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The Ramcaritmanas of Tulsidas, begun in 1574 CE, is the most widely known and best loved devotional text in the whole of the north Indian vernacular tradition. Still widely read today—typically with the help of modern commentaries—it is also the subject of public performance styles that have brought it to the widest possible audiences. A source of inspiration and comfort to countless millions over the centuries, the Manas stands as the classic exemplar of the Ramayana tradition for speakers of Hindi and its dialects.

The book in your hand introduces Tulsi’s Awadhi masterpiece to readers who are already at home in modern standard Hindi. Introductory chapters outline the significance of the text, analyse Tulsi’s Awadhi and his poetic metres, summarise the narrative, and offer a close reading of a key passage. The main section of the book features selections from all seven chapters of the Manas, with the shortest one (Kiskindhakand, on events in the monkey kingdom) appearing in full; the copiously annotated English translations are designed to reflect the originals as closely as possible, and are followed by a comprehensive etymological glossary.