About Sundarkand

The Ramayana has been divided into chapters as per the events and importance of the life of lord shri Rama. The chapters are

Balyakand Ayodhyakand Aranyakand Kishkindhakand Sundarkand Lankakand Utarakand

Sundarkand is the fifth chapter of the ramayana. Sundarkand is a beautiful, rhythmic verbal description of Sri Hanumanji. It comprises three shlokas (hymns of praise), six chhand (meters), 60 dohe (couplets) and 526 chaupai (Hindi poetic metre). Of the 60 couplets, the first 30 pertain to the description and character of Sri Hanumanji and the other 30 pertain to the qualities of Sri Rama. The word sunder meaning beautiful, handsome, virtuous, and good appears in 24 chaupai. Sri Hanumanji is the chief character in Sundarkand. Within Sundarkand there are several stories that encourage those with mental uneasiness to achieve peace and harmony.

It has been said after writing Kishkindhakand, Tulsidasji called Hanumanji by performing sadhna, upasana and aahwan. Sundarkand was written in presence of Hanumanji. At the end of writing Sundarkand, Tulsidasji requested shri Hanumanji to give blessings to the devotees who recite Sundarkand by freeing them from worries and problems, which was accepted by shri Hanumanji. Sundarkand sings the praises of Sri Hanumanji. It helps achieve all that is good and auspicious, both worldly and spiritual. Whoever hears it with devotion shall without any means be able to cross the ocean of life.

Sundarkand gives a beautiful description of Sri Rama's Duta (ambassador) Hanumanji's strength, knowledge and wisdom. With the blessings of Sri Ram he is able to cross the ocean in one leap. When faced by Sursa, who tested Hanumanji and Lankini, guarding the gates to Lanka, he successfully overcomes them and gains entrance. Although a bachelor, Hanuman conveys an emotionally charged description of Sri Rama's longing for her that helps Sita forget her own pangs of loneliness due to separation from her husband. On meeting Vibhishana, he uses the policy of winning him over to his side by causing dissension.

On meeting Ravana, he uses the policy of differentiation and discrimination. He also employs the policy of force to inflict punishment and attain sway in his favour. At the same time, he explains to Ravana how he could win the favour of the Supreme God. After obtaining Sita's blessings, he returns to Sri Ram to free him also from the longing of separation and motivates him to prepare for war. After this Shri Ram builds 'Ram Setu' and enters Lanka. Besides the beauty and inspiration of the verses, Sundarkand directs one towards attaining spiritual knowledge and is attractive to all from the worldly and spiritual points of view.

WHY IT IS NAMED "Sundarkand"?

Sunder range, one among three ranges of The Trikutachal Mountains at Srilanka, is place where Ashoka vatika is located. All the events took place at this region. Besides this Tulsidas has written:-

"Sundere Sundero Ram Sundere Sunderi Katha Sundere Sunderi Sita Sundere Kim Na Sunderem"

Shri Rama is beautiful, Sita is beautiful, the story is beautiful and everything describes or written is beautiful. A beautiful story of Shri Ram bhakt Hanumanji...

|| Jay Shree Ram ||

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