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Offline SS91

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SUNDERKAND
« on: April 09, 2007, 06:39:12 AM »
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    The SunderKand which is a chapter in the 'Ram-Charit-Maanas', penned by Goswami Tulsidas is considered to be as auspicious to read, as it is to recite the 'Hanuman Chaalisa'.

    In the Sunder-kand, Hanumanji is reminded by Jambavan about the fact that Hanumanji has great powers that the latter has no memory of. In this case Hanumanji is made to remember about the fact that he is capable of flying.

    Jambavan exhorted Hanuman to undertake the crossing of the Mighty Ocean. Hanumanji's flight was necessary to search for Seeta who had been abducted by Raavan.

    Seeta is symbolic of Bhakti or devotion. To reach her one has to don the wings of prayer and love.

    Hanumanji is now all ready to take the leap. Let us take the flight with him in search of Love incarnate.

    A Person, who has controlled his mind, can achieve any success in his life. How far you are trying to control your mind?
    The mind that judges not others ever remains tension-free.
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    Offline SS91

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    Re: SUNDERKAND
    « Reply #1 on: April 09, 2007, 06:40:25 AM »
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    Peaceful, without any sins, one who gives liberation, Brahma & Shambu have served you greatest of all the devatas, one who is seen in the human form by Maya, one who washes all our sins, full of pity, best among the Raghuvanshi and the Greatest of all Kings Shree Rama, I salute you. Give all your divine blessings so that we can free our minds from the desires of life & sins.

    “ Oh! Treasure of great strength, your body is like “Sumeru” the golden mountain, good qualities are present in you, King of all the monkeys, dearest devotee of Shree Rama, I salute you, oh son of Vayu the wind god.”

    Hearing these beautiful words said by Jambuvan, Hanuman told his brothers to eat the fruits & flowers of the forest & faithfully await his return from Lanka after meeting Sita. He also tells them that he had a very happy feeling in his heart & thus was sure that he would be successful in his journey. Saying this, he took leave & leapt towards Lanka.

    On the shore he saw a beautiful mountain & playfully leapt on it & prayed to Shree Rama. Then with great force, he resumed his journey to Lanka. The mountain immediately sank to the bed of the ocean once Hanumanji leapt from it. The Ocean thought Hanumanji to be a messenger & therefore he told “Mainak” Mountain to give him shelter so that he could rest & then resume his journey. But Hanumanji just touched him & then with folded hands told him that he would rest only after he had completed his job

     The Devatas saw Hanumanji & wanted to test him so they sent “sursa” the mother of snakes to speak to him. She told him that the Devatas had sent her food but Hanumanji told her that only after he accomplished his job of meeting Sita, he would rest & on returning, she could devour him. But Sursa was not willing so Hanumanji told her that she could eat him. He made himself twice as big. Sursa made her mouth 16 times bigger & immediately Hanumanji became 32 times bigger.

    In this manner he became double her size each time & then eventually became so small in size that he entered her open mouth & flew out. He then folded his hands & asked for leave. Sursa was very pleased & blessed him. She told him that he was an Ocean of Strength & Wisdom & that he would accomplish Lord Ram’s work.

    A demoness used to stay in the ocean, who used to see the shadow of birds in the water & catch them by Maya. Thus they would be unable to fly & fall in the water. She did the same thing for Hanumanji, but he immediately recognised her. He killed her & then flew across to a mountain from which he could see many trees with beautiful flowers & fruits. Then he sat on it & could see the fortress of Lanka. He saw that the city was surrounded by water. There were houses of gold & studded with jewels & gems. He could also see the markets, beautiful roads & well-maintained lanes. Elephants, horses & donkeys were moving around in groups. There were Rakshasas of many kinds who looked very powerful & their strength could not be described. Lanka was full of gardens, lakes, wells, humans, Devatas; Nagas & Gandharva girls who were so beautiful that they could even win the minds of Rishis & Munis. At places there wee huge mountains like people who were roaring with energy. They would challenge each other & practice wrestling in the Akharas (schools of learning the art of wrestling.).Strong fighters & warriors were posted at various corners of the city to protect it from enemies.

    Tulsidas has mentioned about the people living in Lanka because they were destined to die with the arrows of Shree Ram. Seeing all the scenes, Hanumanji decided that he would have to take the form of a very small insect to get into the city. Thus he took the form of a small fly & with the name of Shree Ram in his heart he flew towards Lanka.

    Lankini, a demoness, used to stay near the gate to guard the city. She told Hanumanji that robbers were her food & no one could enter Lanka before taking her permission. Hearing this, Hanumanji gave her one blow, with which she fell down & vomited out blood. She then carefully got up & with folded hands, said that when Ravan received a boon from Brahma, he had told her about the end of the Rakshasa clan. He also told her that when she would get beaten by a monkey, she should realise that the end was near. Putting together all her strength, she then told Hanumanji that she was very happy that she met her end under the hands of Shri Ram’s messenger & that she could meet him. She also told him that all the comforts of heaven are nothing when compared to the teachings & Gyan received in the last minutes of one's life.

    Lankini then advises Hanumanji to keep Shri Ram in his heart & do all his duties, by doing thus all foes will turn to friends, the ocean will turn peaceful & even the Sumeru mountain would seem nothing to that person towards whom Shri Ram would look.

    Hanumanji searched each & every palace in Lanka & then he entered Ravana’s palace, but even there he could not find Sita.

     Further, he spotted a beautiful temple, which was surrounded by many tulsi plants & inside was the carving of the bow & arrow of Shri Ram. Seeing this, Kapiraj Hanuman was very happy, but thought to himself that in Lanka, where only demons lived, who could have made Shri Ram’s temple. Whilst contemplating, he saw Vibhishan coming in. He immediately decided to speak to him because speaking to a sadhu would never be harmful.

    Hanuman then took the form of a Brahmin & spoke to Vibhishan. Vibhishan was so happy that he asked if he was a bhakt of Shri Ram or was he Shri Ram himself & had come to give him darshan in his house as he felt immense pleasure in his heart when he saw him. Hearing this, Hanumanji told him Shri Ram’s story & then Vibhishan asked Hanumanji if Shri Ram would accept him because he was very unhappy living in Lanka. But now he was sure that he had the blessings of Shri Ram as he had the good fortune of meeting a saint like him

    Bin satsang vivek na hoi, Ram kripa bin sulabh na hoi.

    Hanuman then tells Vibhishan that it is Shri Ram’s nature to always love his bhaktas. He gives him his own example by saying that he is a monkey who is considered to be low in caste & any person who took their name early morning, would not get food the whole day. Besides all this, Shri Ram has bestowed his blessings on us & saying this there were tears in Hanumanji’s eyes. Anybody who does not realise this & runs after the worldly pleasures will always be unhappy. He then told Vibhishan that he wanted to meet Sita Mata. After Vibhishan told Hanumanji about Ashok vatika, he resumed his search in the form of a fly.

     Hanuman saw Sita sitting under a tree in the vatika. She looked frail & tired; he observed that she spent the whole night sitting in meditation of Shri Ram.

    At that moment Ravan entered the vatika with many Rakshasis. He threatened Sita & told her that she would be very happy if she would marry him. Hearing this, Sita picked up a blade of grass as a shield & told Ravan that he had no idea about the speed & strength of her Lord’s arrows & that he would meet his end soon because he had got her in Lanka by deceit. Ravan, in his anger, removed his sword & told Sita that she had insulted him & he could even sever her head from her body if she did not listen to him.

     Sita replied to him that she preferred to die by his sword than listen to him. She also told him that Shri Ram’s arms were as gentle as a lotus garland but at the same time as strong as an elephant trunk.

     Sita then looks at the sword, which was cold & sharp  & thinks whether it can lessen her pain, which she is going through on being separated from Shri Ram. Ravan moves towards Sita, but is stopped by Mandodari, who tells him it is against the valour of a man to raise his hand on a woman.

    A Person, who has controlled his mind, can achieve any success in his life. How far you are trying to control your mind?
    The mind that judges not others ever remains tension-free.
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    Offline SS91

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    Re: SUNDERKAND
    « Reply #2 on: April 09, 2007, 06:41:23 AM »
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    Ravan then goes home but gives Sita an ultimatum to agree within one month or he will kill her.

    Amongst Ravan’s Rakshasis there was one” Trijata” who was a bhakt of Shri Ram & was also a Gyani. She explained to the others that they must improve their lives by serving Sita. She also told them of a dream she had seen in which a monkey had entered Lanka & burnt it, killing many Rakshasas. She also saw Ravan sitting on a donkey; naked with his head shaven & all his 20 hands had been cut. She then saw him going towards Yamnagar & Vibhishan ruling over Lanka. She was sure her dream would come true four days later. Hearing this, all the Rakshasis got scared & fell at Sita’s feet. Later when Sita was alone with Trijata, she asked her for a solution to her problem, as she no longer could bear being away from Shri Ram. She tells her to bring wood so that she could give up her body, as hearing Ravan’s cruel words day after day was a torture to her. Hearing this, Trijata explained & reminded her of Ram’s strength & valour & that he would rescue her soon. When Sita was alone she prayed to the Ashoka tree to help her by relieving her of her pain.

    Seeing this, Hanuman took out Ram’s ring & kept it in front of Sita, the whole tree lit up by its light & Sita picked it up with a sudden happiness. She immediately recognised it as her Lord’s but was a little puzzled as to how it had appeared there. She thought to herself that nobody could defeat her Lord & even through Maya one couldn’t make such a ring with so much brightness. Thus with many confused thoughts in her mind, she suddenly heard a voice singing the praise of her Lord. Hearing these words, her pain just disappeared & she sat down to listen to these words with great attention.

    Hanumanji then came in front of Sita & told her that he was her Lord’s messenger & that Ramchandraji had sent the ring for her. Sita was very puzzled as to how her Lord had taken help from a monkey, but Hanumanji cleared all her doubts & explained to her their full story in detail. Hearing his words, Sita felt a certain peace flow in her heart & she soon understood as to why her Lord had sent Hanumanji. Her eyes were filled with tears & her body became cold as she heard the praises of Shri Ram. She asked him about Lakshman & Shri Ram. She told him that her Lord was an Ocean of Love & Peace then why had he been so harsh towards her. Did he ever remember her & would her eyes ever see him again. Unable to speak & tell Hanumanji anything further, she tells him that her Lord had completely forsaken her. Seeing her pain Hanumanji in a very soft & gentle tone tells her that Ram & Lakshman are fine by way of health but they too have a lot of sorrow in their hearts. He then tells her Shri Ram’s message in his very own words

    “Oh Sita, your departure has left me very unhappy. Everything seems so useless. New leaves on trees look like fire. Nights look like dark nights. The moon looks only a small star; the rain feels like oil instead of cold water. Winds feel hot & poisonous. Things that used to give pleasure now give immense pain. I do not even have anyone to share my sorrow with. No one knows the depth of our love, only my mind knows that, & that mind is with you.”

    Hearing Shri Ram’s message, Sita was  filled  with love & happiness . Hanuman then tells her that she should keep Shri Ram in her mind & meditate on him because he is the one who blesses all his sevaks & devotees. Shri Ram’s arrows are like fire compared to those of the Rakshasas, therefore there was nothing to fear. Ram could destroy Lanka with his one arrow but he wanted to come himself & take her. Thus he tells her to keep faith & have courage for few more days. Hearing this, Sita gets worried as to how a monkey could fight the powerful Rakshasas. To clear her doubts Hanumanji shows her his actual form as big & as strong as “Sumeru” the golden mountain, & then again transformed himself into his tiny form. Seeing this, Sita feels at peace.

    He then tells her that a monkey may not have strength but when he has the blessings of Shri Ram even a small snake can kill an eagle. Sita then gave Hanumanji her blessings, saying that he is a treasure of strength; qualities  & may he always have the love & blessings of Shri Ram.

