Literary works of Tulsidas are traced back to year 1574. He wrote twelve books. All of his writings are worthy to read. But among all his literary compositions Ramcharitmanas is most acknowledged. It is considered to be written under the guidance of Lord Hanuman. Most of his writings deal with the life of Lord Rama, his doings and the author`s to him. Besides Ramcharitmanas, his other notable works include Vinaya Patrika, Hanuman Chalisa, the Dohavali, the Kavitavali, the Gitavali and the Krishnavali.
Ramcharitmanas
It is the most long and earliest work of Tulsidas. `Ramcharitmanas` literary means `The Holy Lake of Acts of Lord Rama`. It is written in Awadhi language. Tulsidas to compose this work drew sources from Ramayana of Valmiki, the Adhyatma Ramayana, the Prasannaraghava and Hanuman Nataka. Ramcharitamanas occupies a couple of beautiful numbers called `chaupai` completely devoted to Lord Rama separated by Doha. This long epic includes around 12,800 lines divided into 1073 stanzas. It is divided into seven books or kandas. Ten Sanskrit metres and eight Prakrit metres are used in the composition of the epic. They are Anushtup, Shardulvikridit, Vasantatilaka, Vamshashta, Upajati, Pramanika, Malini, Sragdhara, Rathoddhata and Bhujangaprayata, Soratha, Doha, Chaupai, Harigitika, Tribhangi, Chaupaiya, Trotaka and Tomara.
The first two books of Ramcharitmanas are titled Bala kanda and Ayodhya kanda that make up more than half of the work. The remaining five books are Aranya kanda, Kishkindha kanda, Sundara kanda, Lanka kanda and Uttara kanda.
Vinaya Patrika
Composed in Braj Bhasa it includes 279 stanzas. The first 43 stanzas comprise hymns dedicated to the several deities and the courtiers of Lord Rama. The remaining hymns are dedicated to Lord Rama. This is believed to be the second best work of Tulsidas after Ramcharitmanas.
Hanuman Chalisa
This work is a prayer to lord hanuman consisting 40 Chaupies and two Dohas. It is a short text and considered as a religious one in the Northern India. It is believed to have been uttered by Tulsidas in a state of Samadhi at the Kumbh Mela in Haridwar. As per belief Hanuman Chalisa should be recited on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
Dohavali
This is a collection of 573 Dohas or short verses written mainly in Braj and Awadhi languages. The subjects of the Dohas are related to political wisdom, righteousness and the purpose of life.
Kavitavali
It is a collection of Kavitas including 325 verses composed entirely in metres of the Kavitta family - Kavitta, Savaiya, Ghanakshari and Chhappaya. It is also divided into seven kands like Ramcharitmanas but it is a completely different work.
Gitavali
It is a collection of songs all are set to raagas of classical music. It consists of 328 songs divided into seven Kandas.
Krishnavali
It is a collection of 61 songs dedicated to Lord Krishna. 32 songs are devoted to the childhood sports and Rasalila of Krishna while 27 songs form the dialogue between Krishna and Uddhava. Remaining two songs describe the episode of disrobing of Draupadi.
Besides these major works the minor works of Tulsidas include Barvai Ramayana, Parvati Mangal, Janaki Mangal, Ramalala Nahachhu, Ramagya Prashna and Vairagya Sandipini.
