Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
as it houses rich treasure troves of religion, spirituality, Yoga, philosophy and devotion. However
Sanskrit has become non-spoken language in India but for a dozen speakers in a village in Karnataka.
Fruits of this rich treasure trove remain inaccessible to the commoners. Ethics and virtues gain wide
acceptance when taught in a language that people respond perhaps their mother tongue.
Medieval period in India witnessed onset of regional literatures. Local chieftains got translated
Ramayana in their respective languages. Kambar Ramayana is very first version of Ramayana
documented in regional literature. It was composed by a poet Kamabar in a period debated in-between
the 9th century to early 13th century. Kambars work proves to be a melodramatic version of sage
Valmikis epic. Queen Kaikeyee was portrayed as a negative character puffed with arrogance (Digh
Mata) in Valmikis work (Krithi:). On the other hand Kambar portrays her as an instrument in hastening
Lord Ramas mission to slay the demon king Ravana. In Kambars work Mandira or Kuni points out the
rift between King Janaka of Mithila and the king of Kaykeya to expel Lord Rama from Ayodhya. Valmiki
did not refer this incident anywhere in his play. In a colloquial version of Ramayana, Kaykeyee was
portrayed as a heroine willing to sacrifice king Dasharatha and Prince Bharatha for Lord Ramas
longevity.
Poet Tulasi Das has composed Ramacharitra Manas in Hindi extolling glories of Lord Rama. Hanuman
Chalisa composed by Tulasi Das is still sung by Bhajan singers in various temples and ashrams.
In all versions of Ramayana, major scenes remain unaltered though each poet invoked unique
documentation style in statements, nonverbal expressions and metaphoric representations. Sage
Valmiki is said to have lived during Lord Ramas time (Treera Yuga). Only a contemporary poet could
narrate a heros life history with least factual errors. Life is full of miseries. A suffering individual would
like to end sufferings by seeking divine blessings through ritualistic chants. In Ritualistic means,
Ramayana especially Sundarakaandam is recited by qualified priests with offerings such as cakes
(appoopam or appams), sweetened rice and porridges (Payasams or Prathaman). Exorcising rituals
inquisitive seekers may find many interesting aspects in Ramayana like management, public
administration, sociology and even Yoga. Yoga Vasishta in Uttra Ramayana is read, quoted and revered
for its philosophical verses. Transcending mere metaphysical interpretations, spiritual seekers find
nothing but devotion, faith and means to reach God. While various versions in Ramayana in Prakrith
dialects could bring a disbeliever to temple doorsteps, only Valmiki Ramayana instigates transformation.
Scriptures ought to be perceived with right focal perspective for transformation (Sumatim Bhajamahee).
It is interesting to note that compressed versions of Ramayana is also referred in Sanskrit literatures
such as Vyasa Bhagavatham (9th canto) and Narayaneeyam.
Sundarakaandam, in Valmiki Ramayana is recited with faith and devotion in many households and
temples in South India. Chanting of Sundarakandam is sanctified in Smartha, Sri Vaishnava and Madhva
traditions (Smapradhayas).
Introduction to Sundarakandam:
Valmiki Ramayana is segmented as Purva and Uttra Ramayana. Purva Ramayana is subdivided into
cantos such as Bala Kaandam, Ayodhya Kaandam, Aranya Kaandam, Kishkintha Kaandam, Sundara
Kaandam and Yudha Kaandam. Among all these cantos, only Sundarakaandam has a special reverence
in South Indian culture. Priests, saints and astrologers prescribe chanting Sundarakaandam as an
antidotes or remedial efforts to end crisis in Hindu houses. Compare Valmiki Ramayana with Vysa
Bhaghvatham. Among all cantos in Bhaghavatham, the Canto 10 enjoys a special status. Krishna is
Charismatic and so is his childs play. Obviously childs tricks capture the attention of every one. So
devotees are attracted towards canto 10 of Bhaghavatham especially the Bala Leela. Then why should
Sundarakaandam alone enjoy special status in Valmiki Ramayana? Why not Lord Ramas Bala Leela?
There are hand few Shlokas in Valmiki Ramayana glorifying Ramas childhood.