    Hearing her words, Hanumanji bows to her feet & with folded hands, takes her permission to eat the fruits from the trees in Ashok Vatika. Hanumanji then creates havoc by breaking all the flowers, uprooting trees & even killing a few of Ravan’s soldiers. The news soon reached Ravan about the disturbance caused by a very heavy monkey in Ashok Vatika & all the loss that he had caused. Ravan immediately sent a few of his strong fighters to kill Hanumanji but they were all sent back wounded & hurt as they were no match for him Akshaykumar was then sent to match the skills of Hanumanji. Seeing him arrive, Hanumanji uprooted a huge tree & threw it at him. The army was crushed & a few soldiers went running back to Ravan telling him that the monkey was very brave. Hearing about the death of his son Akshaykumar, Ravan sent his son Meghnath & told him not to kill Hanuman but to make him a prisoner, as he wanted to see him.

    Meghnath was a very brave warrior. Seeing him arrive, Hanumanji uprooted a big tree & crushed Meghnath’s chariot. The rest of the army was so frightened that they started running from one end to the other. When Meghnath & Hanuman were fighting each other it looked as though two elephants were at war. Eventually Meghnath tried the Brahmastra & seeing this Hanuman thought it would be disrespect towards Brahma if he would fight it back. Thus when it came towards him he fell down from the branch off the tree he was sitting on, killing many rakshasas under him. He was thus made a prisoner & taken to Ravan. Seeing this Shivji told Parvati that it was not correct to make Hanumanji a prisoner as he was the messenger of Shri Ram, whose name itself had so much strength that it can free mankind from the cycle of life & death. Therefore Hanumanji on purpose got himself trapped for the accomplishment of his Lord’s task. Hanuman also wanted to meet Ravan. When he reached Ravan’s court he was surprised to see all his courtmen standing in such fear because Ravan was very angry with Hanuman since he had destroyed Ashok Vatika & he also wanted to know why he had come to Lanka’

    Hanuman replied to Ravan that he had been sent by Shri Ram who created the universe, the one by whose strength Brahma, Vishnu & Mahesh look after the world, the one who takes birth in the human form to protect the Devatas, the Great One who killed Bali, Khar, Dushan & trishira who were all great warriors & he was the messenger of that Shri Ram whose wife had been carried away by deceit. He told Ravan that he had destroyed Ashok Vatika because he was a monkey by nature & therefore liked to create havoc. He ate the fruits since he was hungry & killed his soldiers because they attacked him.

     Hanuman then joined his hands & told Ravan to leave Sita Mata as he came from a very pious family. Shri Ram would forgive as he is an ocean of pity & never refuses his devotees or those who take refuge in him.. He also tells him that Shiv, Vishnu & Brahma will not help him if he goes against Shri Ram. He asks him to give up his ego & gives him a lot of examples about Bhakti, knowledge & Vairagya to which Ravan replies in a conceited tone that he has found a Gyani monkey. But when Hanumanji tells him that his death was very near under the hands of Shri Ram, Ravana’s anger knows no bounds. He immediately told his soldiers to kill him, but his courtmen then explained to him that it was unjust to kill a messenger & they should punish him in some other way. Ravan then tells them to put his tail on fire & let him go because only then he can tell his Swami Ramji about Lanka. Hearing this, Hanumanji began to smile, as he understood why Saraswati Goddess had given him such thoughts. Hanumanji’s tail was tied up with cloth dipped in ghee but so much was consumed that all the cloth in Lanka was consumed as Hanumanji went on increasing the length of his tail. All the people of Lanka collected to watch the sight. As Hanumanji’s tail was set alight he took a very small form & started jumping from one palace on to the other, setting Lanka ablaze. People frantically started running from one place to the other & there was a lot of loss & destruction except for Vibhishan’s house which stood quiet & peaceful watching all the other houses go down in flames. Hanumanji did not get hurt by the fire because he was a messenger of Shri Ram the one who himself made fire. Thus after finishing Lanka he plunged into the ocean.

    A Person, who has controlled his mind, can achieve any success in his life. How far you are trying to control your mind?
    The mind that judges not others ever remains tension-free.
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    Offline SS91

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    Re: SUNDERKAND
    « Reply #3 on: April 09, 2007, 06:42:05 AM »
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    He then resumed a small form to meet Sita Mata. He folded his hands & told her that she should give him some remembrance to give Shri Ram. Sita took out one of her bangles & gave it to Hanumanji for Ram. She then tells Hanumanji to tell Shri Ram that since he is the one who is always at peace, does not have any desire, he is the one who blesses the poor & removes all their obstacles, if he did not rescue her within 1 month then he would never see her. Sita is also very sad because Hanumanji is going back but he tells her that their army would soon come to rescue her.

      When Hanumanji reached back home all the monkeys were very happy. They kept asking him many different questions & then went to Ramji. Shri Ram & Lakshman were extremely happy to see all the Vanars with Hanuman & Jambvan. Jambvan tells Shri Ram that his devotees will always be happy & that his victory will be known in the 3 worlds. All the Vanars were happy that their mission had been completed. Shri Ram embraced Hanuman & then asked him about Sita.

     Hanuman gives him a detailed picture of Sita & her message. He tells Ram that he is the Lord of the 3 worlds then why was he taking so long to rescue his wife. How every second was like a 100 years for her. Hearing his words Ram has tears in his eyes & he tells Hanuman that Sita is his by mind body & speech & no harm can come to her even in her dreams.

    Hanuman then narrates his journey to Lanka, how he destroyed Ashok Vatika, frightened all the rakshasas & burnt Lanka.

     Shri Ram then tells Sugreev that they should make preparations to march towards Lanka, as there was no reason to delay. He then spoke to the Vanar army & with divine eyes spoke to them of victory. Hearing his words each monkey was filled with so much of energy that they looked like mountains with wings.

    Devtas, Munis, Gandharvas & Nags were pleased because they knew that Ravan’s end was near.

     Once the Vanar army reached the shores of Lanka they started plucking the flowers & eating all the fruits. The people of Lanka were frightened after Hanuman had set fire in Lanka. They used to lock up their homes & wonder who would protect them in troubled times because if the messenger was so powerful & mighty how strong would the Lord itself be. Meanwhile Ravan’s wife Mandodari pleaded with him to stop the war & send back Sita, as this would please Shiv & Brahma. She then compares Ram’s arrows to poisonous snakes & those of the Rakshasas to frogs & toads. Even harsh words had no effect on Ravan & he just laughed it off, saying that by nature women had a soft heart & even in happy times they got upset. He told her that he had defeated Devtas & Rakshasas so humans & Vanars should be no problem.

    Vibhishan also came to Ravan & fell at his feet. He told him that if a person wanted fame & fortune in life, he should not even look at another person’s wife. Kam & Krodh always brought about destruction; therefore they should leave everything & take Ram’s name since he was the King of all Kings, & would give riches, fame, knowledge & vairagya, destroy enemies & preserve dharma.

    Malyawan was a learned mantri in Ravan’s court. He also told Ravan that Vibhishan’s words were true & felt very peaceful after hearing him, but this angers Ravan because they are in praise of his enemy. Vibhishan also tells Ravan about good & bad thoughts as Subudhi & Kubudhi, where Subudhi will always bring peace, goodwill & happiness but Kubudhi will bring about destruction & unhappiness. He also gives him many examples from the Vedas & Puranas but these only angers Ravan further. Ravan tells him that he was being traitor & taking the enemy’s side although he was his brother. Nobody had ever defeated him so he had nothing to fear. Vibhishan then talks to the people of Lanka & warns them that they were in the clutches of Kaal & it was his duty to warn them.

     Vibhishan was very anxious to touch Shri Ram’s feet, which gave immense pleasure to devotees & bhaktas, whose touch gave freedom to Ahilya, whose feet Sita ever worshipped & were even present in the heart of Shivji. Thus he feels good fortune coming to him as even Bharat kept Shri Ram’s padukas & worshipped them for 14 years.

     When the Vanars saw Vibhishan coming towards them they thought he was a spy sent by Ravan. Sugreev asked Ram what had to be done because he knew that the Rakshasas           were Mayavi, they could take any noble form & deceive them. Shri Ram tells Sugreev that he cannot refuse him or anybody who came to him for help even if there is deceit & lies no harm will come to them as Lakshman can kill all the Rakshasas in a split second. When Vibhishan was brought in front of Ram he kept staring at him without even blinking his eyes. He kept admiring his posture in his mind, his huge & powerful arms, beautiful lotus-like eyes, broad chest, strong shoulders, & tears literally came to his eyes. Vibhishan then told Shri Ram that since he was Ravan’s brother he had a tamsik body, which loved sin; therefore he had come to Ram for help & shelter.

    Hearing his noble words, Ram embraced him & told him that though he lived amidst sin & cruelty, he was disciplined & truth was by his side. Vibhishan then told Ram that even God would never help sinners & now that he had got a chance to touch Shri Ram’s feet he wanted no more. Hearing this Ram tells Vibhishan that any human being who is a sinner in the world but leaves everything & comes to him for shelter, he is always saved & can even become a sanyasi if he has given up the relations of mother, father, brother, wife, child & house. One who has no desires & considers fear, happiness & pain all equal, such a man is always dear to him. Vibhishan had all these qualities & therefore he was dear to him.

    Vibhishan is overwhelmed by his love & asks Ram to give him everlasting Shakti. Ram crowns Vibhishan “King of Lanka” & all the devtas shower flowers & blessings on them. Shri Ram then asks Sugreev & Vibhishan as to how they will cross the mighty ocean, which is full of snakes, fishes & crocodiles. Vibhishan replies to Ram that his one arrow can dry up millions of oceans, but it would be more respectable to take permission from the ocean & ask for a solution. To this Lakshman replied that only a coward would ask for permission & it would be a wastage of time if they would wait further. Ram pacifies Lakshman & then with folded hands sits in deep meditation in front of the ocean.

    When Vibhishan left Lanka, Ravan sent two of his soldiers in disguise behind him, but these soldiers were so impressed by Shri Ram’s love & acceptance that they came into their original rakshasa form & started singing Shri Ram’s praises. Sugreev’s vanars caught them & took them as prisoners to Lakshman but he set them free & sent a letter with them for Ravan. Lakshman warns Ravan in his letter that even Vishnu & Brahma cannot save him & he has brought about the destruction of his clan. He asks him to take refuge in his brother Shri Ram’s feet or otherwise face his fiery arrows. This immediately brought fear in Ravan, but he put it aside, saying that Lakshman was behaving like a child who wanted to catch the sky while sleeping. Ravan’s messengers also plead with him & told him about Ram’s mighty vanar sena. They ask him to give up his pride & save the kingdom by returning Sita gracefully.

    Shri Ram had been sitting on the bank of the ocean for 5 days but it did not give way, so he asks Lakshman to give him his bow & arrow because it was no use pleading with someone who was stuck in Mamta or giving Gyan to a greedy man. At that instance the Ocean God took the form of a Brahmin & asked for forgiveness, because the sky, wind, water, fire, earth were all made by the same creator. Only by his grace & permission they can do anything not otherwise. It was against Nature for him to dry up but since it was the wish & command of his Lord, he would make way for the army. The Ocean then tells them about the boon received by Nal & Neel & any stone or rock thrown in by them in the water, will always float & never sink. Saying this, he goes back to his abode.

    (The Ocean God tells Shri Ram that "even a stone will float in water if the name of Shri Ram is written over it", Since Nal and Neel are great Engineers, they would be able to construct the bridge very easily)

    The Sunderkand helps human beings in Kalyug to overcome problems. It has been sung by Tulsidas & anyone who says it, can go through life without pain & difficulty, as Shri Ram is an Ocean of Peace & happiness.

