SUNDAR KAND 20: SUNDAR IN ‘SUNDAR KAND’

When we look at the names of each kanda, the question that naturally arises is: Why is the ‘Sundar Kand’ so named?

The word ‘sundara’ translates as beautiful, lovely, charming, delightful. The word is used some eight times in this kanda.

1              The first use is at the very beginning of this kanda, in the fifth line. Sri Hanuman-ji sees a beautiful hill – ‘bhoodhara sundara’. It is from this hill that he, taking the name of the Lord, makes his leap across the sea. What beauty is here! What strength is here! There is a special beauty when a devotee serves the Lord. The sense of doership is absent. The devotee feels that it is the Lord who is acting through him. There is surrender to the Lord. As Sri Hanuman-ji took the leap, the hill sank  down. This has been interpreted as: the hill is the ego of Sri Hanuman-ji, and its sinking into the  nether region is suggesting / indicating that that the ego of Sri Hanuman-ji was totally overcome / vanquished.

2              When Sri Hanuman-ji crosses over the sea and sees Lanka, Goswami Tulasidas-ji  gives a beautiful and detailed description of the city, and in that portrayal, the word ‘sundar’ is used. It is used to describe the buildings – sundara-ayatanaa. Literally, it would mean beautiful temples, and so its use is ironic. Temples are places of worship. Here, it is the body that is worshipped. And so there is an excess of sensual indulgences, and together with it, there goes away any sense of dharma.

3              When Ravan approaches Mother Sita in the Ashoka garden, and when he is repulsed by the Mother, he threatens to cut off her head with his sword. She replies: ‘My lord’s arm is lovely as a string of blue lotuses ’ – syaama saroja daama sama sundara.  It is a very beautiful image. A sequence / row of blue lotuses tell of the dark colour of the Lord. But ‘daama’ hints at the string of the Lord’s bow – of which Ravan ought to be afraid.

4              When Sri Hanuman-ji (who is hiding among the leaves of the trees) drops the Lord’s ring in  front of the Mother Sita,  she thinks that the ashoka tree had sent down a spark in answer to her prayer. But when she takes it up in her hand, she is amazed to see that it is a ring on which is an engraving: rama naama ankita ati sundara – the name of Lord Rama most beautifully engraved on it. 

Not only is the ring beautiful, but this incident itself is beautiful: here is Mother Sita in the deepest misery and sorrow, contemplating putting an end to her body; and here comes the ring of the Lord, its bright rays bringing hope and faith and courage to her. This change is indeed beautiful.

5              When Sri Hanuman-ji has consoled Mother Sita and received her blessings, he, like a child,  tells his mother that he is hungry and if he could eat of the delicious fruits(sundara phala) in the orchard. Of course, one would naturally imagine Sri Hanuman-ji to be hungry after all he had done.  But there is more. One cannot imagine that the Sri Hanuman-ji who had no sense of agency, who  had refused rest at the bidding of Mainaka as he was crossing the ocean, would now want to eat. It was an excuse, a well-thought out pretext, to continue the work of Sri Rama. Beautiful indeed!

6              The RCM has four narrators, and Lord Shiva is one of them. He tells the katha to Mother Parvati. Goswami Tulasida-ji  uses the phrase ‘katha ati sundara’ to describe the Ramayana – a most beautiful and charming narrative.

7              When Sri Rama has received the news of the whereabouts of Mother Sita, he prepares his army constituting bears and monkeys. As he is getting ready to leave for Lanka, he sees many omens that are beautiful and auspicious – saguna bhae sundara subha naanaa.

8              Lastly, ‘sundara neetῑ’, good / prudent counsel. The phrase is uttered by Lord Rama himself. Although he has spent three days trying to propitiate the sea god to afford him a passage across to Lanka, there is no response. Sri Rama loses patience, and observes, inter alia, that attempting to please the sea god was as futile as speaking about the codes of good behaviour to an inveterate wretch. Such a person, steeped in worldliness, cannot understand and appreciate good values as per our scriptures. Our mind goes back to the wisdom that Vibhishan tried to impart to Ravan, and for which he was cast out. Our mind goes back to when Sri Hanuman-ji gave good advice to Ravan but  received in turn a harsh punishment. Ravan was a devotee of Lord Shiva, the guru of all gurus;  and when Lord Shiva was guiding him (in the guise of Sri Hanuman-ji), Ravan did not recognise his own guru.  What irony, what poetical beauty! In fact, the entire section / episode lends itself to beautiful interpretations at various levels.

The beauty of the ‘Sundar Kaand’ is described in the following oft-quoted lines:

sundare sundaro ramah sundare sundari katha
sundare sundari sita sundare sundaram vanam,
sundare sundaram kavyam sundare sundarah kapih
sundare sundaram mantram sundare kim na sundaram.

In the Sundara Kanda, Sri Rama is beautiful, the story is beautiful, Mother Sita is beautiful, the ashoka garden is beautiful, the poem / story is beautiful, the monkey Hanuman is beautiful, the mantra is beautiful. What is there is the Sundara Kanda that is not beautiful?

Finally, we may mention the following.

• Sri Hanuman-ji’s, super-human exploits are truly marvellous and beautiful.
• Sri Rama is not present in the first half of the kand. But the beauty of it is that he is always there: Sri Hanuman-ji is constantly telling the Rama Katha.
• That Sri Rama and Mother Sita that could not bear separation from each –their love is transcendental and beautiful.
• Ravan’s ashoka garden is itself more beautiful than the heavenly garden of Lord Indra. Its beauty is added to by the presence of Mother Sita – a spiritual beauty.
• The purity, the steadfastness, the strength, the fearlessness that Mother Sita displays is indeed wonderful and beautiful. It is what makes her the ideal of Indian womanhood.
• How touching and pleasing it is to find Trijata, a demoness, become a friend and support of Mother Sita.
• Devotees have an unshakeable faith that the recitation of this kand removes afflictions of all kinds, puts an end to mental agony; it enhances hope and  courage; and to bring prosperity of all kinds.

SUNDAR KAND 19: SRI RAMA AND VIBHISHAN

The order was given, and Vibhishan was brought before the Lord. From a distance, he saw the two brothers who ravished the eyes of all. Beholding the Lord, the very storehouse of all beauty, he became transfixed as he gazed on the Lord. He had exceptionally long arms, eyes resembling the red lotus and swarthy limbs that removed all fear from his devotees. His lion-like shoulders and broad chest exercised great charm, while his countenance bewitched the mind of countless Cupids. The sight brought tears to his eyes and a deep thrill ran through his body.

Vibhishan composed himself and introduced himself as Ravan’s brother. He said that as he was born in a demon race, there was an excess of inertia and ignorance in him, and so he was given to sinful ways.  But he had heard of the glory of the Lord and, having full faith that he would save him, he had come to him. He then threw himself at the feet of the Lord, crying: ‘Save me! Save me!’

