Hanuman Gazes at the Rakshasa Kingdom and Gets Amazed by Pushpaka

The fifth book Sundara Kanda is opened in the last post and we learned the first few chapters in it as well. The most famed book of the epic is on its way and it is my fortune to spread awareness, shed light through this medium. The first three chapters have explained Hanuman's flight to Lanka, his encounters with demoness on the flight, winning over them, reaching the shores of Lanka inspite of hurdles, getting startled at the beautiful fortress, worries about the seemingly daunting mission of finding Sita amid powerful Rakshasas, encounter with gaurdian Lanka and entering the impregnable kingdom. We have already seen how powerful the obstacles are and how Hanuman overcame them all. This sets the tone for the book, the mammoth epic encounters which Hanuman is going to face and win them all with his peerless strength. The mission is impossible for none except Him whose prowess gets the light of the day and meets the requirement of the task. We can look at how Hanuman penetrates the kingdom, studies it in following chapters.

In chapter 4, Entering Lanka at night by placing His left foot desiring the destruction of enemies, Hanuman hears various musical instruments being played inside. He also observes enemy forces and moves towards the royal gynaeceum.

Remembering the convention that forbade entry into enemy country through its gates, Hanuman climbed over its ramparts. And as his intention was to benefit Sugriva and harm Ravana he set his left foot first into that kingdom of the rakshasas, an inauspicious act supposed to bring bad luck to its ruler. Served by the winds and girdled by the blue seas, the splendor of Lanka was breath taking. 

Miles and miles of nature's incredible charms, manmade mansions, groves and gardens held Hanuman spellbound. Thoroughfares sprinkled with water scented with sandal had pearls scattered over them. In that city which rang with unceasing music and laughter, women roamed the streets filling them with the jingle of their jewelry and the swishing of their silks. Vying with those were voices that sang the chant of the vedas while some sang praise of Ravana. Pleased with himself for being in the domain of the demons, inviolable and inaccessible even to the gods, Hanuman looked forward to soon finding Sita. In that ambience of unsurpassed splendor walked men and women of peerless beauty who were pure, brilliant and intellectual. Women bright as the stars, with dark eyes, long lashes and skin that glowed like molten gold were ravishing. Some among them, the shy ones hid in the arms of their men companions, some sat on terraces with their mates while the brazen sang and danced with abandon and without restraint. All around, men were getting into drunken brawls as they insulted and abused each other in their intoxication. Lanka also had its share of good men, who were devout, intelligent and learned who commanded great respect. Hanuman saw the wicked, the ugly and the deformed whose evil minds matched their distorted bodies. Some wore skins while some wore nothing. Carrying clubs, maces, flashing blades and more, roamed the grisly legions. They came in all sizes, shapes and colours. There were the tall, the short, the dark and the fair. Some had matted hair, some were clean shaven while yet others had hair all over. There were one-eyed rakshasas, long eared rakshasas whose ears hung down to their knees, whose bellies and breasts were pendulous and whose fangs protruded fearfully. The hunch-backed, the ugly, the morbid and the handsome mingled with the beautiful, the intelligent and the vivacious to lend awe and diversity to the city of Lanka. 

Beholding the many wonders of the rakshasa stronghold Hanuman quickly slipped though its gate way and into the opulence of the home of Ravana, the lord of the rakshasas surrounded by lofty ramparts and pristine white lotuses floating on the dark fathomless waters of its moat. Eluding the watchful eyes of ferocious guards he had at last come to where he hoped to find Sita.

In chapter 5, Hanuman sees the denizens of the city of Lanka rendered beautiful by the glorious moon. Hanuman also become anxious as he had not been able to find Sita.

High above the island kingdom of Lanka rose the moon, whose luminance dispelled the sorrows of creatures and lighted up the flesh eating barbaric hordes below. Sweet music filled the air as chaste women with their husbands were lulled to sleep. Every home had horses, elephants, palanquins, and chariots boasted of untold wealth. It was the time of day when intoxicated demons were getting into drunken brawls. Some indulged in vulgar expressions, some ridiculed each other and some embraced their dear ones. Lanka also had its share of good men, who were honourable, respected and among the most intelligent of beings. Devout, pious and virtuous they took pride in their conduct. In the city where the beautiful and the ugly were so common, Hanuman saw peerless beauties shining like the stars. He saw the demure hide in the arms of their mates, while the brazen vaunted their armour. Everywhere in Lanka its citizens were either asleep, making merry or indulging in every possible pleasure. Countless were the faces whose beauty was enchanting, but Hanuman knew that Sita had to be more beautiful than them. Hopes of finding her were dwindling and his heart grew heavy at the futility of his search, as Sita, consort of Rama and jewel among woman who in her incarnation as Vedavathi had sworn to destroy Ravana, remained elusive.

