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Sundara Kānda: Hanuman's Odyssey

Whereas Mahabharata's Bhagvad-Gita is taken as a philosophical guide, Ramayana's Sundara Kãnda is sought for spiritual solace; many believe that reading it or hearing it recited would remove all hurdles and usher in good tidings! Miracles apart, it's in the nature of this great epic to inculcate fortitude and generate hope in man for it’s a depiction of how Hanuman goes about his errand against all odds. Besides, it portrays how Seetha, on the verge of self-immolation, overcomes despair to see life in a new light? With rhythm of its verse and the flow of the narrative this sloka to sloka transcreation of the canto beautiful of Valmiki's adi kavya - the foremost poetical composition in the world, Hanuman's Odyssey that paves the way for Rama to rescue his kidnapped wife is bound to charm the readers and listeners alike. Interestingly, as the following verse illustrates, this epic was the forerunner of the magic realism of our times – “Gripped she then him by shadow / Cast which Hanuman coast to coast, Recalled he in dismay then / What Sugreev said at outset / That one fiend had aptitude / To grip its prey by mere shadow.” On a personal note, my paternal grandfather, Bulusu Thimmaiah-garu, like many in his time, was a life-long practitioner of Sundara Kãnda parayana (the epic’s daily recital in part or full), whose spirituality could have providentially guided me in this, rather an effortless, trans-creative endeavour.

BS_Murthy · Fantasy
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70 Chs

Coronation and After

Canto 128, Yuddha Kanda (War on Ravan)

Led by Vasisht high priest then

Ram 'n Seetha reached high throne.

One by one then twelve Vasus

And those grand seers eight of them

Perfused both of them with scents.

Then those elders let Brahmans

Virgins, nobles and Generals

Likewise perfuse them on throne.

Soon after were invited

Angels all to perfuse Ram

Seetha too with heavenly scents.

Held Ram's sibling Satrughna

Canopy over royal heads

While Lord Sugreev deemed if fit

To don the role of fan boy then.

As a mark of his respect

Fanned them Vibhishan from other end.

Standing in for Lord Indra

Gave them Vayu gold lotus.

On his own then Vayu gave

Pearl necklace for Ram to wear.

Made the singers 'n dancers

Sent by Indra from his court

Seem it like a heavenly show.

Portend well to Ram's lordship

Mother earth came up with bounty.

Last which would for generations

Such farm wealth Ram gave Brahmans.

For the sake of their womenfolk

Ram gave Brahmans all rare gems.

Gave then Ram to Sugreeva

Pearl chain that seemed Milky Way.

Gave Lord Ram to Prince Angad

Epaulets gold with blood red stones.

Pearl chain that Ram gave Seetha

Looked like moonbeam in blue skies.

With the consent of her Lord

Gave then Seetha silk garments

As well jewels to Hanuman.

Pulled out Seetha from her self

Necklace that was she fond of.

Sensed as Ram her intent true

Beseeched he she bestows that

Upon the one she loves the most

Apart from the spouse of hers.

Heartened as she was at that

Gave that Seetha to Hanuman.

Wore it Hanuman in reverence

Shone he like the moon on earth.

Honoured Rama Dwividu then

With Maindun 'n Neel as well

With such gifts that touched their hearts.

Went on Ram to honour friends

Left was none from vanar ranks.

Not the one to ignore friends

Ram then called for Vibhishan

Gave him gifts that pleased him most.

Last but not the least on list

Was Hanuman who got the best

From Lord Ram who valued him.

Came as time for guests to part

Gave them consent Ram to leave.

All the way to Kishkindha

Led then flock his Sugreeva.

Left for Vibhishan to Lanka

To reign in place of Ravan then.

Settled as Ram for his long reign

Spoke he then to Lakshman thus:

Sibling loyal O Lakshman

Consent to be my Crown prince.

At that Lakshman turned his back

Bharath he then pushed to forefront.

Yagas ordained by Vedas

In his long reign Ram performed.

Reign ten millennia his lasted

Domain of its spread worlds over.

Helped as Lakshman in his reign

Giving hands of Ram then touched

Horizons wide of all three worlds.

Took care Ram of his subjects

No poor cousin was ever ignored.

In his reign all lived full life

None was ruined by Acts of God.

Died no infant in his reign

Lived no dacoit to name one.

Reigned well dharma in his time

Gone were faction fights of yore.

None was barren in his land

In scores bore women there children.

Took his name all day and night

Revered him all worlds to one man.

Climes all then put their best foot

Dared not drought to visit his land.

Lived all making best of life

Shown was door to greed by all.

Sense of fairness ruled as minds

Were there no mean in his reign.

Such was golden rein of Ram

10 K summers it lasted

To the world that lapsed itself

Turned that distant past in time.

Told are life 'n times of Ram

In this foremost poetic work

Sage Valmiki gave this world.

Brings it cheer to who reads it

Besides those who hear it read.

Women who hear all Ramayan

Bear they sons who live for long.

Hears who victor Rama's tale

Keeps he death at bay for long.

Who in reverence hears saga

Of Lord Ram in Ramayan

Gave to world by Valmiki

Comes out unscathed from hardships.

Helps man Ramayan come to

Grips with anger and distress.

To and fro in one's voyage

Gives this tale him safe passage.

Hear who Rama's tale till end

Gods are known to bless them all.

Rulers who read Ramayan

Come to rule the entire world.

Swear who by this ancient work

Absolved would be from all sins.

Store if set by Rama's tale

Turns warrior the tides battle.

Reads if one or hears this tale

Grace he hath of Lord Rama.

In his avatar as Rama

Ordained Vishnu that Seshu

Makes who heavenly cushion for him

Would be with him as Lakshman.

One who hears ever this saga

Gets a spouse who well pleases.

Who in reverence hears this tale

Earns he fame that lasts for long.

Reads Whoso this adi kavya

Wins he heart of Lord Vishnu.

Essence of it whoso gets

Pleases progenitors 'n angels.

Rewrites whoso this saga

As told by sage Valmiki

Ascend he would heaven in end.