It happened to be that I am writing about this beautiful Kanda and the epic from U.S. where 99% of the population are unaware of Ramayana. To acquaint the hidden gem and familiarize the digital fraternity on the importance and goodness of this epic, I became an unintentional instrument. I feel it as the blessing upon this blog to spread the most fascinating story besides the finest virtues. As such, this is no way to be taken as religious script or representing a section of people. To be frank and honest from within, Ramayana is universal and embraced by one and all under the Sun. The essence of the epic enlightens the world and makes us far better in whatever we do. To restrict it to a religion is akin to keeping us in darkness from the oncoming light and opening to the world. Just for example, most of the Muslims back home in India absorb Rama, his tale and sees him without any religious affiliation on the ground. Everyone can own and it doesn't belong to one religion. Besides religion, there is another belief of being a theist and antitheist. Once again, this commentary or knowing about the epic has nothing to do with being a theist or otherwise. You need not believe in God or His existence, you need not go to a temple, church, mosque or any place of worship. You can be anyone in this advanced world and still delve into the immense wealth of wisdom the timeless epic can offer. Infact, there are no barriers to know about this interesting tale at least. Every child will be fascinated to know about these superheroes and every adult can take a point or two to excel in their own paths.
Besides my strong feeling and established truth that this epic is universal and still if there are mental barriers of religion, I feel I am more than blessed to write about this epic from the northern part of U.S, Chicago. To remind, this is the place, where more than 130 years ago held a world parliament of religions from where a renowned Hindu monk, Swami Vivekananda came to the prominence who himself echoed the principles of tolerance and universal acceptance. All religions lead us to flow like different rivers and merge in the same ocean in the end. Infact, religion applied in required portions should be reverse discriminatory in our societies, solidifying the scattered people, unifying the divisive elements and strengthen the bond of humanity. This is more than striking and attributed to the place with a significant history many years ago. I lay out on his feet and the remarkable place which discovered him to the world and above all, the super Gods of the epic for posts on Ramayana. Any society or the country which was stirred up and mobilized with the participation of people from the essence of the epic will herald a great future for itself. Familiarity with the tale will at least enter your subconscious mind as a riveting story which it truly is.
Coming back to the most beautiful Sundara Kanda, we had learnt about all the heroic elements of Hanuman in the past posts from immaculate search and observation to topnotch articulation to bringing joy and hope to Mother Sita to destroying Ashoka grove to killing a number of demons to upbraiding Ravana in his own courtroom to torching Lanka and returning back to Sita one final time. All the most famed incidents in the Kanda imbibed in the journey of Rama presided over by Hanuman are depicted in this space in word form. This remarkable pursuit by the one Hanuman will be bringing a huge hope to Rama, Sita and the legion of vanaras in the context of epic. That is the relevance of the unassuming devotee of Rama which shaped the most beautiful book in the epic. The kids in us will certainly sway to the heroic deeds known, seen, heard or read on him. The following chapters will carry Hanuman to the company of Jambavan and other vanaras who are all eagerly waiting for him.
In chapter 57, Hanuman leaps from the coast of Lanka and touches Mount Mainaka, which he came across in the way. He advances further and roars at the top of his voice at the Mount Mahendra, so as to bring jubilation to the monkeys awaiting his return there. Jambavan tells the monkeys, who moved by jumps with joy, that Hanuman has returned successfully from his expedition as way evident from his jubilant roar. Having greeted Jambavan, Angada and others on alighting on the summit of Mount Mahendra, Hanuman narrates to them briefly the story of his discovery of Sita. Applauding Hanuman, prince Angada, who was eager to hear the story, sits down on a rock along with all others.
Hanuman flew the skies like a winged mountain. Appearing and disappearing from among the clouds like the moon, he who had caused Ravana great sorrow and seen Sita, sped like a released arrow. Soon, when the Mahendra mountain hove into sight Hanuman venting his delight roared like a lion. The sound of his noisy descent reverberated in the sky above and on the earth below. The vanaras who were living in dread of what they may have to hear about Sita, waited with bated breath. Angada could not wait to see Hanuman and Jambavan announced that the very joy in Hanuman's booming voice meant victory. Swinging from tree- tops, cavorting on mountain peaks, the Vanara bands tried to attract Hanuman's attention. They clamored for news of Sita, the moment he landed on the hill. Paying homage to his gurus, to Angada and greeting his comrades, Hanuman said, "I saw Sita" and the ecstatic vanaras, screeched, chattered, roared and gamboled. They hugged Hanuman in their exuberance and thumped their tails on the ground with joy. Hanuman told them of Sita, who unkempt, ungroomed and emaciated was guarded by fearful rakshasa women and forever pined for Rama. The relieved vanaras praised Hanuman for his courage, his dedication to his master's cause and thanked him for saving their lives.