Lord was delighted to hear his words and he raised him up and embraced him. Then addressing Vibhishan as ‘king of Lanka’, he asked about his welfare, how he had been living in Lanka in such vicious surroundings. But the all-knowing Lord said he knew that he (Vibhishan-ji) was an adept in proper conduct. Vibhishan answered that now that he had beheld the feet of the Lord and had been accepted by him, all was well with him.

Then Vibhishan admitted that he did have some desire in his heart, but now it had been washed away by the stream of devotion to the Lord’s feet. He asked Lord to grant him such pure devotion to his feet as that which gladdened the heart of Lord Shiva himself.

Lord granted that wish. Then, he immediately applied on his forehead the sacred mark of kingship and bestowed on him unbroken sovereignty. Lord recognised Vibhishan as his true devotee and accepted him in his service.

HOW TO CROSS OVER TO LANKA

Now Lord asked Vibhishan and Sugriva how they were to cross the ocean. Vibhishan replied that although Lord could dry up the ocean with his arrow, propriety demanded that he should approach the deity presiding over the ocean and request him for a safe passage across.

Sri Rama accepted his suggestion. But Lakshman-ji opposed the idea. However, Sri Rama went to the seashore. He bowed his head and humbly greeted the ocean and then took his seat on a bed of kusha grass.

RAVAN’S SPIES

As soon as Vibhishan proceeded towards the Lord, Ravan sent spies after him. When they reached the other side, they took the form of monkeys, and joined the troops of monkeys. They saw the beauty and charm of the Lord and his amiable disposition and his virtues. They saw how kindly and generously he treated Vibhishan, how gladly he had accepted him.  They could not but help to praise the Lord. But in the presence of the Lord and in the intensity of their emotion, they were transported – and forgot to maintain their disguise.

The monkeys at once recognized them as the enemy’s spies. They bound them and brought them in the presence of Sugriva.  He ordered them to be mutilated and then sent back. When the demons heard this command, the demons piteously cried out.

When Lakshman-ji heard this, he called them all near him. He was moved to pity by them. He laughed and immediately had them released. He gave them a note to take to Ravan. In addition, he asked them to tell Ravan verbally: ‘Surrender the Mother Sita and make peace – or your hour is come.’

The spies bowed their head at Lakshman-ji’s feet and departed. On the way, they were recounting the virtues of Sri Rama.

When they reached Lanka, they bowed their head at Ravan’s feet. The ten-headed monster laughed and asked them about their own welfare, Vibhishan, the army of bears and  monkeys, and lastly about Sri Rama.

The appearance of the spies told Ravan that they were quite confounded. They told Ravan that Sri Rama at once had applied the mark of kingship on Vibhishan; that though their true identities were revealed, they were not harmed as they appealed to them, taking the name of Sri Rama; that there were innumerable bears and monkeys in the army, all fearless and possessing the strength of numberless elephants; that the one that burnt Lanka was the weakest of them all and that  any one of them alone could defeat Ravan. As for Sri Rama, though he could dry up the ocean with his arrow, he took the advice of Vibhishan and was beseeching the ocean for a safe passage across.

Ravan laughed disdainfully at all this. But the spy was displeased to hear Ravan speak so insultingly. He took it as an opportune moment to deliver the letter that Lakshman-ji had sent. Ravan asked the minister to read it out. The gist of it was that Ravan should not delude himself and bring about the destruction of his race. He would not be safe even if he sought the protection of Lords Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.  He should abandon his pride and seek the lotus feet of the Lord – or perish with his whole family, like moths entering a fire.

Ravan was inwardly dismayed and fearful, but wore a feigned smile on his face. He dismissed it all as a show of their foolish desperation.

Suka-ji gave counsel to Ravan, which was the same as given earlier by Vibhishan-ji. And Ravan’s  reaction was the same: he kicked Suka-ji out. He left Ravan and his Lanka and went straight to Sri Rama. When he took shelter at the lotus feet of the Lord, Suka-ji recovered his former state: he was an enlightened sage who had been transformed into a demon by Rsi Agastya’s curse. Adoring Sri Rama’s feet again and again, the sage returned to his hermitage.

SRI RAMA’S FLAMING ARROW

Sri Rama propitiated the sea deity for three days, but there was no response to the Lord’s prayer. Then Sri Rama angrily said, ‘There can be no friendship without inspiring fear.’ Then he turned to Lakshman-ji and said: ‘Bring me my bow and arrows; I will dry up the ocean with a missile presided over by the god of fire.’

This bold and aggressive approach delighted Lakshman-ji . As Lord fitted a terrible arrow to his bow, a blazing fire broke out in the heart of the ocean. All the sea creatures felt distressed. Then the god presiding over the ocean gave up his pride and, assuming the form of a brahmin, came with a gold plate filled with all kinds of jewels. He clasped the Lord’s feet in dismay. ‘Forgive my faults, O Lord.’  

At the end of his plea, he said he would do whatever Lord asked of him.

On hearing his submissive words, Lord smiled and said, ‘Tell me, dear father, how we may cross over th ocean to Lanka.’ Then the ocean deity told Sri Rama that Nala and Nila, two monkey brothers, had received a boon in their childhood from a sage: if they touched even a huge mountain, it would float on the ocean by Lord’s glory. In this way, a floating bridge of stones could be constructed over the ocean. 

Now what was to be done with the flaming arrow? The ocean deity requested that Lord exterminate a race of vile criminals on the northern coast. Lord at once sent the arrow there, and brought relief to the heart of the ocean deity who then departed.

This brings us to the end of the narrative of the ‘Sundarkand’. The kand has many benefits. Goswami Tulasidas says that this story wipes out the impurities of the Kali age.

The glory and virtues of the Lord are an abode of delight, a cure for all doubt and a definite remedy for sorrow. Goswami Tulasidas therefore tells us to sing and hear them. 

A recital of the virtues of Sri Rama bestows all blessings. Those who reverently hear them cross the ocean of mundane existence without any boat.

SUNDAR KAND 18: VIBHISHAN – HIS EXPULSION

The news had come that the invading army had reached the other side of the ocean. Ravan asked his war council for its advice. The advice of any council should be based on a proper and responsible examination of the facts. But here, the demons merely wanted to say what would be pleasing to Ravan. Hence, Goswami Tulasidas makes the profound observation: When a minister, a physician and a religious teacher use pleasing words from either fear or hope of reward, the result is that kingdom, health and faith are all destroyed. The ministers, too, laughed away the threat, praised Ravan, assured him that there was really nothing to fear.

Secretly, they were afraid. When a single monkey had been burning down the city, they were not able to stop him, but had been crying out in panic.

It was at this time that Vibhishan arrived. When he was asked his opinion, he answered that he would tender his opinion in the interest of his brother. He spoke with great humility. He pleaded that if one had a concern for one’s own welfare, good reputation, wisdom, good destiny after death – then one should not cast one’s eyes upon the wife of another. He said that lust, anger, vanity and covetousness were all paths that led to hell. Therefore, it was only reasonable and desirable that Ravan should give up all these and turn to the Lord Rama whom sages worshipped. He should restore Mother Sita to Lord Rama, who was all-merciful and compassionate and the reliever of the distress of all who came to him.

