SUNDARA KANDA Chapter 2

This chapter introduces us to the glorious city of Lanka and Hanuma's first encounter with it. The geography around the island where Lanka is located is described herein. The chapter also depicts the initial reaction of Hanuma on seeing the city and his initial thoughts about the feasibility of the task of overcoming the Rakshasas and Ravana to reunite Sri Rama with mother Seetha. As the book progresses, we shall see how Hanuma overcomes these thoughts and moves toward achieving this task.

TUESDAY

sa saagaramanaadhR^ishhyamatikramya mahaabalaH |
trikuuTashikhare laN^kaaM sthitaaM svastho dadarsha ha || 5-2-1

That Hanuma with great strength crossed the insurmountable ocean without becoming tired and viewed the city of Lanka located on the peak of Mount Trikuta.

tataH paadapamuktena pushhpavarshheNa viiryavaan |
abhivR^ishhTaH sthitastatra babhau pushhpamayo yathaa || 5-2-2

After that, the powerful Hanuma standing there shone like one made of flowers being showered by a rain of flowers released by trees.

(Being showered by flowers is considered auspicious.)

yojanaanaaM shataM shriimaaMstiirtvaapyuttamavikramaH |
aniHsvasan kapistatra na glaanimadhigachchhati || 5-2-3

The glorious Hanuma with the best courage, even though crossing a hundred yojanas, was without a sigh and did not obtain any tiredness.

( This verse and others clearly mention that Hanuma crossed an ocean of hundred yojanas. At the present time the shore to shore distance between southern tip of India and Northern tip of Sri Lanka is around sixty miles. Even with a measure of 2.5 miles per yojana, hundred yojanas translate to 250 miles. To explain this anomaly, we need to consider that around the time of Ramayana, the distance was lot more than the current sixty miles. This is in sync with the current theories by geologists that the ocean between India and the current Sri Lanka had been replaced by land mass over a period of time. Most of the land to the south of current Raghunatha Pura had been covered by landmass in antiquity. Also according to Ramayana, the mountains Trikuta, Lamba and Suvela were to the north of Lanka, but currently the mountains are found in the southern part of Lanka. This suggests that the northern parts of current Lanka were submerged in water during the Ramayana period.)

shataanyahaM yojanaanaaM krameyaM subahunyapi |
kiM punaH saagarasyaantaM saMkhyaataM shatayojanam || 5-2-4

"I can cross many hundreds of yojanas. What to say about the end of the ocean which had been counted to be hundred yojanas long?"

This attitude of hanuma indicates an important attitude required by Saadhaka. This is end stage of the spiritual endeavor where in one will not have any physical or mental tiredeness inspite of being in meditation for longer duration.

The distance of 100 yojana here indicates the self realization. Self realization includes -

1. Realizing God

2. Realizing Self (Jiva / Atma), and

3. Realizing the nature around us.

Of these realization of god is of primary. The Self and the surrounding Nature are dependent on God and does not exist without the existence of God.

The self and the nature appear to be non-existing. At the same time, God being in existence along with the self and the nature, appears to be non-existing because of His form-less and Name-less state. The number 100 indicates this fact. The two zeros have value when they are on the right side of numerical one. If zero is written in front of one or independent of one, it looses its value. The two zeros indicates the Self and the nature whose existence is dependent on one ie., God. Knowing this fact is crossing the ocean of 100 yojanas.

Scriptures indicate the life time of either human beings or Brahma , or other Gods as 100 years. It means that the relationship between the physical body and Self (either for human or divine form) exists till one gets the realization of Self and its relationship with the God (the one who is the basis of the origin and existence of the form).

sa tu viiryavataaM shreshhThaH plavataamapi chottamaH |
jagaama vegavaan laN^kaaM laN^ghayitvaa mahodadhim || 5-2-5

That Hanuma, the best among powerful ones and the foremost also among those who can fly, reached the city of Lanka by crossing the great ocean with good speed.

shaadvalaani cha niilaani gandhavanti vanaani cha |
gaNDavanti cha madhyena jagaama nagavanti cha || 5-2-6

He passed through forests with dark green hued fragrant lawns and also consisting of great rocks and hills.

shailaaMshcha tarusaMchannaan vanaraajiishcha pushhpitaaH |
abhichakraama tejasvii hanumaan plavagarshhabhaH || 5-2-7

Hanuma, the best among Vanaras and the radiant one, tread on mountains covered with trees and on series of trees full of flowers.

sa tasminnachale tishhThanvanaanyupavanaani cha |
sa nagaagre cha taaM laN^kaaM dadarsha pavanaatmajaH || 5-2-8

That son of God Vayu stood on a mountain and saw forests and gardens and also the city of Lanka situated on the top of a mountain.