In chapter 6, Hanuman moves about the city of Lanka, going from one house to another in search of mother Sita. He finds amazing wealth and riches abounding in that city of Ravana. He finally enters the huge house of Ravana.

Disappointed and unhappy about not being able to find Sita, Hanuman decided to scour Lanka once again. The fabulous palace of Ravana with its unrivalled splendor was surrounded by the most dreaded of rakshasas, who like lions guarding a forest, evoked terror in the hearts of their beholders. Hanuman stared like one hypnotised not only at the palace, but at the many mansions whose golden glow in collusion with the riches of gold, silver and gems was stunning and where resided the rich, the powerful and the elite of Lanka. In those royal homes and gardens including those of Kumbhakarna, Vibhishana, Indrajit and other rakshasa stalwarts did Hanuman seek Sita. Fenced in by lofty golden ramparts, guarded by fierce demon bands, Lanka teemed with beautiful women whose silks rustled and whose jewels jingled. Bustling with men fulfilling their duties, the opulence of the inner city was resonant with the chants at the ongoing fire sacrifices, the booming of drums and the blowing of conches. Divine fragrances of incense, sandal, unguents and the burning of scented lamps pervaded the air and amidst all that glory rose the palace of Ravana like a jewel among jewels.

In chapter 7, Hanuman continues his search for mother Sita in Ravana's inner city. He sees the aerial plane Pushpaka in Ravana's building.

Towering above everything else that dazzled and reached for the sky was the Pushpaka. Worshipped by the devas and asuras, white as mount Kailas it shot out of its home on the Trikoota mountain soaring towards the clouds and beyond. It is an aerial chariot created by Visvakarma for Brahma, who had gifted it to Kubera for his austerities. It was now Ravana's by the right of his might and symbol of his power. Seemingly suspended in the sky, that marvel made of silver, gold and gems from the earth, had windows of gold, with trellises of ivory, which were festooned with pearls from the deep blue seas. Embellished with every conceivable gem, the Pushpaka radiated with an unabated brilliance, like that of the Sun and its master Ravana, lord of the Rakshasas. In that vast expanse of riches crystal floors were studded with gems while carved pillars and stairs leading up its many floors flashed their share of precious stones. The floor was covered by an exquisite carpet designed to resemble the surface of the earth and from the roof hung shapes of animals crafted out of gold silver and gem stones. Those crafted like birds seemed to flutter around as they swayed gently, touched by wafting winds. Hanuman wandered through the myriad chambers of the Pushpaka each richer and fairer than the other, filled with art galleries, sporting houses and paintings depicting the many splendors of nature. Hanuman inhaled the air redolent with the aromas of food and drink, which like an old friend seemed to beckon him to where Ravana was. Thoroughly fascinated by the creation known as Pushpaka, Hanuman thought, "This must be the home of the gods. If this can be so interminably big, how much more so will be the palace of Ravana?" But beyond all that awe and bewilderment was the lingering sadness of having not yet found that worshipful consort of Rama, who in turn worshipped her lord, captivated by his charm and his virtue.

Chapter 8 describes Pushpaka in glorious and amazing detail.

Hanuman kept looking at the Pushpaka, which had come into existence by the peerless skills of that master architect Visvakarma. Not only could it fly in the skies with the speed of the winds but could also travel to the desired destination of its master without being told. No power on earth could stop it, nor could any number of travellers daunt it. No matter how full it was, there was always place for one more. Tearing his gaze away from that mesmeric sight Hanuman went towards the palace of Ravana whose roof gleamed with myriad gems while its interiors slumbered in the still of the night.

This concludes chapters 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 of Sundara Kanda where we had seen Hanuman studying Lanka in great detail surreptitiously. After entering the kingdom, the fear impossible for even gods, Hanuman examines its ways and means while also searching for Sita. The search is futile in many attempts and occasions. Men and women Rakshasas, their houses, their behaviour and the environment was described in some detail. Hanuman was hypnotized by the charm and riches on display. The wonder which is Pushpaka, an aerial chariot mesmerizes Hanuman which stands tall as a symbol of Ravana's might and power. While Hanuman gazes in awe and bewilderment, there is no end yet to his haunting sadness of mission left unfulfilled. The fortress that is Lanka, whose unassailable lord is Ravana, has been portrayed through the eyes of Hanuman and this will continue in subsequent chapters.

