The question is why we write what we write?

Well, first of all one must know how to write only then one can think of writing what to write.

Speaking comes easily, particularly , speaking for daily usage. Speaking to others known or unknown and in front of others is a different matter. Public speaking requires different kind of skills and confidence so as to face audiences without stage fright.

Writing even after one becomes proficient is altogether different ball game. Writing is done for self and for others. Writing for self may be just a todo list or entries in a diary or letters and now a days emails to communicate with others.

Writing for others could be for a number of reasons, filling forms to open a bank account, booking a ticket, answering question papers to pass examination, a research paper or a thesis to get a PhD .. the list goes on. Then there are professional writers who write for others and the challenge that they face is that what they write, must resonates not with their own thinking that but with that of those for whom they write. Then there are

Tulsi Das ji who wrote Ramcharimans some five hundred years ago has clearly stated that his writing is स्वांत:सुखाय in stanza 7 of Bal Kand.

नानापुराणनिगमागमसम्मतं यद्
रामायणे निगदितं क्वचिदन्यतोऽपि।
स्वांत:सुखाय तुलसी रघुनाथगाथा
भाषानिबंधमतिमंजुलमातनोति॥ 7॥

अनेक पुराण, वेद और शास्त्र से सम्मत तथा जो रामायण में वर्णित है और कुछ अन्यत्र से भी उपलब्ध रघुनाथ की कथा को तुलसीदास अपने अंत:करण के सुख के लिए अत्यंत मनोहर भाषा रचना में निबद्ध करता है॥ 7॥

Consistent with many Puranas, Vedas and Shastras, which are mentioned in the Ramayana and also available elsewhere, the story of Raghunath is composed by Tulsidas in the most delightful language for the pleasure of his conscience.

However, as is well known reading and recital of Ramcharitamanas has given peace, solace and a sense of purpose to live to millions of Hindus the world over.

Let’s assume that one day my blog, vrikshamandir.com turns out to be highly appreciated and liked by all who read it. How would it then compare with Ramcharimans.

Attempting such a comparison is foolhardy. Both can’t be compared with each other. Tulsidas ji was inspired and guided by a “Higher” purpose which a mortal like me has not yet found to follow consistently even after living for three quarters of a century on this planet. That made his writing of Ramacharitmanas and other creations so precious and timeless.

In order to start this blog, which was in my mind for several years, it was the mantra of Tulsidas ji that inspired me to take the first step and begin writing after years of hesitation.