We had seen the search for Sita in the south travelling from hopelessness to finding new clues about her whereabouts. As it is the direction which Ravana took her away, the strongmen of vanaras including Angada, Jambavan and Hanuman were designated for the task but fails till they meet ancient bird Sampathi. This bird is also related to Jatayu, who was killed by Ravana when abducting Sita. Sampathi reveals Sita’s presence in Lanka guarded by dreadful Rakshasas. The bird comes as a source of hope and information for the tired Vanara troops who laments in many ways and begins fast-unto-death. The bird has the knowledge and vanara men like Hanuman has the strength and intelligence. Sampathi provides this valuable guidance to the matchless strength at a vital moment to propel and take-off the search in the correct direction. We can look further at the conversation between the bird and Vanaras, how the bird got her wings back and how the search got a new beginning. It is worthy to note that in effort to decide the correct person to leap the ocean, Hanuman comes as the only one fit for the mission. Obeying the decree of elders Jambavan and Angada, Hanuman prepares for the task and begins to take the famed flight across the ocean. It is in these final chapters of Kishkindha Kanda the legend of Hanuman’s birth is conveyed to put across his humongous innate capabilities. It is at this time, Hanuman grew his body to gigantic proportion on Mount Mahendra, to begin his huge leap. These famed, timeless and holy tales close the fourth book ‘Kishkindha Kanda’ and bring us to the doorstep of exciting, beautiful fifth book on matchless Vanara Hanuman – ‘Sundara Kanda’. Let us look at the last few chapters before getting there.
In chapter 60, Sampathi narrates his legend to Angada and others. He explains how he has fallen on Mt. Vindhya and how he reached a sage called Nisakara descending Mt. Vindhya with great difficulty.
Having offered libations to his lost brother Jatayu, Sampathi sat surrounded by the Vanaras and resumed his narration "I remained unconscious for days after I landed on the mountain. Coming back to my senses on the sixth day, I slowly recognized the sea below to be the Southern Ocean and the mountain as Vindhya. The only inhabitants here at that time were the great ascetic, Nisakara and I. Revered by even the gods the sage lived in a cave in this mountain, while I lived on its peaks. He lives no longer but I have been here for eight thousand years. One day I got down painfully to meet the holy one who had known Jatayu and me as children. Full of concern for my plight he asked me the cause for my disfigurement and said he was sorry as he could hardly recognize me".
In chapter 61, Sampathi details Sage Nisakara as to how his wings were burnt, when he and his brother Jataayu were flying competitively near the sun. He says that he wanted to commit suicide, as his two wings, eagle kingdom, valour and even brother, are lost.
Sampathi went on to tell his Vanara audience of what he had told Nisakara, "Pride and foolishness have done this to me. Once Jatayu and I had made a wager in the presence of sages on mount Kailas that we would follow the Sun right up to Asthagiri." Beholding lofty mountains, meandering rivers and lush green groves we flew higher and higher towards the Sun. Soon losing our sense of direction exhausted and thirsty, Jatayu started plummeting to the ground. I went after him swiftly shielding him with my wings, but my wings got burnt and Jatayu fell down. He must have landed somewhere in Janasthana, while I had fallen unconscious on this mountain, badly charred and wingless. I, who had soared in the skies following the path of the Sun, had wandered in the Himalayas, touched the peaks of mount Meru and the summits of mount Kailas plunged down to earth, to remain here forever. Bereft of my brother, my strength and my kingdom I too wished to die."
In chapter 62, Sage Nisakara asks Sampathi to wait for monkeys who arrive at the behest of Rama in search of Sita. This sage also accords small wings and vigour to the eagle for survival until the arrival of monkeys of Rama, as this eagle has to guide the monkeys towards the location where Sita is incarcerated.
Sampathi went on to say that even as he bewailed his fate Nisakara had sat in a profound silence and prayerful meditation. Slowly coming out of that silence he had said that one-day Sampathi's wings, his vision and his strength would return. "A great event is about to take place and the time for your redemption is close. Rama, the noble son of Dasaratha will soon come to Dandaka with his consort Sita. Ravana will one day abduct Sita and Rama will come looking for her. Even before that would come the Vanara armies sent by him in search of Sita would arrive. You will have to remain on this mountain until then to give them information about her. Rama's task is not only important to him, and you, but to all the Brahmins, Devas, Rishis and to Indra. I too would have liked to see Rama, but I have no desire to live that long".
