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| Sundara Kanda | |
|---|---|
 Hanuman visiting Sita inAshoka Vatika, bazaar art, early 1900s | |
| Information | |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Author | Valmiki |
| Language | Sanskrit |
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Sundara Kanda (Sanskrit:सुन्दरकाण्ड,romanized: Sundara Kāṇḍa,lit. 'beautiful chapter') is the fifth book in theHindu epicRamayana.[1] The originalSundara Kanda is inSanskrit, and was composed in popular tradition byValmiki, who was the first to scripturally record theRamayana. Sundara Kanda is the only chapter of theRamayana in which the principal protagonist is notRama, butHanuman. The work depicts the adventures of Hanuman and his selflessness, strength, and devotion to Rama are emphasised in the text. Hanuman is believed to have been fondly called "Sundara" by his motherAnjani, and Sage Valmiki is stated to have chosen this name over others as the Sundara Kanda is about Hanuman's journey to Lanka.[2]
The Sundara Kanda forms the heart of Valmiki's Ramayana and consists of a detailed, vivid account ofHanuman's adventures. After learning about Sita, Hanuman assumes a gargantuan form and makes a colossal leap across the ocean toLanka after defeatingSurasa, the mother of the nagas, andSimhika, who is sent by thedevatas.
In Lanka, Hanuman searches for Sita, and finally finds her in theAshoka Vatika.
In the Ashoka Vatika, Sita is wooed and threatened byRavana and hisrakshasi mistresses to marry Ravana. Hanuman discloses himself to Sita as Rama's messenger. Hanuman reassures her, giving Rama's signet ring as a sign of good faith. He offers to carry Sita back to Rama; however, she refuses, reluctant to allow herself to be rescued by any one other than her husband. She says that Rama himself must come and avenge the insult of her abduction.
Hanuman then wreaks havoc in Lanka by destroying trees and buildings, and kills Ravana's warriors. He allows himself to be captured and produced before Ravana. He gives a bold lecture to Ravana to release Sita. He is condemned and his tail is set on fire, but he escapes his bonds and, leaping from roof to roof, sets fire to Ravana's citadel, and makes the giant leap back from the island. The joyous search party returns toKishkindha with the news.
It is traditional to begin the reading (pārāyaṇa) of theRamayana with the Sundara Kanda.[3]
This lesson is recited byHindus, preferably on Tuesdays or Saturdays, these days having been earmarked for special prayers toHanuman. It happens to be for nullification of the malefic effects of the crow-mounted son ofSurya andChhaya (shadow),Shani.Ramayana reveals thatShani, who was captive atRavana's palace, was rescued byHanuman. As a token of thanks,Shani offered reprieve to all devotees of Hanuman. An alternative take is that once, Shani was caught between Hanuman's shoulders and the ceiling when attempting to mount the latter to influence his stars. Unable to bear the pain, Shani offered his gratitude in return for an immediate release.
The Dharmic faith suggests that its recital brings harmony to the household. Many Hindus believe that if one does not have time to read the whole Ramayana, one should read the Sundara Kanda.
Multiple variations of theSundara Kanda exist in other languages as well, for instance inAwadhi, the language in which the saintTulsidas wrote theRamacharitamanasa. TheRamacharitamanasa was written much later than Valmiki's Ramayana, in the 16th century. This text extends beyond the Valmiki's Sundara Kanda, as it also includes events ofRama's army journey from theKishkinda mountain to the seashore ofRameswaram;Rama prays toShiva;Vibhishana, the sageShuka and the deity of the oceans,Varuna, take refuge under Rama, andVaruna advises Rama to seek assistance from the twovanara brothers namedNala andNila, who had the boon of being excellent architects and build a bridge from Rameswaram toLanka (called theRama Setu).
An earlier Tamil version,Ramavataram, byKambar, is also a prevalent text among theSri Vaishnava andSmarta Brahmins in South India.
Ranganatha Ramayanam, aTelugu version of Valmiki Ramayana written by Gona Budha Reddy, also describes this episode.
M. S. Ramarao wrote aTelugu version for Hanuman Chalisa of Tulsidas and Sundara Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana as 'Sundarakandamu' in Telugu during 1972–74. He sang Sundarakanda in the form of Telugu songs.
A Malayalam independent translation of Sundara Kandam can be found in 'Adhyatma Ramayanam Kilipattu', written by Thunchaththu Ramanujan Ezhuthachan. Ezhuthachan wrote the translation of the Adhyatma Ramayana, a Sanskrit text connected with the Ramanandi sect.
TheHanuman Chalisa is a different poetic contribution towards the heroics of Hanuman by Tulsidas. Though it mentions his achievements during Ramayana, it goes beyond that as well, encompassing the complete life of Hanuman.
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