Recite Sundar Kand in 9 minutes

 

 

 Recite Sundar Kand in 9 minutes

 

The faithful are aware of the efficacious benefits of chanting or reading sacred texts, Mantras and books like the Hanuman Chalisa and Sunder Kand.  This is done by vast multitudes especially on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

The vibrations upon reading such books and meditating on the mantras invoke positive thoughts so that the mind becomes embellished and we can conquer the demons and overcome inhibitions which obfuscate our viewpoint.  However, several of us fail to read these sacred texts and chant mantras regularly and often citing heavy work schedule and paucity of time. The time given to the Divine is the least says spiritual Guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. Thus we fail to give the Lord quality time and it is only in times of duress that we attempt to remember the Lord.

Now, even if humans find the time, they are unable to read it with focus, clarity and proper intonation. Some manage to read and meditate but do not give their hundred percent. The mind keeps wandering through material meadows.

This is a simple version of Sunder Kand.

Ram Ram Jai Ram

Ram Jai Ram Ram

Peaceful, Compassionate, Sinless,

         One who has been served by Brahma and Shambhu,

One who is seen in the human form by Maya,

Hey Raghuvar, I salute you.

You are my Antaratma.

Liberate me,

Oh Prabhu, instill Bhakti in me.

      Oh Lord Hanuman the epitome of strength, knowledge and wisdom on behest of Jambavanth set out to cross The Mighty Ocean in search of Seetha.

He accepted the challenge of Sirsa and won over her. He reached Lanka in the still if the night. He could hear a voice singing the praises of Lord Rama. He had the darshan of Seetha and presented Her with Lord Ram's ring. Bowing at Her feet He sought Her Blessings.

He created havoc in the Vatika by devouring the fruits, breaking the branches, shaking the trees and willingly became a captive of the Asuras, to be presented to Ravana. He tried driving sense into Ravana and asked him to seek Lord Ram's forgiveness. The egoistic Ravan did not concede. Instead he set Hanuman's rail on fire. The latter in turn set out  to destroy the golden city of Lanka. 

He took the Chudamani from Sita ,comforted Her. He presented it to Lord Ram. An emotional Ram embraced Him and asked Him how did he accomplish the task. Hanumanji humbly replied that nothing is impossible if one is granted Bhakti by Lord Ram. 

Lord Ram asked Sugreev to get his army ready and seek the permission of The Ocean to cross it and reach Lanka.

Mandodri warned Ravan of the dire consequences of holding Sita captive. She implored him to set Her free, but in vain. Ravan who got the news about Lord Rama's strategy, called his council of ministers. His brother Vibheeshan tried to reason with him. He warned him that even Lord Shiva will not help him nor appreciate his henious act of abducting Sita. All this fell on deaf ears. A helpless Vibheeshan left Lanka and sought refuge at Lord Rama's feet. The Lord recognised the virtuous Vibheeshan and crowned him as Lanka pati.

Ravan's messengers who were sent in disguise to know about Ram's plans returned to Lanka and apprised him of the happenings . They implored him to release Sita and seek Ram's forgiveness, but the foolhardy Ravan did not relent. 

Lord Ram with Nal and Neel's help got the Setu bridge constructed. He released river Sarayu from its curse and set out to Lanka.

This is the eternal  Sundar khand written by Tulsi Das.

 

 

 

 

16. Ramayana by Valmiki

 There is an old fable that when Valmiki completed his Ramayana, Narada said, “It's good, but the one written by Hanuman is better.”

Valmiki was affronted by this remark of Narada Muni. He wondered whose Ramayana was verily better. He found Hanuman’s Ramayana inscribed on seven broad leaves of a banana tree. The plunderer-turned- saint to his amazement found it to be perfect. It had an exquisite choice of grammar and vocabulary, metre and melody. Soon he broke down and wept incessantly. A startled Hanuman wailed, “Is it so terrible?” “On the contrary, this one is a distinguished piece of art form,” remarked Valmiki.

“If that be so, why are you crying?” asked a now comforted Hanuman.

“The truth is, upon reading your Ramayana none will read mine,” replied Valmiki.

Hearing these words Hanuman, the Wind God tore up the banana leaves declaring that no one would ever read Hanuman’s Ramayana.  

Valmiki was astonished at this act of Hanuman. Hanuman replied, “You need your Ramayana more than I need mine. You wrote Ramayana so that the world remembers Valmiki; I penned my thoughts in the form of Ramayana so that I remember Ram.”

At that juncture Valmiki realized how he had been subsumed by the desire for validation through his work. He had not used the work to liberate himself from the fear of invalidation.

The Ramayana of Valmiki was a product of ambition; while Hanuman’s Ramayana was a craft of sheer devotion. Therefore, Hanuman’s Ramayana sounded so much better.

There are several people like Hanuman who do not scorch the ramps or receive ovations from rambunctious crowds. They merely accomplish their tasks and execute the role assigned.  