    A Person, who has controlled his mind, can achieve any success in his life. How far you are trying to control your mind?
    The mind that judges not others ever remains tension-free.
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    Offline adwaita

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    Re: SUNDERKAND
    « Reply #4 on: June 16, 2008, 07:54:52 AM »
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  • INTRODUCTION TO SUNDARA KANDA P.R.Ramachander

    Sundara Kandam is the fifth section of Ramayana (the story of Lord Rama) written by Sage Valmiki and comprises of 2885 verses spread in 68 chapters. “Sundara” as we all know in the literary sense means 'beautiful' and 'Kandam' means 'section'. The sage has called this section a “beautiful section” of Ramayana possibly because: - I. This part of Ramayana contains poetic descriptions of several beautiful objects, places and people. Whether the poet describes, Sri Lanka, Pushpaka Vimana, The Asoka forest, The Madhu Vana, Hanuman, Sita, Rama, Ravana, or the moonrise, he goes in to poetic rapture. For example describing the moon in the 5th chapter he writes:- Then the intelligent Hanuman saw the moon, which was in the center of the sky, which was with rays and which was spreading the sheet of moon light, like an enthusiastic bull wandering in its stable. 1
    Then he saw the moon, which destroys the sorrows of the world, which increased the levels of the great sea and which traveled by giving light to all beings. 2
    That Goddess Lakshmi who shined normally on the Mandhara Mountain of earth, in the sea during dusk and on the lotus in the ponds, at that time shined sitting on the moon. 3
    The moon in the sky was similar to the swan in the sliver cage, lion in the caves of Mandhara Mountain and the heroic soldier sitting on proud elephant. 4
    The moon, which was full of all its crescents, resembled the bullock with its sharpened horns, the silver mountain with its peaks, and the elephant whose tusks were deorated 5
    That moon who did not loose the luster due to dense dew drops, who had borrowed light from the sun by which he drove away darkness, who was serving the luminous Lakshmi in his crystal clear mien and who had the rabbit mark, shined in the sky. 6
    The moon shone with great light like the lion climbing on the stone clusters, like the great elephant reaching the war and like the king getting his kingdom. 7
    II. This section is about the exploits of Hanuman who was an extremely beautiful person as the poet describes him as “a shining handsome person made of Gold”. Hanuman also has a name –“Sundara” III. It is in this section that a full comprehensive description of Sri Rama, possibly the most handsome person ever born is given (chapter 35) and so the sage must have thought that this deserves that name. The reason why it is called Sundara Kanda is possibly best given by one of the greatest commentators of Sundara Kanda viz. Tilaka. He says
    Sundare Sundari Lanka, Sundare Sundari Katha, Sundare sundari Sita, Sundare kim na Sundaram? Beautiful among the most beautiful is Sri Lanka, Beautiful among the most beautiful is the Story, Beautiful among the most beautiful is Sita, What is there in it, which is not beautiful? According to the belief of Hindus, Sundara Kandam is a mine where we can draw powers to support one self in all worldly situations. People believe that reading or hearing the story is a panacea and final solution for all ills and all problems.
    The story narrated in Sundara Kanda in brief is as follows: Hanuman at the suggestion and encouragement given by Jambhavan decided to cross the ocean and reach Sri Lanka. He promised his friends that he would search and find out Sita in Sri Lanka. The God of the sea to help Hanuman asked his friend the Mainaka Mountain to rise above the sea and help Hanuman to relax and take rest. Hanuman however refused the offer and went ahead. The assembled Devas wanted to test the efficiency of Hanuman and sent, Devi Surasa to test him. She took the form of a Rakshasi and informed him that he should enter her mouth and become her food; Hanuman increased his size to a very mega form. Surasa also made her mouth sufficiently big to swallow Hanuman. At that time Hanuman reduced his body to a thumb size jumped in and out of Surasas’s mouth. Surasa blessed him and the devas were very sure that Hanuman can do the job assigned to him. After this a Rakshasi called Simhika caught hold of his shadow and started dragging him to her mouth so that she can eat him. Hanuman again increased the size of the body and killed Simhika. After this Hanuman reached the city of Sri Lanka. There he took a small midget form before entering the city, to avoid detection. However Lanka Devatha stopped him and challenged him. He hit her with his clenched fist and she fell down. She realised that the end of the city of Sri Lanka was nearing and blessed Hanuman in his endeavour. Hanuman then searched all over the city including Ravana’s harem. Though on seeing Mandodhari he thought that he has seen Sita, he concluded immediately that she who was living a life of luxury could not be Sita. Later he located Sita in the Asoka forest which was attached to the harem of Ravana. She was sleeping on the floor, had not taken bath nor changed her dresses. She also had removed all non-essential ornaments and hung them on a tree. While he was watching Ravana paid a visit to Sita and requested her to be his wife. She refused and told him that the only way for him to continue to live was to give her back to Rama. Becoming furious he set a period of two months for her to live and instructed the Rakshasis to terrorise her and make her agree for his proposal. While the Rakshasis were trying their best, Trijata, the daughter of Vibhishana told the Rakshasis about her dream in which she clearly foresaw the defeat and death of Ravana and the victory of Rama. The Rakshasis were scared because of this. However Sita dejected by her situation decided to commit suicide by hanging by her own hair. Hanuman hiding in the tree related the story of Rama up to that point and hearing this Sita became enthused. Hanuman appeared before her, after all Rakshasis were asleep and related to her the adventures of Rama and also gave her signet Ring of Rama as the identification. He also requested her to ride on his back and reach Rama. Sita refused this offer saying that this would be an insult to Rama’s valour and also she, as a virtuous woman would not touch another male willingly. She also gave him her pearl hair brooch as identification.This brooch was given to her by her father. She also told him story of the crow, which attacked her and how Rama put a Tilak on her forehead with a red stone. Hanuman took leave of Sita and while returning made up his mind to see Ravana as well as the city of Lanka. To draw attention to himself, he destroyed the Asoka forest. Ravana sent many of his warriors including his younger son Akshaya Kumara to capture Hanuman. However Hanuman killed all of them. Then Ravana sent his elder son Indra Jit to capture Hanuman who succeeded by using his Brahma Asthra. Though he became free due to his boon, Hanuman seemingly submitted himself to the rakshasas and reached the court of Ravana. Becoming angry Ravana awarded the capital punishment to Hanuman. However Vibhishana, the younger brother of Ravana pointed out that such a punishment couldn’t be given to emissaries. Agreeing to his view, Ravana ordered the Rakshasas to set fire to the tail of Hanuman. However acceding to the prayer of Sita, who heard the news from other Rakshasis, the God of fire did not hurt Hanuman. Hanuman escaped from the clutches of the Rakshasas by his sheer prowess, and using the fire in his tail, set fire to the city of Lanka. Then he took leave of Sita and jumped back to the other shore. He then related his story to his friends and they together decided to tell it to Sri Rama. On their way back to Sri Rama, they destroyed the honey garden of King Sugreeva. They then reached Kishkinda and relate in detail about how they have been able to find Sita and how she is sad, guarding her virtue and would die after 2 months. Hanuman in this section has been described as one for whom nothing is impossible and who is the embodiment of faith, devotion, and loyalty to the master, fearlessness and self-confidence. The story points out that, success is the outcome of such an attitude .It teaches us that, if we want to be successful in life we have to combine the above qualities
    As a humble devotee I personally feel that if we can read and sing the original lilting poems of Sage Valmiki, it would be really great and those of us who cannot, could equally benefit from daily reading the translation. I believe like this because unlike the Vedas where the vibrations created by each sound is important, here it is a poem and the intention of Sage Valmiki appears to tell and make us understand the story and not create positive vibrations.
    I hope many of you would be benefited by this translation, which is nearest to the original.

    Offline adwaita

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    Re: SUNDERKAND
    « Reply #5 on: June 16, 2008, 07:55:57 AM »
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  • Parayana Vidhana

    Method of reading

    Parvathy asked: - “ Oh, God of all beings, I would very much love to know from you, the greatness of Sundara Kanda in detail.” Sri Parameshwara replied: - “I would summarize the greatness of Sundara Kanda for you, because to tell in detail, only the great Lord Ramachandra is capable. Similar to the fact that God Rama is the greatest among Devas, similar to the fact that Kalpaga tree is greatest among trees, similar to the fact that the Kousthubha gem is greatest among gems, in Ramayana, Sundara Kanda is the greatest chapter. By reading or listening to Sundara Kanda with devotion, all the wishes are fulfilled, all dangers will vanish, all diseases will be cured and all types of wealth will grow. Especially it is the greatest panacea for those who suffer from great diseases. Even diseases like tuberculosis, Leprosy and epilepsy, which cannot be cured by even divine medicines, would be cured completely by reading Sundara Kanda 68 times by the grace of Lord Ramachandra. Please hear its greatness, which I am telling you with attention.
     
    Please hear, the following ancient story, which tells about the greatness of Sundara Kanda . There was a great city called Kanchipuram in the earth and once upon a time it was ruled by Chola dynasty. Among those kings, there was a great king called Vamsankara who lived with his wife Manorama, He gave very many charities and did several fire sacrifices. He was devoted to the great temple of the city, which included the great Temple of Kamakshy and Ekamranatha and the temple of Varadaraja and ruled the state with efficiency. Unfortunately he was not blessed by any children. Once coming out of the temple of Kamakshy he saw a great sage entering the temple. He worshipped that sage and when enquired introduced himself. The sage asked him, in what way he would be able to help him and the king requested him to bless him to become a father. The sage told the king, that “In your previous birth you were a saintly Brahmin who lived in Rameswaram and worshipped in the temple daily .As a result you are born as the king of this country, Unfortunately in your previous birth, you did not allow your daughter to join her husband and become a mother due to some family conflict. This is the reason why you are not able to become a father.” He then requested the king and the queen to observe strict penance, give gold and silver as charities to Brahmins, and worship Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva daily. The king and the queen followed his advice and as a result a good son was born to them. They named him Balachandra and the prince grew up as an extremely learned and able man. When he became old, the king decided to give his kingdom to his son and make him his successor and retire to the forest. Unfortunately the terrible disease of Tuberculosis afflicted Balachandra. In spite of treatment by the foremost expert doctors of the world and daily prayers the prince was not cured. When the king and queen were terribly worried and knew not what to do, the sage who had earlier blessed them with the child came again to that city. The king and the Queen fell at his feet and requested him to cure the disease of the prince. The sage told, “ In his previous birth, your son stole the materials kept ready for the worship of Rama and enjoyed life and that is why he is cursed with this disease. But later realizing his sin, he daily read Ramayana and worshipped Rama and that is why he has been born to you. I would tell you, how to get rid of the effects of that sin. ” The king thanked him and wanted to know in detail as to what should be done. The sage replied, “ Construct a decorated Yaga sala and in its middle construct a square platform. Spread a white silk cloth in that stage. On that cloth, spread six measures of Paddy and on that half the quantity of raw rice. On that keep a golden vessel made of one pound of silver full of pearls. Cover that vessel with a silk cloth. On that keep a gold plate in which the Sri Rama Yantra is drawn. Over that keep the golden statue of Sri Rama accompanied by Sita and Hanuman. Worship this statue using Rama Sahasranamavali. Then read the entire Sundara Kanda. This worship and reading should start in the early morning and end at noon. A non fading ghee lamp also should be kept burning for 68 days and the above procedure should be repeated 68 times. On each day, Payasam should be prepared and offered to God Rama. Though this is the best, completing the repetition 68 times can also be done in four months. It is best for the individual himself to read the Sundara Kanda, and it is of medium effect if it is got read by single Brahmin, and worse if it is got read by many Brahmins. After completing the above, The Yudha Kanda should be completely read either by 5 or 6 days. All the 73 days, in the evening a great scholar should retell the stories of Sundara Kanda. This would cure even diseases which Aswini Devas (Doctors of Gods) cannot cure. This also could help you win a war or even help you in getting occult powers, if your son does this, his disease would definitely get cured.” That sage then disappeared. The king performed the above worship and the prince himself read the Sundara Kanda daily and was fully cured of the disease. Hey Devi, just by reading Sundara Kanda 68 times the prince was cured of a terrible disease. There are also many others who got rid of their illness by reading Sundara Kanda. So even if one is poor or not physically able, he should observe the Vritha of Sundara Kanda and get benefited. There are also other methods of reading Sundara Kanda.

