||Sri Ram Jeyram Jai Jai Ram||

Chapter – 6 – Sundara Kandam

Hanuman burned down the city of Lanka and returns to Rama

Hanuman advised Dhashanan about Bhakti, Virakthi, and Viveka, in a most pleasing manner, even though the haughty Dhashanan ignored all those, laughed boisterously, and spoke “ I have seen a great preceptor in this Vanara, Oh! Wicked Vanara, your death is nearing you that are the reason you have taken courage to advise Dhashanan.” Hanuman got annoyed and replied, “I could understand that you have lost all your senses.” Ravana could not control his anger listening to Hanuman, he ordered his men to kill the Vanara, soon the haughty demons approached Hanuman was intervened by Vibheeshana. He prayed with folded hands to Ravana “Oh! Prabho, killing an emissary is against Neethishasthra, therefore impose some stern punishment on him.” Ravana agreed to his brother’s advice, he laughed out boisterously and said “We will disfigure the Vanara and send him back to Rama. I know well, that these Vanaras take pride in their tail, so set fire on his tail, firstly tie his long tail with the clothes dipped in oil, and set fire. He will go back without tail and bring back his Prabhu whose splendor was described all along. Then I will get an opportunity to see his Master as well.”

 

 

Hanuman thought “Devi Sharadha/Vagdevi is promising to me.” soon the haughty demons assembled and tide several pieces of clothes dipped in the oil, Alas!  Finally, there was no ghee, or clothe remained in the city, they collected all those in huge quantity and tide on the tail of Hanuman, simultaneously his tail has grown too far, the demons assembled in large numbers to witness that mysterious act. They mocked and insulted Hanuman; they have brought drums and various musical instruments set fire on his tail and brought him through the main pathways to the palace. The blazing fire removed all those attachments to the demons, Hanuman set out free from their clutches, and he leaped all over the beautiful fortress vehemently and set fire on the magnificent city except the house of Vibheeshana. The female demons were terrified, it was like the Mahapralaya has arrived, the Marthuganas multiplied the intensity of the fire, and Hanuman assumed a massive form, rose to the skywards, and produced deafening voice. Shortly he set fire on those beautiful fortresses, jumping all the way to one fortress to another, in a moment the entire city engulfed in fire, the people were horrified, the precious gems and stunning materials burst in the fire, there were loud cries of people all over Lanka and they wept “It is not an ordinary Vanara, it is a deity, Ravana insulted a noble soul, we are suffering for it, the whole city has burned down.” In a moment the city of Lanka burned into ashes, except the fortress of Vibheeshana.

 

Lord Mahadeva speaks “Oh! Devi Parvathi, Hanuman remained unharmed by the fire, because he is the emissary of the Lord who has created the fire. He set fire from one end of Lanka to another end, in this way the entire city was burned down and he jumped to the ocean and put off the fire from the tail, took rest for a while, and assumed a tiny form and stood before Devi Sita with folded hands and spoke “Oh! Mother, kindly gives me anything as a symbol to produce before Prabhu, so that he can recognize you” she took out the Choodamani from the hair, and gave it Hanuman and spoke “Oh! Son, kindly convey my salutations to him, my Lord is flawless and ocean of mercy, tell him to protect me from the miseries, Oh! Son, remind him of the legend of Jayantha who assumed the form of a crow, and remind him of the prowess of Ramabana. If my Prabhu did not arrive here in a month, he cannot see me alive. You are leaving me here, how did I keep myself alive? I was happy in your presence listening to the glories of Rama. I have to continue to live those dreadful days and nights once again.” Hanuman pacified Devi Janaki, and repeatedly prostrated before her and bade farewell to her. Thus Hanuman returned to meet Lord Rama.

|| Sri Ram Jeyram Jay Jay Ram ||

 

Chapter – 5 – Sundara Kandam

Hanuman’s advice to Dhashanan

 

Lord Mahadeva speaks “Oh! Parvathi, do you think that Hanuman got fastened with the Bhramasthra? The intellectuals cut off the worldly existence, removes the interest in worldly matters and bondages with the constant contemplation and meditation upon that supreme Lord, is it possible for the emissary of that Prabhu gets fasten with the Bhramasthra? No, it was he allowed the Astra to fasten him; he wanted to fulfill the task of Prabhu. The demons were happy to know that Vanara got fasten, and all of them rushed to the assembly to witness that huge Vanara. Kapivara looked at the assembly of Ravana, it was beyond description, even the deities and Dikpalakas were stood in utmost humility and fear, with folded hands watching the movements of his eyebrows, and receive the instructions and obey Ravana. Hanuman was fearless did not feel trepidations at all, like Garuda in the cluster of serpents.

