TULSIDAS POSSESSED A VISION OF A HUMAISTIC SOCIAL PHILOSOPHY:PROF. BALIRAJ THAKUR

TULSIDAS POSSESSED A VISION OF A HUMAISTIC SOCIAL PHILOSOPHY:PROF. BALIRAJ THAKUR

24-AUG-ENG 5

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA------------------------------The birth anniversary of the revered saint-poet Tulsidas was celebrated at the auditorium of the Bhojpur District Hindi Sahitya Sammelan, under the chairmanship of Prof. Baliraj Thakur, the President of the Sammelan and a Senator at Veer Kunwar Singh University. In his presidential address, Prof. Baliraj Thakur stated that the poetry of Tulsidas conveys a message of awakening to a vulnerable society. In his view, there is no greater virtue than benevolence. His teachings act as a vital restorative—a *Sanjeevani*—for the declining standards of contemporary politics. The poetic literature of Tulsidas remains a guiding light for the world even today; indeed, Tulsidas transformed every page of paper into a sacred *Tulsi-dal* (holy basil leaf). Dr. Nandji Dubey, the General Secretary of the Sammelan, described Tulsidas as a champion of global welfare in his insightful speech, noting that his *Ramcharit* (the story of Rama) can never become irrelevant. Dr. Mahesh Singh, former Head of the Philosophy Department, analyzed the four enchanting *Ghats* (riverfront steps) described in the *Manas*, stating that the name 'Rama' is a beautiful sound—like the clapping of hands—that causes the birds of doubt to flee; he shed significant light on the philosophy of the *Manas*. Prof. Nathuni Singh remarked that no other epic comparable to *Ramcharitmanas* exists in world literature. Dr. Ayodhya Prasad Upadhyay analyzed the texts authored by Tulsidas, while Rakesh Kumar Mishra sang a devotional song (*bhajan*) dedicated to the poet. Prof. Diwakar Pandey described the literature of Tulsidas as unparalleled. Social activist Shivdas Singh recited verses from the *Manas*, and Janmejay Ojha, Keshav Thakur, and Ramesh Prapannan presented poetry recitations. Attendees included Dr. Giridhar Tiwari, Prof. Nathuni Pandey, Chandrama Dubey, Dr. A.P. Upadhyay, Ramraj Singh, Brahmeshwar Dasaundhi, Dr. Satyanarayan Upadhyay, Amitabh, and Pankaj Thakur. The program was conducted by Dr. Vishwanath Chaudhary, and the vote of thanks was proposed by Dr. Diwakar Pandey.