Life is a journey inquest of eternal bliss. It has to travel deep, wide, highly turbulent and impassable
ocean of mundane sorrows to reach its soul objective. A traveler needs a boat (Shastra), ore
(perspective) and skilled rower (Guru) to traverse that ocean. The skilled rower has to be paid for the
service rendered. Guess What? It is Beauty in Character. Sundarakaandam extols nothing but beauty in
character of two great apostles Sri Hanuman and holy mother Sitalakshmi. When a task is perfectly
done, it is said to be beautiful. Ignoring the gender difference (Pul-lingam or Stri-lingam), the Sanskrit
word Sundara is translated to English as Beauty. When the suffering is likely to end soon, individual
enjoys a sense of relief. Now the face is characterized with a radiating smile (Tejas). A radiating smile
and shining face portrays spiritual beauty as the soul is no longer under the control of pulling forces.
Mathematically change in the behavioural pattern of any curve is known as point of infliction which may
be pronounced as turning point or climax in any play. Sundarakaandam is that turning point in Valmiki
Ramayana. Imagine a hot summer season ending with rains. A rain in summer season is a welcome sign
characterized by cloudy sky, cool breeze and drizzle. At that time, just observe nature. Isnt beautiful?
Imagine pitch darkness. One may listen to chatter of birds when pitch darkness is slowly replaced by
twilight, sunrise and day break. Isnt beautiful? Pitch darkness is portrayed as sufferings in mundane
planets. Consoling words eases out sufferings and that of our fellow beings. Potent words in
Sundarakaandam solaces the agitated spirit as how Trishadas words comforted mother Sita.
Kishkintha Kaandam, ends with Vaanara king Sukreevas assurance to Lord Rama and Lakshmana to find
mother Sita. Various teams are sent in all the four directions. A crew comprising of Prince Angadha, Sri
Hanuman and Jambhavaan heads south. This crew meets Sampaathi, an eagle. Eagle spots the exact
location of Mother Sita in Ashokavanam. Bidding a farewell to that eagle, the team enters into a cave of
Tapasvini. Tapasvini teleports this crew to the seashore with her spiritual potencies. Lanka is an island
separated from the mainland by 100 Yojanas from the mainland. Prince Angadha should find a right
person to cross the ocean and locate mother Sitas message. If possible he should convey Lord Ramas
message to Ravana and citizen of Lankapuri. So he approached every Vaanara in that crew. As every
member in that crew had a limited caliber, responsibility of executing lord Ramas mission fell on Sri
Hanumans shoulders.
Ocean is too difficult to cross by the Vaanaras with their strategies like jumping and leaping. Sri
Hanuman was initially skeptical with his core competency. He was worried with consequences reaped by
King Sukreeva and Lord Rama, when his mission fails. Just compare Sri Anjeneyas lack in self confidence
with trauma experienced by Prince Arjuna in Kurukshetra battle field as described in Bhagavath Gita, Ch1. Jambhavaan reminds Sri Hanumans strength at the right time. Sri Hanuman had the potency to catch
the Sun with his hands. He was blessed by Brahma and Ashtadig Balakas. He forgot his strengths due to
a Rishis curse during his childhood. From that day onwards, Sri Hanuman indentified himself with an
ordinary monkey.
Sri Hanuaman alone would be capable perfectly doing the assigned task.
These words from transformed a monkey fearing its limitations into Sri Hanuman by activating his latent
potencies.
So, Angada rightly chose Sri Hanuman for this Lord Ramas mission.
What is Transformation?
A raw hand gains experience with training. An ignorant gets self illuminated with progress in education.
Mere watching is refined as observation and hearing is sharpened to listening through formal education.
Transformation is a process of identifying latent potencies, activating the potencies and harnessing
them for social welfare. In other words, transformation is not the end result but equipping ones self fit
to achieve the purpose of life. Sri Hanuman transforms from a monkey conscious of ones limitation into
a Vishwaroopi. Progress in Yoga is reflected in achieving many supernatural powers. Patajali Yoga Sutra
mentions few simple powers gained by a Raja Yogi. With further advancement of Yoga, a Yogi is capable
of mastering 8 different Siddhis such as compressing the body, expanding the body, making the body
light, capturing attentions and so on. Out of the eight Siddhis, compressing the body (Anima) and
expanding the body (Mahima) are invoked by Sri Hanuman to succeed in his mission. Sri Hanuman
encounters different individual in his mission and devices best tackling treatment suited for each person.
