Sundarakanda
     
SUNDARAKAANDA
Namosthu Ramaya sa lakshmanaaya
Devyaicha thasyai  janakaatmajayai
Namosthu rudrendra yamaani lebhyo
Namosthu chandraarka marudgunebhayah!

Sri Ram who is with Lakshmana - Namaskaram
To Mata Janakee Devi - Namaskaaram
To Rudra, Indra, Yama, and Vayu - Namaskaaram
Chandra and Surya and other Devata Gana
I give my respectable Namaskaarams

Off all the other chapters ( Kanda) in the epic Sri Ramayana, the Sundarakanda is one which has earned its special place and being treated as most beautifully narrated and unquestionably have proven discoveries by which the devotees can gain unlimited bliss as well as they will be taken and guided to the other side of the sea.  As we are well aware each Chapter's name is defined by that chapter's main subject - like the birth and the days of the infant stage of Sri Rama is called Baala Kaanda; Right from the idea of Sri Dasarath and its planning on Sri Rama Pattaabhishekam, the immediate aftermath, consequently Sri Rama's exile to forests and then the Paaduka Pattabhishekam - all these incidents are clubbed in the Ayodhya Kanda; The life in the forests, killing of cruel demons and then abducting of Sri Sita and the death of Jatayu - brings the Aranyakanda. Then comes the friendship of Sugreeva, killing of Vaali, keeping Sugreeva as the head of kingdom Kishkinda - is called Kishkinda kaanda. Entire episode explaining the war between Ravana and Sri Rama, ultimate killing of the Raavana and making Vibhishana as the King of Lanka - is called Youddha Kanda.  Though  all these chapters were named based on the situation and theme of the episodes, the fifth one "Sundarakanda" name  is something extra ordinary and do have possible inner meanings in naming that chapter as SUNDARA ( beautiful) Kaanda ( Chapter).

Many scholars are of the opinion that this chapter has proved beyond doubt about its power of benefiting the devotees in different ways. And that was the reason, why this chapter is named as Sundara Kaanda. 

As there are many beautiful incidents and those are beautifully narrated and so the name has been attached like that - is one school of thought.

         " Nastha dravyasya  laabho ha, Sundra ha Parikeerthi Thaha!"
          As Sita was actually located after searching many areas  
          it was named as Sundara Kaanada - is another analysis.

                        "Sundaro  Vaanaro kapi hi "
            This sentence informs that the word Sundara is synonym for Vaanara word, and as the entire chapter is devoted to Sri Hanumaan - the epic creator Sri Vaalmeeki has not crossed or diluted his path of naming the each chapter with relevant eposide incidents - is one analysis.

                        In this Chapter only the both Sita and Rama were able to come out of the depression and mental agony which was erupted immediately after Sri Sita was abducted. And the entire population of Vaanara - were in doldrums - as she was not found and time was running out.  That was the reason - as this chapter has brought most beautiful memories and news to all - it was called as Sundara Kanda!

                        Here is another analysis:  The word Sundara - most auspicious word.  Sri Sita Devi is none another than most auspicious deity Sri Mahalkshmi - and it was here the writer has dwelled most about Sri Sita's righteous characters vividly and beautifully.  And that was the reason the chapter was named like that.

In this same chapter in 35th Swarga -

        Raamaha Kamala patraksh.ha   Purna Chandra Nibhaanana-ha
        Rupa daakshniya sampanna ha  prasooto janakaatmaje
        Raamo Bhaamini Lokasya chaaturvarnasya  rakshathaa
        Maryaadanaamcha  lokasya  karthaakaarayithaa cha sa ha:

                    Other than this - there will be no other purified explanation on the beauty.

 

 
 
 


           

   
 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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