Sankshiptaparayana (Sundarakanda) Part - 6.

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Dear friends and devotees,

 

Bhakti is eternal.

(Part – 6)

 

1. SYNOPSIS OF SUNDARAKANDA.

 

1. Simple:

 

Among the many chiefs sent by Sugriva in different directions in search of

Seetha, Hanuman succeeded in the quest and discovered Seetha in Ceylon. Ceylon

is separated from India by a broad channel of the sea, and Hanuman leaped, or

rather flew through the air, across the channel, and alighted on the island.

Seetha, scorning the proposals of Ravana, was kept in confinement in a garden of

Asoka trees, surrounded by a terrible guard of Rakshasa females; and in this

hard confinement she remained true and faithful to her lord. Hanuman gave her a

token from Rama, and carried back to Rama a token which she sent of her undying

affection and truth.

 

2. A little elaborate:

 

Sundara Kanda not only deals with the Hanuman finding Seetha (and subsequently

informing Rama), but it has a lot to say about the behaviour of a man in

difficult situations. Here, every step of Hanuman teaches us how to overcome our

difficulties.

 

Sugriva dispatched his army to the south with his nephew Angada at the head.

Hanuman went with Angada as his general. When they reached Deep South, they

found a great ocean stretching between them and land of Lanka. They could find

no means by which to cross the ocean. The only person who has the ability to

cross is Hanuman. However, due to a curse by rishis (Vedic saints); Hanuman

cannot remember his own strength unless he is reminded of it. Everyone

encourages Hanuman, who finally remembers his strength. Commanding his soldiers

to remain where they were, Hanuman expanded his body to enormous proportions,

leaped the vast expanse of water, and alighted upon a mountain “Trikuta” from

which he could look down upon Lanka. Perceiving the city to be closely guarded,

he assumed the form of a cat, and thus, unsuspected, crept through the barriers

and examined the city. He found Ravana in his apartments, surrounded by

beautiful women, but Seetha was not among them. Continuing his

search, he at last discovered her, her beauty dimmed by grief, seated under a

tree in a beautiful Asoka copse guarded by hideous rakshasas with the faces of

buffaloes, dogs, and swine.

After witnessing Seetha’s stern rejection of Ravana's blandishments, Hanuman

reveals himself to Seetha, convinces her by narrating the details of Rama’s

friendship with Sugriva and making him the king of vanaras after killing vali

etc and handing over Rama’s signet ring to her. Seetha consoles. Hanuma assures

her that help is on the way.

 

He then proceeds to destroy Ravana's garden. Ravana's demon soldiers rush in

to capture him, and he then kills many rakshasa warriors including Akshaya the

younger son of Ravana. Then Indrajit, Ravana’s elder son uses Brahmasthra for

which Hanuma surrenders and let’s himself be captured by the Rakshasas. Viewed

as a spy, Hanuman is delivered to Ravana for retribution. Impressed with

Ravana's charm, nobility, heroism, and splendor, Hanuman notes the fact that

Ravana is, however, " devoted to unrighteousness " . Similarly struck by Hanuman's

" majesty of appearance and strength " , Ravana attempts to ascertain the purpose

of Hanuman's visit and his reason for devastating gardens to waste. Proclaiming

that he is a messenger for Sugreeva, Hanuman states that he acted in self

defense and pleads with Ravana to restore Seetha to Rama or to fall victim to

Rama's wrath. Furious at hearing Hanuman's words, Ravana orders Hanuman's death.

 

Vibhishana, Ravana's righteous brother, intervenes at this point and counsels

Ravana to follow the scriptures. He reminds him that it is improper to execute a

messenger, and instead tells him to exact the appropriate punishment for

Hanuman's crime. Ravana appreciates the counsel and accepts it. He chooses,

instead, to order his demons to set fire to Hanuman's tail in an effort to show

that such mischief is intolerable. Enduring the punishment, Hanuman seizes the

opportunity to observe Lanka during the day in an effort to gather military

information for the future. Hanuman is intrigued that the fire does not burn or

hurt him and concludes that it is Seetha's grace and Rama's glory that prevent

injury to him. As soon as this was done, Hanuman made himself very small,

slipped from his bonds, and, jumping upon the roofs, spread a conflagration

through the city of Lanka.

Taking leave of Seetha, Hanuman once more leaps the ocean to rejoin his

companions. He then returns to Rama, narrates his finding Seetha and the

experiences in Lanka and hand over Seetha’s “Choodamani” (the priceless jewel

adorned on her head) to Rama.

 

On seeing Hanuman after his completing the mission of searching Seetha and

finding her in Lanka, Sreerama praised him as an idealistic person.

 

Rama also said “Who is able to capture that citadel, by assault, that is

exceedingly dangerous to be attacked and which is powerfully guarded by ogres,

but one whose courage and valor are equal to Hanuman’s? A great act of service

has been done by Hanuman to Sugriva thus by exhibiting his strength,

corresponding to his pace. That servant to whom his master entrusts a difficult

task and who performs it with zeal is said to be a superior person.”

 

(This is in first sarga of Yuddhakanda)

 

ityuktvaa priitihR^ishhTaaN^gO raamastam parishasvajE,

hanumantam kR^itaatmaanam kR^itavaakyamupaagatam.

 

Thus saying, Rama vibrating with joy, clasped Hanuman in his arms who, master

of himself, his mission fulfilled, had returned. Hanuman rejoiced the

embracement of Rama.

 

This chapter, the critical edition of the " Valmiki Ramayana " contains an

extensive introduction, exhaustive notes, and a comprehensive bibliography.

 

Contd . . . 7.

 

With love and regards,

 

Sastry