Introduction
Ramayana and Ramcharitmanas are two different versions of the story of Rama written in Sanskrit and Awadhi languages respectively. They have differences in poetry style, composition, religious importance, and more.
Comparison of Authors
Ramayana is written by sage Valmiki, regarded as Adi Kavya (first book of ornate poetry). Ramcharitamanas is based on Valmiki’s work and is written by the Awadhi poet, Goswami Tulsi Das, who lived in the 15th century AD.
Religious Importance
Tulsi Das compared the Seven Kandas or chapters to the seven steps leading to the Manasa Lake, which is believed to bring purity to the mind and body. Ramcharitmanas is considered as the Bible of Northern India due to its spiritual and religious thoughts. Mahatma Gandhi also considered it more spiritual than Valmiki Ramayana.
Comparison of Chapters
Valmiki Ramayana consists of 7 Kandams or chapters: Balakandam, Ayodhyakandam, Aranyakandam, Kishkindakandam, Sundarakandam, Yuddhakandam, and Uttarakandam. Tulsidas also wrote the work in 7 Kandas but named the sixth chapter as Lanka Kand instead of Yuddh Kand.
Poetry Style
Ramcharitmanas is written in Chaupai meter, while Ramayana is in Anushtubh meter with occasional use of Doha meter by Tulsidas. Tulsidas ends Ramcharitmanas abruptly without going into the details of the happenings in Uttarakandam, unlike Valmiki’s Ramayana.
Conclusion
Valmiki’s Ramayana is the original version based on which other versions in different Indian languages were written. Ramayana has inspired several Sanskrit poets and dramatists in the past. Both Ramayana and Ramcharitmanas hold great importance in the lives of Hindus worldwide.
Key Takeaways
1. Ramayana and Ramcharitmanas are two different versions of the story of Rama written in different languages with differences in style, composition, and religious importance.
2. Ramcharitmanas is considered as the “Bible of Northern India” by Western scholars due to its spiritual and religious thoughts.
3. The Valmiki Ramayana is the original version of the story of Rama and has inspired several other versions in different Indian languages, while Ramcharitmanas is based on Valmiki’s work and written in seven Kandas or chapters.