There are many unsung ‘Hanumans’ in our lives… our spouses, parents, friends and colleagues. It is the art of gratefulness to be constantly thankful to them and acknowledge their role in making our lives better.  

 

 

 

1.     Bountiful God’s Own Country

“In the beginning, God created the earth, and He looked upon it in His cosmic loneliness.”

And God said, “Let us make living creatures out of mud, so the mud can see what we have done.”

And God created every living creature that now moveth, and one was man. Mud- as- man alone could speak. God leaned close to mud- as- man sat up, looked around, and spoke. Man blinked. “What is the purpose of all this?” he asked politely.

“Everything must have a purpose?” asked God.

“Certainly,” said man.

“Then I leave it to you to think of one for all this,” said God.

And He went away.”

― Kurt Vonnegut, visionary American author.

 

Call it God, nature or divinity, there is scant doubt that cosmic forces conspired to make the southern state of Kerala alluring and prepossessing, beckoning tourists in humungous numbers to savour the scenic beauty, temples, churches, mosques and synagogues, embellished with ornate architectural design, lush green fields, swaying coconut trees, awe-inspiring beaches, sublime backwaters and lagoons. This oasis of natural creation and design lingers in the memory bank of the trippers’ mind.

The state of Kerala is all about vast green expanses that would take at least a fortnight to traverse and to explore the gem-spots spread across ‘God’s Own Country’. Nevertheless, a voyager can attempt to discover the bountiful natural beauty of Kerala in a week through some meticulous planning.

In a span of one week an enterprising excursionist can discover the charm of the Kochi, Munnar (a quaint hill station), Thekkady (a wildlife sanctuary), Alappuzha (the stupefying backwaters- also famous for the famous Nehru boat race) and the exotic beaches at Kovalam.

The IRCTC proffers an attractive package which lures the interested tourists. Guests are received by a representative of IRTC at the Kochi airport and housed at an upmarket hotel. The local sight-seeing includes a visit to the Mattancherry Palace, constructed by the Portuguese for the king of Cochin as a gift. Subsequently it was taken over by the Dutch, whence it came to be known as the Dutch Palace.

The Mattancherry Palace is notable for the Kerala murals depicting portraits and exhibits of the Rajas of Kochi. It is a matter of immense pride that the palace has been included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The sightseeing trip includes a visit to the Paradesi Synagogue, the oldest active synagogue in the Commonwealth of Nations. It was constructed in 1568 and is one of the seven synagogues of the Malabar Yehudan community.

The tour winds up at the charming seaside area, Fort Kochi, known for its Dutch, Portuguese, and British colonial architecture and elaborate bamboo fishing nets. The St. Francis Church is also located in the robust fort complex which was the original burial site of the intrepid explorer, Vasco da Gama.

The following morning guests drive to Munnar, the ‘Princess of Hill Stations’. While traversing to Munnar trippers watch in amazement the Cheeyappara and Valara waterfalls. On reaching Munnar, tourists can spend quality time walking through the verdant grasslands and tea plantations. Vacationers can also visit the most prepossessing location there, situated across the Mattupetty Dam, where one can enjoy a spot of boating in the Mattupetty Lake.

After an overnight stay at Munnar, sightseers head to Periyar- a 4 hour drive through viridescent mountains. The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary houses variegated species of flora and fauna. Guests are then taken on a boat ride in the artificial lake inside the sanctuary.

The mysteries of natural beauty never cease in Kerala. Yet another treat awaits, as guests drive towards the world’s most beautiful backwater destination, Alappuzha. Upon reaching the destination, tourists hastily hop on a houseboat and relish a cruise along the backwaters of Alappuzha, floating through the narrow canals and witnessing the local life and savouring the local cuisine prepared on board by the crew.

As the shadows lengthen and there is a hush, except an odd chirping and some fish making their passage in the water to their sanctuary, tourists can spend a relaxing night in the house boat.

At crack of the dawn, the more brawny tourists take a quick swim and soon after a sumptuous breakfast, the globetrotters disembark from houseboat to resume the tour with a drive to Kovalam, a spectacular beach destination, and rightly termed as the ‘Goa of the South’.

On reaching Kovalam, visitors embrace the Hawa beach and enjoy the rest, in sync with the harmonious natural surroundings and luxuriating at a calm pace. The icing on the cake is witnessing the crimson sun sink into the Arabian Sea. The night is spent at the beach watching the lighthouse at a distance.

The following morning tourists are guided by the energetic officials of the IRCTC to the Thiruvananthapuram International airport after paying obeisance at the famous Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple, the Napier Museum and the Kuthira Malika (also known as Horse Palace).

So in a matter of seven days, one has a glimpse of the wondrous and spectacular holiday spots of Kerala which leaves a deep impression on the mind and one is surely pining for more.

“Nature is so powerful, so strong. Capturing its essence is not easy - your work becomes a dance with light and the weather. It takes you to a place within yourself,” writes the talismanic American portrait photographer, Annie Leibovitz.