 

Dhashanan looked at Vanara and verbally abused him and laughed at him. Once again, the thought of the death of Akshakumara put him in grief and deep distress; Lankarajan spoke “Oh! Vanara who are you? Why did you destroy the pleasure garden? You do not know my prowess, you are a fool but extremely courageous. Oh! Mooda, why did you kill the army of demons? Are you not scared of your death?” Hanuman spoke in a loud and precise voice “Oh! Ravana,  Listen to me carefully.  1) Who created several Bhramanda with the influence of Maya/Prakrithi? Oh! Dhashanan, 2) whose influence Lord Bhrama, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Maheshwara, perform the tasks of creation, preservation, and destruction respectively?  3) Who influence d that thousand hooded Adhishesha holds the entire Universe and its living beings on his head? 4) Who frequently incarnates on the Earth to destroy the wicked like you, and protects the deities? 5) Who broken that powerful bow of Lord Shiva, and crushed the pride of entire Kshathriyas assembled? 6) Who killed Khara, Dhooshana, Thrishirass, and a huge army of demons in the woods? Who killed Bali? Oh! Dhashanan, remember all of them.  If you want to know about me, I shall introduce myself as the emissary of Lord Rama, whose influence made you win over all those living and non-living on the Earth and whose dearest consort is under your detention.”

 

Hanuman speaks “Oh! Dhashanan, I know your prowess, you have fought with Sahasrabhahu, you have fought with Bali, and you have asked why I destroyed your pleasure garden, Oh! Prabho  I have shown the nature of my birth as Vanara, I have consumed fruits from your pleasure garden, because I was feeling hungry, and plucked out the trees. Oh! Prabho, everyone loves their Prana, your demons attacked me, I have not found any other way to protect myself, so I have killed them. Your son Meghanatha fastened me and brought here, in fact, I was keeping quiet and pretended as I got caught by your son, I wanted to accomplish the task of my Prabhu, I am not ashamed to remain in the detention of your son. Oh! Ravana, I pray to you with folded hands, leave your ego, and listen to my advice. Kindly think of the protection of your clan and your people, leave your false perceptions, and take shelter at the lotus feet of Ramachandra who removes the fear of whoever surrendered at his feet. Do not keep enmity with that mighty Lord who is sought after by Suras, Asuras, living and non-living things in this Universe, and all those takes Laya at the end of the Kalpa, even the Mrithyu cannot face him, and kindly return Devi Janaki with all respects to that Lord Rama.”

 

Hanuman continues “Oh! Ravana, the supreme Lord Raghunatha is Dhayasindhu/ocean of mercy, he is the destroyer of Khara, Dhooshana, Thrishiras, and numerous demons, he never abandons devotee who takes shelter in him. If you surrender at his lotus feet, he would forgive you and give shelter to you. After that, you can rule the city of Lanka contemplating upon the lotus feet of Lord Rama. Your grandfather Sage Pulasthya is righteous, like an unblemished moon; do not bring stain to him. There is no hymns superior to the ‘Ramanama’, leave all your egos and pride and take shelter in Rama. Oh! Devashathro, a naked woman adorned in various precious ornaments won’t stand out. The enemy of Rama, even though he is wealthy, his wealth and fame will not stay with him for long, like the watercourse dries up in summer. Oh! Dhashanan, listen to me, I promise you, whoever keeps enmity against Rama will not remain safe, none will protect them. Even the thousands and thousands of Lord Bhrama and Shankara could not help you from the hostility of Rama, leave your ignorance that could provide only grief and take shelter at the lotus feet of Kripasindhu Lord Rama.”

 

|| Sri Ram Jeyram Jay Jay Ram ||

 

Chapter – 4 – Sundara Kandam

Hanuman pacifies Devi Sita/The destruction of Ashokavatika/Death of Akshakumara/Hanuman got fastened with the Bhramasthra

 

Hanuman describes the message of Raghupathi to Devi Sita “Oh! Sita, Everything has gone wrong the moment I have separated from you, the sight of freshly blossomed flowers and fresh leaves torture me like the fire, the night has turned to Kalarathri, the Chandra resembles scorching sunlight, the sight of a cluster of fully bloomed lotus flowers appear as spear ready to poke my heart, the rain clouds resembles hot oil ready to pour on me, all those have given pleasure to my heart seems to be painful in your absence.  The cool breeze seems the hissing of the serpent, I am not able to share my pain of separation to anyone, they may think I am weak, and no one to understand my grief. Oh! Priye, my heart knows the depth of the relationship between us, my heart is not mine, and it is already with you, this is all I have to describe my situation to you.” Devi Janaki forgot herself listening to the lovely message of Rama, sunk in deep sorrow thinking about the pathetic state of Rama. Hanuman pacified “Oh! Mother, kindly keep yourself calm at this point of time and contemplate that supreme Lord Rama who is the source of happiness. Keep meditating upon that supreme Lord who has great prowess, and leave all your worries. The demons are like fireflies, the powerful arrows of Raghupathi are fire to it. Oh! Mother, kindly do not leave your courage, these demons are the prey to the mass fire of arrows of Raghupathi. The supreme Lord Raghurama did not receive any sign of you that was the reason for the delay to reach you. Oh! Janaki, listen to me Rama’s powerful arrows are like the sunrays, it would disperse the clouds like a mass of demons at the shot of Ramabana. If you want, I can take you to the Mount Prashravana, honestly, I did not receive that instruction from Rama. Oh! Mother, be patient and wait for another few days until the arrival of Rama with the huge army of Vanaras, he will destroy the entire clan of demons and protect you, and the Sages, Rishis, and Deities would sing in praise of Lord Ramachandra in the three worlds.”