    Reading 32 times This consists of reading Chapter 1 to 38 on the first day and the rest the next day. This should be repeated 32 times in 64 days
    Reading 24 times This consists of reading Chapter 1-15 on the first day, 16-41 the next day and the rest of the chapters on the third day. This should be repeated 24 times in 72 days.
    Reading 12 times This consists of reading Chapter 1-15 on the first day, 16-32 on the second day, 33-51 on the third day and the rest of the chapters on the fourth day. This should be repeated 12 times in 48 days.
    Reading 7 times Read 7 chapters a day and complete reading on the fourteenth day and repeat it 7 times and complete the parayana in 68 days.
    Reading 4 times Read ten chapters per day for the first 27 days and read the remaining 2 chapters on the 28th day
    Reading two times Read eight chapters per day and complete reading twice on the seventeenth day. In all these cases on the last day, the last chapter of Yudha Kandam (131st chapter) should be read. On each day before and after the parayana boiled milk with Sugar should be offered as offering (Naivedya) to the God. On the day of completion it is desirable to give a feast to the Brahmins.
    Methods for reading once.

    Suppose some one is not able to follow any of the above desirable rules, he can read it any way according to his capacity. Several such methods are given below: - 1. Read the entire Sundara Kanda once in a full day. 2. Read Chapter 1-35 on the first day and the rest of the chapters next day. 3. Read Chapter 1-37 on the first day, 37-40 on the second day and the rest on the third day. 4. Read chapter 1-15 on the first day, 16-37 on the second day, 38th chapter on the third day, 39-54 on the fourth day and the rest on the fifth day. 5. Start on a Friday, daily read 9 chapters and complete reading on the next Friday. 6. Read within 9 days stopping each day on 5th, 15th, 20th, 26th, 28th, 40th, 52nd, 80th and 68th chapters. 7. Daily read 6 chapters and complete it on the 12 th day. 8. Till 22 days read two chapters a day, 5 chapters on the 23rd day, 3 chapters on the 24th day, 6 chapters on the 25th day, 3 chapters on the 26th day, 4 chapters on the 27th day and the rest 3 chapters on the 28th day. If some one is not able to follow any of the methods suggested above he can read it as per his capacity without following any rules.

    Some of the specific problems, which could be solved by doing Parayana of certain chapters, are given below: -
    1 Salvation can be achieved by reading the first chapter daily for six months. 2. Effect of attack of devils, ghosts, spirits can be warded off by reading 3rd chapter. 3.To get rid of dullness of brain, read 13th chapter 4.To get rid of the sin of having affair with some one else’s wife, read chapters 7-11. 5.To get permanent wealth and happiness read chapter 15. 6.To get rid of bad dreams read Chapter 27. 7.To get good behavior read chapter 20-21. 8.To rejoin with lost relatives read chapters 33-40. 9.To get rid of impending danger read chapter 36. 10.To get pardon from god for insult done to him knowingly and unknowingly read chapter 38. 11. Read chapters 42-47 to win over enemies 12.To become just and charitable read chapter 51 13. For improvement of assets like house, land etc read chapter 54. 14. To get peace and happiness read Chapter 61 15. To get perennial happiness and to attain God read chapter 67. 16.To get what one wishes read chapter 41 17. To realize God and to become one capable of sweet words read chapter 19.

    It is essential to offer Naivedya to God before and after the Parayana. It would be great if at the end of the Parayana, Lord Rama, Goddess Sita and Lord Hanuman are worshipped using Sahasra Nama (1000 names). If someone is not capable of doing it, he can worship using 108 names of the God. As Naivedya boiled milk added with Sugar is supposed to be best offering to Lord Rama and Lotus and Thulasi (Ocimum) flowers are the best to worship the Lord. If not available any flower can be used. However Karavira(Arali) should never be used. Offering to God Pomegranate would bring in immense benefits .It would be better to the devotee to Chant Rama Gayathri during the beginning, Avahana and end of the worship. This is given by “Dasarathaya Vidhmahe, Sita vallabhata Dheemahi, Thanno Rama Prachodayath.” Also it is essential that after the Pooja, meditation is done using Gayathri manthra or the Shadakshari manthra of Rama viz “Ram Ramaya Nama.”. Though it is desirable to represent Rama either by Dasavarana Yanthra or statue, it would be sufficient if worship is done to the Ramayana Book. Rama with Sita, Lakshmana and Hanuman always is present wherever Ramayana book is there. It is also essential that whosoever does the Parayana for getting specific objectives should observe Brahmacharya during the parayana period.” Lord Shiva after telling all this to Goddess Parvathy told her that whoever reads are listens to this book on the Sundara Kanda Phala prapthi, would become a great devotee of Lord Rama and would lead a happy painless life.
    « Last Edit: June 26, 2008, 09:21:32 AM by adwaita »

    Offline adwaita

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    Re: SUNDERKAND
    « Reply #6 on: June 16, 2008, 08:07:25 AM »
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  • First Chapter
                                 Dealing with crossing of the sea by Hanuman
     
     ( This chapter describes how Hanuman crossed the great ocean to reach Sri Lanka in search of Sita.On the way first the God of Ocean and Mainaka mountain respected him. Later the devas tested his capability by sending Surasa Devi to test him. After this Simhika dragged his shadow and tried to eat him. Crossing all these hurdles he reached the other shore safely)
     
         Afterwards Hanuman, the slayer of his enemies, desired to travel by the paths that the Charanas (The devas who travel in the sky) travel, to find out the place where Sita who has been abducted by Ravana. is kept in hiding..                                                           1
     
    (It is clear from this sloka that our ancients knew that even in sky you have to travel by certain chartered pathways)                     
     
    With a desire to perform the incomparable and difficult job, he extended his head and neck and resembled a bull.  2
     
    Then the valorous, strong and wise Hanuman started traveling as he liked, similar to a lion in zest, creating terror to the birds, felling trees by his immense chest, glowing like a diamond and killing various animals in the grass, like the torrential flow of water.                                             3-4
     
    Hanuman stood like an elephant calf in a forest, in the mountain, which had many special elephants and which are fit to be worshipped and endowed, possessing the natural colours of blue, red, yellow and pink, decorated by the strange reddish (laterite) stones and also thickly populated by Yakshas, Kinnaras, Gandharvas (all the three are communities of minor devas) and Devas with their families along with Pannagas who can take any form or shape they like.                                                                             5-7                               
     
    That reddish vanara (monkey), saluted the Sun God, the king of devas Indra, The Wind God Vayu, The progenitor Lord Brahma and all great and holy ones and then turned to the eastern direction and saluted his own father Vayu again. He then thought of Rama and Lakshmana and offered them his prayers and bowed before all the holy rivers and the sea. After this he embraced his manes and offered pradakshina (perambulation) to them and concentrated his mind on the travel that he intended to make.                         8-10     
     
    (As soon as he was born to Anjana Hanuman felt very hungry. He was told by his mother to eat any fruit, which is red. He jumped towards the Sun in the dawn, who complained to Indra about this attack. Indra hit baby Hanuman with his Vajarayudha who fell down. His father the Wind God went in hiding creating a crisis in the world. Then the devas led by Brahma blessed the baby Hanuman and gave him several boons.)
     
    Being blessed by all vanaras assembled there with a wish made by them for his safe return journey, he stood facing the path in which the wind travels.                            11
     
    He stood facing the south and started growing in his physical stature, after requesting the other monkeys to wait for him in the same place.                                                    12
     
    Being watched by the great and elderly monkeys, Hanuman who is the greatest among those who can jump and cross, grew like the ocean in high tide for completing the work of Rama.                                                                                                                      13
     
    With his forelegs extended, he with an enormous stature stood facing Sree Lanka, with a wish to jump and cross the sea and pressed the mountain by his fore legs.                  14   
     
    The mountain in spite of this pressure was stable but tottered for a few minutes. As a result the trees shook and flowers of different colours were strewn all over the mountain.                           
                                                                                                                                             15
     
    Strewn by the thick flower clusters all over, the mountain was covered fully by flowers. It  appeared more like a mountain of flowers.                                                               16
     
    Pressed heavily by the strong Hanuman, The Mahendra Mountain resembled an elephant in heat and water flowed out of it.                                                                                  17
     
    Pressed by the great Hero Hanuman, that mountain  revealed deposits of Gold, Mica and silver through the openings and sparkled.                                                                     18
     
    Not only that but also that mountain which had lot of laterite stones, threw out medium size fire flames all over and pushed out dense smoke.                                             19
     
    Because of the pressure exerted by the Vanara, the animals, which lived in the caves, were pressed and made sad and painful sounds.                                                       20
     
    That horrendous noise made by the big animals spread in all directions all over the world and also in gardens through out.                                                                                     21
     
    Snakes with shining white Swastika marked hoods spit out poison from their mouth and hit at the stones with their poisonous teeth.                                                                   22
     
    Stuck by the angry and poisonous snakes those big stones burnt as if they were on fire and broke in to thousands of pieces.                                                                        23
     
    Those herbs in the mountain, which were supposed to cure the poison bite of the snakes, were not able to remove the poison from the mountain  itself.                                  24
     
    Some of the snakes with big body were spitting fire and came out from the caves and were trampled by Hanuman’s feet.                                                                           25
     
    Trampled heavily those trees of the mountain with new growths, gave out a smell of sandal, and gave rise to a rain of flowers.                                                              26
     
    Those stones of the mountain, which were deep red, yellow and light red broke in to pieces and were strewn all over.                                                                            27
     
    With the colour of reddish sandal and with ochre coloured deposits that mountain shone like a fire and was broken.                                                                                    28
     
    Vidhyadaras (demi gods who wear garland and live in the sky) who had brought golden vessels to drink alcoholic drinks left behind the costly vessels and mugs, various types of flavored and cooked meat, shields made of the hide of a bull and swords with golden handles and rose up along with their women folk thinking that the mountain is being broken along with sages occupying it.                                                           29-31                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                 
    Not only that, some other Vidhyadharas who wore garlands in their neck and who had eyes like white lotus and some others who were intoxicated and also who were decorated by red paste and red garlands and red eyes reached the sky.                                      32
     
    Their ladies who wore   chains, armlets, shoulder bangles, stood  with a smiling face along with their lovers, in the sky.                                                                                   33
     
    Empowered by the manthras that they knew these Vidhyadharas and sages were able to float in the sky and watch the mountain.                                                                   34
     
    Others heard the following words  spoken by those great sages, the demi gods Charanas and  saints of great reputation,                                                                                    35
     
    “The very strong Hanuman who is the son of  wind God Vayu who is as big as a mountain is going to cross the sky like the sharks cross the ocean.”                           36
     
    “For the sake of Lord Rama, and for the sake of his monkey friends, he is attempting to the impossible job of crossing the ocean. “                                                                 37
     
    The Vidhyadharas who heard these words of  the sages stood in the sky and watched Hanuman who had an  enormous form.                                                                      38
     
    Hanuman who was like a small mountain shook his body, shed some of the hair from his body and like a big cloud made a very loud trumpeting sound.                                      39
     
    Making up his mind to jump to a great height, Hanuman rotated his big round tail, which is covered by hair all over,  like a eagle rotating a snake.                                                 40
     
    Swiftly being rotated behind him , his thick tail, resembled an enormous snake being drawn hither and thither by Lord Garuda. (Eagle  on whom Lord Vishnu rides)           41
     
    Hanuman stood stiff with his forelegs, which resembled  huge iron pillars, made his belly as small as possible and readied his hind legs for a big jump.                                     42
     
    That great Hero, shortened his arms and neck and increased his virility, stature and power to the maximum extent possible.                                                                                   43
     
