Numerous companies of pious men bathe in the holy stream of the Saryu and, meditating in their hearts on the beautiful swarthy form of Rama, repeat his name.

The very sight and touch of the river, a dip in its stream or a draught from it cleanses one’s sins – so declare the Vedas and the Puranas. Even Sarasvati, the goddess of learning, with all her cloudless intelligence cannot describe the infinite glory of this very holy river.

The beautiful city of Ayodhya grants men entrance to Rama’s heaven; it is celebrated through all the worlds and is the holiest of the holy. There are countless creatures in the world belonging to the four species (viz., viviparous, oviparous, sweat-born and those shooting from the earth); whoever of these shed their mortal coil at Avadh never again enter the cycle of mortality.

Knowing the city to be altogether lovely, a bestower of all success and a storehouse of every blessing, I have here begun this sacred story, which will destroy, in those who hear it, the mad frenzy of lust, arrogance and hypocrisy.

One derives solace by hearing its very name, Ramacharitamanasa (the Holy Lake of the Acts of Rama). Our mind, which burns with the fever of sensuous enjoyments, like an elephant in a forest fire, is sure to get relief should it drop into this lake.

The holy and beautiful Ramacharitamanasa is the delight of sages; it was conceived by Shambhu (Lord Shiva). It subdues the three kinds of error, sorrow and indigence and puts an end to all wicked ways and impurities of the Kaliyuga.

Having conceived it, Shiva treasured it in his mind till, when a favourable opportunity presented itself, he communicated it to his consort, Parvati. That is why Shiva, after due consideration, joyously gave it the excellent title of Ramacharitamanasa.