHOBUDDHA

The word Taoshobuddha comes from three words, ‘tao,’ ‘sho,’ and
‘Buddha’. The word Tao was coined by the Chinese master, Lau
Tzu. It means that which is and cannot be put into words. It is
unknown and unknowable. It can only be experienced and not
expressed in words. Its magnanimity cannot be condensed into
finiteness. The word Sho implies, that which is vast like the sky and
deep like an ocean and carries within its womb a treasure. It also
means one on whom the existence showers its blessings. And lastly
the word Buddha implies the Enlightened One; one who has
arrived home.

Thus, Taoshobuddha implies one who is existential, on whom the

existence showers its blessings and one who has arrived home.
The Enlightened One!

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The poet sage Tulsidad, the composer of immortal epic

RamCharit Manas as the portrayal of Sri Ram was born in the
village Rajapur in District Banda of Uttar Pradesh. The Village
Rajapur claims its fame to Goswami Tulsidas (1532-1623 AD)
who wrote Sri Ram Charit Manas.

Tulsi temple, Sri Tulsidas’s birthplace on the banks of River Yamuna at

Rajapur in district Banda, Uttar Pradesh

The place where Tulsidas was born is now converted into a

temple as the memorial for Tulsidas. It is at this place one
chapter of the original manuscript in the handwriting of the sage
poet Tulsidad is preserved. The village is situated on the bank of
blue river Yamuna in the District Banda. In the subsequent pages

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we are presenting certain rare pictures of the place and the

original manuscript in the hands of Tulsidas.

A view of river Yamuna from Tulsidas temple at Rajapur

The sage poet Tulsidas was a prolific writer a saint and a yogi as
well. He never missed his morning exercise routine, and is said
that when plague hit Varanasi during his lifetime, he trained his
students at the ‘akhara’ (a physical fitness center in those days)
to take care of themselves and the ailing.

It is during such time to overcome his own fears arising in him

he composed Hanuman Chalisa. The Hanuman Chalisa, written
by Tulsidas is by far his most popular work. He wrote these 40
verses in his student days at Kashi, as a personal prayer to Lord
Hanuman to free him from fears. This composition is considered

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as the solemn prayer for the Hindus and as a ritual. Hindu

devotees sing the prayer with great devotion and fervor. Further
to this he did other works. His other literary works include
Dohavali, Kavitavali, Vinay Patrika, Hanuman Bahuk, Sankat
Mochan, Janaki Mangal, Parvati Mangal and Vairagya Sandipani.

Tulsidas’s handwritten edition of Ayodhya kand (Ramcharitmanas)

He began writing Sri Ram Charit Manas in Ayodhya on the day of

Ram Navmi, and continued writing while moving to Varanasi and
Chitrakoot.

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The original script wrapped in sacred cloth

A view of the script

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A chapter from Tulsidas’s handwritten edition of

Ramcharitmanas is still available at Rajapur. I was surprised to
see it written on paper, instead of birch tree bark (bhojpatra)
like other old manuscripts. The paper is old and preserved with
a tissue covering. The protective covering was sponsored
recently by the devotees visiting the temple from time to time.

Tulsidas’s handwriting!

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Original handwriting of Tulsidas

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