AS how a river flows touching both banks, the journey of life proceeds touching both the extremities. On
one end people should be submissive to get favours sanctioned and on the other end that same person
has to raise ones ego to commanding position for better task completion.
Certain tasks assigned to a person could prove to be impossible. There is no point in lamenting on fate
or pre-destiny on such occurrence or non-happening in life. Heroic deed is not committed by all though
a hero is just a being as other existence in this universe. It takes courage, presence of mind, self
confidence and sense of discretion to commit a heroic deed. An individual could be ordained by God
with a mission. External circumstances could be favourable or pulling down. Chosen people never cast
blame on God for premature failures in life. They inculcate aforementioned virtues to stage a best
performance along with the binding limitations. Jambhavaans words had activated Sri Hanuman to raise
beyond his limitations.
So, we praise Sri Hanuman as Asadhya Sadakam Swamin Asadhya Tapakimvara, Sri Ram Dootha Kripa
Sindhum Math Karyam Sadhya Prabho.
exact direction of the cow. He stuck to his resolution without bothering about the cows fate. The cow
was captured and slaughtered. With the passage of time, the Sanyaasi died out of age. Just guess the
verdict pronounced to the Sanyaasi on the day of his last judgment. The Sanyaasi was sentenced to
serve hell for not using the sense of discretion.
An aspirant may reconsider ones discipline when it fails to do good for his mission. Breaking vows are
permitted to restore virtues under exceptional situations. Any act committed out of excessive self
interest invites sin or virtue. When any act is committed to appease the divinity, then a devotee does his
job well with full faith leaving rest to God.
Sri Hanuman is a Naishtika Brahmachari, celibate vaanara for lifetime. He was left with no other option
but to step into certain chambers where Aryans do not set their foot. Though internal conflicts bothered
Sri Anjeneya for a while, he quickly diffused all conflicting thoughts and hastened his mission. Sri
Hanuman took a quick glimpse. He was happy as he could not find the holy mother in such places. Sri
Hanuman quickly meditated for a while. Mother Sita Devi is an incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi Devi.
The holy mother would stay only in sacred places. No force in this universe could mar her sanity. So Sri
Anjeneya took a huge sigh of relief and quickly moved out of such places.
Two types of Devotees:
Sundarakaandam mentions two distinct types of devotees a genuine devotee and pseudo devotee.
While the holy mother Sita Devi represents a genuine devotee, Ravana is a pseudo devotee. Sri
Vibhishna and Trishada are mere extension of good qualities exhibited by the holy mother in the
demonic clan.
Ravana is said to perform daily Puja in an orthodox manner. Then he would sing in praise of God. He
gained supernatural powers by pleasing God through sacrifice, bloodshed and showy means. After
prayers his mind is directed towards enjoyment. His reign is marked with cruelty, bloodshed, black-arts,
slaughter and abduction. His private chambers are decorated with golden roofing and silver staircases.
Flooring in every house in Lanka would be tiled by expensive crystals (Spatika Mani) with Pearl, coral
and precious gem mosaic mural decorations. His menu includes human flesh (Nara Mamsam) garnishes
with spicy sauces. Does it portray a modern five star hotel serving red meat? Sri Krishna mentions
different types of food chosen according to individual attributes (Triguna) and different modes of
worship adhered by each attribute (Bhagavath Gita, Chapter 16 and 17). Saatvic form of worship is
enjoined by God and accepted by Vedic scriptures. Only a Saatvic diet fosters spiritual growth. Bishma
experienced a tremendous spiritual growth after his diet was attended by Pandavas during his last days
(arrow cart).
Ravana like characters resorting to powerful penance, seeking boons and polluting the society would
never succeed in life. (Ezhlaat Kaalum Pazhipiloom Nangazhl Erakathar Vaazh Elangai).
