Navratri Ramayana Paath (नवाह्न पारायण)
The complete Ramcharitmanas in nine days — one section for each night of Navratri.
The Ramcharitmanas carries its own reading divisions. Alongside the thirty-point मासपारायण for reading across a month, it marks nine विश्राम — pauses — that split the text into nine days. Those nine are what a Navratri paath follows, and they are the divisions set out below, each linked to the full text with Hindi meaning and English translation.
- Day 1
Invocation and the Shiva–Parvati narrative
Traditional pause: Bal Kand — invocation to doha 120(a)
The invocation, the greatness of the Manas, the Shiva–Sati narrative, Sati's renunciation of her body, Parvati's birth and penance, and the marriage of Shiva and Parvati.
The traditional pause falls partway through this doha, which we render as one page — so this day and its neighbour share that page.
- Day 2
The birth and childhood of Shri Ram
Traditional pause: Bal Kand — doha 120(b) to doha 239
The birth of Shri Ram and his brothers, their childhood, Vishwamitra taking them to guard his sacrifice, the slaying of Tadaka, the redemption of Ahalya, and the arrival at Janakpur.
The traditional pause falls partway through this doha, which we render as one page — so this day and its neighbour share that page.
- Day 3
The breaking of the bow and the marriage of Ram and Sita
Traditional pause: Bal Kand — doha 240 to the close of Bal Kand
The breaking of Shiva's bow at Sita's swayamvar, the exchange between Parashuram and Lakshman, the marriage of Ram and Sita, and the return to Ayodhya that closes Bal Kand.
- Day 4
Kaikeyi's boons and the exile
Traditional pause: Ayodhya Kand — invocation to doha 116
Preparations for the coronation, Manthara's counsel, Kaikeyi's two boons, Shri Ram's departure for the forest with Sita and Lakshman, and the episode of Kevat the boatman.
- Day 5
Dasharath's passing and Bharat
Traditional pause: Ayodhya Kand — doha 117 to doha 236
Life at Chitrakoot, King Dasharath's grief and death, Bharat's return, and his journey to Chitrakoot to plead with Shri Ram.
- Day 6
Bharat Milap and entering the forest
Traditional pause: Ayodhya Kand doha 237 to Aranya Kand doha 29(a)
Bharat Milap, Bharat's return carrying Ram's sandals, his austerity at Nandigram, and in Aranya Kand the meetings with the forest sages.
The traditional pause falls partway through this doha, which we render as one page — so this day and its neighbour share that page.
- Day 7
The abduction of Sita and the meeting with Hanuman
Traditional pause: Aranya Kand doha 29(b) to the close of Kishkindha Kand
The episode of Shurpanakha, Maricha's golden deer, Ravan's abduction of Sita, Jatayu's sacrifice, the grace shown to Shabari, the meeting with Hanuman and Sugriv, and the slaying of Bali.
The traditional pause falls partway through this doha, which we render as one page — so this day and its neighbour share that page.
- Day 8
Sundar Kand and the war at Lanka
Traditional pause: The opening of Sundar Kand to Lanka Kand doha 121(b)
Hanuman's leap across the ocean, the meeting with Sita in the Ashok Vatika, the burning of Lanka, the building of the Ram Setu, the great war, the slaying of Ravan, and the return to Ayodhya.
- Day 9
The coronation and Ram Rajya
Traditional pause: Uttar Kand — from its opening to the close of the work
Shri Ram's coronation, the establishment of Ram Rajya, the dialogue of Kakbhushundi and Garud, and the completion of the work.
Frequently asked
What is navahn parayan?
Navahn parayan (नवाह्न पारायण) is the practice of reciting the complete Ramcharitmanas over nine days, following the nine traditional विश्राम (pause) points printed in the text. It is most commonly undertaken during the nine nights of Navratri.
How is the Ramcharitmanas divided over the nine days?
Days 1 to 3 cover Bal Kand, days 4 to 6 run from Ayodhya Kand into the opening of Aranya Kand, day 7 covers the rest of Aranya Kand and all of Kishkindha Kand, day 8 covers Sundar Kand and Lanka Kand, and day 9 covers Uttar Kand to the close of the work.
Can I do the paath in thirty days instead?
Yes. The Ramcharitmanas also carries a मासपारायण division of thirty विश्राम points for reading across a month. The nine-day division is the one used during Navratri.
Do I need to read at a fixed time each day?
There is no fixed rule in the text. The common practice is to keep the same time each day for the nine days, and to complete each day's section in one sitting rather than breaking it up.