Preface
The Sundarakanda (The Beautiful Story) is a section of the Srimad Ramayana, considered to be the first great epic poem in Sanskrit. Authored by Sri Valmiki, the Sundarakanda provides an outstanding characterization of Hanuman who, with his valor, dedication and other divine qualities, overcame many obstacles to cross the ocean in his search of Sita Devi (Goddess Sita), Hanuman's mission was to locate Sita Devi and bring back information regarding her condition to Sri Rama.
The narrative includes how Hanuman planned the task of searching for Sita Devi, crossed hurdles as they arose, solved insurmountable problems using his own ingenuity, located her in Lanka, and finally returned to report the details to Sri Rama, His character exemplifies the noble qualities of focus, persistence, dedication and problem solving. These traits are essential to achieve success in every project one undertakes.
This book is a revised version of the Sundarakanda that was published on Sri Ramanavami, April 13, 2002. Recently, I was narrating the story of Hanuman from the earlier version to my grandson who was five years old at the time. He enjoyed the episodes of Hanuman's adventures, and asked, "Grandma, why don't you keep this book in the public library so that everyone can read it?" The current version of the book emerged from that conversation.
The purpose of this book is to share the beautiful descriptions and the exemplary character of Hanuman as given in the magnificent epic of the Ramayana. I chose to write the book in English so that children not familiar with Indian Languages can enjoy and learn from the story. The purpose is to provide a role model in Hanuman, to encourage growing children to emulate his qualities. It is not a verbatim translation of the Sundarakanda, Some lengthy descriptions and repetitions were summarized to be more appropriate and comprehensible to children.
My heartfelt thanks go to my husband, Dr. Sastri Kota for his constant support and encouragement. I kindly thank Dr. Srinivasacharyulu Garu for contributing the foreward. I sincerely appreciate Sri Sivaji Tumbali for providing excellent illustrations. I thank Smt. Prashanti and Sri Vinay Mamidi for the preparation of the first edition of this book. My appreciation also goes to Dr. Aparna Kota, Dr. Jean Herbert, and Smt. Padmaja Iyer for their reviews and valuable feedback and to Smt. Ranjana Gobburu for her supportive role in the first edition. I would like to appreciate Sri Malladi Vidyaranyulu for publishing the first edition. My thanks are also due to Sri Harbir Singh and Sri Prashant Padala for their valuable support of this edition. ,
May Sri Hanuman and Sri Rama bless everyone who reads this book with peace and happiness.
Foreword
Valmiki's Ramayana, the first poem in Sanskrit beautifully describes the story of Sri Rama the encamation of Sri Mahavishnu in six Kandas. Sundara Kanda the fifth chapter in the poem is really sundaram. It describes the most exemplary qualities of Hanuman engaged in search of Sita Devi taken away by Ravana to Lanka. Sundarakanda is believed as most sacred book and people do parayanam of this for the fulfilment of their desires. The following sloka describes the excellent effect of Hanumatsmaranam.
Buddhir balam yaso dhairyam
Nirbhayatvamarogata
Ajadyam vakpatutvam cha
Hanumatsmaranat bhavet.
By meditation on Hanuman one gets wisdom, strength, fame, courage, fearlessness, good health, alertness and eloquence.
I am very happy that the Sundarakanda translated in to simple and lucid English is published by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams for the benefit of the english readers especially young boys and girls.
I thank Smt. Krishna Kota (U.S.A.) for translating this book into English.
I hope the youngesters will read this book and emulate the excellent qualities of Hanuman.