    Looking above, staring  afar and staring  in to the sky he controlled his breath for the big jump.                                                                                                                              44
     
    Standing firm on his two legs, extending his ears to catch all the sound , making up his mind  to travel  fast in the sky,  that Great monkey  who is very strong,  faced the other monkeys and spoke to them as follows.                                                                           45
     
    “I would travel to Sri Lanka which is protected by Ravana like  the holy arrow sent by Lord Rama with the speed of  the torrential wind.”                                                          46
     
    “If I am not able to find Sita in Sri Lanka, I would then go to the heavens with the same speed.”                                                                                                                              47
     
    “If I am not able to locate her there also, with great ease , I will tie Ravana and bring him here.”                                                                                                                                48
     
    “Whatever may happen, I would return after fulfilling the task and return  along with Sita and if not I would bring the whole Sri Lanka along with Ravana.”                              49
     
    After talking like to this to the other monkeys, the great monkey Hanuman, without any worry and with great speed resembling that of Garuda, rose up in the sky.              50

    Offline adwaita

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    Re: SUNDERKAND
    « Reply #7 on: June 16, 2008, 08:08:12 AM »
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  • When he rose up in the sky, the trees in that mountain along  with their branches  also rose along with him.                                                                                             51
     
    Along with him , he took away flower-laden trees  with white fat  cranes using  the speed of his thighs  and traveled in the clear paths of the sky.                                               52
     
    Those trees which traveled along with him by the speed of his thighs, returned back after some time like the relatives who go with the guests and return after some time after the send off.                                                                                                                             53
     
    Those sala (possibly pine trees) trees which rose to the sky by the speed of the thigh of Hanuman accompanied him like the soldiers who accompany their king.                        54
     
    Surrounded by many types of fully flower-laden trees, the mountain like Hanuman was looking surprisingly wonderful.                                                                                     55
     
    Those well mature trees fell in the sea like the mountains slain by Indra[3] and drowned deep.                                                                                                                                 56         
     
    Hanuman who was similar to a cloud and  looked like a mountain surrounded by different type of flowers, buds , tender leaves and fire flies.                                                        57
     
    Those trees along with  heaps of  flowers from them which were uprooted by the speed of the thighs of Hanuman returned back to the water like the friends after a send off.        58                                                             
     
    The multi coloured  and different kinds of flowers   which were light by nature which fell of due to the fast movement of Hanuman, fell in to the sea.                                            59
     
    Because of them the great sea glittered  like a sky full of stars                                        60
     
    In addition , decorated by the series of multi coloured mountains which were falling behind, Hanuman looked like a streak of lightning in front of clouds which travel at a great height.                                                                                                                     61
     
    Strewn by the great speed of Hanuman the flowers which fell on the water looked like the sky strewn with millions of stars.                                                                                     62
     
    The great storm  generated by his travel  attracted greatly the clouds, which were shining once in a while due to lightning.                                                                                      63
     
    The sky with clouds which were rising high, and the water filled ocean moving by tides of great speed looked alike.                                                                                              64
     
    Pointing high towards the sky, those two hands of Hanuman looked similar to two five headed snakes coming out of the peak of mountains.                                                    65
     
    That great monkey appeared as if he was preparing to drink the great ocean full of high tides and also as if he was wishing to drink the sky also.                                            66
    ( since he was moving up and down, it appeared at one moment that he was trying to drink the sea and at another moment the sky)
     
    The two eyes of Hanuman who was traveling in the sky  appeared as if they were shining like two mountain fires at two different points.                                                              67
     
    The two big yellow eyes of the chief of the monkey , shined like the moon and sun in the solar system.                                                                                                                    68
     
    His face which appeared reddish by his large red nose, looked similar to the sky with a red setting sun.                                                                                                               69
     
    His tails, which were held aloft in the sky, looked like Indra’s flag held aloft in the sky.
                                                                                                                                           70       
     
    With his white sparkling teeth ,the famous and wise son of Wind god in the round created by his tail,  looked similar to the sun framed by his halo.                                            71
     
    His reddish behind appeared as if it is a reddish laterite split mountain.                       72
     
    The wind passing through the armpits of the monkey who was crossing the sea made thunderous swooshing sound made by the clouds.                                                        73
     
    That monkey hero appeared like a comet with a tail traveling through the sky.              74
    (This was a bad omen to the people of Sri Lanka)
     
    The great statured monkey who was equal to the rising sun shined  with his waistcloth like an elephant.                                                                                                         75
     
    With his great body floating in the sky and its reflection in the depths of the ocean, the monkey looked like a ship being driven by the wind.                                                76
     
    Whichever part of the atmosphere he traveled , that portion appeared greatly agitated by the speed of his body.                                                                                                 77
     
    That monkey who was traveling with great speed  was beating away the high tides of the sea by his immense chest.                                                                                                78
     
    The speed of the wind generated by the moving monkey as well as the moving clouds twisted the sea greatly. By their great sounds.                                                             79                       
     
    That monkey who was dragging with him the great tides of the salty sea, traveled as if he was separating the land and the sky.                                                                             80
     
    Moving with immense speed and crossing the mountain(resembling the mount Meru) like high tides he appeared as if he was counting  those tides while  crossing them.             81
     
    The seawater thrown towards the clouds by the monkey traveling at great speed mixed with the clouds and appeared like clouds of the autumn.                                            82
     
    Those whales, crocodiles, fishes and tortoise which appeared above the water looked like human limbs when the cloths was removed from them.                                               83
     
    At that time the big snakes living in the sea seeing the flying chief of monkeys mistook him to be ,Garuda the eagle.                                                                                            84
     
    His shade ,which was ten yojanas[4] broad and thirty yojanas long ,appeared pretty over the water.                                                                                                                               85
     
    Broadly placed over the sea his shadow in the water appeared as if it was a  were a huge crowd of fish following him .                                                                                          86
     
    Hanuman who was very powerful , very huge  and a great monkey appeared as if he was a winged mountain floating in the sky without any support.                                           87
     
    That monkey who was very powerful  caused the sea to look like a mountain pass  because of the high speed he was traveling in his path.                                                 88
    (because of his great speed the water parted below him and was like a mountain pass)
     
    He traveled like the king of birds through the route in which the birds flew and appeared as if a fast moving wind was dragging the clouds.                                                        89
     
    The huge clouds attracted by the monkey shined with colours of white, red , blue and yellow .                                                                                                                  90
     
    He appeared as if he was a moon which is traveling through  the cloud being hid at times and being seen at times.                                                                                                    91
     
    The Devas, gandarwas  and Danavas[5] rained flowers on the fast flying monkey.            92
     
    Then as if to aid the work of Lord Rama, the sun did not scorch him  and the wind made a pleasant atmosphere round him.                                                                                       93
     
    The sages praised the monkey who was traveling with great speed and also the Devas and Gandharvas  sang in praise of the great one.                                                                   94
     
    Seeing the monkey did not appear tired by his exertions, Rakshasas and Nagas, Yakshas and devas praised him with glee.                                                                                       95
     
    When the great monkey was traveling thus the God of the ocean thought of methods of honoring the descendent of Ikshu Vaku.                                                                            96
    (One of the well-known forefathers of Lord Rama)
     
    He thought that if he did not help Lord Hanuman in his effort all those who can talk would speak ill of him.                                                                                                97
     
    Since the Sagara kings belonging to the Ikshu Vaku clan raised him and Hanuman was helping their descendent , The God of Ocean thought that Hanuman should not get tired.
                                                                                                                                            98                                                                                                                                       
    ( Bhageeratha one of the forefathers of Lord Rama brought water from the head of Lord Siva to the dried up sea so that Bhageeratha’s  ancestors should get salvation from their sins and thus filled up the sea)
     
    He thought that he should take suitable action, which would refresh  Hanuman and also provide him with rest so that he can cross the remaining distance easily.                    99
     
    Thinking properly like this,  the God of the ocean spoke to the mountain Hiranya Nabha(Golden bellied) also called as Mainaka (son of Mena)who was hiding within him.                         
                                                                                                                                           100                                                                 
    (He was the son of Himalayas and his queen Mena)

    Offline adwaita

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    • Blessings 12
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    Re: SUNDERKAND
    « Reply #8 on: June 16, 2008, 08:08:50 AM »
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  • “Hey1 mountain chief, you have been appointed over here to monitor the entry of Asuras living in Patala[6] by Indra, the king of Devas”.                                                          101
     
    “You are standing  here closing the way to prevent them from  come up  by  those powerful ones living in the vast Patala “.                                                                102
     
    “Oh! Mountain , only you have the power to grow sideways and also bottom to the  top. Hey, mountain chief, it is because of this I have come here to speak to you, please get up.”                                                                                                                               103
     
    “This monkey chief Hanuman is flying in the sky with great valor for doing a dangerous errand to Lord Sri Rama. He is now going to come  just above you”.                       104
     
    “ I need to help him for all the descendents of Ikshu Vaku are worth worshipping by me and  therefore they are fit to be worshipped by you also.”                                         105
     
    “We have to do good  and we should not leave it undone for duties  performed at the correct time brings bad name to good people. “                                                   106
     
    “ Raise up above the water level and let the great monkey who is our guest who is fit to be worshipped stand on you for some time.”                                                              107
     
    “Oh mountain with golden peaks, which are served by devas and Gandharvas., let Hanuman take rest on you and go refreshed  his remaining way”.                          108
     
    “You should know the good qualities of Lord Rama, the parting pangs of his wife Sita and also tiredness of Lord Hanuman, and try to raise up fast.”                                      109
     
    The Mainake Mountain which was full of forests, climbers and golden peaks listening to the words of the ocean rose up fast.                                                                               110
     
    That Mainaka Mountain which was rising very high looked like the glittering Sun God with his rays coming out piercing a thick cloud.                                                           111
     
    That mountain which had great fame, ordered to thus by the God of ocean within a very short time exhibited its peaks outside the water.                                                           112
     
    Those peaks which were golden, pointed and very great ,resembled the rising Sun God and appeared as if  they  were rubbing the sky, and the deep blue sky tinted by the sparkling golden peaks looked as if it has become golden in colour.                    113-114
     
    The mountain which had  several peaks of  innate glitter  and of sparkling gold colour resembled hundreds of Suns.                                                                                       115
     
    Rising above by itself in the middle of  salty ocean and standing in front of him, Hanuman thought that it was an obstacle.                                                                   116
     
    That fast moving monkey chief easily brushed  off  its  tall peaks as if wind brushes of  the cloud.                                                                                                                       117
     
    That mountain which was pushed aside by the monkey, was astonished by his strength and also became happy because of it.                                                                          118
     
    That mountain which stood tall in the sky, became happy and took a human form, stood on his own peak and said as follows to the valorous monkey:-                                   119
     
    “Hey great monkey you have done some thing which other people cannot do.”        120
     
    “Please get down on to my peaks and relax.”                                                               121
     
    “The ocean was remade by the ancestors of Lord Rama, and the Ocean God worships you who is engaged in the job of helping Rama as an act of gratefulness.”                         122
     
    “We always have to repay, the good done to us. This is the perennial duty of our religion. So he wants to help you and make you beholden to him.”                                123
     
    “He requested me with respect to provide a resting place to you in my pleasant valley so that you need not jump at a stretch the one hundred yojanas and then easily jump the rest of the way. And so hey,  great monkey you please stay on me for some time, take rest and then proceed.  “                                                                                                      124-125
     
    “Hey monkey chief, savour the very tasty roots and fruits lovingly offered by the God of Ocean , and you can proceed very much refreshed soon.”                                            126
     
    “ Hey monkey chief, you know that receiving and showering hospitality on good people is a blessed act in all the three worlds and apart from that,  you do have another connection with me.”                                                                                                   127
     
    “Hey monkey chief, I consider you the greatest among all those monkeys who can move fast and jump very high.”                                                                                           128
     