 

Devi Sita anxiously replied “Oh! Son, all those Vanaras must be the same as the size of you, too small like the thumb finger and all those demons are the sizes of mountains, and dreadful, I am still having qualms in me.” Listen to this, Kapivara assumed his original form that was a massive form; it has the size of a huge mountain, fierce as in the battlefield, with great prowess and courage. It removed all the anxieties of the Devi Sita instantly, soon Vayuputhra assumed the tiny size. Kapivara speaks “Oh! Mother, normally, the Vanaras have not much physical stamina or mental power, but it was the grace of Prabhu, even the serpent could swallow Garuda.” Hanuman eulogized the prowess, courage, and splendor, of Raghuram. Devi Sita was immensely pleased to watch the sincere devotion of Hanuman to Prabhu. Devi Sita spoke “Oh! Vathsa, you are the storehouse of prowess and virtues, let Raghunayaka shower an abundance of grace on you.” Hanuman repeatedly prostrated before Devi Sita, and spoke “Oh! Mother, I am extremely happy and grateful, I have got your blessings, Oh! Mother, listen to me, I feel so hungry after seeing the trees loaded with succulent fruits, Oh! Mother, all I need your permission to remove my hunger.” Devi Sita affectionately spoke “Oh! Son, this wood is protected by the dreadful demons, protect yourself from them, contemplate upon the lotus feet of Sri Rama, and take pleasure in the luscious fruits.” He prostrated before Devi Sita and entered into the pleasure garden of Ravana.

 

 

Hanuman took great pleasure in that wood and the fruits, soon began to destroy the woods, pleasure gardens, ponds, etc. the guards who were intervened were crushed under his feet, and some of them ran off from the sight and informed Ravana “Oh! Prabho, a huge Vanara appeared from nowhere and destroying the Ashokavatika, he is consuming fruits from the trees and uprooting them.” Ravana called out for his army personnel’s, and send a huge army to get hold of the Vanara. Hanuman produced a boisterous voice watching that huge army, some of them died on the spot at the deafening noise, and some of them crushed under his feet, and some of them flee from the battlefield. Ravana sends Akshakumara to fight against the Vanara, he proceeded against Hanuman with a huge army of demons, Hanuman plucked out a huge tree and battered all those demons, and Akshakumara was brutally killed in the hands of Hanuman. In this battle he killed some of the demons, some of them were crushed under his feet, and some of them flee from his sight and returned to Ravana and wept bitterly “Oh! Prabho, that Vanara is extremely powerful.” Ravana could not control his rage after receiving the news of the death of his younger son Akshakumara, he ordered Meghanatha “Oh! Son, do not kill that Vanara, bring him alive, I want to know who send that Vanara and why did he come here?” Indrajith/Meghanatha could not control his grief and anger, set out to fight against Hanuman in a grand chariot followed by a huge army.  Hanuman crushed his teeth and fists, produced a deafening voice watching the powerful Indrajith who is all prepared to fight against him. Hanuman plucked a massive tree and crushed the chariot with it, Indrajith jumped out of the chariot and saved himself, and Hanuman pounced on the warriors, and with the unbearable weight of his body, they crushed to death. Hanuman approached Indrajith and had a fierce battle, was like the two untamed elephants fighting each other. He gave a hard punch on Indrajith and took a giant leap; Indrajith lost consciousness for a second, soon regained consciousness and showered arrows upon Hanuman, but miserably failed. Finally, he shot Bhramasthra against Hanuman who thought “If I did not obey the Bhramasthra, the Astra will lose its splendor.”, Bhramasthra worked on Hanuman, lost consciousness for a second, his massive body fell on the ground with a huge thud, many demons were crushed under his body. The demons were extremely happy watching Hanuman unconscious on the ground; they fastened him with the  Nagapasha and produced before Ravana.

|| Sri Ram Jeyram Jay Jay Ram ||

 