Contents
vii
xi
About the Enclosed CD
xiii
Guide for Pronunciation and Transliteration System
xiv
Beginning Prayers
2
Importance of Sundarakanda for Children
10
Highlights of Srimad Valimiki Ramayana
13
Introduction to the Ramayana
Srimad Ramayana Story (in brief)
14
Chapter 1: Hanuman Crossing the Ocean
27
Chapter 2: Hanuman's Strategy: How to Enter Lanka
38
Chapter 3: Hanuman Defeats Lankhini - Protector of Lanka
40
Chapter 4: Hanuman Enters Lanka City
43
Chapter 5: Description of Ravana's Palace
44
Chapter 6, 7: Hanuman's Description of His Findings
Chapter 8: Description of the Puspaka Vimana, the Special Airplane
45
Chapter 9: Hanuman Searches Ravana's Inner Palace
47
Chapter 10: Hanuman Mistakes Mandodari for Sita
48
Chapter 11: Hanuman Realizes His Mistake
49
Chapter 12: Hanuman Laments His Inability to Find Sita Devi
50
Chapter 13: Hanuman's Deep Despair and Search for Sita Continues
51
Chapter 14: Hanuman Describes the Asoka Gardens
55
Chapter 15: Hanuman Finds Sita
Chapter 16: Hanuman confirms she is Sita Devi without a Mistake
57
Chapter 17: The Demons Surrounding Sita Devi in the Asoka Garden
59
Chapter 18: Ravana Comes To the Asoka Garden
60
Chapter 19: Ravana Approaches Sita
61
Chapter 20: Ravana Expresses His Love for Sita
62
Chapter 21: Sita Devi's Courageous Reply to Ravana
65
Chapter 22: Ravana Threatens Sita Devi
67
Chapters 23,24: Demons Threaten Sita Devi
69
Chapters 25, 26: Sita's Sorrow
71
Chapters 27,28: Trijata's Dream
73
Chapter 29: Sita Devi's Good Omen
75
Chapter 30: Hanuman Plans To Speak To Sita Devi...
76
Chapter 31: Hanuman Chants Sri Rama's Story
79
Chapter 32: Sita Devi's Confused State
80
Chapter 33: Sita Devi Explains What Happened
81
Chapter 34: Hanuman Reassures Sita Devi..
83
Chapter 35: Hanuman Earns Sita Devi's Trust
85
Chapter 36: Hanuman Presents Sri Rama's Ring to Sita Devi
87
Chapter 37: Hanuman Considers Taking Sita Devi with Him
90
Chapter 38: Sita Devi Gives Hanuman the ChudamalJi
93
Chapter 39: Hanuman Prepares To Leave Sita Devi..
96
Chapter 40: Hanuman Leaves Sita Devi
99
Chapter 41: Hanuman Spoils the ASoka Gardens
Chapter 42: Ravana Learns Of the Destroyed Asoka Garden
102
Chapter 43: Hanuman Destroys the Caitya Prasada
105
Chapter 44: Hanuman Fights with Jambumalini
106
Chapter 45: Hanuman Fights With the Minister's Seven Sons
107
Chapter 46: Hanuman Fights with Five Commanders
109
Chapter 47: Hanuman Kills Aka Kumara
112
Chapter 48: Hanuman Fights with Indrajit
113'
Chapter 49: The Description of Ravana's Court
116
Chapter 50: Hanuman in Ravana's Royal Gathering
117
Chapter 51: Hanuman's Speech in Ravana's Royal Court
119
Chapter 52: Vibhisana's Advice to Ravana
122
Chapter 53: Demons Burn Hanuman's Tail
123
Chapter 54: Hanuman Burns Lanka
126
Chapter 55: Hanuman realizes his wrongdoing
127
Chapter 56: Hanuman's Return Journey
131
Chapter 57: Hanuman Returns to the Mahendra Mountain
132
Chapter 58: Hanuman Narrates His Journey
136
Chapter 59: Hanuman Is Still Excited
137
Chapter 60: Jambavan's Advice
139
Chapter 61: Monkeys in Madhuvan
Chapter 62: Drunken Vanaras
140
Chapter 63: Rama and Laksmana Learn of Hanuman's Return
141
Chapter 64: The Vanaras Return to Sugriva
Chapter 65: Hanuman Tells Sri Rama about Sita Devi
142
Chapter 66: Rama Receives the Chudamani
143
Chapter 67: Hanuman Relates the Personal Story of Sri Rama and Sita Devi
145
Chapter 68: Hanuman Concludes the Task
147
Sri Rama Pattabhisekam
148
Rama Pattabhi~kam
152
Glossary
153
References
163
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