SUNDARA KANDAM

Sundara Kandam is said to be the book of beauty. It has detailed accounts of Hanuman's adventures, including his meeting with Sita. The name is derived from the fond name given to Hanuman by his mother

It was only because of Ravana's inordinate love for Sita he was able to tolerate the inexcusable statement of Sita's. He gave her two month's time. Sita was very clear to him that nobody other than him has spoken to Rama's wife in such a manner. She had all the powers to burn him to ashes with her chastity and only out of pity she has spared him. Rama's arrow however will deal with Ravana fittingly for his intolerable sin. Ravana now flared up like a wounded lion. His lips quivered and eyes got blood shot. Still he partially composed himself and gave orders to the hideous demonesses that kept watch over Sita to somehow win over that woman with threats and cajolements alternatively. Then he moved away majestically with his attendant wives. The words Ravana and Rudra are derived from the root Rud which means to cause cry. There are two types of crying- one, the worldly and the other godly. Both the forces created the situation for sorrow and then supply the actual need of the distressed. All weeping and wailing connected with the mundane is induced by the Ravana force. Ravana used to carry away many a woman by force thereby creating pang in her. Then he consoled her by supplying with all possible earthly pomp, power and pleasure. No one could resist the temptations profusely offered by him. The concealed Hanuman finds an exception in Sita. She was apparently imprisoned and harassed by Ravana. But neither his abduction nor his offer of extraordinary earthly position could have any effect on Sita. She was made of a metal supremely above all mundane concerns. She remained unaffected by all earthly pains and pleasures. She suffered from a self created pang for reunion with her Lord. It was the separation that brought out this divine element in her. It was the Rudra force that revealed her character in its original purity. The beauty of that character stands on its own pedestal.

One after another the demonesses now presented their views to Sita and persuaded her to come round to right decision. Ravana's high lineage was depicted by one and his exploits extolled by another. His mastery over the three worlds was praised by a third. Ravana's control over the wind, sun and rain was no small achievement. He was a terror to the celestials. The grandeur of his palace, the opulence of his wealth, the luxury and the services of hundreds of maid servants that would be at the disposal of the meaninglessly languishing Sita were all temptingly offered to her. She was carried across the unaffordable deep sea and confined in an inaccessible park. Escape was impossible. There was none to redeem her. Resigning herself to lot was the only course open to her. But Sita's stern rejoinder was, "Palace and penury makes no difference to me. I have my existence in Rama. Separated from him I shall not live." The demonesses now resorted to terrifying Sita. They suggested ways and means of devouring her. With sorrow written large on her face Sita reviewed her fate, "It is wretched to take human birth. It is doubly so to be a captive to a stranger. The worst of all wretchedness is for a woman in captivity to retain in life. Let these creatures eat me up. Or let put an end to myself. If Rama was alive and if he had known my whereabouts he would have somehow sent message to me. Since he has not done so, my lingering further is purposeless." At this juncture Trijata, a colleague to the demonesses, appeared on the scene and warned them to withhold form their wicked design. According to a dream that she dreamt there was going to be a change of events. Ravana's fall was imminent. Following it those who molested Sita, would not be spared. So in their personal interest they were advised to desist from their demoniac action. This advice had its salutary effect. The Rakshasis relaxed their rigid watch over Sita and slept sound.


Sita was too preoccupied with her emotional thoughts to take note of what transpired between Trijata and the other rakshasis. She thought, "Man or woman dies when the span of life is over. But it is possible for one to inflict death on another at any time independent of the natural course. Why should not one commit sucide if it serves a great purpose? Instead of allowing myself to cut to pieces by the rakshasas, I shall fix my mind on Rama and cast off the body. Then let them feast on to their heart's content." It was midnight. The demonesses were dead asleep. Sita further resolved, "I am a captive. I have neither weapon nor poison to put an end to myself. So I shall make a slip knot of my long braid round my neck, tie the end of the braid to a branch of this tree high up and jump down from there. The weight of the body will tighten the slip knot; and it will be the end that I want." The preparations were going on. The last thought that was vividly rising in the mind of Sita was: "If Rama ever hears of this mishap, he will not be happy. But I have no other choice. Barring this event, let his hermitage terminate auspiciously. Let him return to Ayodhya hale and hearty and give delight to all concerned." Hanuman was the eye witness to all these significant events that were taking place on that spot in Ashoka grove. He could also intuit the thoughts emanating in the mind of Janaki. He cogitated, "So far my attempts have all been successful. But now I am in a dilemma. If I delay a few minutes Mythili will be mostly dead once for all. If I shout the sleeping rakshasis will wake up and catch me. If I make my appearance in silence, Sita will get frightened complicating or hastening the crisis. If I speak gently and politely I may be mistaken for Ravana. There is only one course left open to me." The resourceful Anjenaya chanted the glory and valour of Rama in a subdued but clear voice.

This was just at the time when Jankai was to commit suicide. She desisted from her desperate action. Her ears were involuntarily intent on the vocal feast. It balmed her pained soul. Sita felt a new lease of life infused into her. Still she interrogated, "Is this not a new trick of the demons to entrap me?. Hanuman said , "I assure you, O adorable one, I am a messenger from your Lord." Sita was confused and she asked Hanuman, "How am I to know it?" Hanuman got permission from Sita and appeared before her and he proved it, by landing from the tree, prostrated and stood reverently. Sita found him perfect and sturdy in body, clear in mind and ardent in Rama's commission. Asked by her he recounted the developments of the events since she was lost. He concluded, "Rama and Lakshmana are grieved over your loss, they are determined to redeem you wherever found. I am a minister of Sugreeva, the king of Kishkindha. This king has dedicated himself, his kingdom and his people to serve Rama in his attempt to save you. His monkey subjects have gone in all directions in search of you. Among them I am lucky in finding you. Rama asked me to inform you of his welfare. Lakshmana sends his reverence to you. Here is Rama's signet ring to testify the validity of my message." Sita received the signet ring, scrutinized it and pressed it to her closed eyes with joy and devotion. Now she evinced motherly love towards the messenger. Anjenaya assured Janaki that when he reported her whereabouts to Rama he would with the help of Sugreeva's army invade Lanka, vanquish the wicked despot along with his race and redeem her.

Now a new cause of anxiety rose in the mind of Sita. Ten months of captivity were over. Ravana would only spare her for just two months more. If not emancipated before that time he would have her put to death. Then Rama's attempts would go in vain. But because of this new development she had no freedom to take away her own life. The situation had become rather complicated. A ray of hope and a cloud of despondency have come in side by side. Anjenaya offered to solve her problem in not time. He first demonstrated his yogic power of enlarging his body to any size. The next thing to do was to make Sita sit comfortably on a huge log which he would airlift and place in the presence of Rama at Kishkindha. Sita admired the super human prowess of this son of Vayu. His solution seemed easy and inviting to the ordinary. But the virtuous would not approve of it. Ravana the abductor stole her away. Rama the timid husband stole her back through the agency of crafty monkey. That would be the everlasting ignominy of Rama. Death is better than infamy. The heroic course for Rama was to declare war, vanquish the villain and reclaim the victimized spouse.