Chapter – 3 – Sundara Kandam

 The conversation between Hanuman and Devi Sita 

Hanuman took a seat on the branch of the same Ashoka tree where Devi Sita seated underneath, hid under the cluster of leaves, thought of what to do to remove the grief of Devi Janaki.  Soon, there arrived Ravana accompanied by beautiful women adorned in various precious ornaments and finest garments. Ravana used all his tricks on Devi Janaki with Samam, Dhanam, Bhayam, Bhedham, and tried to persuade her, “Oh! Sumukhi, Oh! Intelligent one, listen to me, I promise you, if you look at me once, I will appoint Mandodhari and other queens as your sincere attendants.” Devi Sita plucked grass from the ground and placed it before Ravana, she contemplated Ayodhyapathi for a while and spoke “ Oh! Dhashamukha, listen to me, a lotus flower cannot bloom in the light of a firefly, Oh! Fool, you are not aware of the powerful arrows of Rama, you have brought me here while he was away, Oh! Wicked, you are shameless, you are a sinner.” Ravana got infuriated listening Devi Sita’s comparison to him as a firefly,  could not control his anger, took out the powerful sword to sieve her head off. “Oh! Sita, you are disrespecting me, I will chop off your head with this powerful sword, Oh! Sundari, follow my order immediately, otherwise, you will lose your life.” Devi Sita spoke fearlessly “Oh! Dhashamukha, you are not aware of the prowess of my Lord Rama, his hands have the loveliness of lotus stem, and long like the trunk of an elephant. Oh! Fool, those powerful hands are enough to take the life out of you, Oh! Chandrahasa/sword of Lord Shiva kindly removes my pain of separation from Raghava, you are absolutely fierce and cool, kindly destroy the bunch of my grief.” Ravana prepared to attack Devi Sita was stopped by Devi Mandodhari who is the beautiful daughter of Maya. She pacified Ravana, and protected him from grave sin. Ravana ordered the female demons assembled “Oh! Demons, threaten Devi Sita, she should follow my order in a month, and otherwise, I will take her life.” Thus Ravana returned to his palace, the female demons of dreadful appearance threatened Devi Sita and poured harsh words on her, eventually it multiplied her grief.

 

There was a female demon Thrijata, who was a passionate devotee of Rama and daughter of Vibheeshana. She was intelligent, she called for all her female companions, and narrated the dream she had in deep sleep, and advised them to protect Devi Sita and serve her sincerely. Thrijata spoke “Oh! Ladies, I have seen a dream in that a valorous Vanara burned the city of Lanka, killed numerous army of Ravana, I have also witnessed Ravana whose head was completely shaven, lost twenty hands, mounted on a donkey and proceeding to southwards. The city of Lanka became under the possession of Vibheeshana, and the whole city of Lanka was celebrating the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana.  Further, Rama instructs the army of Vanara to produce Devi Sita before him. Oh! Ladies, I declare that this dream would become true in a few days.” All the female demons got terrified remembering afflictions given to Devi Janaki and fallen at her feet for forgiveness, and quietly moved on their way.

 

Devi Sita immersed in various thoughts “It is quite sure that this wicked Ravana will kill me after a month.” She spoke to Thrijata with folded hands “Oh! Mother, you are the only one promising to me and protected me during my troubled times, kindly advise me the easiest way to get rid of my body, I cannot bear the pain of separation from Raghuveera, kindly bring some wood pieces to a create a pile and sacrifice my life, and kindly assist me to prove my love for my Lord. It’s unbearable to listen to the piercing words of Ravana.” Thrijata fell at the feet of Devi Sita, and began to narrate the endless prowess and splendor of Raghupathi, and pacified her “ Oh! Sukumari, listen to me, it is impossible to create a pile of woods in the night hours.” And Thrijata returned to her home. Devi Sita spoke to herself “My fate is against me, I am helpless, not able to kill myself or get rid of the grief of pain from the separation of my Lord. I could see the stars blinking in the sky, but not falling one on the Earth, even the Chandra is not kind to me. Oh! Ashokavruksha, kindly listen to my cries, remove my grief, and prove your nature.” In this way, Devi Sita shed tears in extreme grief of separation from Prabhu. Hanuman who was seated on the branch of Ashokavruksha felt every moment as Yuga.

 

Hanuman immersed in thoughts, soon he dropped the ring imprinted the name of Rama in it. It was like Devi Sita’s prayers were answered, as if Ashokavruksha fulfilled her desire; she picked up the ring immediately. She saw the name of Rama on it, could not control joy, once again she became desperate “who can win over Lord Rama who is unconquerable? Definitely, this ring belongs to Rama, cannot be created with the Maya.” Shortly, she could hear a melodious voice singing in praise of Rama and his virtues, it removed all her exhaustion and grief, she completely wrapped into the legend of Rama singing melodiously and wondered “Why the person who sung in praise of virtues of Rama is not visible? Am I dreaming or it’s real?” Hanuman appeared before Devi Sita with folded hands and spoke “Oh! Mother, Oh! Devi Janaki, I am the messenger of Lord Rama, I promise on the compassionate Lord Rama, kindly believe my words. I have brought this ring, Prabhu instructed me to give this ring to you.” Devi Sita enquired “How did Nara and Vanara become companions?” Hanuman explained all that happened in detail to Devi Sita. She felt highly pleased with the devotion of Hanuman, thus she has understood Kapeeshwara is a sincere servant of Rama, by his word, deeds, and mind.