Beginning of Sundara Kanda, A Beautiful Book with Hanuman's Flight Into Lanka

A brief summary on last few chapters in fourth book - ‘Kishkindha Kanda’ from epic Ramayana is presented in last post. With this, the book on ‘Empire of Monkeys’ or Kishkindha Kanda effectively came to an end and we are now progressing to the beginning of most beautiful book in Ramayana - ‘Sundara Kanda’. Sundara Kanda is all about Hanuman and his exploits in Lanka. Hanuman will eventually become an inseparable, ardent devotee of Rama, but for now the stage is all set for his biggest imprint in his master's journey. A gifted Vanara with many boons, hidden intrinsic capabilities and many competencies, he becomes a major strength to Rama along with Lakshmana, which is going to be revealed in the Sundara Kanda. While 5 of the 6 books are named around the incidents or places, this book ‘Sundara kanda’ is named differently. It is called Sundara kanda, which translates exactly to ‘beautiful canto.’ 

The significance of Sundara kanda lies in its very naming of the canto by Valmiki. It is a canto that most people chant; it is a paaraayana grantha meant to be chanted. It is named so because of various beautiful components embedded in the canto. Firstly, if we look at it as a work of literature, it consists of beauty or aesthetics in the words employed known in poetics as sabda soundaryam or beauty in words, consisting of many figures of speech like alliterations. Then there are many poetic qualities employed by Valmiki in the meaning of the words with multiple meanings or subtlety, known as artha soundaryam, beauty in meaning. In Sanskrit literature poetics deals with the concept of Rasa, sentiment or emotion. In Sundara Kanda we find many descriptions expressing density of various emotions of love, anger, fear, repugnance, wonder and so on. This reveals rasa soundaryam or beauty of emotions. If we look at Sundara kanda as a spiritual text then we find the beauty of the divine in Sri Rama, beauty of the yearning of the soul in the form of Sita to join the lord and the beauty of Hanuman not just as a messenger but as an Acharya who unfolds the spiritual connotations of the canto to the readers; Paramatma, Jeevatama and Acharya soundaryam. There are 9 different aspects of beauty or Soundarya in this canto hence its name Sundara Kanda.

To summarize the greatness of Sundara Kanda - 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. Even without knowing much of Sanskrit meaning, this book is most widely chanted or suggested for chanting or paarayana in Ramayana. The presence of this holy scripture book in our home will itself bring good omens as per countless believers. Sundara Kanda is popular as an independent spiritual text often chanted by many devotees and often dealt with in discourses by Gurus. Thus, we are embarking on this holy mission to learn about this book with a divine connotation and many beautiful aspects submerged into one. Let us hope the study and spread of knowledge on this book will give us the auspicious blessings of Rama and his supreme devotee Hanuman.

 

In the conclusion of last book, we had seen Hanuman arriving at the scene to prepare himself to take flight and reach Lanka. He increases his physical appearance to great proportions to achieve the impossible as his accompanying Vanara troops gaze in wonder. Let us look at the first few chapters as this fifth book starts in the same moment from where it is left in the last one.

 

Chapter 1 of Sundara Kanda describes Hanuman's preparations to cross the ocean in search of Seetha. Mighty Hanuma's flight over the ocean is described in glorious detail. Hanuman's encountering of Mainaka, Surasa and Simhika form important phases of His flight.

 

Inspired by Jambavan and the cheering monkey army, Hanuman primed himself for the leap across the sea in search of Sita. Stretching his neck like a powerful bull he paced the emerald green slopes of the Mahendra Mountain, resplendent with the colours of its ores. Ready and raring to go, he joined his palms in salutation to his father Vayu, to Sugriva, Brahma, Indra and to all the creatures. He grew his body to astounding proportions, as Rama's mission needed utmost strength and power for its successful execution. Roused by the thunder of his tread, alarmed bird and beast set up a cacophony of noises and the pressure of his feet poised for the leap made the mountain famed as immovable, move. Boulders rolled down, gem stones, nuggets of gold and silver went flying out and beings big and small cried out their agony. Enraged serpents slithered out hissing to strike venomously at boulders which shattered into a thousand fragments. Mountain streams lost their way, hidden springs came spouting from their dark depths and undulating slopes were flooded with cascading waterfalls. Even the sages and Vidyadharas startled at the commotion left their homes.

