श्री गणेशाय नमः। श्री सीतारामाभ्यां नमः।

Sri Ramcharitmanas

Goswami Tulsidas’s devotional retelling of Rama’s story

Read the complete Ramcharitmanas in a clean, structured edition with the original text, IAST transliteration, meanings, and episode-wise navigation.

7
Kandas
1,172
Dohas
87
Sorathas
4,638
Chaupais
231
Chhands
27
Shlokas
Checked against Gita Press Edition
Kandas

Browse the Seven Kandas

Move through the text by kanda, then continue into episode-wise reading with meanings and transliteration.
Kanda 1
-
Bal Kand

The book of childhood covers the divine birth, early years, education under Sage Vishwamitra, and the marriage of Lord Rama to Sita after breaking Shiva's bow.

Key themes: Birth of Rama, Sita Swayamvar, Breaking of Shiva's Bow
Kanda 2
-
Ayodhya Kand

The book of Ayodhya depicts the events leading to Rama's exile, the steadfast devotion of Bharata, and the profound lessons of duty and sacrifice.

Key themes: Kaikeyi's Demand, Rama's Exile, Bharata's Devotion
Kanda 3
-
Aranya Kand

The book of the forest narrates the years in exile, encounters with sages and demons, and the tragic abduction of Sita by Ravana.

Key themes: Forest Life, Meeting Sages, Sita's Abduction
Kanda 4
-
Kishkindha Kand

The book of Kishkindha describes the alliance with the Vanara king Sugriva, the meeting with Hanuman, and the search for Sita.

Key themes: Meeting Hanuman, Alliance with Sugriva, Search for Sita
Kanda 5
-
Sundar Kand

The beautiful book celebrates Hanuman's heroic journey across the ocean, his finding of Sita, and the burning of Lanka. Most recited for blessings.

Key themes: Hanuman's Leap, Finding Sita, Lanka Set Ablaze
Kanda 6
-
Lanka Kand

The book of Lanka recounts the epic battle between good and evil, the valor of the Vanara army, and the ultimate victory of Lord Rama over Ravana.

Key themes: Bridge to Lanka, The Great Battle, Ravana's Defeat
Kanda 7
-
Uttar Kand

The final book follows the triumphant return to Ayodhya, the coronation of Rama, the establishment of Ram Rajya, and profound spiritual teachings.

Key themes: Return to Ayodhya, Ram Rajya, Divine Teachings
The Text

What Is Ramcharitmanas?

Sri Ramcharitmanas is Goswami Tulsidas’s 16th-century Awadhi retelling of Rama’s story, arranged in seven kandas and read as both poetry and devotional scripture.

A Devotional Retelling

The work narrates Rama’s life through dohas, chaupais, sorathas, chhands, and shlokas, weaving story, devotion, ethics, and reflection into a form meant for repeated reading.

Its seven kandas move from invocation and childhood episodes to exile, devotion, battle, return, and reflection on dharma. For many readers, the Manas is both a literary epic and a daily companion for remembrance.

Goswami Tulsidas

Tulsidas is one of the central poets of the bhakti tradition. His telling brought Rama’s story into the language and devotional life of a wide community of readers and listeners.

By composing in Awadhi, he made the story intimate and singable, carrying Sanskritic narrative, devotion, and philosophical insight into a language of household recitation and public katha.

How to Read

How the Text Is Organized

The site presents Ramcharitmanas as kandas, episodes, and individual verses, with original text, IAST, and meanings kept together.
How to Navigate

Start with a kanda, open an episode, then move through the verses in reading order. Verse pages provide focused references for dohas, chaupais, sorathas, chhands, and shlokas.

Doha
1,172

A compact couplet form that often anchors a movement in the narrative or devotional reflection.

Chaupai
4,638

The primary narrative verse form, used throughout the text for dialogue, action, and exposition.

Soratha
87

A related couplet form with a different cadence, used at selected turns in the composition.

Chhand
231

Metrical passages with a heightened rhythm, often used for praise, description, or dramatic movement.

Shloka
27

Sanskrit verses that appear especially in invocatory and formal passages.

Tip
Many readers approach the Manas through daily paath, episode-wise reading, or focused recitation of Sundar Kand, which is especially loved for Hanuman’s devotion and courage.
About

About This Project

A focused reading edition of Sri Ramcharitmanas, built around textual care, calm navigation, and a reading experience that stays close to the work itself.
Ad-Free

The page stays focused on reading, without ads or attention traps.

Dark Mode

Light and dark themes keep longer reading sessions comfortable.

Mobile Friendly

The layout is built for phones first, while still feeling spacious on larger screens.

Source-Checked Text

Many source mismatches have been checked against the Gita Press edition, with ongoing correction of remaining issues.