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# How many dohas are in Sunderkand?

Goswami Tulsidas’s Sunderkand has **60 dohas**. It is the fifth of the seven kands of the Ramcharitmanas. It opens with three Sanskrit shlokas and also contains six chhands. The dohas and chhands appear between groups of chaupais. Dohas 39, 49 and 56 each have two parts, marked a and b.

## How Sunderkand is arranged

Groups of chaupais carry the account forward after the three opening Sanskrit shlokas. Dohas and chhands appear between these groups. The Gita Press edition gives 60 dohas and six chhands.

The paired parts of Dohas 39, 49 and 56 belong under their respective numbers. Each pair shares one number, so the count remains **60 numbered dohas**. When reading in order, include both the a and b parts before moving to the next number.

Sunderkand begins after Jamvant’s words in Kishkindha Kand inspire Hanumanji. Its first doha, quoted below, expresses His resolve to rest only after Shri Ram’s work is done.

## The seven kands of the Ramcharitmanas

The Ramcharitmanas has **seven kands**. Their doha counts in the Gita Press edition are:

| Kand | Dohas |
| --- | ---: |
| Bal Kand | 361 |
| Ayodhya Kand | 326 |
| Aranya Kand | 46 |
| Kishkindha Kand | 30 |
| Sunderkand | 60 |
| Lanka Kand | 121 |
| Uttar Kand | 130 |
| **Total** | **1,074** |

Sunderkand stands between Kishkindha Kand and Lanka Kand. Its 60 dohas form part of the Ramcharitmanas’s total of 1,074 dohas. The seven kands are the larger divisions of the work, while the doha numbers help readers follow the verses within each kand.

## Dohas 1, 30 and 60

The first doha gives us a teaching to carry into our reading: devotion finds expression in service.

> हनूमान तेहि परसा कर पुनि कीन्ह प्रनाम।
> राम काजु कीन्हें बिनु मोहि कहाँ बिश्राम॥१॥
> Ramcharitmanas, Sunderkand, Doha 1

“Hanumanji touched the mountain with His hand and then bowed to it, saying that He could find no rest until He had completed Shri Ram’s work.”

The word *काजु* means “work” or “task”. Hanumanji’s willingness to serve gives His effort a clear purpose. We can pause here to consider the care and commitment we bring to our own duties.

Doha 30 offers an example from the middle of the kand. Hanumanji describes to Shri Ram how Mata Sita protects Her life:

> नाम पाहरू दिवस निसि ध्यान तुम्हार कपाट।
> लोचन निज पद जंत्रित जाहिं प्रान केहिं बाट॥३०॥
> Ramcharitmanas, Sunderkand, Doha 30

“Your Name keeps watch day and night, while Her thoughts of You form the closed doors. Her eyes, fixed upon Her own feet, serve as the lock, leaving no way for Her life to escape.”

A guard, closed doors and a lock make the image easy to picture. Each helps describe Mata Sita’s constant remembrance of Shri Ram.

The final doha turns our attention to hearing His glories:

> सकल सुमंगल दायक रघुनायक गुन गान।
> सादर सुनहिं ते तरहिं भव सिंधु बिना जलजान॥६०॥
> Ramcharitmanas, Sunderkand, Doha 60

“Singing Shri Ram’s glories bestows every blessing. Those who listen with reverence cross the ocean of worldly life without a boat.”

The word *सादर* means “with reverence”. The promise concerns hearing with respect. It invites us to give our attention to the meaning of what we hear.

Reading doha by doha gives us time to reflect. When learning to cook, for example, reading a recipe once may leave an instruction unclear. Pausing at each step helps us understand it. A pause after a doha can likewise help us consider its teaching before continuing.

For a small daily practice, read the verses associated with **five numbered dohas each day**, including their chaupais and any chhands. Begin with the three opening Sanskrit shlokas on the first day. At this pace, all 60 numbered dohas take **12 days**. Include both parts of Dohas 39, 49 and 56. After each day’s reading, choose one teaching to remember in your daily duties.

## Questions people ask

### How many dohas are in Sunderkand?

Sunderkand has 60 dohas. Dohas 39, 49 and 56 each have two parts, marked a and b.

### How many kands are in the Ramcharitmanas?

The Ramcharitmanas has seven kands. Sunderkand is the fifth.

### How many dohas are in the whole Ramcharitmanas?

The seven kands contain a total of 1,074 dohas.

### Which is the last doha of Sunderkand?

Doha 60 is the last doha. It promises that those who reverently hear Shri Ram’s glories cross the ocean of worldly life without a boat.

## Read it yourself

Begin with [Sunderkand Doha 1](/ramcharitmanas/sunderkand/doha-1), then [Read Sunderkand](/sunderkand) in order. Explore the [Ramcharitmanas](/ramcharitmanas) and read about [Hanumanji](/characters/hanuman).

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