 

Devi Janaki felt immensely pleased to know Hanuman is a passionate devotee of Lord Srihari, her eyes filled with tears, overflown through the cheeks, and spoke “Oh! Hanuman, you are like a ferry to me, I was sinking in the ocean of grief. Kindly narrate the welfare of Rama and his beloved brother Lakshman. Why Rama who is kind-hearted did turn so hard to me? Raghava is the source of happiness to his devotee, is he remembering me? Oh! Hanuman will I get the opportunity to watch that dark-complexioned and beautiful limbs of Rama to take pleasure with my eyes?” her eyes overflown with tears, voices broken and wept bitterly “Oh! Prabho, you have forgotten me completely.” Hanuman saw Devi Sita who was inconsolable with the extreme grief of separation from Prabhu, spoke amiably “Oh! Mother, Lord Rama and his brother Lakshman are doing well. The Kripanidhi is extremely grieving over the separation from you. Oh! Janani, kindly stop worrying, Prabhu has a lot of affection and love for you, even more than that of you. Oh! Mother kindly listens to the message of Lord Raghurama.” Hanuman could not speak, his eyes welled up, and voice cracked due to sudden rush of emotions.

|| Sri Ram Jeyram Jay Jay Ram ||

Chapter – 2 – Sundara Kandam

Hanuman removes the curse on Lankini/ Hanuman's conversation with Vibheeshana

The beauty of the city of Lanka was beyond description, it has huge walls surrounded to the numerous fortresses and buildings, this beautiful city was located in the middle of the ocean, the four walls of the fortress was decorated with various precious gem and gold, it has supreme brilliance in the darkness of the night, the fortresses were decorated with various gems and gold, there was beautiful houses, streets, market places, narrow roads, etc. There was a huge number of elephants, horses, donkeys, the army of demons, chariots, etc.  are impossible to describe. There were several pleasure gardens, ponds, streams, wells of different sizes. There were stunningly gorgeous women of Manushya, Naga, Deva, and Gandharva, their loveliness is capable to lure the hearts of Rishis and Sages. There were haughty and huge sized wrestlers has the size of the mountain were engaged in various activities, fighting and arguing each other. There were dreadful demons taking great pleasure in the meat of donkeys, beef, humans, cows, and goats, etc. Sri Tulsidas Maharaj did not mention elaborately on those dreadful demons, because they were all prepared to meet their deaths in the arrows like sacred Theertha of Raghuveera, leaving their mortal coil to attain Paramagathi.

There was a group of demons as guards to protect the city, Kapivara decided “I shall assume a tiny form and enter into the city of Lanka during the night hours.” Thus Hanuman assumed the size of a mosquito and contemplated upon Narahari and entered into the city. There was a female demon Lankini at the doors of the city of Lanka. She screamed at Hanuman “Oh! Fool, where are you going? What are you doing here? You do not know about me? Whoever visits this city without my permission will become my meal.” Mahakapi gave a hard punch on her face with his fist; she fell down with a loud thud, oozing blood out of her mouth. Lankini regained consciousness; with folded hands, she spoke “Oh! Kapiveera, Lord Bhrama gave boons as desired by Ravana, at that moment he gave me boon as well. He instructed me that when I get a punch from Vanaraveera, I would get rid of the curse and regains my original form that would be the beginning of the destruction of the demon clan and the city of Lanka. Oh! Thatha, I have seen the emissary of Lord Rama, I am fortunate I must have performed piousness to meet you. Oh! Puthra, if you weigh gold and Apavarga/Saroopya, Sameepya, Sayujya, on a scale, the association with the noble souls even for a second and the happiness derived out of it would excel both. Oh! Kapiveera, contemplate upon Raghupathi, and enter inside the city of Lanka and perform all those tasks as you have desired.”

