The Greatness of Sundara Kanda

About Sundara Kanda

Among our two great Ithihasas namely Ramayana and Mahabharata, the former is celebrated with the special status of Aadikaavya (‘oldest epic‘). Among all the Kandas (divisions) of Ramayana, the Sundara Kanda forms the heart of Ramayana and is considered very sacred by the Hindus. It is probably the only kanda in the entire Itihasa works that has its own independent paarayana schedule spanning several days. Sundara Kanda is the fifth kanda in Ramayana consisting of 2885 verses distributed across 68 sargas (chapters). This kanda depicts the adventures of Lord Hanuman as he sets out to locate Goddess Sita across the ocean. This is the only kanda of Ramayana where the hero is not Rama, but rather Hanuman. ‘Sundara‘ means ‘Beauty‘ and Hanuman was fondly called ‘Sundara’ by his mother Anjana and hence Sage Valmiki must have chosen this name for this kanda. In this most blessed section of Ramayana, Valmiki outlines the achievements of Hanuman for whom nothing is impossible and who stands as an epitome of self-confidence, devotion to Rama, fearlessness and trustworthiness.

Below sloka aptly summarizes the beauty of Sundara kanda.

sundare sundaro rama: sundare sundari katha
sundare sundari sita sundare sundaram vanam
sundare sundaram kaavyam sundare sundara: kapi:
sundare sundaram mantram sundare kim na sundaram

Meaning: In the Sundara Kanda (beautiful chapter), beautiful is Rama, beautiful is the story; Beautiful is Sita Devi, beautiful is the Asoka Vanam; Beautiful is the poem;  Beautiful is Hanuman; Beautiful is the mantra; what is not beautiful in Sundara Kandam?

The Story

It is believed that recital of this kanda at home or elsewhere brings harmony to the household. It is advised that if one does not have time to read the whole Ramayana, one should at least read the Sundara Kanda in full.

The Sundara Kanda consists of an elaborate account of Lord Hanuman’s adventures. After knowing about Sita’s location from the vulture king Sampathi, Hanuman assumes an enormous form and leaps across the ocean to Lanka. After successfully neutralizing several obstacles on the way, he reaches Lanka and after a thorough search, locates Sita in the Ashokavana. There he gains her trust and reassures her of her rescue, giving Rama’s signet ring as a sign of good faith. He also offers to carry Sita back to Rama but she refuses as she wants to be rescued only by her husband. Hanuman then wreaks havoc in Lanka by destroying trees and buildings and killing Ravana’s warriors and his sons. He then allows himself to be captured and produced before Ravana. He then proclaims himself to be the messenger of Rama (Ramadutha) and advises Ravana to release Sita. When the evil Ravana does not listen and sets his tail on fire, he escapes, sets fire to Lanka and  leaps back to the other shore. He then returns to Rama and announces the great news of sighting of Sita.

Its Greatness

Sundara Kanda captures the determination of Hanuman to succeed, in spite of the hurdles that kept cropping up in his path to Lanka. He has to keep his goal in mind and ensure that he finds ways to overcome the obstacles. For eg. when the demoness/divine being Surasa opens her mouth wide to swallow him, Hanuman too keeps growing and then suddenly shrinks to a small size and enters and exits her mouth in a flash and is safely on his way. Hanuman meticulously searches Lanka for Sita without tiring until he locates her thus proving himself to be an excellent emissary of Rama.

The Sundara Kanda shows us the greatness of Hanuman. The entire Ramayana is contained in Sundra Kanda. Hanuman, when he meets Sita, narrates the events of the Bala Kanda to gain her confidence and when he comes to meet Rama after having met Sita, he foretells that Rama and Sita will be crowned ruling monarchs and have a happy life together. In Sundara Kaada, though one does not see Sri Rama until the end, the story of Sri Rama is heard a number of times which makes it more beautiful.

Below is a famous verse from Sundara Kanda is another example of Rama’s name invoked by Hanuman when he is about to announce himself to Sita.

namostu raamaya salakshmanaaya
devyai cha tasyai janakaatmajaayai
namostu rudrendra yamaanilebhya:
namostu chandraarka marudganebhya: 13-60

Benefits of Sundara Kanda Parayanam

The events in this kanda bring confidence and hope which is felt by those who chant it. The Kanda teaches us how those who are practice Dharma and those who are devoted to the Lord find success. Performing Sundara Kandam Parayanam results in prosperity and it will mitigate all problems that people face in their daily lives. It is said that reading one chapter or sargam of Sundara Kandam can equal chanting 1000 times of Gayathri Japam.

Recitation procedure

Recitation of Sundara Kandam can be done on any occasion like Rama Navami, Navarathri, etc and also during significant family events like anniversaries, birthdays, marriage pooja etc. Chanting can be done in front of the image of Lord Rama and with offerings of milk, flowers and tulsi. There are different plans to recite verses such as one-day recital, 7-days (sapthaham), 9 days (navaham) etc. Based on advice from elders/gurus one can pick a suitable plan and proceed with the same. Others can recite the slokas as per their capacity and convenience.

At the end of the parayanam, the below sloka can be recited which again signifies the greatness of Lord Hanuman.

yatra yatra raghunaatha kirtanam
tatra tatra kritha mastakanjalim
bhaashpavaari paripurna lochanam
marutim namatha raakshasaanthakam

Let’s try to perform Sundara Kanda parayanam whenever possible and be the recipient of endless blessings of Lord Sitarama!