Ramayana. 7

Sundara Kanda - 1

SundaraKaanDam. As the name suggests, this chapter is simply beautiful and it has been described as the piece de resistance of Ramayana - the ice-cream after a wonderful meal - without the calories and sugar.

Hanuman was an exemplary devotee of Lord Rama who is famous for his devotion and service. He was in every sense of the word, a trusted envoy of his Lord and this is the story of how he completed his mission with literally flying colors. Maybe, the phrase itself originated with Hanuman.

There are many interpretations as to why this chapter got its name. Many pundits feel that the word "Sundara" refers to Hanuman, because Sundara can mean a "Vaanara" or a messenger or an intermediary between the hero and heroine. In all these aspects this refers to Hanuman. It is also said that Valmiki himself considered that this chapter was his best effort in terms of literary excellence and hence decided to call it SundaraKaanDam. It is also Sundara because this chapter relieved Sita devi and Rama of their grief, to some extent and lightens the heart of the readers. Again, "Sundara" can also mean the recovery of something lost. Sita devi was so far considered lost by Rama and is recovered or rediscovered in this chapter and hence the name. This chapter is so superior in its sundarata that even each meaning given to its name is beautiful.

The story of SundaraKaanDam deals almost entirely about the achievements of Hanuman in one night, as he searched for Sita devi. Roused by Jambhavan, Hanuman assumes a gigantic size. Hanuman or Anjaneya is the son of the wind god Vayu and the goddess Anjana. His mother was cursed to be born as a Vanara and his father blessed that he would be the foremost in power and intelligence among the vanaras.

Sundara Kana - 2

In his childhood, once when he was feeling hungry, he looked at the Sun and thought that it was a fruit. He flew towards it so that he could pluck and eat it. Indra feared the safety of the Sun and threw his Vajraayudha. This struck Hanuman and injured his cheek, from which he came to be known as Hanuman. The Gods feared the anger of Vayu and showered boons on Hanuman including the one making him immortal. Thus Hanuman became far superior to superman, batman or spiderman. I am sure the west must have got their inspiration from our own Hanuman.

Hanuman prayed to his Lord Rama, his king and the Gods of all quarters before embarking on his flight. In spite of being very powerful, he was exceedingly humble and this humility was revealed in all his actions. Hanuman assumed a gigantic size and jumped up to the sky. The Mahendra mountain shook under his weight. Trees were uprooted and flew along with him painting a colorful picture in the sky. It was a unique sight and only a unique person could have achieved it. When he was flying over the oceans, the Lord of the oceans thought to himself that he should help Hanuman who was a messenger of Rama, the scion of the Ikshvaku race. He summoned the mountain Mainaka, the offspring of Mena. Its peak was golden hued and hence it got its name. Mainaka had the power to grow big or small. Mainaka which was submerged under the sea, immediately grew as tall as the sky and came in the path of Hanuman. Hanuman, mistook it as an obstacle and pushed it away with his chest. The mountain then took a form and told him that it was not an obstacle, but had come in the way only to offer him a place to rest. Hanuman said that he would not rest till his mission was accomplished. Such was his commitment to duty!!

  

Sundara Kanda -3

 

As he continued his journey, the Devas wanted to test his commitment. They urged the serpent Surasa to take up the form of a big Raskshasi and obstruct Hanuman. She told Hanuman, that she had been granted a boon by Brahma that no one could pass her without entering her mouth. Hanuman pleaded with her but it was of no avail. He then made himself gigantic and asked her to open her mouth wide to accommodate him. When her mouth was wide open, he made himself as small as a fly and entered her mouth and came out in a split second. He then spoke to her humbly that he had not denied Brahma’s boon and requested her permission to leave. Surasa was pleased and blessed and sent him on his way. This episode proves that Hanuman not only had brawn’s but also brains.

 

Hanuman continued his flight with a single minded purpose. As he was passing by, a Rakshasi Simhika, who desired to eat him grabbed his shadow. As she opened her mouth, he made himself very big and when her mouth was wide open, contracted himself, entered her mouth and killed her with a blow.

He then continued on his flight and as he neared Lanka, having covered hundred yojanas, he decided to contract himself so as not to draw attention. He looked at the beautiful city of Lanka, which seemed heavenly in appearance. He decided to wait till it was night time and then entered the city. As he attempted to enter, the guardian goddess of Lanka, Lanka Lakshmi or Lankini confronted him. He spoke humbly to her, but she was aggressive and asked him to fight her and defeat her, thinking he was only a monkey. Hanuman hit her in her face and she fell down. This was in spite of the fact that he did not use power since she was a lady!! Add chivalry to the list of his superior qualities. She was immediately subdued and told him that she had been granted a boon by Brahma that she would be invincible. But if she was conquered by a monkey then it signified the end of the Rakshasas. Saying thus, she let him enter and vanished from the city forever.

Sundara Kanda - 4

 

Entering on his left foot, he walked through the city and took in the sights and sounds of Lanka. He waited till late night and then went into the palace of Ravana and entered the Harem, looking for Sita. In his search, he came across Ravana’s beautiful wife Mandodari and for a minute he thought that it was Sita.

Immediately, he dismissed these thoughts because he knew that Sita would not be resting in peace nor will she ever be in the Harem! He had looked everywhere, but since he was not able to see Sita, he was gripped with fear, wondering if Sita was dead. He was so desperate that he even thought of committing suicide. But he had the encouragement of Rama’s blessing and continued his search when he spotted the AsokaVana. 

In the AsokaVana, there was a big Simshupa tree and beneath it he saw Sita. She was thin from constant fasting, in worn out clothes, desperate, tear stained and calling out to Rama. She was surrounded by ugly and horrid Rakshasis. As he watched, Ravana entered and tried to coerce Sita to marry him. Sita treated him with contempt as though he was not even equal to a blade of grass. He was angered and he gave her an ultimatum of 2 months and left. She was then coerced and persecuted by the Rakshasis. However an elderly woman Trijata, intervened and warned them saying that she had a dream that Rama would come and destroy the Rakshasas. Left alone, Sita was in great anguish and she contemplated suicide.