Shree Ramacharitamanasa (Tulsidass)

The word Ram is unique for being multi faceted and splendid. Indeed, for some the word ram is much greater than and far superior to the individual who it actually represents. Even when pronounced in the reverse order rapidly, it sounds just the same. Perhaps because of this strange uniqueness the great Hindi Poet , Maithali Sharan Gupta had said “ Ram any attachment to you itself is poetry. A stone with the word ‘Ram’ written on it could make the same float across the seven seas. The tongue gets sweetened the moment your name comes on it and listening to your name the ears become entitled to a portion of the divine nectar.”

Gradually , a times comes when if one becomes familiar with the word Siyaram, It comes to mean that one has known the world itself. In a way, the character of ram – the one who never transgressed the bounds of duty, is like an ocean. It is therefore no wonder that by writing the divine book Ramayana or the Ramcharitmanas , the saint port Tulsidas obliged the whole world and thereby earned their eternal gratitude. The book exemplifies each and every state in one’s life cycle – from birth until one leaves for the heavenly abode – from happiness to utter misery, from Separation to pleasant union, from one tat is worthy of praise to the one that is to be roundly condemned etc. Indeed, there is hardly anything that it has left out untouched. Whatever the great saints, yogis and others meditate upon is made here all readily available. In more than one sense this great epic typifies India’s culture and deserves to be acknowledged as its identity.

It is a rare documents of Indian customs and traditions. Not only for us in India, this epic could be a part of universal heritage as well since it is worth following buy all for whatever it represents. It is the best, inimitable and praiseworthy. One wonders that nothing has been left out of it. The great saint poet has defined with tremendous faith and devotion both action and fate in such inimitable style that hardly has any parallel. The inspiration to edit and print such a work must then be God’s grace. Without His Kindness and overarching benediction it would not at all have been possible for this volume to see the light of the day.

For me this publication is a blessing from may most venerable parents Sri Radhey Shayam Gupta and Mrs. Shantidevi Gupta. It is a well – meaning, powerful attempt of M/s Neeta Prakashan to spread the message of universal brotherhood.

Let me hope we succeed in our attempt and for all this I once again express my gratitude to my most revered parents.