Contents: Preface. 1. Bal Kand. 2. Ayodhya Kand. 3. Aranya Kand. 4. Kishkindha Kand. 5. Sundar Kand. 6. Lanka Kand. 7. Uttar Kand. Glossary.

"Tulasidas's Ramcharitmanas enjoys the place of pride among the hundreds of epics narrating the Tale of Lord Ram not only in Indian languages but also in several languages of South-East Asia. It is venerated not only by Ram's ardent devotees but also learned scholars who admire it for its poetic beauty and ethical import.

For a long time the need was being felt for an abridged version of Ramcharitmanas for a growing section of the present-day reader, both in India and abroad, characterised by preference for English language and shortage of time.

This volume amply fulfils that need. Being based on a tried and tested abridged edition in Hindi, namely Manas Mangal, it presents the gist of the original Ramcharitmanas.

The success of The Spirit of Ramcharitmanas lies in the prudent pruning of the original in a manner that retains the flavour of the original and keeps in tact the moral, ethical, literary and aesthetic content of Manas which lend it the semblance of a scripture."