All About Shri Ramcharitmanas

 Introduction 

Shri Ram Charit Manas, also known as Ramayana, is one of the most revered and popular epics of Hindu literature. It is a retelling of the story of Lord Rama, an incarnation of the Hindu god Vishnu, and his journey to rescue his wife Sita from the demon king Ravana. Written by the poet-saint Tulsidas in the 16th century, the poem is written in the Awadhi dialect of Hindi and is considered one of the greatest works of Indian literature. 

The epic begins with the story of King Dasharatha of Ayodhya, who has three wives but no children. He performs a yagna (sacrifice) in the hopes of having a son, and as a result, four sons are born to him – Rama, Bharata, Lakshmana, and Shatrughna. Rama is the eldest and is considered the most perfect human being – strong, brave, and just. 

As Rama grows up, he marries Sita, the daughter of King Janaka of Mithila, and they live happily together in Ayodhya. However, trouble arises when Dasharatha decides to crown Rama as his successor, but his second wife Kaikeyi, who is ambitious for her own son Bharata, convinces him to send Rama into exile for 14 years and crown Bharata instead. 

Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana leave Ayodhya and go into the forest, where they live an austere life and gain the respect and devotion of the forest dwellers. However, Sita is abducted by Ravana, the powerful demon king of Lanka, and Rama sets out to rescue her with the help of the monkey king Hanuman and his army of monkeys. 

The rest of the epic details Rama's journey to Lanka, the battle between Rama's army and Ravana's forces, and the eventual rescue of Sita. Along the way, Rama and his companions face many challenges and obstacles, but through their devotion to Rama and their own strength and intelligence, they are able to overcome them. 

Shri Ram Charit Manas is not only a great epic story but also considered a spiritual and moral guide for life. The poem is widely read and recited in India, and its teachings and values are an integral part of Hindu culture.

History 

Shri Ram Charit Manas is written in the Awadhi dialect of Hindi and is considered one of the greatest works of Indian literature. 

Tulsidas wrote the poem to make the story of Rama more accessible to the common people, who at the time were mostly illiterate and could not read the original Ramayana written by Valmiki in Sanskrit. He wanted to make the story of Rama more relatable and understandable for the people and used simple and direct language to convey the message. 

The poem was an instant success and quickly gained popularity among the people. It is said that even Emperor Akbar, who ruled India at the time, was a fan of the poem and would often listen to recitations of it. 

Shri Ram Charit Manas has had a profound influence on Indian culture and is widely read and recited in India to this day. It is considered a spiritual and moral guide for life, and its teachings and values are an integral part of Hindu culture. The poem is also considered a masterpiece of Indian literature and has been translated into many languages. 

Tulsidas himself is considered a great saint and poet and his works continue to be widely read and revered. The poem Ramcharitmanas is considered a window to the Indian spiritual tradition and culture, and its impact on the society is still felt today

Parts (Kandas) Of Shri Ramcharitmanas 

Shri Ram Charit Manas is divided into several parts, known as "Kandas," in Hindi. The seven main parts of the epic are: 

• Bala Kanda: This is the first part of the epic and deals with Rama's childhood and youth, including the story of his birth, his education, and his marriage to Sita. 

• Ayodhya Kanda: This part deals with the events leading up to Rama's exile, including the promise made by King Dasharatha to Kaikeyi, and Rama's eventual departure from Ayodhya. 

• Aranya Kanda: This part tells the story of Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana's life in the forest during their exile and Sita's abduction by Ravana. 

• Kishkindha Kanda: This part deals with Rama, Lakshmana, and Hanuman's journey to Kishkindha, the kingdom of the monkey king Sugriva, and their alliance with him to rescue Sita from Lanka. 

• Sundara Kanda: This part tells the story of Hanuman's journey to Lanka, his search for Sita, and his interactions with the demon king Ravana and his court. 

• Yuddha Kanda: This part deals with the final battle between Rama's army and Ravana's forces, and the eventual rescue of Sita. 

• Uttara Kanda: This is the final part of the epic and deals with Rama's return to Ayodhya, his coronation as king, and the eventual banishment of Sita. 

These 7 kandas or parts of Ramcharitmanas are not only an epic story but also considered a spiritual and moral guide for life. The poem is widely read and recited in India, and its teachings and values are an integral part of Hindu culture.

Ramcharitmanas and Controversies

Ramcharitmanas has also been the subject of various controversies over the centuries. Some of the main controversies behind Shri Ramcharitmanas include: 

• Historical accuracy: Some scholars have questioned the historical accuracy of the events described in the poem, arguing that the story of Rama is a myth rather than a historical fact. 

• Portrayal of women: Some have criticized the poem for its portrayal of women, particularly Sita, as submissive and dependent on men. 

• Caste-based discrimination: The poem has been criticized for its depiction of certain characters as lower-caste and for its portrayal of caste-based discrimination. 

• Depiction of Hanuman: Some scholars have criticized the poem's depiction of Hanuman as a monkey, arguing that it reinforces negative stereotypes of people of lower castes. 

• Depiction of Muslims: The poem has been criticized for its depiction of Muslims as negative characters; this has been considered as a reflection of the anti-Muslim sentiment in India during the time of the poet. 

• Depiction of Rama's banishment of Sita: Some critics have argued that Rama's banishment of Sita, even though she was innocent, reflects the patriarchal society in which the poem was written. 

It is important to note that these criticisms are not universally accepted, and different scholars and communities have different perspectives and interpretations of the poem. The poem is a complex work, which has been shaped by the cultural and historical context in which it was written.