||Sri Ram Jeyram Jai Jai Ram||

Chapter – 9 – Sundara Kandam

 Mandodhari's advice to Ravana/Vibheeshna's advice to Ravana

The city of Lanka was doomed in gloominess from the day Hanuman set fire on it, the people were lived in great fear, immersed in various thoughts “We have seen the prowess of the emissary of Rama, we have no other shelter place, if the emissary is possessed this immense power, it is unimaginable about the prowess of his Master.” Devi Mandodhari received the terrible news from her female companions, she felt extremely restless. She approached her husband in private and prostrated before him and spoke with folded hands “Oh! Swami, kindly leave your enmity with Lord Sri Hari, kindly listen to my words, it is for your welfare. Therefore instruct your Minister to send back the wife of that valorous prince with all respects. The females of Lanka are horrified at the prowess of that Vanara who set fire to Lanka, while thinking about the same causing destruction of their fetus. Devi Sita will cause the destruction of your clan like the snow causes damage to the lotus flowers. Oh! Lord, kindly listen to me, if you do not return Devi Sita, even the Lord Shambhu or Lord Bhrama will not be on your side. Ramabana is serpent to the cluster of demons like frogs, kindly leave your arrogance, and protect the frog-like your clan from the powerful Ramabana.”

 

Ravana who is extremely arrogant and dull-minded, laughed out boisterously “Oh! Devi, it is true that woman is always fidgety, they get so nervous even the hours of auspiciousness, her heart is too week. If the army of Vanara enters into my kingdom, they would be a great feast for demons. Lokapalakas are frightened of my valor. It is witty that you are my wife, scared of my enemies.” He embraced her and expressed his love for her and went to the assembly of the ministers. Mandodhari became restless; she understood his fate has turned against him. Ravana took a seat on the majestic throne, soon he received the news of army of Vanaras arrived on the other side of the shore. Ravana discussed with his ministers for valuable suggestions, they advised “Oh! Prabho, you are powerful in all manner, you have won over the deities and demons, so not to worry about these Vanaras and the humans. It won’t create a problem for you.”

 

If the minister or physician, or preceptor, speaks out of fear or speaks for personal gain would cause destruction to Kingdom, health, and Dharma. Ravana could not take a proper decision out of their praise, Vibheeshana felt immensely pleased watching the pitiable state of his elder brother, he prostrated before him. He took a seat in the assembly and head hung down, Ravana asked his opinion, Vibheeshana began to speak “Oh! Dear brother, you are so kind to me, I shall speak that I feel appropriate to me, and it would be most promising to you as well. There is a saying that no one should look at the Chandra on the Chathurthi day, people who really yearn to have welfare, happiness, fame, intellect, and all the material comforts in their lives should not look at the strange woman and fall for her beauty.  No one has the right to hurt or kill the creatures on this planet, even if he is an emperor of fourteen worlds, it would heave him to destruction. If a person has all the virtues, and skill but if he has shown a little bit of Lobha is enough to stain him. Oh! Brother, Kama, Krodha, Lobha, Moha, Madha, and Mathscharya would lead to hell, therefore leave all those and take shelter in Raghuveera who is sought after by noble and virtuous, and contemplate upon him. Oh! Brother, listen to me, Rama is not an ordinary human. He is Bhuvaneshwara who is the Kala of Kala, he is unblemished by Maya, he is absolute Bhramam, he has no birth, he is all-pervasive, he is unconquerable, he has neither beginning nor end. The Supreme Lord Rama is the ocean of mercy, he has assumed the form of a human for the welfare of cows, Brahmins, deities, Rishis and Sages, and Mother Earth. Oh! Brother, listen to me, he is the source of supreme bliss, he is enemy of wicked, and truly compassionate to his devotees, he is the protector of Veda and Dharma, kindly leave your enmity with him, prostrate before him. He is supreme Lord who destroys the sufferings and miseries of the people who have taken shelter in him. Oh! Lord, kindly give back Devi Vaidhehi to Rama and surrender to that Lord who is impartial to all. He never abandons even the severe sinners. Oh! Ravan, kindly understands, he is supreme Lord Rama who destroys the Thapathraya of the Jeeva.”

