Ramcharitmanas of Tulsidas — The Beloved Hindi Retelling of the Ramayana

Introduction

Significance

Auspicious Time

Required Samagri (Materials)

Preparation Steps

1. 1Bathe and wear clean, preferably traditional clothes (dhoti-kurta, saree, or simple modest attire).
2. 2Clean the puja area and place a clean cloth on a raised platform (chowki).
3. 3Place the Ramcharitmanas on the cloth, opening it with reverence using both hands.
4. 4Light the ghee lamp and incense; offer flowers, chandan, kumkum to the book as to the deity.
5. 5Invoke Ganesha, Guru, Hanuman, and Rama with short prayers.
6. 6Make a sankalpa (intention) stating your name, gotra, purpose (e.g., daily parayan, navahna for peace), and dedication to Rama.
7. 7Sit facing east or north on the asana, spine straight, mind calm.

Steps

1. 1Begin with the Mangalacharan (invocation verses) at the start of Balakanda: 'Shri Guru Charan Saroj Rij...' and 'Buddhiheen Tanu Janike...'.
2. 2Recite each chaupai and doha clearly, with correct pronunciation and bhava (feeling). Use a melodic tone if familiar with traditional dhun.
3. 3Pause at the end of each doha/chaupai to reflect on the meaning; keep a Hindi commentary (like Gita Press tika) nearby for study.
4. 4Offer mental pushpanjali (flowers) at key moments — e.g., Rama's birth, exile, Sita's swayamvar, Hanuman's leap, Rama's coronation.
5. 5If doing a timed parayan (e.g., 9 days), divide the seven kandas evenly across days; traditional schedules exist for navahna and masparayan.
6. 6Conclude each session with the Phalashruti (fruit of listening) verses at the end of Uttarakanda: 'Jo Yah Padhai Hanuman Chalisa...' (though Chalisa is separate, the Manas has its own phalashruti).
7. 7Perform aarti with camphor or ghee lamp, singing 'Shri Ramachandra Kripalu Bhajaman' or 'Mangal Bhavan Amangal Hari'.
8. 8Distribute prasad; bow to the book and place it back respectfully wrapped in cloth.

Mantras

Guidelines

• •Maintain purity of body and mind during the reading period.
• •Observe celibacy (brahmacharya) if doing extended parayan (navahna/masparayan).
• •Eat satvik food; avoid onion, garlic, meat, alcohol.
• •Sleep on floor or simple bed; avoid luxury.
• •Speak truth, avoid gossip, anger, and criticism.
• •Complete the chosen recitation schedule without interruption; if missed, do prayashchitta (extra reading).

Do's

• ✓Read with shraddha (faith) and bhava, not mechanically.
• ✓Learn correct pronunciation from a guru or authentic audio.
• ✓Keep the book in a clean, elevated place; never place on floor.
• ✓Wash hands before touching the text.
• ✓Share the katha with family; involve children in simplified retellings.
• ✓Apply teachings: practice truth, compassion, duty, and devotion in daily life.

Don'ts

• ✗Do not read in a distracted, angry, or impure state.
• ✗Do not place other objects on top of the Ramcharitmanas.
• ✗Do not lend your personal parayan copy casually; it absorbs the reader's sankalpa.
• ✗Do not skip verses or kandas arbitrarily; follow the sequence.
• ✗Do not treat it as mere literature — it is mantra-swarupa (embodiment of mantra).
• ✗Do not argue over interpretations; respect diverse sampradaya commentaries.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• •Rushing through verses without understanding or feeling.
• •Using damaged or photocopied loose pages instead of a bound granth.
• •Reading only popular sections (Sundarakanda) and neglecting the full text.
• •Ignoring the importance of Guru-parampara and traditional tika (commentary).
• •Turning parayan into a performance for others rather than inner sadhana.
• •Neglecting the application of Rama's ideals in one's own conduct.

Regional Variations

• •In Awadh and Purvanchal: Traditional chaupai singing in 'dhun' passed down orally; Ramlila enactments follow Manas text closely.
• •In Mithila: Maithili commentaries and melodic recitation styles; emphasis on Sita's glory.
• •In Braj: Integration with Braj bhakti traditions; kirtan mandalis use distinct ragas.
• •In Maharashtra/Gujarat: Marathi/Gujarati translations used alongside Awadhi original; Parayan during Chaturmas.
• •In diaspora (Caribbean, Fiji, Mauritius, Suriname): Ramcharitmanas is central to community identity; weekly 'Ramayan Yajna' with havan and discourse.
• •In South India: Increasing popularity; Tamil/Telugu/Kannada translations with local musical renditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

References & Traditional Notes

• •Tulsidas began composition on Ram Navami, Vikram Samvat 1631 (1574 CE) in Varanasi at the Tulsi Ghat / Assi Ghat area.
• •The text follows the 'Rama-avatar' as described in Bhagavata Purana and Vishnu Purana, not just Valmiki.
• •Tulsidas's philosophy: Rama = Brahman; Jiva's goal = Prema-bhakti; Means = Nam-smaran, Satsang, Guru-kripa.
• •Manuscript tradition: Oldest extant manuscripts date to early 17th century; Gita Press critical edition (1920s) standardized the text.
• •Ramlila of Ramnagar (Varanasi) enacts the Manas over 31 days — UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.
• •Gandhi's daily prayer included Ramcharitmanas verses; he called it 'the supreme book for moral guidance.'

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