Vibhishan then said that their grandfather, the sage Pulastya, had sent that message to him through a disciple, and he had taken the opportune moment to convey the message to him. Vibishan was on the side of righteousness. And so spoke fearlessly. After his meeting with Sri Hanuman-ji, he was filled great strength and courage.

The highly respected Malyavan, who was the maternal grandfather of Ravan as well as the chief adviser to the king, reproached Ravan for his kidnapping Mother Sita and asked him to follow the good advice that was given by Vibhishan.

But, as was characteristic of Ravan, good advice was poison to him. He turned upon both his well-wishers virulently, and roared that they be removed from his presence. Malyavan returned to his home, but Vibhishan again tried to dissuade his brother from the disastrous path he had chosen. But to no avail. And though Vibhishan clasped Ravan’s feet, the latter kicked him away, saying that he had eaten his salt all those years and now had turned traitor by joining Sri Rama. No doubt, he recalled at that moment that while his golden city was burning, Vibhishan-ji’s house alone had remained safe and untouched by the fire.

Vibhishan pleaded again and again, but Ravan kicked him away. Now, here is another great wrong. Ravan is the elder brother, and the duty of the elder brother is to see to the welfare of the younger brother with the same care and concern as that of a father, and afford his protection. In short, he should be a father to Vibhishan. But it is the younger brother who is playing the role of a father in trying to guide him and give him sound advice and save him from hell. The Sanskrit for son is ‘putra’, literally, one who save (the father) from the hell called puta.

 Lord Shiva, who is narrating the story to Mother Parvati, remarked that the behaviour of Vibhishan displayed the greatness of a saint, for he returned good for evil. He was the highest example of goodness and righteousness.

Showing disrespect to a holy man has dire consequences. Ravan had treated Vibhishan disrespectfully and he would immediately get the results of that action.

Finally, not being able to convince Ravan that his welfare lay in returning Mother Sita to Sri Rama whose shelter he should seek, Vibhishan left with his advisors. He rose up into the air and loudly declared that Lord was all truthful and all-powerful, but Ravan and his counsellors were all doomed. Therefore, was going to the Lord for protection.

Some who tell Rama-Katha look deeply into this act of rising into the air.

1.            The courthouse was huge and he wanted everyone to hear. The most suitable place was to speak from above and through the air.

2.            Ravan had banished him and so he no longer belonged to the city. He had no place there Therefore he rose up into the air. He would only set foot there when Lord would conquer the city.

3.            The ground of Lanka was like quicksand to which the senses were stuck. If Vibhishan continued to stand on the soil of Lanka, he stood the risk of being trapped there again – which he did not want.

The ministers had supported Vibhishan and had been his friends. Therefore, he could not leave them behind to perish with the others. He himself was going to the Lord and he would also take the others to liberation.

As Vibhishan left, the length of life of all the demons was shortened, that is, they were at the door of death, they had reached the end of their lives.

VIBHISHAN CROSSES OVER TO THE LORD

In Gitavalli, it is said that before he left Lanka, Vibhishan met his mother and  then Kuber. He also met Lord Shiva who advised him to go to the Lord immediately as there was no such thing as an inauspicious moment when setting out to the Lord.

Vibhishan flew over the ocean to the Lord on the other side. All the while, he thought expectantly of his meeting with the Lord. His heart and mind were concentrated on the thought of the Lord. It was really an intense meditation on the feet of the Lord.

‘On reaching there I will behold those lotus-feet with ruddy soles, so soft and so delightful to the devotees.’ He contemplated on those feet whose very touch redeemed Ahalya who had been turned into a stone. He reflected on those feet that walked through the Dandaka Forest and sanctified it. He meditated on those feet that Mother Sita has locked in her heart. He recalled the when the illusive golden deer appeared before Mother Sita and those feet of the Lord chased after it through the forest. Oh, those hallowed feet dwell as a pair of lotuses in the lake of Shiva’s heart. Vibhishan felt truly blessed that he was going to see those very feet from which Bharat-ji had taken the wooden sandals, and upon which his mind remained ever absorbed.

When the monkeys saw Vibhishan approaching, they took him for some special messenger of the enemy. They detained him, and gave the news to Sugriva, who, in turn, took the news to Lord. When Lord heard the news, he was greatly pleased. He had been waiting for him ever since Sri Hanuman-ji had told him about him.

When Lord heard everything, he asked, ‘What do you think of the matter, my friend?’ Sugriva answered that it was difficult to understand the demons. It was therefore difficult to say what his motive was in coming. More likely than not, he had come as a spy to learn their secret. He should therefore be held as a prisoner.

Lord said that what he had said was wise. ‘But,’ said Lord, ‘my vow is to dispel all fears from the mind of those who seek refuge in me.’ Sri Hanuman-ji rejoiced to hear these words of the Lord as he had the love of a parent and a teacher towards Vibhishan. Lord said that he would not abandon the worst sinner if he sought refuge in him. All his sins, committed over millions of births, would be washed away. If Vibhishan had a wicked heart, he would not have been able to approach him. He alone who has a pure mind can attain Lord.

Lord continued: ‘Even if Ravan has sent him to find out our secrets, we have nothing to fear or lose, O lord of the monkeys. Lakshman-ji can dispose of all the demons in a moment. And if he has sought shelter with me out of fear, I will cherish him as my own life.’

It is the decree of the Lord, as it were, that even if the most vile of sinners came to him, he would afford him shelter. We are duty-bound to give shelter to anyone who comes to us for refuge. And Lord considers him a vile being who refuses to do this.

Is there a qualification that one must have that will make one eligible to obtain shelter from the Lord? Anyone who gets no help from any quarter, is weak and needs support, who realises his helplessness, is eligible. When one has no knowledge or devotion, does not know what his dharma is and does not know how to act correctly – such a person is eligible. When he realises that the Lord is the only haven, then he is fit to obtain saranagati at the lotus feet of the Lord.

Sri Ramakrshna says that Lord hears the footfalls of the ant. Surely, he will hear the beat of our yearning hearts.

SUNDAR KAND 17: LORD EXPRESSES HIS DEBT TO SRI HANUMAN-JI

Lord said that he could not repay Lakshman-ji for what he had done, and said that no one had put him under such an obligation.  

Sri Hanuman-ji felt a thrill of joy all over his body, and he fell at the feet of the Lord, crying, ‘Save me! Save me!’ The egoless Sri Hanuman-ji did not want to be ensnared by the tentacles of egoism. Sri Rama tried again and again to lift him up, but Sri Hanuman-ji was so absorbed in the Lord that he would not rise.   

We must remember that this part of the story is being narrated by Lord Shiva to Mother Parvati, and Sri Hanuman-ji is Lord Shiva incarnate. As he recalled this moment when the Sri Rama’s hand was on  his head, Lord Shiva was overcome with emotion. When Sri Rama was a baby, Lord Shiva, in the guise of an astrologer, had gone to visit him. After reading his palm, he had placed his hand in blessing on the head of the baby. At that time, he wanted that the Lord himself should place his hand on his head. And this was the moment that that happened.

