We completed Sundara Kanda with the last post. Writing about Ramayana is a divine gift and in specific learning about Sundara Kanda is the result of our immense good deeds. To know the measure of what we just went by - Sundara kanda is the most blessed Kandam or section in the whole of Ramayana. There is no better portion than this in the entire epic – the result we can see in reality around us. Valmiki has written this Kanda many years ago. Did he see the future will herald in such a way that in the entire history - past, present and future the manifestation of the Kanda in the society around us will be the same as he told about it on the paper. Did he imagined Lord Hanuman becoming a household God who will be offered prayers by millions of devotees. The Kanda was beautiful, sacred and in the same way what manifested on the ground and in reality has ratified the literary epic thoroughly. ‘Sundaram’ means beauty. Lord Hanuman’s other name is ‘Sundara’. Hanuman’s beautiful indulgence in the destruction of evils throughout the Kanda has proved that dharma, truth and goodness alone will triumph, and all vices will die thousand deaths. We are extremely fortunate, and the land is highly blessed for having been swept by the divine power of Hanuman and the knowledge of his audacious deeds. Writing about Ramayana gives us many benefits and dwelling into Sundara Kanda will yield multi-fold benefits and good tidings. One live benefit which I felt and can share is - It happened that I was swept in His consciousness for a good part of weekend couple of weeks ago. On Saturday, I watched a movie by the title ‘HanuMan’ which is also heavily Lord Hanuman-centric. On the next day, Sunday morning I completed the last post on Sundara Kanda and in the evening we arrived at the inauguration of the temple of Lord Rama in Ayodhya which I observed in another blog post. I personally feel the completion of this Kanda and running the epic for 20 months straight is a point of divine coincidence with the inauguration of the grand mandir. Thus, the weekend phase prior to the emergence of grand temple is heralded by drowning in His consciousness. With the physical emergence of a concerted monument which involved the gathering of populist names of the nation, we can initiate the Rama consciousness movement, take it deep into society and across the land for the upliftment of everyone. This can come into reality and a generation can become brothers and sisters of Hanuman or the ardent followers of Rama or Rama-bhakts living in conscious memory of Rama, who guides us all in right path shielding from the wrong turns. The temples across the U.S. involving thousands of devotees celebrated the inauguration by hosting several ceremonies on His name which is truly remarkable. This will be a good beginning and the same can be continued to take the movement of “Rama consciousness” or rendering self-less service to Rama to its glorious future.
This is the external contemporary backdrop to begin the ancient book - ‘Yuddha Kanda’ or the book on final battle and we can only hope everything around us and everyone in these times revels in His name as we progress in this age-old epic. No one truly knows the profound power of being in His service or simply reciting His name and we are doing a great service to ourselves by getting involved in this little effort of learning the life journey. The last book closed with Hanuman narrating the incidents in Lanka in the august presence of Rama. The book Yuddha Kanda begins from the same instance of the dialogue within this assembly. We can look at the first few chapters which continue the conversation, Rama’s embrace of Hanuman and plans to initiate the battle by Rama.
In chapter 1, Rama appreciates Hanuman and embraces him after hearing his report. Rama was gladdened that Hanuman did something worthy of a noble servant. Then, Rama reflected upon the problem of how to cross the ocean.
Rama heard the wonderful news of Sita narrated to him so reverently by Hanuman. Delighted that a deed not only impossible but inconceivable to all others had been achieved, he said "I know of none, except Vayu, Garuda and Hanuman who can cross the sea. Now Hanuman has not only reached Lanka, a place beyond the reach of both gods and celestials but has come out of it alive." Though happy with Hanuman's zeal, Rama was pained because he could not suitably reward the great vanara, who had not only seen Sita but redeemed the dynasty of Raghuvansh from death and destruction to a life of prosperity and dharma.
Sure, that even if he gave away all he ever possessed, he would still be indebted Rama said, "for now I will give you my all" and took Hanuman into his divine embrace. He then asked Sugriva how the Vanaras proposed to reach the southern shores of Lanka and in his voice was a great sadness reflecting the torment which raged in him.
In chapter 2, Sugriva comforts Rama, who is tormented with grief, asking him to keep away from apprehensive mind and to think of ways and means to cross the ocean.
Sugriva tries to console Rama cloaked in deep melancholy, "now that we know where Sita is, you who are a great scholar, who can see between right and wrong, between fact and fiction, should no longer grieve. Just as a sage tries to give up thoughts that hinder his ascent to the highest and most sublime state, so should you give up thoughts that destroy your happiness? We shall cross the ocean, scale the ramparts of Lanka and slay your enemy. Every vanara craves it and looks forward to this with the greatest joy. Let us now think of bridging the blue waters. Our march into Lanka will be triumphant. The mightiest among vanaras are ready to uproot Lanka. Grief destroys valor. I see none on this earth who can face you as you stand armed with bow and arrow. Let anger not anguish rule you."
In chapter 3, Upon hearing the words of Sugriva, Rama requests Hanuman to describe Lanka in detail. Hanuman gives a detailed description of Lanka as he saw it.
