Hanuman chalisa - origin of compsition

[Sundara Rajan]

Saint Tulasidas, a resident of Varanasi, was deeply immersed in the chanting and propagation of Ramanama (the name of Lord Rama), experiencing profound spiritual ecstasy (Brahmananda).  His immense piety and reputation for miracles attracted a large and diverse following, including individuals from various religious backgrounds, all drawn to participate in his devotional gatherings centered around the chanting of Ramanama.  This widespread appeal, however, stirred animosity amongst certain orthodox religious teachers who felt threatened by Tulasidas's growing influence. They lodged a formal complaint with the Delhi Emperor, accusing him of employing manipulative tactics to attract followers.

Concurrently, a devastating event occurred.  A young man recently married died unexpectedly.  His inconsolable widow, in her grief, desperately sought Tulasidas's help as the funeral procession passed his ashram.  Moved by her plight, Tulasidas, through his fervent devotion and invocation of the name of Rama, miraculously resurrected the deceased husband. This miracle, while bringing comfort to the widow, further fueled the resentment of the orthodox teachers, solidifying their belief in Tulasidas's supposed use of supernatural powers for personal gain.

The already simmering discontent exploded into open confrontation. The orthodox teachers renewed their accusations to the Emperor, who, wanting to resolve the matter, summoned Tulasidas to his court.  The Emperor challenged Tulasidas to demonstrate the potency of Ram Naam by reviving a corpse, a request Tulasidas initially resisted, asserting that life and death are ultimately governed by the will of the divine (Jagatpati).  This response, however, was misunderstood by the Emperor as a refusal and perceived as an admission of deception.  The Emperor, exasperated, ordered Tulasidas's arrest.

Just as the guards moved to seize Tulasidas, an extraordinary event transpired. A large contingent of monkeys unexpectedly stormed the royal court, disrupting the proceedings and effectively thwarting the arrest.  Upon witnessing this unexpected intervention, Tulasidas saw Hanuman, the devoted servant of Lord Rama, standing at the palace gate.  This divine intervention served as the catalyst for the composition of the Hanuman Chalisa.  In a moment of inspired devotion and gratitude, Tulasidas composed the forty verses of praise, dedicated to Hanuman, immortalizing the event and the power of faith.

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