HOW SRI HANUMAN ACCOMPLISHED SUCH GREAT FEATS

Lord lifted Sri Hanuman-ji and clasped him to his bosom. Then he asked: ‘Tell me, O Hanuman, how were you able to cross the vast ocean, enter the well-guarded fortress of Ravana, fight and kill hordes of demons, find Mother Sita and burn the golden city? And yet you have returned without even a scratch!’

There was no pride in Sri Hanuman-ji’s reply. He said that it was all due to the glorious power of the Lord; no credit was due to him. In ‘Ramchandrika’, Sri Hanuman-ji says: ‘I did not do anything. I took your ring to Mother Sita on that side and brought her crest jewel to this side. I am without strength. Lanka was already destroyed. What greatness lies in burning that? Akshay Kumar was only a boy, and the enemy bound me. Those trees that I uprooted had weak roots.’ Sri Hanuman-ji says that nothing is unattainable by one upon whom comes the grace of the Lord. And he concludes: ‘Therefore, be pleased, my Lord, to grant me unceasing devotion, which is a source of supreme bliss.’ And Lord granted that wish of Sri Hanuman-ji.

Lord Shiva declares that one who takes this dialogue to heart is blessed with devotion to Sri Rama’s feet. In other words, the devotee of the Lord should memorise these lines and repeat them often, and think deeply on the meaning.

‘HOW DID YOU BURN LANKA?’

Sri Rama asked Sri Hanuman-ji how he had burnt down the city which was so well protected and full  of demons. Sri Hanuman ji told him that he did not have any great strength — it was is all his power. The only capability he had was to jump from one tree to another. And that was what he did – he said: ‘I  leapt from this shore, crossed the sea to Lanka, and burnt the golden Lanka, killed the demons and destroyed the Ashoka garden as well.’ Here he changed the order: he just says ‘I jumped across the ocean and burnt Lanka.’ For Sri Hanuman-ji, the dream of Trijata meant that  before Sri Hanuman-ji burnt Lanka, it had already been burnt by the Lord. We see the parallel in the  Gita. Arjuna sees the terrible form of the Lord, destroying the Kauravas and their army. It was to emphasise to Arjuna that they had already been killed – he was to be merely an instrument.

PREPARATIONS TO MARCH

Sri Rama-ji summoned Sugriva, and said: ‘O friends, it is midday – it is named the moment of victory. At this auspicious moment, prepare to depart.’

There were auspicious signs everywhere. Mother Sita became aware of the Lord’s preparation: her left side was throbbing. And Ravan, too, felt throbbing on his left side. When there is beating on the left side of the body of a female, it is a sign of auspiciousness. In contrast, beating on the left side of a male body is said to augur ill. Thus, what was auspicious to Mother Sita was unfavourable to Ravan.

Lord instructed Nala and Nila, (the two engineers!) to make a route for them to go to the seashore. There should be sufficient fruits and even honey and shade for them along the way. The army of bears and monkeys sometimes marched on land or flew through the air, roaring like lions, having no weapons other than their teeth and claws. And finally reached the seashore.

AFTER THE BURNING OF LANKA

After Sri Hanuman-ji had left the burning Lanka, the demons lived in constant fear. They thought that if the messenger alone were so powerful, they could not imagine what his Lord would do when he entered the city. 

Mandodari was loyal to her husband, and as a dutiful wife she tried to persuade Ravan to do what was right. Already we have seen that when Ravan had become angry with Mother Sita in the Asoka Garden, and he was about to behead her, it was Mandodari who held him back and pacified him.

She heard from her spies that the citizens were all very frightened. They felt that by bringing Mother Sita to Lanka, Ravan was bringing about their destruction. She became very much perturbed. She met Ravan in private, fell at his feet, and with joined palms spoke to him. She pleaded that he should not confront Lord Hari, but send Mother Sita back. It was unthinkable for a man to look at the wife of another as much as it was to look at the moon in its fourth phase. (One would be accused falsely and receive a bad name if one looked at the moon at that time. Mother Parvati, for this reason, does not look at Lord Shiva on the chaturthi as he wears the moon on his head.)  Mandodari emphasised that keeping Mother Sita forcefully would result in the destruction of their whole race.

But the foolish and haughty Ravan laughed at what Mandodari had said. He said that a woman was timorous by nature and her mind was very weak. As far as the coming of the army of monkeys was concerned, he thought that it would make a grand feast for the demons. With that, embracing her with an assurance, he left for his council chamber.

Though Ravan had the good fortune to receive good counsel and guidance from those who showed a genuine concern for him, he merely ignored them. Sri Hanuman-ji, Mandodari and as we shall see soon, Vibishan and Malyavan  – all advised him to return Mother Sita and make peace with Sri Rama. But he did not pay the least heed to them. And finally, he had to pay dearly for his rashness.

SUNDAR KAND 16: SRI HANUMAN JI TAKES LEAVE OF MOTHER SITA

When the city was totally burnt down, Sri Hanuman ji leapt into the ocean to extinguish the fire. His  fatigue was relieved, and assuming a small form, he appeared before Mother Sita with joined palms to take leave. He asked her for some token to take back to the Lord. She unfastened the chudamani, the jewel worn on her hair, and handed it to Sri Hanuman ji . 

Now there is a beautiful connection between the ring of the Lord and the crest jewel. Sri Rama had sent his ring with Sri Hanuman-ji to Mother Sita; and she, in turn, was sending her crest jewel to her Lord. The chudamani is worn on the head. And whenever she would touch the lotus feet of the Lord, he would touch her head with his hand in blessing. Thus, the ring on his finger would touch her crest jewel on her head. And so, here is this beautiful mystical connection between ring and crest jewel.

Mother Sita also sent a message to her Lord. She asked Sri Hanuman ji to convey her pranam to her  Lord. It was his vow to relieve the afflicted of their distresses, and therefore, she implied, that he was to bound by his own oath to relieve her of her distress. She therefore asked him to put an end to her suffering. She asked Sri Hanuman ji to remind him of the Jayant episode: for a small injury to  her, Sri Rama had punished Jayant so severely. Sri Hanuman ji should remind Sri Rama of the might of his arrows. And finally, she said that if he did not come within a month, he would not find her alive.

Now that Sri Hanuman ji was about to depart, Mother was filled with sorrow. His very sight had  brought relief to her. How was she going to bear the long nights that lay before her? Sri Hanuman ji consoled her and reassured her in many ways. Then bowing his head at her lotus feet, he set out to meet the Lord. 

As he leapt into the air, Sri Hanuman ji gave a powerful roar. It was so terrible that the wives of demons who were expectant mothers miscarried. 

HOLY TRINITY IN KATHA

After the monkeys had met Sugriva, they all went to the Lord who was seated on a crystal rock with Lakshman-ji. Lord was delighted to see them. The monkeys fell at his feet, and when Lord asked about their welfare, they answered that all was well now that they had seen his lotus feet.

