Chitrakoot (UP), Jul 31 – Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath paid homage to the revered saint Tulsidas during the Tulsi Jayanti celebrations, emphasizing his deep devotion to Lord Ram amidst the political turmoil of his era. The event marked the 500th birth anniversary of Tulsidas, where Adityanath highlighted the saint’s significant contribution to awakening public consciousness through faith and cultural resilience.

The Chief Minister remarked, “Five hundred years ago, when this village might have been grappling with a lack of resources and hardships, a divine soul was born and, in his childhood, dedicated himself to the feet of Prabhu Shri Ram.” He contrasted Tulsidas’s dedication with the political landscape of the time, stating, “In that period, when Akbar’s empire was expanding and there was a scramble for positions in the court, Tulsidas dedicated himself not to the service of any courtier, but solely to the devotion of Prabhu Shri Ram.”

Adityanath described Tulsidas as a remarkable blend of devotion, power, and public awakening, asserting that he chose the path of defiance through Ramlila and Ramcharitmanas rather than through violence. He commented on the political dynamics of the era, stating, “Akbar presented a soft face of his rule, but the cruelty behind it is still visible to us today. The tradition of saints at that time firmly resisted it.”

Expressing gratitude to Jagatguru Rambhadracharya and Murari Bapu for their invitation to the event, Adityanath noted that during the ceremony, propagators of Ramkatha were honored with the Tulsi Award and the Ratnavali Award. He recounted his visit to Mauritius, where he learned that during the era of slavery, Ramcharitmanas served as a vital support for Indians brought there as laborers.

“They were uneducated, but through the Manas, they kept their culture alive,” he stated, highlighting that today, the descendants of those laborers have risen to prominent positions, with Ramcharitmanas remaining central to their worship practices.

Adityanath criticized those who attempt to create controversy around revered saints, asserting, “Some people deliberately try to make revered saints controversial. Those whose own lives are controversial are the ones who do this.” He emphasized the need for a collective effort to safeguard Sanatan Dharma and preserve India’s rich heritage, urging that such attempts should not deter their mission.