WEDNESDAY

saraLaan karNikaaraaMshcha kharjuuraaMshcha supushhpitaan |
priyaaLaanmuchuLindaaMshcha kuTajaan ketakaanapi || 5-2-9
priyaN^guun gandhapuurNaaMshcha niipaan saptachchhadaaMstathaa |
asanaan kovidaaraaMshcha karaviiraaMshcha pushhpitaan || 5-2-10
pushhpabhaaranibaddhaaMshcha tathaa mukuLitaanapi |
paadapaan vihagaakiirNaan pavanaadhuutamastakaan || 5-2-11
haMsakaaraNDavaakiirNaanvaapiiH padmotmalaayutaaH |
aakriiDaan vividhaan ramyaanvividhaaMshcha jalaashayaan || 5-2-12
saMtataan vividhairvaR^ikaiH sarvartuphalapushhpitaiH |
udyaanaani cha ramyaaNi dadarsha kapikuJNjaraH || 5-2-13

Standing on that mountain, the elephant among monkeys, Hanuma, saw pine trees, Karnikaras, date-palms in full blossom, Priyalas, lemon trees, wild jasmine trees, mogra trees, long pepper trees filled with sweet fragrance, Kadamba trees and seven leaved banana trees, Asana trees, Kovidaras, Karaviras in full blossom, trees that were tied by the weight of their flowers and flower buds, that were distressed by birds, with their crests moved by wind, wells and various glorious pleasure-groves filled by various trees that give fruits and flowers in all seasons and beautiful gardens also, surrounded by various ponds consisting of swans and ducks.

samaasaadya cha lakshmiivan laN^kaaM raavaNapaalitaam |
parikhaabhiH sapadmaabhiH sotpalaabhiralaMkR^itaam || 5-2-14
siitaapaharaNaarthena raavaNena surakshitaam |
samantaadvicharadbhishcha raakshasairugradhanvibhiH || 5-2-15
kaaJNchanenaavR^itaaM ramyaaM praakaareNa mahaapuriim |
gR^ihaishcha grahasaMkaashaiH shaaradaambudasannibhaiH || 5-2-16
paaNDuraabhiH pratoLiibhiruchchaabhirabhisaMvR^itaam |
aTTaalakashataakiirNaaM pataakaadhvajamaaliniim || 5-2-17
toraNaiH kaaJNchanairdivyairlataapaN^kivichitritaiH |
dadarsha hanumaan laN^kaaM divi devapuriiM yathaa || 5-2-18

The glorious Hanuma neared the city of Lanka ruled by Ravana, and saw the city which looked like the city of Gods in heaven, decorated by moats filled with lotuses and water-lilies, which was well protected, since the time of Seetha's abduction, by Ravana and by Rakshasas with horrifying voices roaming around, which was surrounded by a golden boundary wall, that beautiful great city consisted of houses equal in height to mountains and which looked like autumnal clouds, with white and elevated main streets, decorated with flags and pennons, with excellent golden hued archways adorned with sculpted rows of vines.

THURSDAY

girimuurdhni sthitaaM laN^kaaM paaNDurairbhavanaiH shubhaiH |
dadarsha sa kapishreshhThaH puramaakaashagaM yathaa || 5-2-19

That best among monkeys Hanuma saw the city of Lanka with beautiful white buildings situated on the top of a mountain like a city located in the sky.

paalitaaM raakshasendreNa nirmitaaM vishvakarmaNaa |
plavamaanaamivaakaashe dadarsha hanumaan puriim || 5-2-20

Hanuma saw that city of Lanka ruled by Ravana the king of Rakshasas, constructed by Visvakarma (architect of Gods), and which looked as though it were floating in the sky.

paprapraakaarajaghanaaM vipulaambunavaambaraam |
shataghniishuulakeshaantaamaTTaalakavataMsakaam || 5-2-21
manseva kR^itaaM laN^kaaM nirmitaaM vishvakarmaNaa |
dvaaramuttaramaasaadya chintayaamaasa vaanaraH || 5-2-22

