Description
If Mahabharata’s Bhagvad-Gita is taken as a philosophical guide, Ramayana’s
Sundara Kãnda is sought for spiritual solace. What is more, many believe that
reading Sundara Kãnda or hearing it recited would remove all hurdles and
usher in good tidings! Well miracles apart, it’s in the nature of Sundara Kãnda
to inculcate fortitude and generate hope in one and all. After all, isn’t it a
depiction of how Hanuman goes about his errand against all odds! Again,
won’t it portray how Seetha, on the verge of self-immolation, overcomes
despair to see life in a new light? Besides, how Hanuman’s Odyssey paves the
way for Rama to rescue his kidnapped wife!
One is bound to be charmed by the rhythm of the verse and the flow of the
narrative in this sloka to sloka transcreation of Valmiki’s adi kavya – the
foremost poetical composition in the world. After all, it was the saga of Rama
that inspired Valmiki the barbarian to spiritualize the same as Ramayana in
classical Sanskrit!
Canto 1 – Hurdles in Skies
Egged on by peers Vayu’s son
Enshrined by man as Hanuman
Enthused himself to shoulder
Search of Seetha, Rama’s spouse
Snared whom Ravan to Lanka
Sea across that hundred leagues.
With his head then held so high
Gained he size for task on hand.
On that Mahendra mountain then
Colossus like he sauntered there.
Uprooted were trees all those
Brushed as with his chest that strong.
Varied hues of elements there
Made that mountain resplendent.
Grace angels those hill ranges
For their honeymoon so near moon.
At length he reached that hilltop
Lay where elephants in their scores.
Besides Brahma ’n Surya
Prayed he Indra and Vayu.
