The poem is a rehandling of the great theme of Valmiki, but is in no sense a translation of the Sanskrit epic. Besides the Lake of Rama's deeds, Tulsi Das was the author of five longer and six shorter works, most of them dealing with the theme of Rama, his doings, and devotion to him. The former are (I) the Dohabali, consisting of 573 miscellaneous dohd and sdratha verses; of this there is a duplicate in the an arrange ment of seven centuries of verses, the great majority of which occur also in the Dahabali and in other works of Tulsi; (2) the Kabitta Ramayan or Kabittabali, which is a history of Rama in in the kabitta, ghanakshari chhappai and sawaiya metres; like the it is divided into seven or cantos, and is devoted to setting forth the majestic side of Rama's character; (3) the or Giteibali, also in seven kancls, aiming at the illustration of the tender aspect of the Lord's life; the metres are adapted for singing; (4) the Krishnawali or Krishna gitabali, a collection of 61 songs in honour of Krishna, in the Kanauji dialect: the authenticity of this is doubtful; and (5) the Binay Pattrikd, or "Book of petitions," a series of hymns and prayers of which the first 43 are addressed to the lower gods, forming Rama's court and attendants, and the remainder, Nos. 44 to 279, to Rama himself. Of the smaller compositions the most interesting is the Vairagya Sandipani, or "Kindling of continence," a poem describ ing the nature and greatness of a holy man, and the true peace to which he attains. This work has been translated by Dr. Grierson in the Indian Antiquary, xxii. 198-201.
A manuscript of the said to be in the poet's own hand, exists at Rajapur in Banda, his reputed birthplace. One of
the Ba-kiitici, dated Sambat, 1661 (A.D. 1604) 19 years before the poet's death, and carefully corrected, it is said, by Tulsi Das himself, is at Ajodhya. Another autograph is reported to be preserved at Malihabad in the Lucknow district, but has not, so far as known, been seen by a European. Other ancient MSS. are to be found at Benares, and the materials for a correct text of the Ramayan are thus available. Good editions have been published by the Khadga Bilas press at Bankipur (with a valuable life of the poet by Baijnath Das), and by the Nagari Prachdrini Sabha at Allahabad (1903). The ordinary bazar copies of the poem, repeatedly reproduced by lithography, teem with interpolations and variations from the poet's language. An excellent translation of the whole into English was made by the late Mr. F. S. Growse, of the Indian Civil Service (5th edition, Cawnpore, 1891).
The best account of Tulsi Das and his works is contained in the papers contributed by Dr. Grierson to vol. xxii. of the Indian Anti quary (1893). In Mr. Growse's translation of the will be found the text and translation of the passages in the Bhakta maid of Nabhaji and its commentary, which are the main original authority for the traditions relating to the poet. In the introduction to the edition of the Ramayan by the Ndgari Prachdrini Sabha all the known facts of Tulsi's life are brought together and critically discussed. For an exposition of his religious position, and his place in the popular religion of Northern India, see Dr. Grierson's paper in the Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society, July 1903, pP.