Hanuma saw the city of Lanka with buttress and enclosure wall as her hip and loins, the vast body pf water in the moat as her raiment, Satagnis and Sulas as her locks, the mansions as her earrings, constructed by thought. He reached the northern gate and thought thus.

kailaasashikharaprakhyaamaalikhsntiimivaambaram |
DiiyamaanaamivaakaashamuchchhritairbhavanottamaiH || 5-2-23
saMpuurNaaM raakshasairghorairnaagairbhogavatiimiva |
achintyaaM sukR^itaaM spashhTaaM kuberaadhyushhitaaM puraa || 5-2-24
daMshhTribhirbahubhiH shuuraiH shuulapaTTisapaaNibhiH |
rakshitaaM raakshasairghorairguhaamaashiivishhairiva || 5-2-25
tasyaashcha mahatiiM guptiM saagaraM cha niriikshya saH |
raavaNaM cha ripuM ghoraM chintayaamaasa vaanaraH || 5-2-26

Hanuma saw the city of Lanka equal to peak of Kailasa as though touching the sky, as though flying to reach the sky, with its best mansions, filled with horrible rakshasas and serpants like the city of Bhogavati (capital of Patala), one which was unfathomable, a well arranged and a clear city governed by Kubera in earlier times, protected by courageous, horrible serpents and Rakshasas with mouths with sharp teeth like a cave, with spikes and Pattisas (spears) in their hands. Hanuma saw that Lanka's great protection and the ocean and Ravana the horrible enemy and thought thus.

FRIDAY

aagatyaapiiha harayo bhavishhyanti nirarathakaaH |
na hi yuddhena va laN^kaa shakyaa jetuM surairapi || 5-2-27

"Even if Vanaras were to come here they would not meet with success. It is not possible even for Devas to be victorious against Lanka in war".

imaaM tu vishhamaaM durgaaM laN^kaaM raavaNapaalitaam |
praapyaapi sa mahaabaahuH kim karishhyati raaghavaH || 5-2-28

"Even if He reaches this very difficult and impenetrable Lanka ruled by Ravana, what can that Sri Rama with mighty arms do"?

avakaasho na saantvasya rakshaseshhvabhigamyate |
na daanasya na bhedasya naiva yuddhasya dR^ishyate || 5-2-29

"In the matter of overcoming rakshasas, there seems to be no opportunity for persuasion, gifts, dissension or even war".

chaturNaameva hi gatirvaanaraaNaaM mahaatmanaam |
vaaliputrasya niilasya mama raajJNashcha dhiimataH || 5-2-30

"Only four great Vanaras can come here - the son of Vali (Angada), Nila, myself and the wise king Sugriva".

yaavajjaanaami vaidehiiM yadi jiivati vaa na vaa |
tatraiva chintayishhyaami dR^ishhTvaa taaM janakaatmajaam || 5-2-31

"I will first find out if Seetha is alive or not. I will think all this later, after seeing that daughter of Janaka".

tataH sa chintayaamaasa muhuurtaM kapikuJNjaraH |
girishR^iN^ge sthitastasmin raamasyaabhyudaye rataH || 5-2-32

After that, that elephant among monkeys Hanuma who was interested in the welfare of Sri Rama, stood on that mountain peak and thought for an instant.

anena ruupeNa mayaa na shakyaa rakshasaaM purii |
praveshhTuM raakshasairguptaa kruurairbalasamanvitaiH || 5-2-33

"It is not possible for me to enter the city of ogres protected by cruel and strong rakshasas, with this appearance".

