What is the Difference Between Ramayana and Ramcharitmanas?

The Ramayana and Ramcharitmanas are two Indian epics that narrate the story of Lord Rama, but they have some key differences:

1. Author: Ramayana was written by Sage Valmiki, a contemporary of Lord Rama, while Ramcharitmanas was written by Indian Bhakti poet Tulsidas in the 16th century.
2. Language: Ramayana is written in Sanskrit, while Ramcharitmanas is written in Awadhi, a regional language.
3. Era: Ramayana was written in the Treta Yuga, while Ramcharitmanas was written in the Kaliyuga.
4. Portrayal of Rama: In the Ramayana, Rama is depicted as a human with exceptional conduct and virtues, and is called Maryada Purshottam. In the Ramcharitmanas, Rama is portrayed as an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
5. Structure: The Ramayana is composed of seven chapters, while the Ramcharitmanas also has seven chapters, with some differences in content.
6. Style: The Ramayana is written in 'Slokas' format, while the Ramcharitmanas is written in 'Chaupais'.
7. Progression: The Ramayana is considered the original story of Lord Rama, while the Ramcharitmanas is a retelling of the Ramayana.

Despite these differences, both epics serve as important literary and cultural works in the Indian tradition, showcasing the virtues and values of Lord Rama.

Comparative Table: Ramayana vs Ramcharitmanas

Here is a table highlighting the differences between Ramayana and Ramcharitmanas:

Ramayana, written by Sage Valmiki, is considered the original work depicting the life of Lord Rama. On the other hand, Ramcharitmanas, composed by Tulsidas, is a popular retelling of the Ramayana in the Awadhi language and is written in a different format, with some variations in the portrayal of characters and stories.