In the gentle rustle of leaves and the tender hum of the wind, the name of Shri Ram echoes—a melody of divinity, a whisper of eternal love. On this sacred day of Ram Navami, we turn our hearts to the luminous figure of Shri Ram, as painted in the soulful verses of Tulsidas in Ramcharitmanas and the divine bhajans of Sant Thyagaraja. Through their words, Shri Ram emerges not just as a king or a warrior, but as the embodiment of grace, compassion, and unshakable righteousness—a light that guides us through the darkest forests of life.
Shri Ram, the Maryada Purushottam, the ideal of human virtue, walks with a quiet strength that needs no proclamation. His life is a song of sacrifice, a dance of duty, and a river of love that flows for all—be it the humblest squirrel or the mightiest king. Tulsidas, with his poetic heart, pours this essence into his dohas, while Thyagaraja, with his musical soul, weaves it into bhajans that lift us closer to the divine. Together, they gift us a Shri Ram who is both celestial and earthly, infinite yet intimate.
Imagine Shri Ram in the forests of exile, his feet kissed by the earth, his eyes reflecting the sorrows and joys of those around him. He is the protector who wields the bow, yet the lover who cradles Sita’s heart. He is the brother who stands by Lakshman, the son who bows to Dasharatha’s will, and the friend who embraces Sugriva and Hanuman with boundless trust. In every step, he teaches us that true strength lies in humility, true victory in compassion.
Tulsidas’ Tribute to Shri Ram
In Ramcharitmanas, Tulsidas crafts a vision of Shri Ram that glows with divinity. One of his beloved dohas captures the essence of Ram’s grace:
Doha (Awadhi):
रामचंद्र के भजन बिना, कैसे उतरै पार।
तुलसी संत समागम बिनु, भवसागर दुखदार।।
Transliteration:
Rāmachandra ke bhajan binā, kaise utarai pāra.
Tulasī santa samāgama binu, bhavasāgara dukhadāra.
Meaning:
“Without singing the praises of Ramchandra, how can one cross the ocean of existence? Tulsidas says, without the company of saints, the worldly sea remains full of sorrow.”
Here, Tulsidas tells us that Shri Ram is not just a name but a bridge—a bridge of devotion that carries us beyond life’s trials. To chant his name is to feel his presence, to rest in his mercy.
Thyagaraja’s Melody of Devotion
Sant Thyagaraja, the saint of the south, pours his love for Shri Ram into his bhajans, sung in Telugu. His compositions are like flowers offered at Ram’s feet. One such divine piece is:
Bhajan (Telugu):
రామ భక్తి సామ్రాజ్యము నీదేరా
రామ నీ నామమే జీవన సారమురా
Transliteration:
Rāma bhakti sāmrājyamu nīderā
Rāma nī nāmame jīvana sāramurā
Meaning:
“O Rama, the empire of devotion belongs to you alone. Your name, O Rama, is the essence of life.”
Through this bhajan, Thyagaraja surrenders to Shri Ram, declaring that his name is the nectar that sustains the soul. It is a call to lose ourselves in Ram’s love, to let his compassion wash over us like a monsoon rain.
The Beauty of Shri Ram’s Spirit
Shri Ram’s life is a canvas of divine hues—each moment a stroke of beauty, each choice a testament to love. When he lifts the bow to free Ahilya from her curse, we see his mercy. When he accepts Vibhishana, Ravana’s brother, we see his forgiveness. When he weeps for Sita, we see his humanity. And when he returns to Ayodhya, lighting lamps of joy, we see his triumph—not over others, but over the shadows within.
Tulsidas and Thyagaraja show us a Shri Ram who is the sun of righteousness, yet the moon of tenderness. He is the warrior who battles evil, yet the sage who cradles peace. On Ram Navami, as we sing his glories and light our diyas, let us not just celebrate a king, but embrace a friend—a divine companion who walks with us, whispering courage, kindness, and hope.
Let the dohas of Tulsidas fill our hearts with devotion, and the bhajans of Thyagaraja lift our spirits to the heavens. For in Shri Ram, we find the divine made simple, the eternal made near—a love so pure, it transforms us all.
Jai Shri Ram! Jai Siya Ram! Ram Lakshman Janaki, Jai bolo Hanuman Ki!
Shubh Ram Navami to all