SATURDAY

ugraujaso mahaaviiryaa balavantashcha raakshasaaH |
vaJNchaniiyaa mayaa sarve jaanakiiM parimaargataa || 5-2-34

"All these mighty ogres with extraordinary energy and great prowess are to be cheated by me while engaged in the search of Seetha".

lakshyaalakshyeNa ruupeNa raatrau laN^kaa purii mayaa |
praveshhTuM praaptakaalaM me kR^ityaM saadhayituM mahat || 5-2-35

"To achieve this great deed successfully, entering the city of Lanka in a small form at night is a timely thing to do" .

taaM puriiM taadR^ishiiM dR^ishhTvaa duraadharshaaM suraasuraiH |
hanumaan chintayaamaasa vinishchitya muhurmuhuH || 5-2-36

Hanuma saw such that city of Lanka, which was difficult to overcome even for Devas or asuras, and thought thus repeatedly.

kenopaayena pasheyaM maithiliiM janakaatmajaam |
adR^ishhTo raakshasendreNa raavaNena duraatmanaa || 5-2-37

"By what idea can I see Seetha the daughter of Janaka, unseen by the wicked Ravana, the king of the ogres.

na vinashyetkathaM kaaryaM raamasya viditaatmanaH |
ekaamekashcha pashyeyaM rahite janakaatmajaam || 5-2-38

"How can the task of Sri Rama, one who knows self, not be destroyed? How can I alone see Seetha alone in a place devoid of people?".

bhuutaashchaarthaa vipadyante deshakaalavirodhitaaH |
viklabaM duutamaasaadya tamaH suuryodaye yathaa || 5-2-39

"With a mediator who has an unsteady and gloomy mind working against time and place, tasks that are otherwise ready to succeed get harmed, like the darkness that gets destroyed at dawn".

arthaanarthaantare buddhirnishchitaapi na shobhate |
ghaatayanti hi kaaryaaNi duutaaH paNDitamaaninaH || 5-2-40

"Even a decided mind will not shine when thinking about gain and loss. Mediators who are respected by scholarly people will also harm tasks due to their arrogance".

SUNDAY

na vinashyetkathaM kaaryaM vaiklabyam na kathaM bhavet |
laN^ghanaM cha samudrasya kathaM nu na vR^ithaa bhavet || 5-2-41

"How will the task at hand be not harmed? How will my mind not get gloominess? How will not the crossing of ocean go waste?".

mayi dR^ishhTe tu rakshobhii raamasya viditaatmanaH |
bhavedvyarthamidaM kaaryaM raavaNaanarthamichchhataH || 5-2-42

"If I were to be seen by rakshasas, this task of Sri Rama, with a famed mind, who desires the slaying of Ravana will become wasteful."

na hi shakyaM kvachit sthaatumavijJNaatena raakshasaiH |
api raakshasaruupeNa kimutaanyena kenachit || 5-2-43

"It is not possible to be in Lanka even in the form of a rakshasa. What to say about being there in any other form"?

vaayurapyatra naajJNaatashcharediti matirmama |
na hyastyaviditaM kiMchidraakshasaanaaM baliiyasaam || 5-2-44

"My thought goes thus : Even wind cannot pass here without being known. There is nothing not known to the might rakshasas".

ihaahaM yadi tishhThaami svena ruupeNa saMvR^itaH |
vinaashamupayaasyaami bharturarthashcha hiiyate || 5-2-45

"If I stay here with my usual form, I can be destroyed. The task of the Lord will also be harmed".

tadahaM svena ruupeNa rajanyaaM hrasvataaM gataH |
laN^kaamabhipatishhyaami raaghavasyaarthasiddhaye || 5-2-46

"For that reason, I will become small in my appearance and will enter Lanka at night for the success of the task of Sri Rama".

raavaNasya puriiM raatrau pravishya suduraasadaam |
vichinvan bhavanaM srvaM drakshyaami janakaatmajaam || 5-2-47

"Entering the unapproachable city of Lanka at night and searching all the mansion of Ravana, I can see Seetha".

MONDAY

iti saMchintya hanumaan suuryasyaastamayaM kapiH |
aachakaaMkshe tato viiro vaidehyaa drashanotusakaH || 5-2-48

The courageous Hanuma thus thinking and being interested in discovering Seetha, then desired the sun to set.

suurye chaastaM gate raatrau dehaM saMkshipya maarutiH |
vR^ishhadaMshakamaatraH san babhuuvaadbhutadarshanaH || 5-2-49

After the sun had set, Hanuma reduced His body at night with a size equal to that of a cat and became a wonderful sight to behold.

pradoshhakaale hanumaaMstuurNamutplutya viiryavaan |
pravivesha puriiM ramyaaM suvibhaktamahaapathaam || 5-2-50

The courageous Hanuma quickly flew during evening time and entered the beautiful city with well divided main pathways.

