Impact of Sundarakanda on my Life -Part 1

"sundare sundaro ramah sundare sundari katha

sundare sundari sita sundare sundaram vanam,

sundare sundaram kavyam sundare sundarah kapih

sundare sundaram mantram sundare kim na sundaram"

In the Sundara Kanda, Beauty is Rama, Beauty is the story; Beauty is Sita Mata, Beauty is the Asoka Vanam; Beauty is the poetry; Beauty is Maha Kapi Hanuman; Beauty is the mantra; What is there in it, which is not beautiful?

I have been reciting Sundara kandam for so many years. In certain situations where I cannot able to solve my problem; instead of just worrying and feeling helpless, the recital of sundara kanda is a great help to me to approach in a postive way. It is a treasure trove of power, while reading we can gain mental strength and spiritual support in difficult worldly situations. It gives me courage to face and overcome obstacles in life that never fail to inspire me every time.

  Sage Valmiki speaks about the achievements of Hanuman. For Hanuman nothing is impossible. His attitude always reminds us self-confidence, faith, devotion, fearlessness, and trustworthiness. The events in this chapter bring confidence and hope from all corners. This book outlines the good things one will get by reading Sundara-kanda and moreover, there are lessons to learn even on starting a new venture, planning techniques, overcoming obstacles, achieving success.

This is the most blessed Kandam or section in the whole of Ramayana and therefore it gains this unique name 'Sundara Kandam'. 'Sundaram' means beauty. Lord Hanuman's other name is 'Sundara'. In Sundara Kandam.It 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' mean 'section'. The sage has called this section a “beautiful section” because: - 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.

Sundarakanda starts in the background where in Sri Rama and Sita have gone through relentless troubles and difficulties in terms of the abrupt cancellation of coronation, banishment to the forests , the death of father Dasaratha , the abduction of Sita;When Sita was abducted by Raavana, Rama and Lakshmana went in search of her without any clue except the strong intuition that she could be found in the southern direction. Rama also had a gut feeling that Hanuman, the minister of Sugriva, might find Sita for him. Therefore, he handed over his ring to Hanuman to give it to her on finding her. It shows light to optimism and hope. It Teaches me Believe in your self – Trust your gut feeling. 

(to be cont....)