श्रीरामचरितमानस

श्रीरामचरितमानस

The Sacred History of Shri Ramcharitmanas

Birth of Goswami Tulsidas

1532 CE
Born in Rajapur, Uttar Pradesh, Tulsidas would go on to become one of India's greatest saints and poets.

Divine Inspiration from Lord Shiv

1574 CE
It is believed Lord Shiv appeared in a dream, asking Tulsidas to write the Ramayan in the local language for the masses.

Start of Ramcharitmanas

1574 CE
Tulsidas began composing Ramcharitmanas on Ram Navami in Ayodhya. It was written in Awadhi over several months.

A Lake of Devotion

Completion
The completed work was named 'Ramcharitmanas' — meaning 'Lake of the Deeds of Ram', symbolizing a place of spiritual immersion.

Widespread Reverence

Legacy
Ramcharitmanas became the spiritual heart of North India’s Bhakti tradition, recited in homes, temples, and public gatherings to this day.

Explore the Sacred Kaands of Shri Ramcharitmanas

Journey through the divine chapters of Shri Ram’s life - each Kaand is a gateway to devotion, dharma, and eternal wisdom. Begin your spiritual reading below.

BaalKaand - बालकाण्ड

The divine beginnings - covers Lord Ram's birth, childhood, and marriage to Sita ji. A glimpse into his divine play and virtues.

AyodhyaKaand - अयोध्याकाण्ड

The exile begins - details the emotional and political drama around Lord Ram's banishment and the heartbreak of Ayodhya.

AranyaKaand - अरण्यकाण्ड

Trials in the forest - follows Ram, Lakshman, and Sita's forest journey, encounters with sages, demons, and Sita's abduction.

KishkindhaKaand - किष्किन्धाकाण्ड

Alliance and loyalty - chronicles Ram’s friendship with Hanuman and Sugriva, and the beginning of the search for Sita ji.

SundarKaand - सुन्दरकाण्ड

Devotion and heroism - Hanuman’s fearless leap to Lanka, meeting Sita ji, and showcasing his unmatched devotion to Ram.

LankaKaand - लंकाकाण्ड

The great battle - the climax of good vs evil, detailing the war with Ravana, his defeat, and Sita ji’s liberation.

UttarKaand - उत्तरकाण्ड

The return and reign - Lord Ram's coronation, his ideal rule as king, and the final teachings of righteousness and detachment.

Summary of the Seven Kaands

Shri Ramcharitmanas is divided into seven major sections known as Kaands. The first, Baal Kaand (बालकाण्ड), describes the divine significance of the scripture and the glory of Lord Ram’s name. It explains the reasons behind the Lord’s incarnation and narrates the story of Sati, her rebirth as Goddess Parvati, and her marriage to Lord Shiv. It also covers the divine births of Lord Ram and his three brothers, their childhood pastimes, and finally, the wedding of Lord Ram and Sita Ji.

The journey continues through the remaining six Kands: Ayodhya Kaand (अयोध्याकाण्ड), Aranya Kaand (अरण्यकाण्ड), Kishkindha Kaand (किष्किन्धाकाण्ड), Sundar Kaand (सुन्दरकाण्ड), Lanka Kaand (लंकाकाण्ड) and Uttar Kaand (उत्तरकाण्ड). In the concluding section, Uttar Kaand, Lord Ram returns to Ayodhya with Sita Ji and Lakshman after defeating the demon king Ravan and completing their 14-year exile. Lord Ram is crowned the King of Ayodhya, and Luv and Kush, the divine sons of Ram and Sita, are born.