Vinaya Patrika

Vinaya Patrika (Humble Petition to Lord Rama) (Hindi/ Braj Bhasha) is a devotional poem composed by the 16th-century Indian poet, Goswami Tulsidas (c.1532–1623) (Devanāgarī: तुलसीदास), containing hymns to different Hindu deities especially to Lord Rama in extreme humility (Vinaya).

Vinaya Patrika is an important work of medieval Hindi Literature and Bhakti movement.

Vinaya Patrika has an interesting story behind its origin as explained by Swami Yatiswarananda.

Once a murderer came on pilgrimage to Varanasi and cried: "For the love of Rama, give alms to me, a murderer." Hearing the name of his beloved Rama, Tulsidas called the man to his house and gave him consecrated food, and declared him purified. The orthodox brahmins of the place asked him how the murderer's sin was absolved. Tulsidas replied: "Read your own scriptures and learn about the power of the Divine Name." The brahmins were not satisfied; they asked for a further proof. They all agreed that if the sacred bull of the Vishwanatha temple would eat from the hands of the murderer, they would accept Tulsidas's words. The man was taken to the temple and the bull did eat from his hands. Tulsi proved that the sincere repentance made by the devotee was accepted by the Lord. A new trouble, however, arose: Kali - the embodiment of evil - threatened to devour Tulsidas. Tulsi prayed to Hanuman who appeared to him in a dream and advised him to file a petition to Sri Rama - the Lord of the Universe - to remedy the evil, and that was the origin of the Vinaya-Patrika.”

The language of the text is Braj Bhasha, a dialect of Hindi.

Vinaya Patrika has been written as a petition against the six passions (Lust, Wrath, Greed, Inebriation, Attachments, Ego) and nine vices (Violence, Falsehood, Pride, Envy, Strife, Suspicion, Jealousy, Rivalry and Covetousness) of Kali Yuga, the plaintiff is Tulsidas himself, though he represents the entire humanity. The judges addressed are Lord Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, Bharat and Shatrughan.

It also comprises popular devotional hymns (Stutis) to various Hindu Gods, like Ganesha, Surya, Devi, Ganga, Hanuman, Sita, Rama and also the city of Kashi. The book has now has been translated into many languages, including English. (Translator: F. R. Allchin)

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