Holy Mother Sita Devi is a personification of beauty, charisma, all kindness and forgiveness. Her stay in
Ashokavanam was marked by simple dress in absence of luxurious ornaments with a firm mind fixed on
Lord Rama. Every day, every wink of an eye was a punishment to her, by missing beloved Lord Rama.
6
Ravana use to threaten her daily and left her guarded by ghosts and evil manes. When Mother Sita was
firm in her faith, even in course of time in a hostile environment the furious Ravana came out with an
ultimatum. The guards used to threaten the holy mother quoting various forms of tortures pronounced
on rebels in Ravanas regime. The mother now lost faith in herself and decided to end her life rather
than falling a victim to Ravanas evil intentions. At that time Trishada, daughter of the most righteous
demonic prince Vibhisna wipes out the holy mother Sitas tears by narrating her consoling dreams. All
sufferings of the holy mother is likely to end as she had seen Ravana heading south with a tonsured
head on a chariot driven by donkeys. He is likely to fall into a bottomless pit. The dream potrays defeat
and death of Ravana and fall of Lankan demons. Trishadas words gave new hope to mother Sitatus
cementing the mothers faith on her lord.
As how sweet musical chipping distinguishes a Koel from a crow, faith segregates a devotee from a
disbeliever. The holy mother is identified as Sri Lakshmi Devi owing to her unshaken faith on Lord Rama.
We praise the holy mother with the verses in Sri Suktam as Vishnu Mano Anukule, Vande Mukunda
Priyaam and Vishno Priya Sakheem Devim.
Lord Anjeneya reaches Ashokavanam. He spots the grief stuck mother Sita Devi in a corner of that
garden. He quietly watches the verbatim between the holy mother and Ravana. Sri Hanuman sings
praise of Lord Rama in Ashokavanam to make Sita devi believe in his words. Sri Hanuman ji hands over
Lord Ramas ring (Anguleeyakam) confirming his mission. The mother now believes Sri Hanuman. Sri
Hanuman now requests the mother to accompany him back to Kishkintha. Mother politely refuses to Sri
Anjeneyas request. The holy mother used to resort to ethical means in freeing herself even from
infernal tortures.
Consoling words from Trishadha and meeting with Sri Anjeneya wiped all tears which rolled from the
mother Sitas eyes. She regained her lost glories. The mother gave her ring to Sri Hanuman and asked
him to inform Lord Rama that she would wait for one more month for Lord Rama to come and rescue
her. Failing which she would end her life in Ashokavanam.
Veera Hanuman:
Sri Anjeneya decides to convey Lord Ramas message to Ravana. Meeting Ravana is not as easy as
stepping in Lankapuri with a tiny form. Only way to meet Ravana is to capture the attention of the
demonic forces. Now he expands his body and uproots trees in Ravanas garden. The demons try to
capture Sri Hanuman but were of no match to his might. The news reaches Prince Akshaya Kumara who
takes a vow to capture the new intruder. Akshaya Kumara died fighting. Prince Meganatha, the eldest
son of Ravana was ferocious and takes a vow to capture Sri Hanuman and bring him before Ravana as a
revenge for his brothers death. He captures Sri Hanuman using brahmaastra. Sri Hanuman was brought
in front of Ravana. Sri Hanuman conveys Lord Ramas message to Ravana. Ravana becomes deaf out of
his own arrogance. A similar attitude was also exhibited by Dhuryodhana in Lord Krishnas negotiation
before Kurukshetra battle. Tail is used by animals for balancing in a chase or in jumping. Any monkey is
proud of its tail. Amputating a monkeys tail is as good a amputation of human limbs. Ravana decides to
punish Sri Hanuman by torching the tail.
7
proper Guru like Sri Hanuman ji to open our eyes. Please assure that our crisis would end soon and we
may enjoy nothing but eternal bliss.
The author had never read Sundarkaandam in his life. His intuitions compelled him to comment on this
scripture to restore tradition values in modern society. Kindly pardon him for misrepresenting scriptural
values in his work.
We seek nothing but thy grace to reach thy holy feet.
References:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.