 

Vibheeshana continues “ Oh! Dhashamukha, I shall prostrate at your feet, and repeatedly asking you to leave your arrogance, ignorance, Moha, and Madha, and contemplate upon Kosaladheesha. Kindly consider this as the advice of our grandfather Sage Pulasthya. Oh! Thatha, I have taken this opportunity to convey the message of our grandfather.” There was a noble minister Malyavan in the assembly, he spoke “Oh! Son, your brother is impartial, the storehouse of virtues, therefore listen to Vibheeshana.” Ravana infuriated listen to the advice of Vibheeshana and Malyavan, he called out for his men and ordered “No one here to throw out these two fools, who are praising the virtues of my enemy?” Immediately Malyavan rose from his seat and left the assembly of Ravan. Vibheeshan spoke with folded hands “Oh! Brother,  the Veda, and Purana proclaim that we all have merits and demerits.  The place where virtues prevail, that will be the abode of richness and happiness, the place where immoralities exists would be the place for unhappiness and miseries. It is sad that your intellect has become polluted; you have considered friends as enemies, and vice versa. This is also one of the reasons that you wanted to possess Devi Sita who is Kalarathri to the clan of demons. I fall at your feet and beg you, kindly accept my suggestion, kindly return Devi Sita to Rama, and keep yourself safe from the troubles.”

 

Vibheeshana spoke all those reasons were widely accepted by the intellectuals from scriptures and Veda, but Ravana could not understand a bit of it, he rose from the throne in extreme rage and gave him a hard kick, and spoke “Oh! Wicked, your death has neared, Oh! Fool, you are living under my shelter, but you are justifying my enemy. Oh! Wicked, I have possessed immense prowess, who did not I defeat? You are living in my Kingdom and kind to those Thapasvin, in that case, you can leave my Kingdom and be with them always.” Vibheeshana, repeatedly prostrated before him and begged to protect himself from the enmity of Rama were fallen into deaf ears.

 

Lord Mahadeva speaks “Oh! Uma, this is the real nature of an ascetic, even though he was abused and misbehaved by his brother, he wanted to ensure the safety of Ravana. Vibheeshana spoke “Oh! Brother, nothing wrong you have abused me physically, you are equivalent to my father, but your welfare lies in the meditation and contemplation upon Lord Rama.” After saying so, Vibheesha with his ministers left the Kingdom of Lanka through the skyways. He spoke “Oh! Brother, Lord Rama is extremely powerful and fight against injustice, all your ministers are moving to the mouth of death, therefore I am going to take shelter at the lotus feet of Rama, do not blame me.”

||Sri Ram Jeyram Jai Jai Ram||

Chapter – 8 – Sundara Kandam

 The conversation between Hanuman and Lord Rama/Huge armies of Vanara and bears proceed to the shores led by Rama, Lakshman, Sugriva, Jambavan, Hanuman, and Angadha 

Prabhu raised Hanuman from his feet, and embraced him, took his hands, and made him seated next to him and spoke “Oh! Hanuman, how did you set fire to the city of Lanka? It is an extremely difficult task indeed.” Hanuman without taking any pride in it began to speak “Oh! Prabho, We are Vanaras good from juggling from one branch of the tree to the another, Oh! Prabho, I have crossed the vast ocean, burned the golden city of Lanka, killed numerous demons, destroyed the Ashokavatika, all that with your grace, I have nothing to take pride in it. Oh! Prabho, who have achieved your grace would perform even the impossible tasks effortlessly, Oh! Prabho, Even the impossible seems possible with your grace. Oh! Prabho, kindly bless me to have intense faith and devotion at your lotus feet.”