In chapter 58, Jambavan, seated along with the monkey-troops, requested Hanuman to narrate clearly whatever has occurred. Hanuma narrates in detail all the episodes he encountered alone.
Jambavan quivering with excitement rained questions upon Hanuman, wanting to know how he had saw Sita and where. How Ravana was treating her and what she had told Hanuman. He also wondered aloud how much of what Hanuman had seen should be told Rama and how much should be left unsaid. Hanuman, who was also overpowered by the thrill and commotion around him, mentally prostrated to Sita and started on his narration. Beginning from his meeting with Mainaka to his encounters with Surasa, Simhika and with the spirit of Lanka, Hanuman told his eager audience of every detail as they listened with rapt attention. He told them of how Sita was guarded by the demon squad, of her refusal to accept Ravana and of his fury at her rejection. The vanaras heard of Trijata's dream. Of how Hanuman had convinced Sita that he was not the imposter she suspected him to be but the messenger of Rama. He told them how he had instigated Ravana to war, how the rakshasas had captured him and of his escape from the jaws of death because of Vibhishana's intervention. Concluding with the episode of the burning of Lanka, Hanuman said, that since he had fulfilled Sugriva's command, by the grace of Rama and the goodwill of the vanaras, they should now plan their next move.
In chapter 59, describing the plight of Sita to his fellow monkeys, Hanuman expresses his feeling that it behooved them all to see Rama only after restoring Sita from Lanka. Hanuman says that even single-handed, he is capable of destroying that City of Lanka with its troops of demons, and killing Ravana, much more so when accompanied by heroic, mighty and powerful monkeys. Then, he recounts the past heroic exploits of Jambavan, Angada, Neela, Panasa, Mainda and Dvivida. Hanuman thus incites them all to decide consciously of a war against Lanka.
Hanuman told the vanaras all about seeing Sita at Lanka and that because of her chastity and sublime purity, Rama's efforts and Sugriva's fervor would surely bear fruit. Though Hanuman spoke of his many exploits, the one thought that held constant sway over him was worshipful contemplation of Sita. Of Ravana he said, that so awesome were the powers of his penance that he could incinerate the very worlds with them. A power because of which he still lived though he had dared to touch Sita. And she who could burn with her flames of a fire had refrained from destroying Ravana. As a chaste dutiful wife, she wanted it to be Rama's job and not her prerogative. It was also because of this self-imposed restriction that Ravana was still alive.
Hanuman said that he had come to tell Jambavan and the others of what had happened at Lanka and to take them back there. "At Lanka I could have slain not only Ravana, his kin and his rakshasas but also Indrajit with his dazzling Brahmastra, Maindastra, Raudrastra and many more astras hard to even behold. When alone I could have killed them how can we together not do better with such great warriors like you?" Hanuman was pleased that the vanara armies had the mightiest of the mighty among them. Of Jambavan he said that the sea may cross its bounds and the immovable Mandara mountain may move but Jambavan would never turn his back on the battle field. Angada was a force unto himself while just Mainda and Dvivida could bring ruin upon Lanka. Countless were the vanara heroes whose skills were beyond compare. Pleased that vanara armies had the mightiest among them, Hanuman said that he had reduced Lanka to ashes and made it clear to the evil hordes there of Rama's imminent invasion. He impressed upon his audience of how he had announced from every royal thoroughfare of Lanka," the mighty Rama is ready, Mighty Lakshmana is ready, The mighty Sugriva protected by Rama is ready, And I, servant of Rama, the king of Ayodhya and the son of wind god Hanuman is my name." Growing sorrowful at memories of Sita's plight Hanuman said, "Unkempt, unhappy and surrounded by her demon guard, she sits under the Simsapa tree at Ashoka vana meditating upon Rama. The wicked rakshasa could only imprison her body but of her mind which ever dwelt on Rama he had no control. Repelling Ravana's every move to woo her, she still forgives his unpardonable evil and that was Ravana's greatness. That greatness and all the powers of his profound austerities are now robbed lost in his efforts, to keep Sita captive. In place of them now rule the bane transgressions that render him helpless. Ravana's death in Rama's hands is mere formality."
In chapter 60, Angada suggest with enthusiasm that Sita must be restored by them only, after conquering Lanka. But Jambavan replies that it is not proper for them to do that without enquiring about Rama's intention.
