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OCTOBER, 1893.]
NOTES ON TUL'SI DAS.
267
His father-in-law, Dinabandhu, was devoted to the adoration of Rama, and his daughter, who had been married to Tul'si Das in her girl-hood, but who, according to custom, lived with her family till she was grown up, becamo also imbued with the same faith, and, when holy men visited her father used to tend them, and entreat them hospitably. When she grew up she went to live with her husband, who became passionately devoted to her. After a son had been born, one day, Tul'si Dâs came home, and discovered that his wife, without letting him know, had gone to her father's house. Full of anxiety he followed her there, and was received by her with the following dó hás :Lája na lágata apu ke
dhauré ayehu sátha ! Dhika dhika aisé préma ki kaha kahaun main natha 11 Isthi-charma-maya deha mama tá món jaisi priti 1
Taisi jaun Sri Ráma mahan hota na tau bhava-bhiti 11 Are you not filled with shame, that you have pursued me here? Fie on such love. What can I say to you, my Lord ? My body is but made of perishable bone and skin, and if such love as you have for it, had been bat devoted to the holy Râma, the terrors of existence would not have existed for you.'
Immediately on hearing these words, Tulsi Das became converted,' and set out again for his own home. His wife, who had by no means intended to produce so violent a reaction, followed, calling him back, and asking him to stay and eat, that she might return with him. But what could a fan do, in the face of a whirlwind P' Tul'si Dâs from that moment became an ascetic and, abandoning house and home, wandered about as a released' worshipper of Rama. He made Ayodhyâ, and subsequently Banaras, his head-quarters, from which he frequently visited such places as Mathura, Vrindavana, Kurukshetra, Prayaga (Allahabad) and Purushôttamapuri. After he had left his home, his wife wrote to him the following letter
Kati ki khini kanala si rahata sakhina sanga 8ôi
Mohi phat ki daru nahin a nata katen dara hôi 11 • Slender of loin am I, and, fair like gold, I dwell amid my girl-companions. I fear, not that my own (heart) may break, but that thou may perchance be captured by some other woman.' To this. Tul's Dûs replied
Kate éka Rughunátha sanga bandhi jaļa sira-késa
Hama tô chákhá préma-rasa patni ke upadésa 11
Captured alone by Raghunatha am I, with my locks bounded in matted curls. That is flavour of the love which I have tasted, taught by my own wife.'
On receiving this reply, his wife sent him her blessing, and praised him for the course he bad adopted.
Years afterwards, when Tul'sî was an old man, he was returning from Chitrakůta, and, rapt in devotion he came to his father-in-law's village, and called at his house for hospitality, without recognizing it, or knowing where he was. His wife, who was now also very old, came out, according to custom, to tend the venerable guest, and asked him what he desired to cat. He replied, 'I will make a mess of pottage,' and so she prepared him an eating place (chaula) and bronght him wood, rice, peast, vegetables, and clarified butter. Tulsi Das, as is the custom of Smarta Vaishnavas, began to cook his food with his own hands. After his wife had heard him speak once or twice she recognized him, and became full of joy that her husband had so mani. festly become a devotee of Rama. She, however, did not disclose herself, but only said, Reverend sir, may I bring you some pepper ?' He replied there is some in my wallet.' 'May
31 Katna =phans juni.