 

Lord Mahadeva speaks “Oh! Uma, Prabhu said ‘Let it be’ listening to the innocent words of Hanuman. Oh! Uma, whoever understands the splendor of that compassionate Lord Rama will attain great interest in devotion at his lotus feet, eventually, they will get rid of interest in worldly matters and bondage. Whoever listened to the conversation with Prabhu and Hanuman would attain intense devotion at the lotus feet of Prabhu.” All those Vanaras cheered ‘Hail Rama, Hail Ramachandra Prabhu who is supreme bliss and ocean of mercy”. Raghava called for Sugriva and spoke “Oh! Sakha, proceed to Lanka, we will conduct our journey very soon, do not wait too long, give instructions to Vanaras.” The deities who appeared on the sky were extremely happy listening to the order of Prabhu, they showered flowers upon him and returned to their respective abodes.

 

Sugriva called for a meeting of the chief of the Vanaras, they have arrived in huge numbers, there were the armies of Vanaras and armies of bears, though they were different in appearance, but have great in might. They assembled before the Prabhu and prostrated before his lotus feet. Rama showered his compassionate grace upon that whole Vanarasena, instantly they have gained the strength of mountains with the compassionate grace of Prabhu, they have achieved the might of the mountains that attained fresh pair of wings. Thus, Rama, Lakshmana, Sugriva with the huge army of Vanaras and bears, proceeded the journey, there were numerous auspicious omens that appeared before them. It was quite natural that the supreme Lord who symbolizes auspiciousness was leading the army. Devi Vaidhehi understood the news of Rama set out for Lanka, her left side of limbs quivered as a mark of auspiciousness. All those good omens to Janaki has appeared as the bad omen for Ravana. How did I describe that huge army of Vanaras and bears producing boisterous voices and marching towards the shores? This Vanaras has the sharp teeth and nails are weapons, flew through the sky, and leaped to the mountain, darted to the ground holding huge rocks and trees, as they have born to trek the way they desired. The huge armies Vanaras and bears produced deafening noises, along with the trumpeting of elephants, Earth quivered, mountains trembled, ocean packed with huge waves. The Gandharvas, deities, Sages, and Kinnaras felt extremely happy at the thought that their troubles will end very soon. The numerous Vanaras crushed their teeth, and cheered “Hail Sri Rama who is the powerful emperor of Kosala” and sung in praise of endless virtues of him. Thus, the huge army of Vanaras and bears, along with Rama, Lakshman and Sugriva arrived on the shores. Soon, those Varans and bears scattered to the nearby woods and took great pleasure in the succulent fruits.

 

||Sri Ram Jeyram Jai Jai Ram||

Chapter – 7 – Sundara Kandam

 Hanuman meets Rama and handover the jewel Choodamani 

Hanuman produced a deafening voice that shattered the fetus of the female demons; he took a giant leap across that vast ocean and reached on the other side of the ocean. The army of Vanaras, Angadha, and Jambadha recognized the energetic voice of Hanuman, they enthusiastically rushed to him, and they appreciated him and produced loud gibbering sounds in extreme happiness. They felt that they have attained re-birth, watching the most pleasing and effulgence physique of Hanuman, guessed that he has returned after accomplishing the task of Ramachandra, they all felt extremely cheerful like the fishes take pleasure in the freshwaters of the rain, that was out of water in muddy lands. Thus, they have happily proceeded to Mount Prashravana to inform Ramachandra about the situation of Devi Sita. In the meantime, they took great pleasure in the Madhuvana, the pleasure garden of Sugriva was taken care of by his Mathula/father-in-law.  They entered into that beautiful garden and took jubilation in the consumption of nectar-like fruits, and destroyed the trees and plants, the guides who were in charge of the garden surrounded Angadha and his army was beaten and wounded badly. They informed Sugriva about the pathetic state of the Madhuvana, and the atrocities of the army led by crown prince Angada. Sugriva was highly pleased to listen to the return of the army of Angadha, he guessed they must have fulfilled the task of Prabhu, otherwise, they won’t return to Kingdom or show courage to destroy the pleasure garden.

