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Difference between Ramayana and Ramcharitmanas - Ancient History Notes for UPSC
IMPORTANT LINKS
Ancient History UPSC Notes
The Difference between Ramayana and Ramcharitmanas is that Sage Valmiki wrote Ramayana, and Ramcharitmanas was written by one of the greatest Indian Bhakti poets, Tulsidas. Ramayana is believed to be written during the Treta-Yuga whereas, Ramcharitmanas was written during Kali-Yuga in the 16th Century.
Differences between Ramayana and Ramcharitmanas are one of the most important topics for the UPSC IAS Examination.
In this article on the difference between Ramayana and Ramcharitmanas, we shall discuss in detail their key differences, including their Authors and their perspective on Ram, Sita, and Hanuman.
You can also register for the Testbook’s flagship optional history coaching for UPSC and kick-start your UPSC IAS preparation journey today.
Also, study the NCERT Notes on Ashokan Edicts from the linked article.
Difference between Ramayana and Ramcharitmanas
Following table covers the key differences between Ramayana and Ramcharitmanas.
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Key Differences between Ramayana and Ramcharitmanas |
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|
Parameter |
Ramayana |
Ramcharitmanas |
|
Written by |
Ramayana was written by Sage Valmiki, a contemporary of Lord Rama. |
Ramcharitmanas was written by Indian Bhakti Poet Tulsidas, a contemporary of Mughal Emperor Akbar. |
|
Language |
Ramayana is written in Sanskrit Language |
Ramcharitmanas is written in Awadhi Language. |
|
Yuga |
Ramayana was written in Treta-Yuga. |
Ramcharitmanas was written in Kali-Yuga. |
|
Chapters |
It is composed of 7 seven chapters → Balakandam, Ayodhya Kandam, Aranyakandam, Kishkinda Kandam, Sundara Kandam, Yuddha Kandam, Uttara Kandam. |
It is also composed of seven chapters → Balakandam, Ayodhya Kandam, Aranyakandam, Kishkinda Kandam, Sundara Kandam, Lanka Kand, Uttara Kandam. |
|
Format Used |
Ramayana was written in ‘Shlokas’ format. |
Ramcharitmanas was written in ‘Chaupais’ format. |
|
Views on King Dasaratha |
According to Ramayana, King Dasaratha had 350 wives, including three most important ones → Kaikeyi, Kausalya and Sumitra. |
According to Ramcharitmanas, he had only three wives → Kaikeyi, Kausalya and Sumitra. |
|
Views on Lord Hanuman |
According to Ramayana, Hanuman was a human who was part of the Vanara tribe. |
According to Ramcharitmanas, he was not a human but was a monkey. |
|
Views on King Janak |
According to Ramayana, there was no Swayamavara organized by King Janak for Sita. But when Sage Vishwamitra took Lord Rama to Janaka’s palace, Rama had easily lifted the bow of Shiva. Thats why, he was married to Goddess Sita. |
According to Ramcharitmanas, a Swayamavara was organized by King Janaka for Goddess Sita, wherein, Lord Rama had to break the bow of Shiva to win Sita’s hand. While no other person was able to even lift the bow, Lord Rama successfully lifted it & also broke its strings. Thats why, he was married to Goddess Sita. |
|
Views on Goddess Sita |
According to Ramayana, the original Goddess Sita was kidnapped by Ravana. |
According to Ramcharitmanas, Ravana was not able to kidnap the original Lord Sita, but the one Ravana kidnapped was a clone of Lord Sita. As the original incarnation of her was handed over to Lord Agni by Lord Ram even before the kidnapping incident took place. |
|
Views on the ‘Purity’ Test |
According to Ramayana, Lord Rama had asked Goddess Sita to prove her purity through the ‘Agni Pariksha’. |
According to Ramcharitmanas, the act of ‘Agni Pariksha’ was simply done to exchange the real Goddess Sita with the clone of Sita who was kidnapped by Ravana. |
|
Views on the battle between Lord Rama and Ravana |
According to Ramayana, Lord Rama had to face Ravana twice in the battlefield. In the initial battle, Ravana badly lost, but was given a second chance by Lord Rama. But in the second battle too, Lord Rama badly defeated Ravana and finally killed him. |
According to Ramacharitmanas, there was only one battle between Lord Rama and Ravana. In this battle, Lord Rama badly defeated Ravana and finally killed him. |
|
Views on Lord Rama |
According to Ramayana, Lord Rama was portrayed as a human who had exceptional virtue, memory & intelligence and hence he was given the title ‘Maryada Purshottam’. |
According to Ramcharitmanas, Lord Rama was portrayed as an incarnation or an ‘Avataar’ of Lord Vishnu. Thus, his actions were justified as the correct way to re-establish the values of Dharma in the entire world through his win over the ‘Evil’ Ravana. |
|
Views on Sita/Lakshamana’s death |
According to Ramayana, when Goddess Sita went into the Earth and when Lakshamana went into River Sarayu, Lord Rama himself had put his mortal remains into River Sarayu. |
According to Ramcharitmanas, there is no information on either the death of Lakshamana or the vanishing of Goddess Sita. This book has its ending with the birth of Luv and Khush, who are said to be the twin sons of Goddess Sita and Lord Rama. |
What is Ramcharitmanas?
A collection of shlokas praising Lord Rama is known as the Ramcharitmanas. The shlokas in this are represented as Lord Shiva telling Goddess Parvati a story. Goswami Tulsidas wrote it in the regional vernacular so that locals could understand and use it. Ramcharitmanas is written in seven Kandas, just like the Ramayana. The Ramcharitmanas greatly influenced how people now relate to Rama and his story.
The two stories differ from one another in several ways. Nonetheless, these works share a similar story's plot.
What is Valmiki Ramayana?
The Ramayana in Sanskrit is known as the Valmiki Ramayana. The epic has allegedly been translated into 300 different tongues. The 2400 shlokas in this book are divided into 7 Kandas. It was written between 500 and 100 BC. The Ramayana of Valmiki is recreated in the Ramcharitmanas.
The seven Kandas in Valmiki Ramayana is listed below:
- Bala Kanda,
- Ayodhya Kanda,
- Aranya Kanda,
- Kishkindha Kanda,
- Sundara Kanda,
- Yuddha Kanda, and
- Uttara Kanda
Difference between Ramayana and Ramcharitmanas – FAQs
What is the main difference between Ramayana and Ramcharitmanas?
Ramayana was written by Sage Valmiki, Whereas Ramcharitmanas was written by Tulsidas, who was the contemporary of Mughal Emperor Akbar.
When was Ramayana written?
Ramayana is believed to be written in Treta-Yuga.
Is Hanuman a Human or Monkey?
According to Ramayana, Hanuman was a Human whereas Ramcharitmanas claims Hanuman belong to a Monkey origin.
How many battles were fought between Rama and Ravana?
According to Ramayana, there were two battles fought between Rama and Ravana, whereas Ramcharitmanas claims that there was only one battle between them.
Is Rama a Human or a Lord?
According to Ramayana, Lord Rama was portrayed as a human. Ramcharitmanas portrayed Lord Rama as an incarnation or an ‘Avatar’ of Lord Vishnu.