Sage Kakabhushundi speaks “Oh! Garuda, whoever attains the grace of Lord Rama, would experience toxic poison as nectar, enemies as companions, the ocean would appear waterlogged in the footprints of cows, fire as cold, and Mount Meru as sand. Hanuman assumed a tiny form and entered inside the city, he witnessed the marvelous fortresses and several warriors. He entered into the palace of Ravana, the splendor of the chambers was beyond description. He saw Rakshasaraja sleeping in a magnificent cot, but did not see Devi Vaidhehi anywhere inside the palace. He noticed another beautiful fortress close to the palace, resembled the shrine of Rama, the fortress wall was decorated with the exquisite paintings of bow and arrow of Rama, the beauty of that fortress was beyond description. He saw a cluster of Tulsi shrubs around the fortress, he immensely pleased and thought “Lanka is the city of demons, how did the righteous lives here?” He was closely watching the fortress; Vibheesha woke up in Bhramamuhurtha, and conducted recitation of the glorious names of Rama. Hanuman transformed into a state of bliss, and thought “I should make an acquaintance with him; a noble person cannot hinder my tasks.” Hanuman assumed the form of a twice-born and called for Vibheeshana who immediately rose from the seat and came towards Hanuman and gently spoke “Oh! Vipra, how are you?  Kindly tell me the purpose of your visit, Are you sincere attendant of Lord Hari? Your visit provided me extreme bliss, or are you that compassionate Lord Rama assumed the form of Vipra?”

Hanuman narrated all that about Lord Rama to Vibheeshana and introduced him as an emissary of that Lord. Vibheeshana could not control his emotions, transported to a state of ecstasy, they began to praise the endless virtues of Rama and immersed in great joy. Vibheeshana spoke “Oh! Vayuputhra, listen to me; I am living a life of a tongue between the sharp teeth, Oh! Priya Sakha, I have no one to protect, kindly tell Ravikulanatha to shower his compassionate grace upon me. I have born in the clan of Rakshasa, so I am not qualified to perform any austerities or penances, or that maybe the reason I could not contemplate upon the lotus feet of Prabhu. Oh! Hanuman, it is impossible to meet a noble soul without the grace of that Lord, I am confident now, that supreme Lord Rama would shower his grace on me as well. It is the compassionate grace of Raghuveera, brought you here and I am blessed to have your Dharshan.”

Hanuman speaks “Oh! Vibheeshana, listen to me, Prabhu is compassionate to his devotees always, it is the nature of my Prabhu. I have born in the lowly clan of Vanara, and have flickering nature, if anyone pronounces our names in the morning hours would remain in hunger without any meal on the whole day. Oh! Sakha, even though I have born as Vanara, that supreme Lord is extremely compassionate to me as well.” while speaking about the endless virtues of Raghurama Hanuman’s eyes overflow with tears. “People whoever takes immense pleasure and interest in worldly matters and bondage, forgetting that supreme Lord would undergo constant miseries and grief of the worldly existence.” Hanuman expressed his desire to meet Devi Sita, Vibheeshana narrated the pathetic state of Devi Sita and detailed the place where Devi Sita resides under the inspection of demons. Thus, Hanuman bade farewell to Vibheeshana, assumed a tiny form, and arrived in the Ashokavatika.

Hanuman saw Devi Sita, he prostrated before Devi Sita without her knowledge, she was sitting under the Ashoka tree and spending the whole night underneath it without sleep, her body was shrunken in deep grief, she has kept her hair in a single braid, and she was constantly reciting the names of Lord Rama. She was seated fixing her gaze at the feet and contemplated upon the lotus feet of Rama.  Hanuman could not control his grief watching the terrible state of Devi Janaki.

|| Sri Ram Jeyram Jay Jay Ram ||

Chapter – 1 – Sundara Kandam

Hanuman meets Devi Surasa and Mount Mainaka/The destruction of Simhika/Chayagrahin

Shantham  Shashvatham Aprameyam Anagham Nirvana Shanthipradham| Bhrama Shambhu Phaneendhra Sevyam Anisham Vedanthavedhyam Vibhum | Ramakhyam Jagadheeshwaram Suragurum Mayamanushyam Harim | Vandhe Aham Karunakaram  Raghuvaram  Bhoopala Choodamanim ||

Nanya Spruha Raghupathe Hridhayeasmadheeye  Sathyam Vadhami Cha Bhavanakhilantharathma | Bhakthim Prayashcha Raghupungava Nirbharam Me Kamadhidhosharahitham Kuru Manasam Cha ||

Athulitha Baladhamam Hemashailabha Dheham | Dhanujavanakrishanum Gnaninam Agraganyam | Sakala Gunanidhanam Vanaranam Adheesham | Raghupathi Priyabhaktham Vathajatham Namami||

I shall meditate upon the supreme Lord Rama/  Raghuvara,  who is precious gem Choodamani of the Bhoopala/Kings, he is serene and eternal, he is not perceivable, he is unblemished, he is the source of Nirvana, he is worshiped by Lord Bhrama, Lord Shambhu, Adhishesha, he is eulogized by Veda and Vedanta, he is the essence of Veda, he is all-pervasive, he is Jagatheeshwara who is the Lord of Universe and its living beings, he is Lord of Lords, he is Karunakara, he represents the precious jewel adorned on the head of Emperors, he is incarnated as Mayamanushya, I shall repeatedly prostrate before that supreme Lord Srihari. Oh! Raghupathe, Oh! Prabho, you are Sarvantharyami, resides as a soul in living beings, kindly bless us with intense devotion and faith at your lotus feet. Oh! Raghukulathilaka, kindly remove the impurities like the Kama, desire, lust, ego, pride, anger, etc. I have no other wish to fulfill.