The army led by Angadha, with Hanumana and Jambavan, arrived to meet Sugriva, they prostrated before the Vanararaja, he received them affectionately and enquired about their welfare, Angadha spoke “Oh! Rajan, we are pleased to present before you, all the events took place appropriately with the grace of Lord Rama, Oh! Natha, Hanuman performed a huge task and protected all the Vanaras.” Sugriva embraced them and took them to meet Raghava. Rama was extremely happy to watch Vanaras and Vanararaja understood they must have accomplished the task. The two brothers were seated on the crystal rock; all those Vanaras prostrated before Rama and Lakshmana and took a seat before them obediently. He embraced all the Vanaras and enquired their welfare was replied “Oh! Prabho, We are happy to take shelter at your lotus feet.”

Jambavan spoke “Oh! Prabho, listen to me, whoever attains your grace and compassion,  are extremely fortunate ones and happy, all the deities, Devatas, Manushya, and Rishis get highly pleased on them, he would remain successful, virtuous and humble, his fame would spread in the three worlds. Oh! Prabho, everything worked the way you have desired, with your grace. We have attained fruitfulness of our lives; the fortune of Vayuputhra is indescribable, even with the thousand tongues.” Jambavan described the various amusements of Hanuman in the city of Lanka.

The Supreme Lord, who is Kripanidhi embraced Hanuman again and again with extreme happiness and spoke “Oh! Dear one, Oh! Thatha, how is Janaki? How did she protect her Prana?” Hanuman spoke “Oh! Prabho, your sacred names protecting Devi Janaki during the day and night, the mediation upon you are the safe doors to protect her, she has fixed her gaze on her feet, she has not found any way to protect herself. Devi gave me Choodamani/hair ornament while I was returning.” Hanuman offered that marvelous Choodamani to Raghava, he kept it close to his chest and shed tears, Hanuman conveyed the message of Devi Janaki “Oh! Prabho, Oh! Pranatharththihari, who removes the grief and sufferings of the people surrendered at your lotus feet, I have devoted to your feet with words, mind, and actions. Oh! Prabho why did you abandon me? I have not left the Prana the moment I got separated from you; it was my sin, Oh! Prabho, it was the problems of my eyes, it blocked my Prana. The pain of separation from you torturing me like burning fire, and my breaths are like Vayu that enhances the flame, my body is like the cotton between that fire and air, and my eyes are constantly shedding tears of separation from you, and it protecting this body not to burn alive.” Hanuman spoke “Oh! Prabho, Oh! Deenadhayalo, it is fair not to describe the pain of separation of Devi Sita, Oh! Karunanidhi, she is feeling every second as Yuga, therefore Oh! Prabho, kindly leave to Lanka with the army of multitudes of Vanaras, show your prowess to the wicked enemies and protect Devi Sita.”

Prabhu who is supreme bliss, the lotus-like his eyes filled in tears of separation from Devi Sita and her sufferings in Lanka, he spoke “Oh! Vayuputhra, do you think that the people who have taken shelter at me, with their deeds, mind, and action, will undergo afflictions?” Hanuman replied “Oh! Prabho, there are no afflictions horrendous than forgetting you and not contemplating or shelter in you. Those demons are not at all a threat to you, and you will definitely destroy the entire clan of demons and protect Devi Sita.” Rama spoke “Oh! Hanuman, there is no one promising as you in the deities, humans, Munishwaras, how did I express my gratitude to you. Oh! Thatha, I cannot pay off for the afflictions and struggles you have gone through to locate Devi Sita.” The protector of deities kept looking at Hanuman in extreme compassion and shed tears of joy. Hanuman looked at that Prabhu, and transported to the state of ecstasy and sincerely prayed “Oh! Bhagavan kindly protects me from ‘Ahamkara’ and ‘Mamakara’” and falls at the feet of Lord Ramachandra. He did not rise from the feet of Prabhu, even though Prabhu made all efforts to raise him from the feet. Hanuman was in a deep state of devotion, Prabhu rested his hands on his head. Eventually, Gaureesha transported to the supreme state of bliss remembering those moments, became emotional, shortly he regained the normal state and continued to narrate the legend of Rama.

||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.