Jambavan then said that it was by his grace alone that one has victory and glory. Then he told of the marvellous exploits of Sri Hanuman-ji.

This is a very interesting situation. Jambavan is telling Sri Rama of the feats and achievements of Sri  Hanuman ji. Now Jambavan is none other than an incarnation of the Lord Brahma, and Sri Rama is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, and Sri Hanuman-JI is the incarnation of Lord Shiva. It is the Holy Trinity that is present here. Jambavan is the perfect narrator, relating the incomparable story of Sri Hanuman-jI to the perfect listener Sri Rama.

All are filled with bliss, and Lord once again clasped Sri Hanuman-ji to his bosom.

SRI RAMA ASKS ABOUT MOTHER SITA

Then Sri Rama asked: ‘Tell me, dear Hanuman, how does Janaki pass her days and sustain her life?’

We have to revert to ‘Ayodhya Kanda’ where Sri Rama informs Mother Sita that he has been ordered by his father to go to the forest for fourteen years; and he tells her that she has to remain behind and serve her mothers-in-law, and he puts before her all the dangers and hardships that she would  have to bear if she accompanied him to the forest.

But Mother Sita is not to be swayed by his reasoning and arguments. She answers that she would not be able to live without him: as shadow and substance cannot be parted, so she will not survive the separation from him.

Thus the import of the Lord’s question to Sri Hanuman ji was that he had told her to remain behind, but  she had said that she could not live without him. How was it that she was alive though separated from him?

Sri Hanuman-ji gives a most beautiful reply. He tells him that it is because of his name – she is chanting it continuously, and her eyes are on her feet but her mind is on the feet of her Lord. The japam is her protector, meditation is the door which is locked by her eyes being fixed on his feet. There is no way for her life to leave the body.

MOTHER SITA’S MESSAGE TO SRI RAMA

Sri Hanuman-ji handed to the Lord the crest jewel (chudamani) that Mother had sent and delivered Mother’s message: ‘My Lord, with tears in her eyes she said: “Embrace the feet of my lord and his younger brother, crying: O friend of the distressed, reliever of the suppliant’s agony, I am devoted to your feet in thought, word and deed. Yet, for what offence of mine have you forsaken men?” ’

Mother had regrets on three accounts. We recall the deer episode. Maricha, instigated by Ravan, had come before Mother Sita in the guise of a golden deer. Mother had asked Lord to get it for her, and Sri Rama had chased after it. When he struck the deer with his arrow, Maricha, mortally wounded, cried out to Lakshman-ji in the voice of the Lord to save him. Mother, thinking that her Lord was in trouble, asked Lakshman-ji to go to his aid. But Lakshman-ji knew that no harm could come to Lord. But Mother Sita used harsh words in order to persuade him to go.  Mother regretted that she had forced Lakshman-ji to go even though Lord had asked him to stay by her side and protect her. In short, she forced him to disobey the order of the Lord. Then, she had used harsh words on him. And further, she had come out of the protective circle (the Lakshman- rekha) that he had made for her safety.

She asked for what reason Lord had forsaken her. Her only fault, she admitted, was that her life did not depart the moment she was separated from her Lord. But, she said, it was the fault of her eyes which prevented her life from escaping.

She described the agony of her separation by the use of a powerful image: the agony of separation is like fire; her sighs are like a gust of wind that fans the fire; her body is like a heap of cotton. In this way, her body should have burnt away in an instant. But her eyes desired to see the form of the Lord, and so they continuously rained tears that prevented the fire from consuming her body. Thus the fire of separation could not burn her body.

In her message to the Lord, Mother referred to him as ‘befriender of the distressed, reliever of the suppliant’s agony’. Here we recall the Jayanta episode. For a comparatively lesser offence by Jayanta, Lord had acted immediately. But, now, even though she had been kidnapped by Ravan, Lord had not done anything to relieve her of her agony.

Having delivered the message, Sri Hanuman-ji said it was better that he not tell anything further, for her distress was so great and Lord was so compassionate.

On hearing of the sorrowful state of Mother Sita, Lord’s eyes filled with tears and he became very distressed.

SUNDAR KAND 15: SRI HANUMAN JI BEFORE RAVAN

Then Sri Hanuman ji was brought before Ravan. On seeing a monkey, Ravan laughed and swore. But  as quickly recalled that it was this very monkey that had killed his young son, and he fell into a sadness. This change of moods from one extreme to another is indicative of a mind trapped in maya.

Ravan asked SH five questions:

                1              Who are you?

                2              By whose might have you destroyed my garden?

                3              Did you never hear my name?

                4              For what offence did you kill the demons?

                5              Are you not afraid of losing your life?

Sri Hanuman ji did not answer him in the order of the questions. Characteristically, he first told Ravan who his Lord was, and then only did he answer the second question, and that too, simply by stating that he was the emissary of Lord Rama.

Sri Hanuman ji answered: ‘Recall by whose might Nature brings forth numberless universes, by  whose might Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva carry on their respective work of creation preservation and destruction; by whose might the thousand-headed serpent supports the entire globe on his head; who assumes various forms in order to protect the gods and teach wretches like you; who broke the bow of Shiva; who dispatched Khara, Dushana, Vali and others unequalled in strength; by an iota of whose power you were able to conquer the entire creation; and whose beloved spouse has been stolen by you – know me to be his envoy.

In answer to the third question, Sri Hanuman ji sarcastically reminded him of his encounter with  Sahasrabahu and Vali. Saharabahu had captured Ravan and kept him as a plaything for the amusement of his children, and was only released at the intervention of Rishi Pulastya. On another occasion, when Vali was performing his sandhya, Ravan crept up on him with the intention of capturing him. But Vali caught him and secured him under his armpit till he completed his worship, and continued to hold him there for six months when Lord Brahma himself came to his rescue. Ravan merely laughed at all this.

In answer to the fourth question,  Sri Hanuman ji explained that he ate the fruits because he was hungry, for one has to maintain  one’s body; and as is the habit of monkeys, he broke boughs as he sought the fruits. He only beat guards because he was attacked and being prevented from eating.

And lastly, Sri Hanuman ji said that he was not ashamed of being bound and brought before him, for he was serving his Lord and master.  

When he had answered Ravan’s questions, Sri Hanuman ji gave him advice that would save him and  his clan from destruction. He reminded Ravan of his glorious lineage, and cautioned that his present actions were a blot on them. He should submit to the Lord, take shelter in him, and return Mother Sita. Lord was all-compassionate and merciful, and would readily forgive him.

But Ravan laughed at Sri Hanuman ji’s counsel and mockingly said that he had found a guru in the  monkey. What an irony this was! Sri Hanuman ji is Lord Shiva incarnate, and Lord Shiva is the Ishta of  Ravan, and so his guru, too. Sri Hanuman ji is all Knowledge, which destroys ignorance. Ravan is the  embodiment of ignorance. Sri Hanuman ji can destroy ignorance in the form of arrogance, lust and greed. 