Rama, now ready to cross the sea told Hanuman he would do it either by prayer, by bridging its water or drying out those very waters. He then asked Hanuman about Lanka, its fortifications, the rakshasas and of their homes. Of the dreaded city of demons, Hanuman said that ever watched over by the sleepless eyes of fierce guards, it was a city which is impregnable and inviolable. Opulent and secure, it was surrounded by the cold waters of its fathomless crocodile infested moats, while a wealth of horses, elephants and chariots crowded its streets. In the midst of it all lived Ravana in all his glory. Ever ready for war, though such a threat never existed, he took good care of his army, whom he respected and whose loyalty to their master was absolute.
Celestial as the city of gods, Lanka had the four-fold protection of water; mountains and fort with no know ways of reaching it. Glowing in its effulgence, it had four massive gates under the constant vigil of hundreds of thousands of armed men whose skill had no compare and whose strength had no equal. Hanuman said that he had already destroyed the moats, broken the gates and burnt the rakshasa haven. Rendering it more vulnerable and less formidable, it was now a city whose doom was certain. "It is not even necessary for the entire army to march upon the enemy, just Angada, Dwiwidha, Mainda, Nala and Neela will do," he said. "Traversing the sky, they will destroy Lanka. Command them all to gather here Rama, tell them what to do and when."
In chapter 4, After hearing the report of Hanuman, Rama fixes an auspicious hour for the departure of his forces to Lanka and perceives good omens. The Army reaches the shores of the sea.
Rama felt that just as death flees from him who discovers Amrita, Sita's sorrow too would vanish with news of their arrival into Lanka. Neela was to lead the way with a hundred thousand soldiers. Gaja, Rishabha, Durdarsha, Gandamadana and many more stalwarts were allotted their places. Rama carried by Hanuman would travel in their midst, while Angada carried Lakshmana. Then came the vanara hordes tumbling down lofty mountains and soaring trees, proud, eager and happy they jostled each other roaring like lions, chafing for war and victory as they raced down south. Brandishing uprooted trees and eating their fruit, the unending masses swore to slay every rakshasa.
Surging forward like an ocean tide, they dared not go close to towns and villages as Rama had forbidden any harm coming to these. Lakshmana said that the omens appearing in the sky boded them well, while winds blew gently, and birds chirped delightfully. He also saw the star Dhumraketu approach Nairata, the ruling star of the rakshasas, heralding their downfall. Seeming to cover the entire earth, the dust raised by the stomping feet and flailing arms of the vanaras rose to the sky veiling the sun and frightening creatures. After many miles of travel, the army reached the Mahendra Mountain from where it was all sea. Driven by the desire to see Sita, the clamor of the army of bears and vanaras standing impatiently on the shore drowned even the roar of the mighty ocean.
In chapter 5, Rama recollects the lotus-eyed Sita and laments much about his separation from her.
The vanara legions bustled along the coast while Rama stood at the ocean's edge pouring out his anguish. "The distress of the heart should grow faint with every passing moment, but mine only grows to rage untamed. I do not grieve because Sita is so far away, but because her youth is slipping away in such gloom. May Vayu that wafts all over touch Sita and then touch me so that I can feel her presence. She who came away spurning all royal comforts and who by the power of her purity can destroy Ravana refrains from doing so because of her respect for me. Memories of her torment my mind and burn my body. I live since Sita too lives on this earth. It is not terrible that she lives like an orphan though she has me? When will I see her ravishing lotus-like face and gaze upon her ethereal beauty?" Even as he spoke, the sun slipped into the orange haze of the west and Rama with thoughts of Sita clouding his eyes prepared for his evening worship.
This concludes chapters 1,2,3,4 and 5 of Yuddha Kanda where we had seen Rama giving a divine embrace to Hanuman as the only way to compensate his invaluable service to the master, Sugriva consoling a disturbed Rama, Hanuman giving a picture of Lanka, vanara hoards along with Rama travelling to the ocean shore to begin preparations for the war and Rama recollecting the beautiful Sita. All these incidents are very significant, and we can delve on the Rama’s embrace and Hanuman's fortune in receiving it. It was clearly mentioned that even if he gave away all he ever possessed, Rama would still be indebted. The Lord is in exile without any material possessions and neither these materialistic gifts can barely compensate the deeds of Hanuman. At this juncture, Rama took Hanuman into his embrace and gave what no disciple can ask for a better gesture from a worthy master. This is the tallest gift from a noble person to his ardent follower for his matchless service. The heroic efforts by Hanuman detailed across Sundara Kanda is acknowledged with this heartwarming gesture mentioned in this first chapter. For anyone, receiving the Lord’s grace directly is the best gift we can ever receive from Him, rather than wealth or money and all other physical possessions. Since Hanuman is an “Acharya” or the “Supreme spiritual Master”, he understands the significance of Lord Rama’s gesture – A hug from Rama speaks volumes than any of those materialistic gifts. For Hanuman’s selfless service towards Bhagawan, he gets the highest reward from the Lord himself. This chronicles the importance of Sundara Kanda recognized by Rama to his own journey and the pinnacle projection of self-less service by any living person in the form of Hanuman. No one will do more without any self-interest than Hanuman. This beautifully depicts how the relationship should be between the Lord and his servant and the reciprocation in the form of a teary embrace. Meanwhile, in the aftermath of Hanuman’s trial of destruction, Ravana convenes a meeting of ministers in Lanka which can be seen in subsequent chapters.
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