 

Taking final leave of Jambavan and his comrades, Hanuman swore to uproot the very kingdom of the rakshasas with its ruler and bring it to Kishkindha if he failed to find Sita. As he rose into the vast blue expanse of the sky caught in his limbs along with him trailed uprooted trees, large bushes and ropes of flowering vine. Covered with those falling flowers and foliage Hanuman, the hope of vanaras and bane of rakshasas resembled a winged mountain. Racing down south like a blazing comet the tempestuous winds that he whipped up turned the sea below into a heaving cauldron. That flying personification of magnificence cast a shadow ten yojanas wide and thirty yojanas long on the blue waters below. The glory of it delighted devas, suras, asuras, men, animals and birds. The Sun subdued its fiery brilliance and the wind god tendered loving care. The sea god who prospered because of Sagara, an Ikshvaku ancestor beheld Hanuman hurtling past. Wishing to provide that messenger of Rama with some respite he asked the mountain Mainaka to surface from the ocean bed where it sat submerged. But even as the mountain rose, mistaking it for an obstacle the speeding Vanara pushed it aside with his chest.

 

Mainaka then appeared in human form to reverently invite Hanuman to be his guest, "The scriptures decree that a guest even if he be ignoramus should be worshipped and honoured. How much more should I revere you, who are an ocean of knowledge and so profoundly righteous? Worshipping you is like worshipping your father Vayu to whom I owe eternal allegiance and I will tell you why. In Kritayuga, all the mountains had wings and they flew the skies with speeds that defied the very winds and Garuda himself. Their furious flying around made the devatas and other creatures fearful, who worried about them accidentally crashing down to earth. When Indra noticed their fear he severed the wings of every mountain. I alone escaped his wrath as Vayu pushed me out of harm's way, into the sea". But Hanuman respectfully turned down the offer, refusing to neither rest nor relax until Rama's mission was accomplished.

 

As Hanuman coursed on relentlessly the gandharvas asked Surasa mother of the serpents and daughter of Daksha to test the Vanara messenger. To oblige them she transformed herself into an ugly monster and then grew and continued to grow until she stood blocking Hanuman's path. " The gods send you to be my food. Enter my mouth". She boomed." Devour me if you can catch me" countered Hanuman. Surasa opened her mouth, as wide as she could but Hanuman grew bigger and Surasa's mouth grew wider. This went on and when the demon had her mouth open like an endless cavern Hanuman shrunk himself to the size of a thumb and darted in and out of Surasa's mouth in a flash. Before the rakshasa woman could even bring her lips together Hanuman was on his way to Lanka. He had passed the test and his tormentor reverting back to her beautiful self, blessed him with success. The next hurdle that Hanuman had to face appeared in the form of Simhika a rakshasa woman whose ravenous hunger craved the Vanara's ample body as her meal. He made short work of that irritation by diving in and out of her greedy mouth severing her innards thereby destroying her.

 

Finally having braved mighty serpents, evil demons and intimidating seas, Hanuman neared the domain of his enemy. Girdled by blue seas and edged by golden shores, Lanka the strong hold of the Rakshasas hove into sight. Nestling high up in the Trikoota Mountains its slopes were covered with swaying coconut palms and its crest shimmered with the green canopies of mammoth trees. He also saw the shadow of his enormous form on the ground below and the amount of sky it occupied above. Not wanting to attract the unwelcome attention of the citizens of Lanka Hanuman grew thoughtful. Realizing the uproar his huge body would cause he decided to revert to the size of the Vanara from Kishkindha. He landed on Trikoota startling unwary denizens and feasting his eyes on the city whose breath-taking beauty matched Amaravathi, the city of the gods.

 

In chapter 2, the glorious city of Lanka and Hanuman's first encounter with it is introduced. The geography around the island where Lanka is located is described herein. The chapter also depicts the initial reaction of Hanuma on seeing the city and his initial thoughts about the feasibility of the task of overcoming the Rakshasas and Ravana to reunite Sri Rama with Mother Seetha. As the book progresses, we shall see how Hanuman overcomes these thoughts and moves toward achieving this task.

 

Not even a sigh escaped the indomitable Vanara hero as he quietly landed in enemy country. Surprised at himself for having achieved an almost impossible feat, without precedent so effortlessly, Hanuman walked through emerald green meadows, fragrant groves and wooded hillsides to reach the northern gate of the city. Lovely as Indra's Amaravathi perched on the summit of Trikoota, the incredible marvel was rampant with magnificent mansions and spectacular palaces that rose into the sky. Beholding its glory, bewitched by the evocative grandeur of its mansions, thoroughfares and gardens Hanuman stood spellbound. Going towards the northern gate of the city his eyes feasted on brilliant blooms and gleaning fruit that filled the air with intoxicating fragrances. In that city fit for the gods roamed rakshasas whose vigil was ferocious and weapons deadly, perhaps fearing Rama's arrows.