Ravan wanted to kill Sri Hanuman ji then and there for the insulting words that he had spoken. At  this dramatic moment, Vibhishana made his appearance, and opposed the decision of Ravan. This was the first time that Vibhishana had dared to disagree with Ravan. It was because he had met Sri Hanuman ji, heard from his lips the glories of the Lord, and hence was infused with a new love and strength and fearlessness. He told Ravan that it was against statecraft to kill an envoi, but he could be punished in some other way. All the others also agreed with this.  

THE BURNING OF LANKA

Then Ravan chose to mutilate Sri Hanuman ji. Perhaps he recalled that his sister Surpanakha had  been mutilated by Lakshman-ji . He said that a monkey was very fond of his tail, and therefore it should he burnt. Accordingly, his tail was swathed in with cloths soaked in ghee and oil. But each moment Sri Hanuman ji elongated his tail, and so more and more oil and ghee was used, until all the  oil and ghee and rags in Lanka were all used up. The demons took him through the streets of the city. And this provided Sri Hanuman ji an opportunity to see the city and observe its military strength in close quarters and in full detail.  

When the order was given to burn his tail, Sri Hanuman ji saw a plan unfolding. Until that time, he  did not have a clear notion of what his next step was going to be. He recalled that Trijata had dreamt of a monkey setting the city alight. And now the demons were soaking his tail with oil and ghee. He was convinced that it was ordained that he should burn down the city.

When the demons set his tail alight, Sri Hanuman ji reduced his size and slipped out of the bonds.  Then he roared and grew to such a size that he seemed to touch the sky. So fearsome was the form of Sri Hanuman ji that it struck terror in the hearts of the demons themselves who ran helter-skelter  in panic.  Although his form was so huge, Sri Hanuman ji leapt nimbly from building to building. At  that time, impelled by Lord, the forty-nine varieties of winds started to blow. It is said that these winds are released all at once only at the time of the universal destruction.

The precious stones that decorated the walls and pillars exploded, and a veritable river of gold flowed into the sea. In no time, the whole city was burnt down; except, of course, the house of Vibhishana and the Asoka Grove where Mother Sita was.

Sri Hanuman ji wondered how it was that though his tail was on fire, he did not feel any heat. It was  because of Mother Sita. She learned all the details from the terrified demonesses. Mother had prayed: ‘If I have been true to my Lord in every way, then let my child Hanuman not be affected by the burning power of the fire.’

There is also another view to consider. There are five elements of which this universe is constituted. These elements evolve one from the other in a definite sequence: from space comes air, from air comes fire, from fire comes water, and from water comes earth. Now we know that Sri Hanuman ji’s  father is Pavan Dev, the wind god. Since Sri Hanuman ji has been born from the wind god, then he  himself is of the essence of fire. And so, how can the fire on his tail burn him who is of the nature of fire?

The razing of Ravan’s Lanka may be understood apart from its literal import.

Lanka represents the land of sense pleasures and material possessions. Demons (asura-s) think they are only the body and so they do everything for the comforts of the body and pleasures of the senses. Sri Hanuman ji destroys the land of sensuality and materiality. He has the right knowledge  that ‘I am not this body.’ Sri Hanuman ji’s grace gives us true knowledge. This fire of Self-knowledge removes our body identification and attachment.

In Kavitavalli (5.7), Goswami Tulasidas compares the burning of the city to a yajna (fire sacrifice).  Lanka is the havan kunda. The buildings are the wood or fuel. The demons are materials offered into the fire. Sri Hanuman ji’s tail is the ladle. The heroic enemy are the special items (such as butter,  pudding, and sweets) that are offered into the fire. The high-pitched war-cry of Sri Hanuman ji is the chanting of the mantras as oblations are made.    

Another fire is the fire of Mother Sita’s sorrow. It is said that when a noble person is tortured, the fire of his or her sorrow that arises cannot be quenched. Thus it was that the fire of Mother Sita’s sorrow burnt Lanka to ashes.

SUNDAR KAND 14: SRI HANUMAN JI DESTROYS THE ASOKA GARDEN

From the time that Sri Hanuman ji left in quest of Mother Sita to the time that he found her, it was  all action and not a moment of rest. The one opportunity that he had to take a little rest was Mainaka’s offer, which he declined. Now his mission had been accomplished: he had found Mother Sita and given her the Lord’s ring and his message. When he received her blessings, he joyously proclaimed that he felt fulfilled and there was nothing more for him to do or attain. And so, it was a time to have a little refreshment.

It was no longer the heroic Sri Hanuman ji, and no more the sorrowing Mother Sita. It was a hungry  child with his mother. There were trees laden with luscious fruits, and Sri Hanuman ji told Mother that he was hungry and might he eat the fruits. But maternal affection for her child welled up in Mother Sita, and she warned him of the terrible demons that kept watch in the garden. (Only a moment ago she had seen his awesome form!)  

But Sri Hanuman ji assured her that he was not afraid and only wanted her approval. Mother gave him permission and blessing: ‘Go, my son, and enjoy the luscious fruits, with your heart fixed on Sri Rama’s feet.’

The Asoka  garden was exquisitely beautiful. There were varieties of vines and creepers, trees and flowers – more beautiful than the garden of Indra. Sri Hanuman ji knew that it was dearer to Ravan  than his sons. And so, thought Sri Hanuman ji, if he did some damage there, it would be inflicting  pain upon Ravan. He had seen Mother Sita being tortured in his presence by the demon king and by the demonesses, and he could not do anything. If he destroyed the garden, it would be, in some small measure, retaliation, an act of reprisal. Further, Ravan had power over his father Pavan Dev, the wind god, whom he had ordered to keep the garden neat and tidy by blowing away the fallen leaves. Destroying the garden would relieve his father from that ignominious task. 

And so Sri Hanuman ji entered the orchard and started to eat of the fruits there. At the same time, he broke down branches and uprooted trees. In Gitavalli, Sri Rama gave an additional instruction to Sri Hanuman ji: to inspect the city and assess the resources and capabilities of the enemy. By wreaking havoc in the garden, Sri Hanuman ji would attract the attention of the guards, and by confronting them, he would be able to evaluate their power.    

The guards rushed in to stop him and in the skirmish, some were killed, and the few that could, ran away to inform Ravan of the strange monkey that was wreaking havoc in his garden.

Ravan sent his son, the sixteen-year-old Akshay Kumar, with a large contingent of experienced  combatants. Sri Hanuman ji put an end to them all. He had a special reason for making sure that Akshay Kumar was killed.

Angad and Akshay Kumar were fellow students in the Gurukula. Angad used to torment Akshay Kumar to no end. Perhaps, because his father Vali himself had tormented Ravan earlier – he had kept him in a neck-lock for a long time. Like father, like son! The Guru saw all this, but did not say anything until the day they were all to return home. He told Angad that he was aware of his ill treatment of Akshay Kumar, and that he should not trouble him in the future. And to make sure that Angad would not disobey him, he pronounced a curse on him: if he came face to face with Akshay Kumar, he would die. A kind of modern day restraining order from the court. Angad knew that if he entered Lanka, there was the greatest chance of his meeting his old school friend – and that would be his end. Sri Hanuman ji removed that threat posed by putting an end to Akshay Kumar the  moment he confronted him.  Now Angad faced no threat when he would come to Lanka.