    “It is well known that those  learned ones who desire to perform right full acts , that even if a guest is not a great one he is fit to be  worshipped. Then what to say when the guest happens to be a great person like you.”                                                                    129
     
    “Hey great monkey, you are the son of Vayu (the wind god) who is great among the devas and equal in speed to him.                                                                             130
     
    “Hey holy one, if you are worshipped the Wind God receives it himself and please also hear about another reason why you are fit to be worshipped by me,”                       131
     
    “Hey son, during Krutha Yuga Mountains also had wings and they were traveling to all places like Wind and Garuda.”                                                                                    132
     
    “Because the mountains were traveling all over the great sages  and society of devas who were with them as well as all living beings, were terror struck because of the fear that these mountains may fall on them.”                                                                            133
     
    “Because of this reason, Devendra who had done one hundred fire sacrifices, became enraged and starting to cut the wings of the mountains in to pieces in different places using his Vajrayudha[7] (Diamond equipment literally). “                                     134
     
    “That angry Devendra intent on cutting my wings neared me  but the great wind god blew me away fast from that place. “                                                                          135
     
    “Your father pushed me inside this salt sea without any harm coming to my wings and thus,  I alone was saved.”                                                                                              136
     
    “And so I worship you because  I should have worshipped  the God of wind. And Monkey chief , you know that this connection  between both of us is really great.”      137
     
    “And so Monkey chief , because of this accept the hospitality provided by me and the Ocean God and bless us.”                                                                                        138
     
    “Hey chief of monkeys, relax and take rest and accept our worship, and also accept our love. and I have become happy by meeting with you. “                                         139
     
    Thus told by the great mountain the great monkey said” I am pleased with your hospitality. You have provided all the hospitality to me and I have accepted it.” 140
     
    “The time for performance of my duty is getting over and also the day light hours are nearing to an end. Apart from this I have given my word that I will not tarry in between doing this great work.”                                                                                               141
    (See the 46th stanza of this chapter)
     
    Thus telling the valorous monkey chief  Hanuman patted the mountain on its peaks and with a smile re entered the sky and recommenced his journey.                                   142
     
    That monkey who was the son of wind God was seen off  with respect by the mountain as well as the ocean and was worshipped by them by suitable wishes.                            143
     
    After this he left the mountain and ocean and traveled high and started to go forward by the path of his father and started traveling in the clear sky.                                        144
     
    The son of Wind God further rose up and moving in the right direction and started traveling without any support in the clear sky.                                                   145             
     
    Witnessing this almost impossible second act being performed, all Sidhas, devas and sages appreciated him.                                                                                          146
     
    Seeing the great act of the golden peaked Mainaka mountain, all the devas and Devendra who were there in the sky, became extremely happy.                                          147
     
    The great Indra with his ebbing happiness and with stuttering voice due to that  told the following words  to Mainaka ,the mountain chief.                                                    148
     
    “ Hey golden peaked king of the mountains, I have become very pleased with you.”     149
     
    “Hey , pleasant one I have given you my protection.”                                              150

    Offline adwaita

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    • Blessings 12
      • Heaven
    Re: SUNDERKAND
    « Reply #9 on: June 16, 2008, 08:09:31 AM »
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  • “You have provided help in the right time to valorous Hanuman who is fearless even when there was a need to be afraid.“                                                                              151
     
    “This monkey is going in the service of Lord Rama who is the son of Dasaratha and because of your hospitality to him, I am extremely pleased. “                                       152
     
    Because of these words, the mountain chief understood that even Indra the king of devas was pleased with him and became very happy.                                                          153
     
    Thus the mountain chief stood there firmly and Hanuman was moving extremely fast over the ocean.                                                                                                         154
     
    At that time the devas ,gandarwas , siddhas and the great sages seeing the fast moving monkey chief in the sky, told Surasa the mother of Nagas (serpents) who had the splendor of the Sun thus.                                                                                                              155
     
    .”This great Hanuman who is the son of the god of Wind is flying over the sea. Please take a ferocious rakshasa form which touches the sea, which is like mountain and  with red eyes and vampire like teeth and delay his progress.”                                      156-157
     
    “ We want to know (test)  for the second time,  his strength and virility and also would like to see whether he will win you over by trick or become dejected.”                      158
    (though they had an inkling of this from his behavior with Mount Mainaka, they wanted to reconfirm)
     
    Thus requested and respected by the devas, Surasa devi took an unusual ugly fear creating form which is more suitable to the rakshasas  and stood in the middle of the sea and neared Hanuman and spoke to him thus:-                                                   159-160
     
    “Hey monkey, you have been allotted as food to me by the devas and so I am going to eat you. Enter my open mouth.”                                                                                         161
     
    Thus spoken to the great Hanuman,  saluting her and with a pleasant face spoke to her thus:-                                                                                                                              162
     
    “Rama the son of Dasaratha came to the Dandakaranya forest along with his brother Lakshmana and his wife Sita and was living there.”                                                    163
     
    “He earned the enmity of Rakshasas and when he was otherwise engaged, Ravana abducted his wife the renowned Sita.”                                                                       164
     
    “As per the orders of Rama I am going as an emissary in search of her. You who are a citizen in the kingdom of Rama are  also  bound to help him out.”                             165
     
    “Or else I promise you that after seeing Sita and also Rama who is very  much worried, I would come to you and reach your mouth.”                                                                    166
     
    Thus requested by Hanuman, Surasa Devi who could take any form she wished , said to him” None can cross me and this is a boon given to me by the devas.”                     167
     
    With a desire to know the strength of Hanuman, Surasa Devi the mother of Nagas further said” You can only go from here after entering my mouth. This is a boon given to me by Lord Brahma. “Saying this she enlarged the size of her mouth greatly opened it wide and stood before him.                                                                                        168-169
     
    Angered by the words of Surasa, Hanuman told her “ Make your mouth suitably big so that you can swallow me.”                                                                                      170
     
    Telling her thus, Hanuman became ten Yojanas big as Surasa was at that time ten yojanas big.                                                                                                                             171
     
    Observing that he has grown to ten Yojanas Surasa enlarged her mouth to twenty yojanas.                                                                                                                      172
     
    The very intelligent Hanuman seeing that she has opened her mouth to twenty yojanas, became angry and took up the form of thirty yojanas.                                              173
     
    Seeing this Surasa made her mouth forty yojanas wide.                                          174
     
    The valorous Hanuman became fifty yojanas big.                                                 175
     
    Surasa made her mouth sixty yojanas wide and Hanuman became seventy yojanas big.     
                                                                                                                                      176
    Surasa made her mouth eighty yojanas wide.                                                           177
     
    The mountain like Hanuman made himself ninety yojanas big.                                178
     
    Surasa Devi made her mouth one hundred yojanas wide.                                          179
     
    Very intelligent and wise Hanuman seeing the wide open mouth of Surasa with protruding toungue , very fearful and similar to hell, instead of increasing his size further, started reducing himself fast and like a wind driven cloud became as big as a thumb.                                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                     180-181
     
    With great speed, the great one  entered  her mouth and suddenly came out and standing in the sky itself  told the following words:-                                                               182
     
    “Hey  Dakshayani(daughter of Daksha) my salutations to you. I have entered your mouth and so taking this as the truth, allow me to go to the place where Sita lives.”            183
    (These words bring out the fact that Hanuman knew about her divine origin. This also is indicated by the fact that he saluted her-see Stanza 162)
     
    Seeing Hanuman like the moon which has come out of the mouth of Rahu, Surasa took her real form and told him, “ Hey, son, Her monkey chief, Let you have a pleasant journey and let your  errand be successful.. Please become happy after reuniting Rama and Sita.”                                                                                                          184-185
     
    All beings witnessing the third and impossible task of Hanuman and  praised the monkey chief and said “Great, great.”                                                                                    186
     
    Equivalent in speed to Garuda , he left the sea which is the abode of  Varuna and which was very difficult to cross, and rose above to the sky and traveled further.                  187
    ( Some commentators believe that Hanuman descended in to the sea, took bath and rose up, because he entered the mouth of Surasa.
     
    Hanuman then traveled like Garuda in the sky which is served by the rain drops, in which the birds live, peopled by Gandharwas like Thuumburu[8] who sing ragas like kaisika, in which rainbows exist, in which aero planes which  travel high on vehicles such as lion, elephant, tiger, birds snake and crocodile exist, which is well decorated, which is being lit by  fire of Vajrayudha , thunder and lightning, Which is populated by people who do good deeds and those great ones who have won over heavens,  Which is being constantly served by Agni the fire God who is being fed by the portions to be given to devas, Which is full with Sun, moon, planets and stars. Which is filled by sages, Yakshas, Gandarwas and Nagas, Which is really great, which is very clear, which is full, In which Viswavasu the king of Gandarwas travels, in which the elephant of Devendra travels, Which is the way of Sun and the moon, which does always good, Which is the roof constructed by Lord Brahma for all living beings and  Which is populated by great valorous vidhyadaras.
                                                                                                                                188-194
     
    Like the wind he also dragged the clouds with him.                                                195
     
    Attracted by the monkey chief the clouds shined in black and also red, yellow and white
    colours.                                                                                                                    196
     
    That monkey  who was entering and coming out of the clouds looked like the moon of the rainy season which is completely invisible and visible at different times.              197
     
    Hanuman the Son of God of wind, looked like a winged mountain visible from all places in the support less sky.                                                                                               198
     
    A Rakshasi(ogress) called Simhika who can assume any form she likes saw the fast moving  Hanuman and thought in her mind thus.                                                  199
     
    “ In the very long time which has past , only today I am going to eat proper and sufficient food for after a long time an animal of this size has come my way.”                      200

    Offline adwaita

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    Re: SUNDERKAND
    « Reply #10 on: June 16, 2008, 08:10:18 AM »
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  • Thinking thus in her mind she dragged Hanuman’s shadow  and once his shadow was caught Hanuman started thinking thus.                                                                      201
     
    “ Like a torrential wind of  the sea blowing against , a big ship slows it down, my strength has reduced and I am being stopped. “                                                       202
     
    Then the monkey peered all round, to the top, below and saw  a very large being floating in the sea.                                                                                                                      203
     
    Examining it carefully, he thought, “This must be the fearsome and big being , as told by the king of Monkeys Sugreeva, which can drag one’s shadow and I do not have any doubt about it.”                                                                                                                204
    (In Kishkinda Kanda in the forty first chapter Sugreeva describes about this Rakshasi to Hanuman)
     
    That wise and intelligent monkey recognized her as Simhika and started increasing his size like the black cloud in rainy season.                                                                    205
     
    Seeing the increasing size of monkey chief’s body, She opened her mouth ,which was like Patala and the sky very wide.                                                                           206
     
    Thundering like a series of clouds she started chasing the monkey.                        207
     
    That wise monkey saw her throat through her widely open mouth , he also saw the big size of her body and her Achilles Heel[9].                                                                   208
     
    Slightly reducing his body’s size, he fell with lot of force and like thunder in to her wide-open throat.                                                                                                              209
     
    The Siddhas and Charanas (celestial beings)  saw him vanish in his throat like the moon vanishing on full moon,  eclipse days                                                                        210
     
    With his sharp nails  he tore her Achilles heel  and with the speed of wind and mind came out of it .                                                                                                                    211
     
    The fearless monkey chief Hanuman thus killed her by his quick power of thinking, valor. and capacity to take right decisions at right time and started increasing in his size.
                                                                                                                                        212
    Because the monkey tore apart her chest she fell down dead in to the sea. Is it that Hanuman was created by Brahma to kill her!                                                             213
     
    Seeing how fast he killed Simhika, those beings who live in the sky told monkey chief  thus:-                                                                                                                           214
     
    “Hey , great monkey , you have now done a very great deed . A great animal is dead. We all wish you to complete the job that you have undertaken without any problems.  215
     
    “Hey monkey chief, if any one has  your four qualities of  valor, wisdom, intelligence and quick thought process, he would never face any problems in completing his job.        216
     
