Shri Ramcharitmanas · श्रीरामचरितमानस

Ram Shalaka Prashnavali.

Ask Shri Ram a yes or no question. Touch a square, and a chaupai of the Ramcharitmanas gives the answer, with its meaning in Hindi and English.

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Android now. The iPhone app is coming soon.

॥ श्री राम ॥

Think of one yes or no question and say “Shri Ram” in your mind. Then touch any square.
मन में श्रीराम का ध्यान करके अपना प्रश्न सोचें, फिर किसी भी खाने को छुएँ।

How the Prashnavali works

The grid has 15 rows and 15 columns, 225 squares in all. Each square holds one syllable. Starting from the square you touch, every ninth square is read, 25 syllables in all. They always spell one of nine chaupais from the Ramcharitmanas, and each chaupai has a traditional meaning: yes, wait, be careful, or not this way.

Because the walk follows a fixed pattern, nothing here is random or made up by a computer. It is the same table printed in editions of the Manas for generations.

The nine chaupais

सुनु सिय सत्य असीस हमारी। पूजिहि मन कामना तुम्हारी॥

Sunu siya satya asees hamaari, poojihi man kaamna tumhaari.

Listen, Sita, our blessing is true: the wish in your heart will be fulfilled.

Yes. What you wish for will come true. Go ahead with faith.

प्रबिसि नगर कीजे सब काजा। हृदयँ राखि कोसलपुर राजा॥

Prabisi nagar keeje sab kaaja, hridayan raakhi Kosalpur raaja.

Enter the city and do all your work, keeping Shri Ram, king of Kosala, in your heart.

Yes. Your work will succeed. Begin it with Shri Ram in your heart.

उघरहिं अंत न होइ निबाहू। कालनेमि जिमि रावन राहू॥

Ugharahin ant na hoi nibaahu, Kaalanemi jimi Raavan Raahu.

In the end the truth comes out and a false front cannot last, as it did not for Kalanemi, Ravan and Rahu.

Not this way. This plan may not hold up as it is. Make sure everything and everyone in it is honest, and a better way will open.

बिधि बस सुजन कुसंगत परहीं। फनि मनि सम निज गुन अनुसरहीं॥

Bidhi bas sujan kusangat parahin, phani mani sam nij gun anusarahin.

By fate, good people sometimes fall into bad company, yet like the jewel on a snake's head they keep their own goodness.

Be careful. Watch the people around this matter and stay true to yourself. Then it can still turn out well.

होइहि सोइ जो राम रचि राखा। को करि तर्क बढ़ावै साखा॥

Hoihi soi jo Ram rachi raakha, ko kari tark badhaavai saakha.

What Shri Ram has planned will happen. Why argue and grow more branches of doubt?

Not clear yet. Do your part well and leave the result to Shri Ram.

मुद मंगलमय संत समाजू। जो जग जंगम तीरथराजू॥

Mud mangalmay sant samaaju, jo jag jangam teerathraaju.

The company of saints is full of joy and blessing, a living Prayag that walks the world.

Yes. A good sign. Your work will succeed, and good people will help you.

गरल सुधा रिपु करहिं मिताई। गोपद सिंधु अनल सितलाई॥

Garal sudha ripu karahin mitaai, gopad sindhu anal sitalaai.

Poison turns to nectar and enemies turn friends; the ocean becomes a calf's hoofprint and fire turns cool.

Yes. Even the hard parts will become easy. Go ahead.

बरुन कुबेर सुरेस समीरा। रन सनमुख धरि काहुँ न धीरा॥

Barun Kuber Suresh Sameera, ran sanmukh dhari kaahun na dheera.

Varun, Kuber, Indra and Vayu: none of them could stand steady face to face in that battle.

Not yet. It may be hard to get this done right now. Prepare more, be patient and try again later.

सुफल मनोरथ होहुँ तुम्हारे। रामु लखनु सुनि भए सुखारे॥

Suphal manorath hohun tumhaare, Raamu Lakhanu suni bhae sukhaare.

May your wishes bear fruit. Hearing this blessing, Ram and Lakshman were glad.

Yes. Your wish will be fulfilled.

In the Karmik app

The Karmik app has the Prashnavali in its Oracle tab, in Hindi and English, free. Next to it you get your Vedic kundali, a daily rashifal from your own chart, numerology and answers to any question in your own language. No birth time? Karmik reads your chart from your Moon sign and tells you clearly what works fully and what is less exact.

Common questions

What is Ram Shalaka Prashnavali?

It is a traditional way to ask a yes or no question, linked to Goswami Tulsidas's Shri Ramcharitmanas. A grid of 225 squares holds the syllables of nine chaupais. You think of your question, touch a square, and read every ninth square from it. The syllables spell one chaupai, and each chaupai carries an answer.

How do I use it?

Sit calmly, remember Shri Ram and think of one clear question. Then touch any square without choosing on purpose. The ninth-square walk lights up and your chaupai appears with its answer.

How many times can I ask?

The tradition is to ask once for each question, with faith and a calm mind. Asking again and again until you get the answer you want goes against its spirit.

Do I need my birth time or date?

No. The Prashnavali needs nothing but your question. That makes it useful when you do not know your birth time. In the Karmik app you can also get readings from your Moon sign without a birth time.

राम शलाका प्रश्नावली क्या है?

यह गोस्वामी तुलसीदास की श्रीरामचरितमानस से जुड़ी हाँ या ना में प्रश्न पूछने की पारंपरिक विधि है। 225 खानों की तालिका में नौ चौपाइयों के अक्षर हैं। प्रश्न सोचकर कोई खाना छुएँ और वहाँ से हर नौवाँ अक्षर पढ़ें, एक चौपाई बनती है जो उत्तर देती है।