The Beauty of Sundarakand-Part II

Swami Chinmayananda

oi-Staff

By Staff

Tuesday, March 31, 2009, 15:21

This is why the Sundarkand is sundar, beautiful. The sadness began in Ayodhyakand. In Aranyakand, the sadness increased because of the kidnapping of Sita. It became worse in Kishkindakand because Sri Ram did not know the whereabouts of Sita nor did Sita know His whereabouts. But everything sundar (beautiful) began to happen in Sundarkand. Rama came to know about Sita and Sita got news from Rama. Vibheeshana got an assurance from Hanumanji. Sugreeva was happy because the promise he had given to Rama to find Sitaji could be fulfilled. The monkeys would have died if Sita had not been found, but Hanuman saved their lives. So, beautiful things happen in Sundarkand.

It is in fact sundar for the rakshasas also, because their end was coming nearer. Bhagawan was going to bless them in that way because some need that kind of blessing. They were going to give up their lives in the holy shower of Ramchandraji's arrows. So it was sundar for them also. Everybody got assurance, hope and joy. That is why it is called Sundarkand..

Hanuman had the great privilege of serving the Master. That is Hanuman's glory. "Ram se bada Ram ka Naam". Bhagawan's name is greater than Bhagawan himself, and his sevaks are also greater than Bhagawan because they spread Bhagawan's glory everywhere. Jambavan was a wonderful person. He sang the glories of Ramachandraji to Hanumanji and Hanumanji listened to that very happily. Then he sang Hanuman's glories to Ramchandraji and Ramchandraji was very happy. If you want to please God, sing the glory of His devotees and if you want to please the devotees, sing Bhagawan's glory.

Then both are happy and both will bless you. Bhagawan was so pleased that he said, "Hanuman! What can I give you?" Valmiki Ramayana describes this episode very beautifully. Rama says, "Hanuman! You have done something so precious that no material reward can be given in return. Please come, I want to embrace you.." Ah, when Bhagawan embraces you, it is no ordinary hug or embrace. He gives Himself to His devotees!

About the author

Swami Tejomayananda

As the Head of Chinmaya Mission Worldwide, Pujya Guruji Swami Tejomayananda is fulfilling the vision that Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda charted. Pujya Guruji has served as acharya, or dean, of the 'Sandeepany' institutes of Vedanta both in India and California. He has written commentaries on scriptural texts, translated Pujya Gurudev's commentaries into Hindi, and authored a number of books. Pujya Guruji excels in expounding a wide spectrum of Hindu scriptures, from Ramayana to Bhagavad Gita to the Upanishads