In chapter 63, Sampathi regains his wings when he passes information to the monkeys. Sampathi flies away for flight-test of his newborn wings wishing the monkeys success. Then the enthused monkeys journey on to southern direction, as directed by Sampathi.
Assured by Nisakara, Sampathi had crawled back to his home on the Vindhyas to await the arrival of the Vanara legions. He said, "There were times when I almost wished to die, but the memory of Nisakara's words sustained me". Even as Sampathi sat talking to the monkey congregation, his wings started growing back. Beholding those russet feathers Sampathi's joy and his gratitude to his master were boundless. Rendered youthful and strong by the grace of Nisakara, he was confident that he could once again take on any enemy, trounce him and get Sita."
In chapter 64, Monkeys on arriving at seashore are awestruck to have a glimpse of unnavigable ocean, which is tumultuous with many sea-creatures. Angada noticing the baffle of monkeys pacifies them and elicits information about each monkey's capability to jump over the ocean.
Excited about their imminent descent into Lanka, the blustering bands from Kishkindha surged towards the southern shores of the ocean. Standing at the water's edge and beholding the foaming turbulence of the blue expanse their joy turned to horror. Towering waves rose and fell with untiring zeal. Fearful sea creatures swam with their mouths wide open and the Asuras living on the ocean bed terrified the Vanaras, who only moments ago were chafing for war. Seeing their terror and timidity, Angada said, "Do not ever yield to fear, for, it can kill as easily as a serpent can kill a sleeping child. Who among you can jump over the many Yojanas of sea to reach Lanka? Whose might and valor will achieve our mission, rid us of Sugriva's anger and take us back to our homes? Let him who can do so, speak now." But Angada's requests were met with a stony silence.
In chapter 65, Monkeys are perturbed to see ocean which is breadthwise a hundred yojanas, say a thousand miles, as none can leap it. Every important monkey says that his capability is just lesser than that. Angada is again despaired as none is coming forward, nor he is allowed to go, in the name of his prospective kingship. But Jambavan pacifies and starts to encourage and invigorate Hanuman to undertake the task of leaping the ocean.
Not one among the Vanara armies volunteered even to attempt crossing the heaving crashing menace before them. Finally, their leader Angada and stalwarts like Gaja, Sarabha, Mainda, Jambavan and the others came out with how far they could leap. Jambavan the oldest among them was the only one who could clear the longest span, but it was limited to ninety Yojanas. Angada said that he could easily land in Lanka but may not have the strength to come back. Jambavan put a stop to Angada's plans saying that as king, he could only command, but not go with them. When Jambavan told him that he could only depute or deploy, Angada said, " since I cannot go and no one else can, should we try to starve ourselves once again? Disobeying the kings' orders, exceeding the time permitted for our return, how can we hope to live when we reach Kishkindha? It was then that Jambavan saw Hanuman sitting happily by himself. Telling Angada that he had found the achiever, he went to prod Hanuman into action.
In chapter 66, legend of Hanuman's birth is eulogized together with his innate capabilities. Jambavan familiarizes Hanuman of his capabilities by giving an account of his birth, rather what he took birth, and extols his unready faculty. In the sixty-sixth chapter of Bala Kanda, Valmiki very concisely narrates the birth of Sita. But here Valmiki elaborately informs about the birth of Hanuman through Jambavan. Some information about Hanuman is included in the endnote.