I shall prostrate before Lord Hanuman who is the son of Lord Vayu and passionate devotee of Raghupathi, he is a storehouse of virtues, prowess, courage, intelligence, and shrewdness, has the complexion of precious yellow metal, like Mount Meru, he resembles the forest fire that destroys the woods like demons, he is foremost among the Gnani/intellectuals/Gnaninam Agraganya, he is the commander of Vanara.

Hanuman felt extremely happy listening to the advice of the elderly Jambavan. Hanuman spoke “Oh! Brothers, continue to live depending on the fruits and fiber roots available, and patiently bear all the troubles till I return after meeting Devi Sita. My heart says we will be successful in our task.” He prostrated before all the Vanaras and Jambavan, contemplated upon the supreme Lord Rama, and headed to his journey. There was a huge hill on the shores of the ocean, he enthusiastically leaped on the top of the mountain, he repeatedly contemplated upon the supreme Lord, and with all his strength took a giant leap across the ocean and elevated to the sky, while doing so, the hilltop crushed under his feet, and he darted like the powerful Astra of Raghupathi to the direction of the city of Lanka. Varuna who was watching the great prowess of Hanuman, the emissary of Rama, instructed Mount Mainaka to receive Hanuman to his abode with great honor. Mount Mainaka approached Hanuman and reverentially greeted and invited him to his abode to remove tiredness of the journey, was amiably refused by Hanuman, and patted Mount Mainaka gently and spoke “Oh! Mainaka, I have decided not to take rest until I accomplish the task of Rama.”

Vayuputhra darted like Garuda on the sky, the deities wanted to test the intelligence and prowess of Hanuman, so they have instructed the mother of serpents Devi Surasa. She assumed the form of a demon and approached Hanuman and spoke “Today deities have sent a meal to me,” Hanuman replied to her “Oh! Devi, I am traveling to carry out the task of Rama, once I accomplish the task, and inform Prabhu about the whereabouts of Devi Sita after that I shall return to your mouth. Oh! Mother, I promise you, kindly let me go.” But Devi Surasa was not willing to the terms of Hanuman, was instructed to open her mouth. She opened her mouth to the length of one Yojana, soon Kapeeshwara doubled his size of appearance. She opened her mouth sixteen Yojana length; soon Vayuputhra increased his size into thirty-two Yojana. In this way, they both have concurrently repeated the sizes of the mouth and size of the body. Suddenly, Surasa widened her mouth to a hundred Yojana, immediately Hanuman assumed a minuscule form and entered her mouth and darted out. He prostrated before Devi Surasa, she spoke “Oh! Hanuman, I was assigned by the deities to test your prowess and shrewdness that I have understood clearly, you are the storehouse of intellect and power, and you will successfully complete the task of Rama.” Thus, Surasa blessed Hanuman and returned to her abode, Hanuman continued his journey towards the opposite shore.

Lord Mahadeva speaks “ Oh! Uma, There was a haughty female demon lived in the ocean, she captures the shadows of the bird and kills them, she is capable to capture anything that creates a shadow on the ocean water, and she freezes their action and eats them. Simhika utilized the same trick to Hanuman; she caught the shadow of Hanuman, thus completely put a halt to his movement. Hanuman gave a hard spank on the female demon and killed her, and continued.  Shortly, he reached on the other side of the ocean, he looked at the beautiful woods, packed with trees and plants loaded with flowers and fruits, there were buzzing noise of the honey bees, there were numerous wild animals and birds crowded in the forest.  He took a giant leap on the hilltop. Oh! Devi, Hanuman performed the fearless task, not because of his power, it was the grace of Prabhu who represents ‘Time’. He stood on the hilltop and closely watched the city of Lanka.”

|| Sri Ram Jeyram Jay Jay Ram ||

Chapter – 8 – Kishkindha Kandam

The concluding part of Kishkindha Kandam - Sampathi informs the whereabouts of Devi Sita/Hanuman prepares to cross the vast ocean

Sampathi appealed to Vanaras “Oh! Vanaras kindly take me near to the seashore, I want to offer final rites for my brother, I have no physical stamina, but I can definitely help you with my words, kindly take me to the seashore so that I can offer water and sesame seeds as a final oblation to the departed soul. If you follow my instructions, you will definitely locate Devi Sita and will be successful in your mission.”