    Understanding the meaning of their words, respected by all of them, he reached the sky again and moved forward.                                                                                             217
     
    Once he completed traveling one hundred Yojanas, he almost reached the other shore and seeing in all directions he saw a very big forest.                                                           218
     
    Traveling in the sky itself  he saw the island decorated by very many kinds of trees, the Malaya Mountain and its sub forests.                                                                       219
     
    That heroic and intelligent Hanuman, examined the sea, seashores, the trees on the sea shore, the rivers, which were the wives of the sea and  ports as also his big cloud like body, which was hiding the sky and thought.                                                           220-221
     
    “ Seeing the big growth of my body and its torrential speed, the Rakshasas would get curious about me”. Thus thought the monkey chief.                                             222
     
    He then reduced his mountain like size of his body, and took his real form like, the great sage  from whom ignorance has been removed.                                                     223
     
    He further reduced his size and resembled the great Vamana who destroyed the pride of King Mahabali by measuring three steps.                                                              224
     
    That Hanuman who can assume many pretty forms reached the sea shore examined his stature himself and thinking about the job that he has to do ,  assumed a form that is suitable  for the job and became one who cannot be defeated by others.              225
     
    From there  the great Hanuman who was like a big mountain range landed in the Lamba (hanging) mountain, which had pretty  fertile peaks full of pandanus , coconut and Karnikara (some herb) plants.                                                                                226
     
    That Hanuman reached the seashore  and saw the city of Lanka, which was on the Trikoota(three spire) mountain and reduced his stature to the minimum required size  and bullying  the animals and birds jumped from the mountain.                                    227
     
    Hanuman with his immense strength crossing the  great ocean, which was populated, by Danavas and Pannagas jumped on the other shore and saw  The city of Lanka which was similar to the city of Amaravathi, the capital of Indra.                                           228
     
                            Thus ends the first chapter of Sundara Kanda which,
                   is in the Ramayana which is the first epic written  by Valmik

    Offline adwaita

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    Re: SUNDERKAND
    « Reply #11 on: June 16, 2008, 08:11:12 AM »
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                                                  Second Chapter
                                Entering in to the city of Sri Lanka at night
     
    (In this chapter the musings of Hanuman on seeing the city of Sri Lanka, his first impressions about it and his thinking on the strategy he has to adopt  is described)
     
    It is wonderful that the great one crossed the great ocean, which was impossible to cross, and  stared at Sri Lanka situated on the top of Trikoota Mountains.                               1
     
    By the rain of flowers shed by the different trees here and there, Hanuman who was decked by flowers all over after completing the task he has undertaken looked as if he was a victorious hero.                                                                                              2
     
    The truly heroic Hanuman though he had crossed one hundred yojanas did not know what is tiresomeness. Not only that he was not even breathing with effort..                              3
     
    “I can jump and cross several more hundred yojanas and so reaching the other shore of a sea which is only one  hundred yojanas is not a great job!” He thought.                            4       
     
    The great one among heroes  and the fastest among those who can jump,  crossed the sea and neared the city of Sri Lanka.                                                                             5
     
     He walked in to  the center of gardens  which had light bluish lawns, strewn with stones here and there and with dense population of trees                                                             6
     
    That very resplendent monkey chief Hanuman, went by the side of mountains full of trees  and forests in full bloom.                                                                                                    7
     
    That son of wind God , stood on a mountain with several peaks  and saw  the city of Sri Lanka laden with the gardens and minor forests .                                                            8
     
    He , the monkey chief , saw pine trees, Karnikara[10] trees , date palms, Priyala trees, lemon trees, wild jasmine trees, panadanus bushes(Thazham poo) , incense filled long pepper trees, kadamba trees , seven leafed banana trees, fully flowered asana trees, Kovidara trees, karavira trees, and also many trees bent with heavy load of flowers which were full of  birds and whose tips were being shaken by the breeze that was blowing all around, ponds  full of swans and ducks , lotus and lily flowers and many, many tree filled gardens which  flowered and fruited all round the year, many swimming pools specially constructed for play and also several pretty flower gardens.                             9-12       
     
             The great Hanuman then saw the beautiful city of Sri Lanka  which resembled the city of Amaravathi of the devas and which was being ruled by Ravana . protected on all the four sides by Ravana himself, fearsome archers,  and ever roaming Rakshasas because Sita was abducted and kept in the city, and which was  also protected well by moats full of  lotus and lily flowers and gold like tall walls all around. It also had mansions which resembled the planets the autumn sky, dazzling white elevated long wide avenues, strange golden tower gates decorated by climbers and other decorative items, many spires used to keep watch on the enemies from out side, flags  and other banners..
                                                                                                                              13-18.
     
    That monkey chief  thought the city, which was built on the mountain as a city with white and regal houses , which were floating in the sky.                                                            19
     
    He saw the city built by Viswa Karma(the architect of Devas) and ruled by Ravana was flying in the sky.                                                                                                            20
     
    He approached the northern gate of Sri Lanka whose fort aments appeared as if they were the waist, whose  moats appeared as if they were dresses, whose guns and spears appeared as if they were the hairs and  whose  spires appear as if they were the ear studs and which was constructed by Viswa Karma after deep thought, which appeared as tall as the Kailasa mountain(abode of Lord Siva) and  which appeared as if it was touching the sky, and whose buildings are constructed  one over  another so that  it appeared  as if the whole city was flying, which was thickly populated by terrible Rakshasas like the city of Bhogavathi which was  populated by Nagas, which is strongly built, which does not have dirt, which was once occupied by Lord Kubera, which is protected by several valorous Rakshasas who were armed with spears and long swords similar to a cave being protected by serpents and which can never be evaluated as to what it is and started thinking.
                                                                                                                                    21-25                                                                                                                                                                         
     
    Observing the fierce security , the sea and the terrible enemy Ravana, the monkey started thinking.                                                                                                                26
     
    “Even if the monkey army reaches here it would not be of any use, for even devas cannot wage a war and win over Lanka.”                                                                                    28
     
    “Even if Rama reaches  the very peculiar city of Sri Lanka which is really impossible to enter and is ruled by  Ravana, what possibly can the great warrior do?”           29
     
    “In case of Rakshasas, there is no point in talking to them in a friendly manner or with sweet words nor can they be corrupted by money and nor is it possible to make them fight against each other and the only option of war cannot even be thought of as a possibility. “                                                                                                            30
     
    “This is because only  Angadha the son of Bali, Neela the monkey chief , the heroic king Sugreeva and myself  can enter this city.”                                                                   31
     
    “:Let me find out whether Sita the daughter of Janaka is alive or not and after seeing her I can thinking  of  a strategy.”                                                                                              32
     
    “I can not enter this city of Rakshasas  and which is protected by them in the present form”                                                                                                                                33
     
    “These Rakshasas  are highly valorous, very strong and greatly heroic  and so can only be deceived by me who am searching Sita.”                                                                          34
     
    “ I should search the city of Sri Lanka with an almost invisible form  and  that too in the night because for completing this great deed , it is the most appropriate time.”               35
     
    Knowing that , even Devas and Asuras would find difficult to enter that city, Hanuman took several deep breaths and started thinking.                                                               36
     
    “What trick should I employ to search so that I would not be visible to Ravana the bad Rakshasas?”                                                                                                                      37
     
    “The job which I have taken oath to complete should certainly be done and  also I should be able to talk with the daughter of Janaka alone” thought he.                                     38
     
    “When a job has to be done , sending a messenger who is unstable and  who cannot do the proper thing at the proper time, is like having darkness at dawn.”                        39
     
    “Even after  knowing well as to what has to be done and what should not be done, there is no possibility of completing the job if the messenger is over confident  and thinks that he  only can complete the job.”                                                                                          40
     
    “How will the job be completed properly? How no problems will crop up preventing its completion? And what should be done so that crossing of the great ocean does not become a waste?”                                                                                                    41
     
    “Suppose I am seen by the Rakshasas  then the wish of Lord Rama to Kill Ravana can definitely not be done. “                                                                                             42
     
    “Even if one takes the form of Rakshasa  is it possible to hide from these Rakshasas and if it is in any other form this task would definitely not be done.”                                  43
     
     
    “I know the fact that even the God of Wind cannot move here unhindered.. Is there anything that these powerful Rakshasas do not know?”                                          44
     
    “If I remain here with my present form I will be destroyed and Lord’s mission will surely fail.”                                                                                                                           45
     
    “So I will go as a dwarf  but in my present form  and enter the city at night to complete the mission of Sri Rama.”                                                                                           46
     
    “After entering the unapproachable city of Ravana, then I can search all houses and buildings for the daughter of Janaka.”                                                                      47
     
    At that time thinking thus , anxious to see Sita (daughter of  King Videha) He started waiting for the sunset.                                                                                               48
     
    After sunset  and in the night Hanuman the Son of God of wind, assumed a very minute strange form as big as a cat.                                                                                     49
     
    That valorous Hanuman jumped and entered with lot of speed the beautiful city with clearly demarcated  avenues .                                                                                   50

    Offline adwaita

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    Re: SUNDERKAND
    « Reply #12 on: June 16, 2008, 08:11:41 AM »
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  • That monkey saw that big city which resembled the city of Gandarwas which was full of palatial buildings built on pillars inlaid with silver and gold, having windows made of gold, having seven to eight stories and having floors decorated by gold and crystal.
                                                                                                                                 51-52
     
    Diamonds and other precious stones decorated those grounds of the houses of Rakshasas and several garlands of pearls were used to decorate them.                                  53
     
    The strange wall hangings  made of gold , which was used to decorate all over, the city by the Rakshasas made the city glitter in eminence.                                                   54
     
    Though the Great monkey became happy on seeing the city which had very big white buildings which had windows made of gold of the purest quality, which was surrounded by very powerful night patrol, which was being protected by the great valor of Ravana, which cannot be described by ones thought process and which is surprisingly beautiful.
    he felt dejected because he was mainly interested in seeing Sita..                           55-56
     
    The moon also making up his mind to help Hanuman, rose up along with its thousands of rays  ,decorating  the roof of  the world with moonlight , in the middle of the stars and along with them.                                                                                                      57
    (note: that before this the ocean, God of wind and Sun were trying to help Hanuman)
     
    That monkey hero saw the moon who was having the luster of a conch, having the colour of milk and lotus stem and who was shining above  as if he was a swan swimming in the lotus pond.                                                                                                              58
     
     
              Thus ends the second chapter of Sundara Kanda  which
         is in the Ramayana which is the first epic written  by Valmiki.
     