Hoping to convince Hanuman to take the leap across the sea, Jambavan said, "Why do you sit so quietly Hanuman? Knowledgeable, valorous and well versed in all the Sastras, you are an equal of Rama and Lakshmana. Why are you who are mightier than the mightiest in intelligence, courage and strength not aware of the fact. You are the son of Vayu, the god of wind and Anjana the most beautiful of Apsaras. Strong and indomitable even as a child, you mistook the Sun for a fruit and went chasing after it. You flew to such heights that Indra, fearing harm to the world, hurled his weapon Vajra at you. Struck by it you were thrown on a mountain, the impact of which broke your chin. That is the reason why you are known as Hanuman, the one with the broken chin. Your father Vayu witnessing your fall was furious and stopped blowing in all three worlds. Alarmed at this and trying to appease your father, Brahma granted you a boon rendering you inviolable to all weapons of war." As for Indra he was so relieved to see you smiling even after your injury that he gave you the best boon of all, declaring, "Your death will be of your own choosing." So, you alone who are as swift as Garuda and as powerful as Vayu can save us." Inspired by Jambavan and elated at the cheering of the monkeys, who eagerly waited to witness the almost impossible feat, Hanuman was galvanized into action. Waving his tail gleefully, he grew his body to incredible proportions in preparation for the flight into Lanka.
In chapter 67, Hanuman comes forward to leap the ocean at the repeated encouragement given by Jambavan. Then he increases his physique, fit enough to take a leap, and starts declaring his capabilities, by which the other monkeys feel jubilant. Then Hanuman climbs Mt. Mahendra, by which whole of that mountain is put to turmoil. And he reaches Lanka, instinctually, as he has the speed of air-god and of the thought Process, i.e., mano javam, maaruta tulya vegam.
Just as the creatures had gazed in awe at the incarnation of Lord Narayana as Trivikrama, so did the monkeys marvel at Hanuman's expanding form. The more the Vanaras cheered the more he grew. As he stood among the happy clamoring army of monkeys Hanuman's magnificent form glowed with the radiance of a blazing fire. Paying homage to venerable elders he said to all those congregated, "Vayu friend of Agni and mighty traveler of the skies who can shatter lofty mountain peaks, is the God of wind and I Hanuman am his son! There is no one who can span this sea or go round the Mount Meru a thousand times like me. Churning the seas with my bare hands I can flood the earth and leaping across ten thousand Yojanas, I can make it quake. I can race the Sun, starting from the east to travel to Asthagiri and back, without touching the ground. I shall land in Lanka with the speed of lightening and see Sita. I can even uproot the very city of Lanka, so give up your sorrow and be happy". Impressed by his confidence and moved by his zeal Jambavan blessed Hanuman with success saying, "Our lives depend on you Hanuman!" The son of Maruthi reached the summit of Mount Mahendra, to spare the earth of the impact of his incredible leap. Even as he readied for his leap, gigantic boulders were dislodged, water from caves and crevices gushed out and serpents stuck out their hoods, making the slopes look like fields of swaying pennants. Rishis and animals fled their homes startled at the sudden chaos, which seemed to threaten their very existence. Hanuman stood poised on the mountain, while his mind and spirit had already reached Lanka. Thus concludes this chapter and with this, the book of Kishkindha Kanda, 'The Empire of Holy Monkeys' concludes.
This concludes chapters 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66 and 67 of Kishkindha Kanda and the book in its entirety on the empire of monkeys. The book Kishkindha Kanda gave an account of rivalry between Vali and Sugriva, Vali’s death, Sugriva’s enthronement to Kishkindha and his further orders to locate Sita. In the last few chapters, we learnt about the history of Sampathi and her waiting for the arrival of Vanaras. The bird provides valuable guidance and the direction to Rama’s men before regaining her wings and vigour. Encouraged by this, the troops reach the ocean shore at southern tip but get frightened by the obstacle. This formidable challenge of leaping over it can be met by Hanuman alone. Scaling in size to achieve the unthinkable, Hanuman becomes a magnificent symbol of strength and a towering symbol which brings hope and excitement to the band of fortunate Vanaras looking at him. This symbol which can be imagined becomes a realistic picture spanning across ages and being amazed even to this day and age. The Hero Hanuman has arrived on the scene putting forth his unlimited capabilities to carry on the task of Rama bringing cheer to the legion of monkeys depending on him. The moment for Hanuman has arrived and it is all about him from now who will leave a lasting impression upon the people of the parallel era and the eras which followed henceforth. To this day, these chronicled heroic actions continue to shape the people across the homeland and bring a beacon of hope, strength and indomitable courage to his seekers. The heroic efforts are what will be continued in the next book on him – ‘Sundara Kanda’ which we will delve into from the next post.
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