Angada agreed with Hanuman that destroying Lanka and its king would be quite effortless, saying "How can I, who am confident of achieving it alone not do it even better with the support of stalwarts like you? Did not Hanuman single-handed devastate the inviolable city of the Rakshasas? It does not seem right to only report the finding of Sita and not take her to Rama. Let us invade Lanka, kill Ravana and bring Sita. Why this tussle with a thousand doubts? Let us embark on our mission." Jambavan, though happy with Angada's enthusiasm, disagreed with his haste. He said that both Rama and Sugriva had commanded them to only find Sita but had made no mention of bringing her back, "It is Rama's privilege to do so, and it does not befit us to do that which has not been commanded for us. Also, Rama has sworn that he alone shall kill Ravana and bring Sita. Will that embodiment of truth ever disregard his given word? Let us go to Rama and await further orders.”
In chapter 61, Leaving Mount Mahendra and leaping ahead towards Kishkindha, the monkeys on their way halt at Madhuvana, a protected grove abounded in honey which was dear to Sugreeva and guarded by the monkey, Dadhimukha. When the monkeys started to enjoy drinking honey in the grove with the permission of Prince Angada, Dadhimukha hinders in their way. The monkeys bruise Dadhimukha with their nails and teeth.
Consenting to Jambavan's opinion, the vanara bands rose enmass. Trying to emulate Hanuman, some wanted to earn fame by serving Rama while some wanted to bring him joy by telling him of Sita's discovery. But everyone chafed for war and wanted to favor Rama by serving him. Soaring in the sky they soon arrived at Madhuvana. Into that grove which was the pride of Sugriva and as beautiful as the garden of the gods none were permitted to enter. No creature could even behold it. But the vanaras with Angada's approval entered the forbidden grove. Their joy at Sita's discovery was boundless, they swarmed in, dancing and singing like the demented. Jumping into trees they swung by their tails, laughed hysterically, hugged each other and frolicked deliriously. Gulping honey insatiably, they soon became intoxicated and more boisterous, wrecking havoc upon the sylvan serenity as broken beehives and torn branches soon littered the forest floor. It was then that the guardian of the grove appeared on the scene and ordered them out. But the inebriated monkeys defied his orders, scratched him with their nails, bit him with their teeth and tossed him around with their hands and legs.
In chapter 62, The monkeys enter Madhuvana and partake the honey in plenty, as permitted by Hanuma and Angada. Singing and dancing as if in a drunken state, the monkeys were obstructed by those guarding the grove.
Hanuman told the vanaras to drink their fill and that he would stop any one ever attempted to come their way. The delighted vanaras surged back like a river in spate. Trees were broken, guards were tied up, fruits torn off branches and honeycombs sucked dry. Famed as the garden of the gods, Madhuvan was soon in shambles, littered with broken branches, shattered bee-hives and bodies of monkeys that lay on the forest floor either exhausted, sleeping or intoxicated. The infuriated keeper of the grove, Dadhimukha a help of Sugriva, tried in vain to stop the rampage. In his anger he rushed upon the marauding Vanaras with an uprooted tree. But Angada unaware that his enemy was also his grandfather overpowered and threw him to the ground. Dadhimukha decided to go where Rama and Sugriva, sure that Sugriva would put to death those who had dared to destroy the grove, which was so dear to him.
This concludes chapters 57, 58, 59, 60, 61 and 62 of Sundara Kanda where we had seen Hanuman’s return to Mt. Mahendra where Jambavan, Angada and other vanara troops are awaiting him. The jubilant Hanuman informs of success in locating Sita and gives complete details to the gathering. The vanaras, without Rama, Lakshmana, Sugriva etc, even ponder on waging a war against Ravana and bring her back but decides against after guidance by elderly Jambavan. Then, they decide to visit Rama, appraise him of the happenings and wait for his orders. It is enroute the jubilant vanaras descend upon Madhuvana which belongs to the king Sugriva, protected by Dadhimukha. The vanaras drink plenty from the Madhuvana and sing, dance in inebriated state while merrymaking and also confront the guards who come in the way. The vanaras are in high spirits and the good reason will be conveyed to Rama and his company at Kishkindha in the subsequent chapters. Everyone is elated by one man and Rama will be embracing Hanuman. For his deeds have transformed all of those awaiting, from a state of sadness in the beginning of this book to a state of pure joy, hope by the end of it. Beauty brings joy and it is one of the many reasons behind the naming of this Kanda.
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