praasaadamaalaavitataaM stambhaiH kaaJNchanaraajataiH |
shaatakumbhamayairjaalairgandharvanagaropamaam || 5-2-51
saptabhaumaashhTabhaumaishcha sa dadarsha mahaapuriim |
talaiH sphatikasaMkiirNaiH kaartasvaravibhuushhitaiH || 5-2-52

Hanuma saw that great city filled with series of mansions, golden hued pillars and window lattices, which was equal to the city of Gandharvas, consisting of seven and eight storied buildings with their top portions studded with crystals and pearls and decorated with gold.

vaiDuuryamaNichitraishcha muktaajaalavibhuushhitaiH |
talaiH shushubhire taani bhavanaanyatra rakshasaam || 5-2-53

There in that city of Lanka, the houses of rakshasas shone with top portions painted by cats-eyes and emeralds and decorated by groups of pearls.

kaaJNchanaani cha chitraaNi toraNaani cha rakshasaam |
laN^kaamuddyotayaamaasuH sarvataH samalaMkR^itaam || 5-2-54

Golden archways with strange hues illuminated the well decorated city of Lanka in all directions.

achintyaamadbhutaakaaraaM dR^ishhTvaa laN^kaaM mahaakapiH |
aasiidvishhNDo hR^ishhTashcha vaidehyaa darshanotsukaH || 5-2-55

Hanuma on seeing the unimaginable city of Lanka with a wonderful appearance became sad thinking about the prospect of capturing Lanka and also happy being eager to see Seetha.

sa paaNDuraaviddhavimaanamaaliniiM |
mahaarhajaambuunadajaalatoraNaam |
yashasviniiM raavaNabaahupaalitaaM |
kshapaacharairbhimabalaiH samaavR^itaam || 5-2-56

Hanuma saw that city of Lanka of great fame, with white, closely built buildings having golden windows and doorways of great value, consisting of ogres of great strength and ruled by the hands of Ravana.

chandro.api saachivyamivaasya kurvaM |
staaraagaNairmadhyagato viraajan |
jyotsnaavitaanena vitatya loka |
muttishhThate naikasahasrarashmiH || 5-2-57

The shining moon too rose up with its many thousands of rays, as though performing help to Hanuma, being at the middle of its retinue of stars and covering the earth with a canopy of light.

 shaN^khaprabhaM kshiiramR^iNaalavarNa |
mudgachchhamaanaM vyavabhaasamaanam |
dadarsha chandraM sa haripraviiraH |
plopluuyamaanaM sarasiiva haMsam || 5-2-58

That Hanuma saw the moon rising up with a glow of a conch shell, shining with a milky white hue of a lotus-fiber, like a swan swimming in a lake.

Thus, this is the 2nd chapter in Sundara Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana,the First Epic poem of India.

Hanuma has seen Lanka from outside and described it. One should know from scriptures and teachings of the guru that the Atma and Body are different and should understand the real nature of the body. Lanka was created by the sankalpa of Vishwakarma (it was not built) and was ruled by Ravana. Similarly, our body is created by Paramatma (who is also Vishwakarma)by his sankalapa and is being ruled by the mind. Valmiki described this in 21^st verse by MANASENA KRITAAM LANKAM...

Body is a center of enjoyment where in all indriyas are tools that participate in the enjoyment. These are the beautiful buildings, gardens, small rivers etc. Hanuma has seen in Lanka.

Lanka is protected by a well planned defense system. Even the body is protected by evil thoughts and unconvincing mind which prevents the good thoughts leading us towards God Realization. A golden wall was built around Lanka as protecting fence. Similarly our body is being protected by a thought of temporal enjoyment and is being surrounded by the tides of birth and death, happiness and sarrow, hungry and thirst. It is difficult to enter into such body in search of Atma and is a difficult task. Only FOUR people are capable of taking such a task. They are:

      1. ANGADA         2. NEELA    3. HANUMA and     4. SUGREEVA.

To divert our mind from temporal pleasures and internalize the thoughts towards the self realization, one should adapt the habit of SINGING OR CHANTING DIVINE NAMES. This would help one to divert ones mind from the temporal pleasures and moves towards God.