Sampathi performed the final rite of his brother, and began to speak about his life “Oh! Vanaras, listen to me, while I and Jatayu were youths, we brothers had a competition to fly high, Jatayu could not go near the Suryamandal, he has withdrawn because of the scorching heat of the Surya. I was haughty and arrogant, moved to the Suryamandal, and my wings were burned and fallen down on the Earth became helpless. I met a saintly person Chandrama, he felt pity for me. He advised me and enlightened me with the knowledge of self, thus I have got rid of the attachment to the body. Sage Chandrama advised “In the Thretha Yuga, the supreme Lord incarnates on the Earth as Rama, and his wife would get abducted by the Raksha King Ravana. Prabhu will send a huge army of Vanaras to locate Devi Sita, you will meet them and would get rid of your afflictions, and eventually, you will attain a new pair of wings. All you have to do is to instruct the Vanaras about the whereabouts of Devi Sita.” Oh! Vanaras, the words of Sage Chandrama came true, I shall guide you to locate Devi Sita and serve that supreme Bhramam with the entire possible manner. There is a marvelous city Lanka located on the hills of Trikoot. The demon king Ravana who is fearless is residing in that Trikoot, he imprisoned Devi Sita in the Ashokavatika surrounded by several demons to keep an eye on her, I could see, Devi Sita is extremely distraught but you could not get a glimpse of her with your own eyes. We eagles have extremely powerful eyesight, could witness things from several thousands of miles, I am already too old to help you. Oh! Vanaras, listen to me carefully, who can cross the hundred of Yojanas across the vast ocean, and shrewd can fulfill the task of Rama. Oh! Vanaras, Look at me, do not leave your hopes, see how did I attain fresh pairs of wings with the devotion and endurance, have faith in the grace of Rama, even the sinners attains  Moksha from the sufferings of worldly existence with the recitation of his sacred names. In this way, they cross the unfathomable ocean of worldly existence easily, you are the emissaries of Rama, do not get worried, contemplate upon the supreme Lord Rama, and do the necessary.”

Sage Kakabhushundi speaks “Oh! Garuda, in this way, Sampathi spread the light of hope in the hearts of Vanaras and disappeared from their sight. All those Vanaras began to speak about their capacity to travel skyway, but none has the courage to cross that vast ocean. Jambavan who is an elderly bear spoke “Oh! Vanaras, I am in my latter years of age now, I have not that strength like olden times.  Once, the Supreme Lord Rama who is Kharashathru has incarnated as Vamana on the Earth, and those days I was too young and powerful. The supreme Lord Vamana assumed colossal size of the body to measure the whole Universe in three strides, at that moment I have circumambulated that supreme Lord Vamana seven times.”  Angadha spoke, “I am sure I could cross this vast ocean and reach on the other side, but I am doubtful, whether I could return from there.” Jambava spoke “Oh! Angadha, you are an efficient warrior, you are the leader of Vanara, and how could we send you there?”

Rikshapathi/Jambavan looked at Hanuman and spoke “Oh! Powerful Hanuman, listen to me, why are you keeping quiet? You are the son of Vayu, and you are the storehouse of strength, intelligence, shrewdness, Viveka, and Vignana, Oh! Vathsa, tell me which is not impossible for you? You have born on this Earth to serve Rama.” Soon Hanuman assumed a colossal body, resembled another Giriraja/Mount Meru, with the golden complexion, he produced a deafening noise and spoke “I can take a huge leap across the vast ocean, I will kill Ravana and his entire clan, and pluck the hill Trikoot and bring back. Oh! Jambavan, I need your advice.” Jambavan spoke “Oh! Hanuman, you have to meet Devi Sita, convey the message of Prabhu, that’s all you have to do. The lotus-eyed Rama, Rajeevalochana would take care of the rest of the things; he will battle against Ravana and destroy his entire clan, and bring back Devi Sita. Rama with the huge army of Vanaras will battle against Ravana and bring back Devi Sita.  The deities, Sages, and Rishis would eulogize the glories of Rama who is capable to purify the three worlds. Whoever listens or recite the glorious myths of that supreme Lord Rama would attain Paramapadham.”

Sri Tulsidas Maharaj constantly contemplates upon the lotus feet of Ramachandra and sings the glorious legends of him like a honey bee.  Whoever listens or recite the glorious legends of Rama with intense devotion and faith, would get fulfilled all the desires with the grace of Raghunatha who is the destroyer of Thrishirass. Oh! Mortals, listen to the marvelous myth of Srirama who has the complexion of lustrous blue lotus, and has the effulgence that excels the crores of Manmatha, is the hunter of the flock of birds like accumulated sins.

||Ithi Sri Ramacharitha Manase Sakala kali Kalusha Vidhvamsane Chathurththa: Sopana: Samaptha: ||