I am very fond of reading books. I have read a good number novels, one-act plays, short stories and poems. But the book that I like most is the ‘Ramcharit Manas’ of Goswami Tulsidas.

The ‘Ramcharit Manas’ is a famous book. It is a religious book of the Hindus. It tells us the life history of Ram Chandra who was the son of King Dashrath of Ayodhya. When he was only a boy, he went with the Sage Vishwamitra and killed many demons there. He broke the bow of Lord Shiva and was married with Sita. According to a boon, granted by King Dashrath to his queen Kaikeyi, Ram went to the forest to live there for 14 years. With him went Sita and Lakshman. In the forest, his wife Sita was stolen by Ravana, the king of Lanka. Ram with the help of monkeys invaded Lanka, killed Ravana and brought back Sita. Ram returned to Ayodhya after 14 years and was crowned as king.

There are many reasons for my liking this book. The Ramcharit Manas is the picture of an ideal society. Ram is an ideal son, an ideal brother, an ideal husband and ideal king. In his character we have a perfect man. He is a God as well as man. Bharat is an ideal and obedient son and a loyal brother. He is a living model of duty, love, nobility and dharma. In Sita we find an ideal wife. In Lakshman we have an ideal brother.

The Ramcharit Manas is one of the greatest religious books of the Hindus. It teaches us the rules of good conduct. It illustrates the victory of good over evil. In it we read the place of action, devotion and knowledge in our life. The examples of poor old ‘Shabri’ and boatman ‘Kevat’ teach us that we can get the love of God if we are holy in our work and faith.

This holy book lays down the duties of a king to his subjects. The ideal of a king is Ram and the ideal of administration is Ram Rajya. The Ramcharit Manas has an important place in Hindi literature. The language of the book is very simple. Its couplets are musical. Its language is touching, its meanings are deep and its dialogues are life-like. The book has become so popular than it has been translated in all the important languages of the world.

The Ramcharit Manas is really the best book of Hindi literature. It is a store of knowledge. “To the weak, it is a source of strength; to the lost, it is a guide; to the disappointed, it is a consolation. To most of us, it is everything.” It is my friend, philosopher and guide.