Why "Sundara Khandam" is "Sundaram"?

[Guest guest]

Dear Bhagavatas:

In Srimad Ramayana, the names of the respective Khandams are based on the

events narrated therein.

BAla khAndam describes the story of RAma in his boyhood;

AyoDhyA khAndam describes the events taking place in Ayodhya during his age

between 12 to 25.

AaraNya khAndam relates the events in the DanDaka araNyam;

KishkindA khAndam describes the events that took place in KishkindA;

Yuddha khAndam deals with the details of the war between the forces of RAma

and RAvaNa;

Utthara khAndam describes the events that took place after the return of RAma

to Ayodhya.

But, how did Sundara khAndam get its name?

If "sundaram" means beautiful, does it mean that the other khAndams were not

"sundaram"- beautiful? It cannot be so.

Then, there must have been some other reason for VAlmiki to name this as

"Sundara khAndam".

The way in which AnjanEya jumped over the ocean, the description of the

beautiful city of Lanka, the description of the rising moon, the lush gardens

of AsOka vanam and Madhu vanam, etc., are accepted as nonpareil by all.

But, are these sufficient reasons, yet?

The esoteric and allegorical meanings (Tattva arthas) contained in this

khAndam are unique.

The jeevan leaving its rightful place, the JnAna bhoomi undergoes several

hardships enmeshed in SamsAra. BhagavAn out of infinite compassion desires to

take it back to His fold. He deputes the AachArya to redeem the jeeva. The

jeeva secures the Darsana soubhAghyam of the Guru who expounds the

kalyANaguNas of BhagavAn, with special emphasis on His compassion This gives

courage and confidence (mahAviswAsam) to the jeeva that the Lord will

definitely save if it surrenders to Him. The jeeva conveys word through the

AachArya (gOptrutva varaNam) about its utter helplessness (KArpaNyam) and

utter dependence on the Lord's mercy for its own emancipation. The Aacharyan

carries this message back to the Lord. The Lord saves the jeeva and takes it

back to its rightful place beside Him.

 

This Khandam illustrates how ignorance is dispelled, how true knowledge is

gained, and how through Prapatti mArga a jeeva can attain MOksha SAmrAjyam.

This is one reason why this is called "Sundara khAndam.

 

If the whole Ramayana is taken as the ornamental chain, the central gem that

gives brilliance to it is AnjanEya ("Ramayana mahAmalA ratnam vandE

anilAtmajam"). From the beginning to the end, the hero of this khAndam is

AnjanEya. His Buddhi, Balam, Yasas, Dhairyam, Nirbhayatvam, ArOgatha,

AjATyam, VAgpaduthvam, etc., permeate throughout this canto.

 

Even the Almighty Lord is shown to seek his help in his search for Sri Sita

and that it was he who rendered lifesaving service to her - are all brought

out in this khAnda. Both PerumaL and PirATTi express that they can never pay

back their debt of gratitude to his help.

 

This KhAndam which tells the story of AnjanEya and conveys the esoteric inner

meanings of SaraNAgathi tattva is indeed "Sundaram"

 

Dasoham

Anbil Ramaswamy