SRI HANUMAN JI ALLOWS HIMSELF TO BE CAPTURED

When Ravan received the news of his son’s death, he became extremely angry. He sent his formidable son Meghanada (who was also known as Indrajit as he had defeated Lord Indra), but instructed him not to kill the monkey but to bring him before him as a bound prisoner.

It was a terrible battle. Sri Hanuman ji despatched the warriors, smashed the chariot and horses of  Meghanada, and laid him unconscious with a terrific blow. Then Meghanad got up. When he realised that he was unequal to the monkey before him, he resorted to the brahma-astra. It was an unfailing weapon and was to be used only in extreme circumstances.

When he discharged the missile, Sri Hanuman ji became aware that it was the brahma-astra. He had  received the boon of immunity from the brahma-astra by Lord Brahma himself. But Sri Hanuman ji  allowed the weapon to do its work. He reasoned thus: if he resorted to the boon of protection that he had, it would bring discredit to Lord Brahma because it would be said that the weapon that he had given Meghanad had failed. So Sri Hanuman ji allowed himself to be captured. As he fell unconscious, he crushed a host of demons. Then Meghanad used another mystical weapon, a noose of snakes, to bind Sri Hanuman ji.  

By this action, Meghanada revealed that he did not have full faith in the brahma-astra. It is often observed that those who do not have faith in God are not successful, while those with a little faith in the Lord obtain much. ‘Faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains!’ Sri Hanuman ji had full faith in the Lord and had showed reverence to Lord Brahma – and we see that nothing untoward happened to him.  

SUNDAR KAND 13: SRI HANUMAN JI AND MOTHER SITA (contd)

Then Mother Sita asked Sri Hanuman ji many questions: ‘How were Sri Rama and Lakshman-ji? Why had that Lord who was so tender-hearted become so cruel? Did he ever remember her? Would she ever see her Lord whose form was dark and his arms delicate?’ She was overcome with emotion and words failed her. Then she said: ‘Ah, my Lord, you have totally forgotten me!’

Then Sri Hanuman ji addressed her softly and respectfully. He spoke eloquently and his words were  infused with the proper emotion and his language and words were appropriate. He began on a positive note, saying that the Lord and his brother were both doing well. Then he told her that Lord’s love for her was twice as great.’ Then he delivered the message of the lord to her: ‘Since their separation, his life had turned upside down and everything was going against him. He had no one to open his heart to, for there was none that could understand the chord of love that bound them, none could understand his agony of separation. The essence of his love was that his very soul abided in her.’

When Mother heard the message, she was drowned in the ecstasy of love and lost all outer consciousness.

Sri Hanuman ji again infused hope and courage in her. ‘Fix your mind on the Lord and shake off all faint-heartedness. The demon host is like so many moths; the arrows of the Lord are flames that will consume them.’

Then Sri Hanuman ji told Mother that Lord did not have any news about her, and that was why he had not come. Now that he would get the news, she would once again be quickly reunited with her Lord. Sri Hanuman ji said that he himself would take her across to the Lord, but as he had no such orders, he would not take her with him. Lord himself would come and after defeating all the demons, he would and rescue her. 

If Sri Hanuman ji had the capability to kill Ravan and take Mother Sita across the ocean to her Lord, Mother herself was no less capable. 

As a child in the palace of King Janak, she had picked up the great bow of Shiva easily. It took thousands to carry it. On her own, she could have beaten Ravan and destroyed Laṅka. But she did not do so. She wanted to present the power and glory of the Lord. Because she was kidnapped, she had to go back properly and honourably. Ravan could not touch her or harm her. Once, while  in the forest, Sri Rama came upon a place where there was a pile of bones. He learnt that they were the bones of sadhus who had been killed by the demons. The Lord was filled with great anger and was ready to destroy all the demons. But mother calmed him down saying that there would be a proper occasion for him to kill them all.

Though Sri Hanuman ji told  Mother that Lord would come with an army of monkeys and bears and rescue her, she was not fully convinced: The demons were so huge and heroic, were adept in warfare, and could resort to magic and trick them all. If all the monkeys in the army of the Lord were as puny as Sri Hanuman ji, then what could they do?

In answer to her doubt, Sri Hanuman ji revealed his natural form: colossal as a mountain of gold,  terrible in battle, possessing great might and full of valour. This huge form was his natural form. He changed his form according to the needs and time and circumstances.

On seeing this, Mother Sita was consoled and felt fully confident. Sri Hanuman ji again resumed his  diminutive appearance. He said: ‘Mother, monkeys have neither power nor intelligence. But by the power and glory of the Lord, even the tiniest snake can swallow the king of eagles.’

Mother felt gratified and contented at the words of Sri Hanuman ji, at his devotion, his humility and total submission to the Lord. And she blessed him: ‘May you become a repository of strength and virtue, a storehouse of good qualities, dear child. May you not be subject to old age or death, and may Lord shower his abundant grace on you.’

Sri Hanuman ji was utterly overwhelmed with emotion. Again and again,he bowed his head at Mother’s feet, and with joined palms, addressed her: ‘O Mother, now I have completed all that I had to do.’ In other words, there was nothing left for Sri Hanuman ji to attain – he had found Mother Sita, and she had given him her blessing. By the former, he had accomplished the mission that he had been sent on by the Lord; and by the he latter, all his spiritual goals and aspirations were fulfilled. 

SOME OBSERVATIONS  

Bad company and bad environment are often used as excuses by parents in defence of their delinquent child. Through the examples of Trijata and Vibhishan, we see that it is possible for one to live among bad elements without being influenced by them. Sri Ramakrishna tells us that we should be like a boat on the water, and not let the water get into the boat. In other words, we should live in the world without allowing worldliness to enter us.

Ramacharitamanas shows us that we can live in a world not conducive to the practice of good behaviour and spiritual discipline and yet keep to our sanatan dharma. When Sri Hanuman ji hears  Vibhishan chanting the names of the Lord, he wonders how it was possible for a devotee to live among demons, in a world where Ravan was worshipped as the supreme, where everyone was inimical / opposed to sanatan dharma. Yet, in that world, Vibhishan practised sadhana. He was not tainted by the powerful influence of the other demons.

His daughter, too, had the qualities of her father. Though a demoness, she showed kindness to Mother Sita, supported her and consoled her. Thus, it was that Mother Sita says with joined palms to Trijata: ‘Mother, you are my only companion in my anguish and suffering.’

If Trijata by choice could keep to the practice of devotion, then we, living in much better conditions, have no excuse really to blame the social environment for our spiritual lapses.

Of course, one can say that Vibhishan had the boon that he would have devotion to the lotus feet of the Lord. We do not have any such boons. Perhaps because we have not asked the Lord for that. On the other hand, Vibhishan performed so much austerities and became eligible for a boon. He could have asked for anything, but he chose to ask for devotion.

