What is “Sundar” in Sundar Kand???

Hello! Welcome once again to this video. Today, we will explore the “Sundar” (beauty) of Sundarkand.

We have been running the Ram series, Ram Kahani, for the last 10 days, discussing various aspects of the Ramayana and Ramcharitmanas. Today, we’ll talk about what makes Sundarkand so beautiful.

In both Valmiki Ramayana and Ramcharitmanas, each chapter is based on a specific situation or place. For example, the first chapter is called Balakanda because it describes Lord Ram’s childhood. Similarly, Ayodhyakanda is named after Ayodhya, where the initial events take place. Aranyakanda is named for the forest (Aranya) where Ram travels. But why is it called Sundarkand? Let’s explore this question.

The beauty of Sundarkand begins with its composition in Ramcharitmanas. The first verse of Sundarkand starts with:

“Shantam Shashwat Prameya Manam Nirvanam, Shanti pradam brahma sambhu fra sevayam. Manish Vedantam Vibhu Shantam Shashwat Pram, Mangam means the beginning is made with peace.”

When Tulsidas wrote Sundarkand, he started with a sense of peace, in contrast to the preceding chapters filled with sorrow. In Ayodhyakanda, King Dasharath passes away, and Ram has to go into exile, which brings sadness.

For the first time in Sundarkand, Tulsidas felt that peace and joy were about to begin. Thus, Sundarkand starts with “Shantam Shashwat Prameya Manam” and ends with “Sakal Sumangal Dayak,” signifying it begins with peace and ends with auspiciousness. This is one reason it is called Sundarkand.

Another reason is related to the geography of Lanka, which had three famous mountains: Subel, Neel, and Sundar. Ashok Vatika, where Ravana imprisoned Sita, was on Sundar Parvat. Therefore, this chapter is named Sundarkand because Hanuman met Sita on Sundar Parvat.

Sundarkand is filled with beautiful moments. Neither Hanuman nor Ram knew if they would ever find Sita. When Hanuman reaches Ashok Vatika on Sundar Parvat and drops Ram’s ring to Sita, she feels a mix of fear and joy. In Sundarkand, it is said, “The astonished mind recognized the token, and the heart filled with joy.” This joy came from receiving a message from Ram after such a long time.

Sita’s joy was profound because Ram’s ring signified that Ram was still alive and had not been defeated by Ravana. This emotional reunion makes the incident beautiful. Hanuman was the first to bring Ram’s message to Sita, who had never met a messenger from Ram before.

Sita’s initial skepticism was overcome when Hanuman assured her by swearing on “Karuna Nidhi,” a term for Ram known only to Sita. She used to call Ram “Karuna Nidhi” in private. Hanuman’s use of this secret term convinced Sita of his authenticity, further highlighting the beauty of this chapter.

Sita then gave Hanuman her Chudamani to take back to Ram, and Hanuman’s reunion with Ram carrying this token was also part of Sundarkand. These events, filled with hope, reassurance, and divine connection, make Sundarkand truly beautiful.

If you enjoyed this video, please like it and subscribe. Our next video will feature Hanuman and Ram again. My Ram Kahani series will continue, and if you have any comments or suggestions, please let me know. Thank you. Jai Shri Ram!