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Raam Charit Maanas
See also         Raamaayan

The life story of Shree Raam composed in poetry form by Tulasee Daas Jee (1532-1623 AD). It is a vluminous book in which various meters, such as Dohaa, Chaupaaee, Chhand, Sorathaa etc are used alternatively throughout. It is undoubtedly a masterpiece of poetry.

The original writer of the life story of Shree Raam was Vaalmeeki Jee who wrote his Raamaayan in Sanskrit language. He considered Raam as a great hero, a great king, and an ideal for men to follow . While Tulasee Daas considered Him to be God incarnate in human form. He called Shree Raam "S-Gun Raam", means manifest God. His Maanas is based on Adhyaatm Raamaayan.

In fact Maanas revolutionized the level of thinking and the course of devotion of Hindoo people. Before his work, Hindoo people were divided as the followers of Vishnu and Shiv. But Tulasee Daas made both realize that Shiv and Vishnu were the same. Raam, incarnation of Vishnu, worshipped Shiv and declared that he will not accept anybody's devotion without the devotion to Shiv. On the other hand Shiv was shown as the devotee of Raam. Maanas made the word Raam synonymous to God.

Tulasee Daas was an ardent devotee of Raam. he strongly believed that the path of devotion is much more reliable to reach God than through Gyaan (acquisition of knowledge). He compared Gyaan to a lamp whose light could flicker. and Bhakti to a gem which gives light of its own and thus remains forever. He had full command of Sanskrit language and this is evident from his composition of beautiful opening verses of each of his seven chapters of Maanas. It seems that Tulasee Daas did not read Ved and Upanishad because he made numerous erroneous statements in their regard. But in spite of this handicap, he has done an excellent job of comparing the similarities and differences between devotion to manifest and unmanifest forms of God, which is of very order.

Maanas has been translated into English several times. It has been translated into Sanskrit poetry which remained unpublished until 1998.

Maanas as a book of social advice is lofty but not perfect. Tulasee Daas has added some spice to the character of Lakshman which is not complimentary to him. Obviously, his thoughts on the character and status of women in society cannot be accepted today. His thoughts are his and they are not in integral part of the life story of Shree Raam. He has done more than any person before or after him to propagate devotion to Shree Raam in the hearts Hindoo people.
[Aangiras, p 314-315)

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