The Ramcharitmanas (रामचरितमानस) is a 16th-century devotional retelling of the Ramayana, composed by the poet-saint Goswami Tulsidas in Awadhi, a dialect of Hindi. It is considered a spiritual classic of Indian literature and is revered as scripture, especially in North India.
📖 Ramcharitmanas: An Overview
🧘♂️ Author: Tulsidas
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A saint, poet, and philosopher devoted to Lord Rama.
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Believed to be an incarnation of Valmiki by many of his followers.
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His work aimed to make the story of Rama accessible to the common people through the vernacular.
🪔 Structure of the Ramcharitmanas
The text is divided into seven kāṇḍas (books), similar to Valmiki’s Ramayana, but with different emphases and poetic styles:
| Kāṇḍa | Name | Meaning | Key Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Bālakāṇḍa | Childhood book | Birth of Rama, his childhood, and marriage |
| 2. | Ayodhyākāṇḍa | Ayodhya book | Preparations for Rama’s coronation and his exile |
| 3. | Araṇyakāṇḍa | Forest book | Life in exile and kidnapping of Sita |
| 4. | Kiṣkindhākāṇḍa | Kishkindha book | Alliance with Sugriva and search for Sita |
| 5. | Sundarkāṇḍa | Beautiful book | Hanuman’s journey to Lanka (the most popular part) |
| 6. | Laṅkākāṇḍa | Lanka book | War with Ravana and Sita’s rescue |
| 7. | Uttarakāṇḍa | Final book | Rama’s rule (Ram Rajya), Lava-Kusha, and Sita’s departure |
🌟 Highlights of Ramcharitmanas
🕉️ Devotional Tone
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Unlike the Valmiki Ramayana, which is an epic poem with a royal-heroic tone, the Ramcharitmanas is deeply devotional (bhakti rasa).
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Emphasizes Rama as an incarnation of Vishnu.
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Presents Sita and Rama as the divine couple, ideal role models for virtue and love.
🎶 Musical and Poetic
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Written in chaupai, doha, and other lyrical meters.
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Traditionally sung or chanted, especially during Ramayana Katha, Ram Navami, and Hanuman Jayanti.
🙏 Popularity
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Widely recited in homes and temples across North India.
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Influenced many saints, including Kabir, Surdas, and later bhakti poets.
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Sundar Kāṇḍa is considered especially auspicious for recitation during difficult times.
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