AN= GOD     GADA= ONE WHO PRAISES          ANGADA= ONE WHO PRAISES GOD (or one who sings the names of God)

Our bad karmas prevent us from accepting the path of self and god realization. To overcome the same one should perform the Yagna, Japa, Tapa, and charity. These act will give us the right wisdom to accept the path of God Realization. These karmas (yagna, tapa, japa & charity) are NEELA.

Neela is son of Agni (Fire God). One who gets the blessings of Agni can enter into the body of Lanka and can differentiate the Atma from Body.

Hanuma is the son of Vaayu (God of air).another meaning of Vaayu is MANTRA. The chanting of mantra helps one to realize self and the God. If we concentrate on Mantra and meaning of Mamntra, it would lead us to understand the relationship with God. Hence Hanuma can enter into Lanka.

Sugriva = one who is enriched by learning of Veda. Vedas help one to see and understand which is otherwise can not be seen or understood by our thought or mind. If one reads and understands to Vedas, it leads to self and god realization.

Earlier Hanuma said that only four vaanaras (monkeys) are capable of entering into Lanka. This indicates that self realization is only possible by  1.Chanting the divine names, 2. Yagna, japa, tapa and charity, 3. reciting the Mantra, and 4.Learning of Veda.

Hanuma s other thought is how to enter into Lanka? And when to enter?. He decides enter inside in the night taking a form which can not be distinctly seen by others. The demons are Nishaa charas (means one who moves around during night). How is it that Hanuma thought of entering into Lanka during the night?.

Night is not the time between sunset and sunrise. It is the time period of darkness which prevents the visibility of an existing object. It means the period of ignorance (agnana which prevents one to see or realize the Atma (which is existing but appears to be non-existing). The period of ignorance is filled with demonish thoughts and desire to enjoy the mundane / temporal pleasures. It is the wealth of demons and hence it is roaming in darkness. Hence the demons are called Nishaa Charaas.

Hanuma is in search of mother Sita during night. All others were sleeping during this time. Bhagvat Geeta describes this night as

      YA NISHAA SARVA BHUTAANAAM TASYAAM JAAGARTHI SAMYAMEE !

      YASYAAM JAAGRITI BHUTAANI SAA NISHAA PASHYATO MUNEH !!

A yogi remains conscious during the night time when all living beings sleep. Wen all living being falls asleep, a yogi sleeps.

An ordinary person enjoys the perishable objects as imperishable and enjoys them, and thinks that the body is Atma. Yogi or sages thingk in different way. They enjoy only the stories of god, and considers only the Atma as imperishable and the physical body is perishable. Hence, the objects a common could see are not seen by a sage. Hence the temporal pleasures are night for a sage. A sage always meditates on Atma. Hence that is the day time for them which is night for others.

Searching during the night indicates a stage in self-realization where in both the Guru and disciple are in search of each other. Thus the night indicated by Hanuma is the period of self realization. During this stage the physical body though it is existing does not help one to enjoy the temporal pleasure. Hence it is in a stage of non-existance. Hanuma starts the search for Sita in such a stage. The characteristics of a messenger are described here. A guru is a messenger of god and is in search of those who are seeking god realization. Unless the Guru continues to carry his divine mission in right earnest, he would fail in the mission. Hanuma enters into the Lanka in the form of a small cat ( Verse 2-49. There are smaller animals than cat. Here Valmiki used a word ADBHUTA DARSHANA . A cat is capable of seeing the objects even in darkness. It indicates that Hanuma has such capability. At that time, Moon has come out. He is leading Hanuma into Lanka.

While Hanuma is in search of mother Sita during that night, Moon appears three times. This indicates the three stages of self realization. They are  1. Stage of desire to know about self, 2. Stage of Meditation, and 3. Stage of Self-realization.

A real Guru never thinks that he is doing favor to his disciple. They only do it as it was done to them their Guru. Here moon is leading Hanuma in the search for Sita.

Sun is the symbol of God s nature. Moon is the symbol of Guru. We can not look directly into sun rays. But the same rays becomes pleasant when they come through the moon. Similarly, when we receive the Bhagavat tattva from the Guru, it gives pleasure and helps us the realize the self and its relationship with god. Hence, the moon leads the Hanuma in search of Sita. A guru takes the intelligence from his guru, and helps other Jivas /Saadhaka who are in the path of self-realization. A saadhaka progresses in the path of God realization with the blessings and intelligence provided by the Guru.

THE SEARCH BEGINS NOW.