    Offline adwaita

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    Re: SUNDERKAND
    « Reply #13 on: June 16, 2008, 08:12:18 AM »
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  • Third Chapter
                                               Third Chapter 
                                 Victory over the goddess of Sri Lanka
    ( The  stopping of Hanuman by the Goddess of Lanka  and his victory over her)
     
    Hanuman the monkey chief   who is the son of the God of Wind  , who is remarkably intelligent and strong,   and who was on the Lamba mountain which was as big as a cloud ,prepared with courage to enter the city of Lanka which had pretty gardens and lakes and  which was also protected by Ravana .                                                                              1-2
     
    Hanuman saw the city  which was shining like the clouds of autumn,  which had the booming sound of ocean, where sea breeze  wafts continuously,  , which was similar to Alakapuri the capital of  Kubhera[11], which was full of enthusiastic army, which had very regal and pretty tower gates, which had a white decorated gate way, which was protected like Bhogawathi the city of serpents, which was great, which was having clouds like the streak of lightning, which reached up to the path of stars, which was similar to Amaravathi the city of Devendra, which had cool breeze, which was surrounded by big golden walls, which had the jingling sound of bells, and which was decorated by flags, 
    again and again and with thoughtful surprise  neared it and with happiness and force jumped and climbed its walls.                                                                               3-8
     
    Hanuman saw with pleasure  the city of Sri Lanka .which had Gates made of gold, which had  floors on which precious gems were embedded, which had majestic towers that appeared to fly and  were made of gold in which diamonds, crystals, pearls and other precious gems were embedded, which had courtyards and houses made of molten gold and decorated by silver and thus appearing white , which had steps  made of precious gems interspersed with powder of crystals through which swans walked hither and thither, which was filled with sounds of Krouncha (mythical birds) birds and pea cocks , which had  many musical instruments which  when played were making  reverberating sounds and which was like the city of Indra touching the sky .                             9-12
     
    That heroic Hanuman seeing the splendorous , rare and richly endowed  city of the chief Rakshasas thought like this.                                                                                       13
     
    “Protected by the army of Ravana which has kept all arms in readiness, this city  can not be conquered  by anyone using his strength.”                                                            14
     
    “This perhaps can be entered only by the famous Kumuda, Angadha, the great monkeys Sushena, Mainda and Dwividha .                                                                            15
     
    “This could be entered  possibly by Sugreeva the son of Sun, Kusa Parva the monkey, Jambhavan the bear, Kethumala and myself.”                                                               16
     
    “He then remembered  about the great valor and masculinity of the great heroes  Rama and Lakshmana and became pleased.”                                                                          17
     (Though the above monkeys were  capable of entering the city, he was not sure that they would be able to conquer it and so the thought of these heroes pleased him)
     
    Hanuman saw that famous decorated city which had palace like buildings from which darkness was removed , which was complete and which did not  have any deficiencies and which looked like a young lady who wore  the glitter of gems as her dress, the pretty stables as ear studs and   who had the  workshops of the city as breasts.                18-19
     
    Then the city goddess took her actual form and  saw the very strong, monkey chief who was the son of the wind god   entering the city.                                                           20
    (This goddess called Lanka Lakshmi was earlier called Vijaya Lakshmi and was the keeper of the treasury of Lord Brahma. She was once careless and did not do her work properly. Brahma cursed her to become the watch woman of Ravana He also told her that on the day she is defeated by a monkey, she will regain her original form)
     
    That Goddess of Lanka City who was looked after by Ravana saw  the monkey chief and appeared with a grotesque face.                                                                                   21
     
    She stood in front of the valorous  son of wind god and with a booming loud voice spoke to the son of wind.                                                                                                        22
     
    “Who are you? Why have  you come here? Tell that which is the truth ,for then only  your soul will continue to exist”                                                                               23
     
    “This city of Lanka is protected on all the four sides by the invisible soldiers of Ravana and so definitely you cannot enter it.”                                                                          24
       (this Sloka also indicates that the Goddess of Lanka is immortal and hence would continue protecting it even if the soldiers were defeated)
     
    Then the valorous Hanuman replied to her who was in front of him,” I would tell the truthful answer to what you have asked.”                                                                   25
     
    “By the way who are you? Why are seeing me cruelly? Why are you dangerously bullying me? But also why are you standing near the gate?”                                      26
     
    That lady of Lanka who was capable of taking any form she liked hearing the words of Hanuman, addressed the son of wind God with hatred thus:-                                     27
     
    “I am one who obey the orders of Ravana , the all powerful  king of rakshasas and .  I cannot be won over by anybody and I protect this city.”                                           28
     
    “Hey monkey, you cannot enter here disregarding me. Now itself you are going to sleep after loosing your soul after I kill you.”                                                                       29
     
    “ Monkey, I am the city of Lanka and I alone guard it with utmost care and I am telling this to you only.”                                                                                                           30
     
    Hearing the words of Sri Lanka, Hanuman the monkey chief who was the son of Wind God, became sad and stood like another mountain.                                                    31
     
    He who is an expert  and  the greatest among those who can jump facing her who has taken a feminine form, spoke to her softly like this:-                                                  32
     
    “I am going to see this city which has forts, spires and towers. I have come here only for this as I am interested in it.”                                                                                          33
     
    “My coming to this city of Lanka is to enable me to see the gardens, forests ,fields and mansions.”                                                                                                                 34
     
    That Lanka Rakshasi who can take any form she likes, even after hearing the words of Hanuman, still spoke to him in a harsh manner.                                                        35
     
    “Hey bad monkey , without winning over me who am  guarding this city , you cannot enter in to  it.”                                                                                                         36
     
    Then the great monkey  facing the Rakshasi  told her, “Lady, I will just see the city and go away.”.                                                                                                                  37
     
    Then the Goddess of Lanka shouted uproariously and with great strength beat the chief of the monkeys.                                                                                                               38
     
    Having   been beaten by the lady of Lanka, that monkey chief who was a hero and also  the son of wind God roared in a very high pitch.                                                        39
     
    Then Hanuman forgetting himself because of anger, folding his fingers  hit her strongly with his left fist.                                                                                                           40
     
    Because he knew that she was a lady he did not show his anger too much.                 41
     
    That Rakshasi because of the fist punch suddenly fell down on the ground with broken limbs, horrible face and showed her real form.                                                               42
     
    Because of the knowledge that she was a woman,  seeing her fallen on the ground Hanuman looked at her with mercy.                                                                             43
     
    After this that Goddess of Lanka with stuttering voice and devoid of pride  told him the following words.                                                                                                              44
     
    “Hey, great hero, please show mercy on me. Hey ,Monkey chief who is soft by nature, please save me. Good people of great strength always are stable in showing justice.“    45
     
    (She indicates that the just people who are strong do not kill a woman)
     
    “Hey, very strong monkey chief, I am myself the Goddess of the city of Lanka and a great hero, and you have defeated me by your prowess.”                                              46
     
    “Hey, Lord of the monkeys, I am telling you truly about the boon given to me by Brahma himself. And so please hear.”                                                                             47
     
    “The day when a monkey defeats you by his prowess, then you please understand without doubt that bad time has come to the Rakshasas.”                                            48
     
    “ Hey graceful one, by your sight, I surely understand that the time has come to me.. Whatever has been told by Brahma is the truth for no change can come to it.”       49
     
    “The final end has come near to the bad soul Ravana and his rakshasas due to Sita.”                                                            .                                                                                                                                  50
    “And so monkey chief, enter this city protected by Ravana  and do there whatever you wish to do.”                                                                                                               51
     
    “So you who are the Lord of the monkeys, please enter this good town ruled by the Rakshasa king, which is badly affected by the curses, and search for the daughter of Janaka  properly..”                                                                                                    52
    (This clearly indicates that Sita was present in the city. The curse refereed to above is given by the bull Nandi Deva the vehicle of Lord Shiva   when he was jeered at by Ravana)
     
              Thus ends the third chapter of Sundara Kanda which
         is in the Ramayana which is the first epic written  by Valmiki
       
       Thus ends the sixteenth day story of Ramayana sung by Lava and               
    .                               Kusha in front of Rama
     
          Songs sung in   fourth  to twenty-fourth  chapters of Sundara Kanda by Lava and Kusha in front of Sri Rama at the place where AswaMedha sacrifice was being performed on seventeenth  day . The total verses sung on that day were 773


    Offline adwaita

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    Re: SUNDERKAND
    « Reply #14 on: June 16, 2008, 08:14:07 AM »
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  • Fourth Chapter
                                               Fourth Chapter 
                                       Travel inside the city of Lanka
                   ( Description of his impressions of the city of Sri Lanka)
     
    That Resplendent monkey chief and great Hero Hanuman winning over the great goddess of City of Lanka,   who in her valor could take any shape that she wishes, entered the city by jumping over the wall and not by crossing the gate.                                                     1
    (When your intention is to destroy the city , it is believed that you should not enter by the gate)
     
    Hanuman who always does good deeds  to the king of monkeys ,Sugreeva, entered the city and placed his left leg on the head of his enemy.                                                                      2
    (It is believed if your first step is of left leg , you bring calamity to the city/house)
     
    That monkey who was the son of the God of wind and who has entered the city at night, reached the main avenue of the city which was decorated by precious gems and flowers. and he saw round the city with extreme courage.                                                             3-4
     
    That city which was full of music created by drums and which was full of sounds of happiness, had a lot of great buildings with windows decorated by diamonds like the great elephant of deva loka and looked like the sky decorated by clouds.                5
     
    That city shined with the good  houses of the crowd of Rakshasas                                    6
     
    That city with buildings of the type Padmam (lotus), Swasthikam(like swastika) and with palaces like Vardhamanam(ever increasing) had many beautifully constructed good houses and shined greatly  like the sky by its clouds .                                                     7
     
    Hanuman who does only good service to the King of monkeys ,  with an intention of completing the work of Sri Rama,  completely saw that city which was decorated by pictures, garlands and ornaments and became happy.                                              8
     
    That Son of God of wind,  who was going from one house to another house  saw houses of many sizes and shapes all over.                                                                                  9
     
    He heard the three sweet musical sounds of Thara, Madhyama and Manthra, which emanated from head, throat and belly respectively from the voluptuous ladies who were like the Apasra (court dancers) of deva loka.                                                               10
     
    In the houses of Lords, sounds of  the waist belt, sounds made of anklets, sounds while climbing stairs. Sounds of clapping hands and enthusiastic shouts were heard here and there.                                                                                                                             11
     
    He also heard sound of chanting of Manthras(Sacred poems) from the houses of Rakshasas.                                                                                                                     12
     
    He also saw Rakshasas who were experts in the knowledge of Vedas and also them who were shouting poems in praise of Ravana.                                                                     13
     
    He also saw several spies among the great army of Rakshasa  who were standing round the main avenue of the city.                                                                                            14
     
    He also saw  those who were doing penance for performing Yaga, those with uncut hair, those whose head was shaved off completely, those who had covered themselves with hide of cow, those who had one hand full of Durbha grass as weapons,  those who had fire pits as weapons, those who had spear and thorn pointed stick as weapons, those who had ordinary sticks as weapons, those who had only one eye, those who had only one ear, those who had hanging stomachs and chests, those who were fierce looking archers,
    those who carried swords, those who had slanted mouth, those who carried pestle and mortars as weapons, those who were handicapped, those who were dwarfs, those who carried big steel rods, those who shined in peculiar shirts made of steel, those who were not very fat,  those who were not very thin, those who were tall, those who were dwarf, those who were very white, those who were very black, those who were very hunch backed, those who were midgets, those who were ugly looking, those who were in different shapes, those who were handsome, those who were holding flags, those who were holding small flags, those who were  having trees and spears as weapons, those who were having mace as weapon and also those  who were carrying different type of weapons.                                                                                                              15-20       
     
    That great monkey further saw those who had in their hands rope and a stone, those who were wearing garlands, those who had applied perfumes, those who were wearing costly ornaments, those who were wearing different types of dresses, those who had joined the army in their free will, those who were carrying many sharp spears and those who were very strong people and  carried the Vajrayudha(ace made of diamond)                    21-22
     
    Before the harem  he saw lakhs of very careful sentries appointed by the king of Rakshasas.                                                                                                                 23
     
    Then the monkey chief saw the very famous and huge palace of the king of Rakshasas constructed on the mountain top, surrounded by walls and  moats full of lotus flowers  which had a very precious golden tower.                                                             24-25     
     
    The great monkey entered the beautiful palace of the king of Rakshasas which was pretty, which was similar to heaven, which was echoing divine sounds, which was full of sounds of horses, which had the jingling sound of ornaments, which was protected by chariots, palanquins, planes, wonderful horses bringing only good and  four tusked elephants which were like a series of white clouds and  which was decorated by thick fat animals and birds and which was protected in all sides by Rakshasas.                                26-30
     
    That Hanuman entered the harem of Ravana  which had surrounding walls made of gold and silver, which was decorated by  costly pearls and other precious stones and which was full of scented smoke emanating from good quality myrrh and sandalwood.       31
     
     
              Thus ends the fourth  chapter of Sundara Kanda  which
         is in the Ramayana which is the first epic written  by Valmiki.

     


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