 

Lanka created by Visvakarma, once the home of Kubera, which he could no longer enter was now the impregnable, invulnerable fort of Ravana, king of the rakshasas. Hanuman was intimidated by what he saw and uncertain of what Rama and Lakshmana, though strong and valorous could ever do if at all they reached Lanka. Surrounded by the ocean, seemingly afloat in the clouds, secure in the embrace of lofty mountains, Lanka was well fortified. Golden ramparts, fathomless moats and deadly demon guards warded off every evil rendering that celestially beautiful city unassailable even to the very gods. Hanuman was dazed. There seemed to be no way of tackling the rakshasas. He knew that their cruelty would stand in the way of making peace with them, their wealth in the way of winning them over with gifts and their arrogant might in the way of vanquishing them. Shaking himself out of his dismal reverie Hanuman decided to first make sure if Sita was even alive. Committed with not only diligence but with reverence towards his mission, he wanted to achieve it as quietly and as discreetly as possible. For not even the wind seemed to escape the notice of the guards who held ready bows in eager hands. How shall I elude the sleepless watch of cruel eyes mused Hanuman. Dwarfing his immense form to that of a tiny cat Hanuman waited for the dark of the night. Soon the Sun disappeared into the orange glow of the western horizon and along with the dusky shadows of twilight he too slipped into Lanka's mesmeric magnificence. There he beheld gold and silver pillars that soared high and higher rose the seven and eight storied mansions impeccably white and embellished with gems of every hue. Hanuman was awed by the wealth of the rakshasas and bedazzled by its lavish manifestations. Though he quailed at the thought of ever subduing the powerful rakshasas he quickly got over it telling himself, "I, who have come to find Sita will surely see her." As if to aid and soothe him rose the moon shedding its luminance on the earth below. 
 

In chapter 3, Hanuman faces a guardian spirit Lanka, the city of Lanka herself in the form of a demoness.

 

Even as the moon sailed across the skies, Hanuman stood on the imposing golden threshold of Lanka. It's massive gates of gold had bells of gold which brushed by the winds from across the ocean composed constant melodies. The Vanara messenger stared hypnotized at the unending panorama of beauty and riches that lay before him. Every home was immaculately white, every one of them was adorned with gold, silver, pearls and gems, while large statues of elephants exquisitely crafted out of gold lent them their charm. Spectacular in its dazzling brilliance filled with bird, beast, lotus pond, the sound of music and the scent of a million blooms Lanka appeared truly celestial.

 

As Hanuman was about to step into the city, he was waylaid by the guardian spirit of Lanka and forbidden entry. She was in the form of a woman whose body was deformed, face hideous and fury frightening. Though Hanuman tried to impress upon her that he was there only to see the wonders of the rakshasa kingdom, Lanka was adamant and when asked, who she was the monster said, "I am Ravana's Kinkara and invincible guardian of his kingdom. How could you a mere vanara enter this invincible city? Never can you overpower me and never can you enter this domain." With that, roaring fearfully she hit Hanuman with her open palm. Quick as lightening and with equal ferocity retaliated Hanuman who even in his anger would not forget his nobility, which forbade the slaying of a woman. So though brutal, his blow was not fatal. The frightened demon hastily pleaded for mercy and told Hanuman that ever invincible she had never faced defeat. She also confessed that Brahma had once told her that a day would come when a Vanara would vanquish her and on that day would begin the end of Lanka. His predictions can never be defied. Stealing Sita, Ravana has brought doom not only upon himself but upon the very race of the rakshasas." She then permitted Hanuman to enter and search for Sita.

 

This concludes chapters 1,2 and 3 of Sundara Kanda where we had learnt about Hanuman’s flight to Lanka, his facing many an obstacles in between, his resplendent figure flying high evoking the admiration of devas, suras, asuras, men, animals, birds alike. The obstacles he faced included Mainaka, Surasa and Simhika which little tested his immense strength and astute faculties required for a mammoth mission. The Sundara kanda is filled with beautiful leelas that describe how Hanuman overcame all the obstacles in his path when crossing over the ocean, as well as after reaching Lanka. These obstacles emerged in the form of demonesses and demons who attacked him from the earth, ocean and sky. These are much celebrated as high story points and a victory of divinity over evil till date. Hanuman was aghast by the impeccable Lanka and the powerful Rakshasas but quickly recovers to find success in his purpose. He was destined to enter the impregnable kingdom as revealed by Brahma through demoness guardian Lanka. That time has come and the Vanara has arrived to vanquish the kingdom and begin the end of Lanka, for stealing the consort of Rama will spell nothing but doom. We can look at the further chapters of the mighty mission undertaken by just one Vanara, one mighty devotee of Rama in subsequent posts.