The mind by nature is unstable, ever changing. It oscillates between the extremes of sorrow and joy. So it is not unusual for it to fall into depression when one is not careful or when outside circumstances become too oppressing. In extreme cases, one may find no possible solution to one’s problems, and becoming totally hopeless and helpless, one may contemplate suicide. In such a case, a powerful anti-depressant is required. There is nothing more effective than taking the names of Lord and recollecting his glories. These are rays of light to annihilate the gloom of spiritual darkness. We see how when Mother Sita thought to abandon her body, it was Ram Katha, the glories of the Lord, that brought a new life to her. One cannot over-emphasise the importance of going to satsang where we hear the glories of the Lord, to visit holy people (be they sadhus or just good householders), to listen to inspiring talks and messages. Today, we have the great advantage of the internet and to listen to discourses on Ramayan and Mahabharat or on the many topics in Vedanta is so easy. We have all the tools. We have but to use them.

SUNDAR KAND 12

MOTHER WANTS TO END HER LIFE

Mother thought that if she did not accept Ravan within that month, he would kill her. Mother felt totally helpless and full of despair:  she had not received any message from Sri Rama, and Ravan was continuously troubling her. The pain of separation from her Lord was unbearable. And so she thought that the best course for her was to put an end to her life.

She addressed Trijata: ‘Mother, you have been my only friend and companion. I am making this one last request of you: Make a pyre for me. I will jump into it and so end my life.’

Trijata did not know what to do. It was a difficult situation. However, she reminded her of the glory of Sri Rama again.  We see that in a moment of despair the remedy is Rama Katha. She wanted to shift her attention from her present sorrow to the Lord – to something more wholesome and positive. In this way, sorrow can be overcome. In Bhagavatam, when Sri Krishna disappeared during the rasa lila, the Gopis  said that their sorrow was lessened when they thought of the joyful times they had spent with Sri Krishna.

Instead of concentrating or focusing on our present sorrow, it is better to focus on the glory of the Lord. Then the sorrows will disappear.

However, Trijata was not very successful and Mother Sita could not turn her attention away from her own sorrow, and wanted the fire to end her life. Then Trijata told her that no fire was available in Lanka at night. This was an attempt, of course, to delay the situation. And she left and went to her own home.

Now we should note that while Trijata left for her own home, the other demonesses scattered in different directions. The mind of the demons is a mixture of tamas and rajas. There is no purpose and direction in their lives apart from enjoying the world. It matters little if it is attained at the expense of others, or even if it means killing another. There is no definite higher goal in their lives. Therefore, they go off in different ways.

But it is different with Trijata. She is a devotee of the Lord, and perfect in spiritual wisdom. Her ultimate goal (as is that of all seekers) is the Lord. She is moving in one direction only, and that is towards her final liberation.

The feet of the Lord is our final resting point, our true home. The seeker will attain that end. But the others who are given to the enjoyment of the world are flung away in a myriad directions, lost ones who, alas, do not know that they are lost.

THE BEAUTIFUL MEETING OF SRI HANUMAN JI AND MOTHER SITA

Mother Sita felt that her fate had gone against her so much that she could not even get fire. Sri Hanuman ji was filled with a great sadness:  here was the mother of the universe by whose grace fire had the properties of heat and light, and she was virtually begging for fire!

Mother Sita lamented that there was neither a sharp weapon nor fire by which she could end her life. She looked up at the dark sky and saw the shining stars. They looked like fireballs to her. She addressed them: ‘Why do you not come here with your fire?’

Moonlight is cool, but to Mother Sita, it resembled fire. We perceive the world according to our own state of mind: when we are sad then everything looks sad; and when we are happy, the same objects seem to exude joy. Similarly, if we have knowledge of God, then the whole world will seem to be an expression of God. We will see God in everything, and everything will look like God. How the world appears to us depends on our attitude, knowledge and mood.

Then she looked at their ashoka tree. The new leaves were red in colour and looked like fire. She  requested the tree to give her its fire and so relieve her from all her sorrow. Sri Hanuman-ji was filled with great pain as he witnessed all this, and the one moment felt like an eternity.

When Trijata had left, Sri Hanuman ji thought that that was an opportune moment for him to act. Mother Sita was hoping for fire, a spark, at least. Sri Hanuman ji dropped the signet ring of the Lord. It came down shining like a fiery streak. ‘O, the tree has given me fire!’ exclaimed Mother Sita, and quickly picked it up.   

When she touched the ring, she was surprised: How was it that fire had lost its nature and become cool? Then she saw that it was a signet ring on which was engraved the name of the Lord. She knew at once that it was the ring of her Lord. Many thoughts ran through her mind. Lord would not take off the ring from his finger. So how did it get there? She was convinced that it was not an illusion or a trick of Ravan as a duplicate of the ring could never be made; and further, the Lord was invincible, so no one could have forced the ring off his finger.

SRI HANUMAN JI TELLS RAM KATHA

As she thus wondered, Sri Hanuman ji, in a soft and sweet voice, narrated the glorious story of Lord Rama. It is said that he sang the glories of the Lord, not in Sanskrit, but in Awadhi, the language that was spoken in Ayodhya and the regions around the city, a language that Mother Sita knew and the demons did not. By singing in Awadhi, Sri Hanuman ji indicated that it was someone from Ayodhya. If Sri Hanuman ji told the Ram Katha in Sanskrit, Mother Sita might have thought it was Ravan or some other demon trying to deceive her. Therefore, he told the story in the common tongue, Awadhi.   

Ram-Katha or Bhagawat Katha makes all sorrows go away. The moment Sri Hanuman ji’s words  reached the ears of Mother Sita, her grief took flight. The dark cloud of sorrow and depression that had been covering her vanished and her heart was filled with an unspeakable joy.  She listened with all her heart and soul. She wondered: Whose voice was it that was so sweet and infused with such devotion? Who was it that was so accomplished in the art of music and literary composition?

Then she wanted to see who it was that had told the tale of Sri Rama and asked why she did not reveal herself. She used the feminine gender because no male was allowed in the garden where she was held.

Blessed indeed was Sri Hanuman ji that the Mother of the Universe yearned to see him. Devotees and suppliants seek the grace of the Mother, and yearn even for her sidelong glance. And here, she herself was thirsting to see Sri Hanuman ji!

Then he, taking it as an order, Sri Hanuman ji appeared before her in a small size. She was surprised to see that it was a monkey. He introduced himself: ‘I am a messenger of Lord Rama, O Mother Janaki. I swear by the Lord Karuna-nidhana.’

By this single sentence, Mother immediately understood that there was a close tie between the monkey and her Lord: Sri Rama and Mother Sita addressed each other as ‘Janaki’ and ‘Karuna-nidhan’ respectively in their privacy. The one who knew this was obviously one that was intimate with the Lord (as she did not know the monkey). Then Sri Hanuman ji told her that it was he who had brought the ring of the Lord to her.

These two facts – the knowledge of the names and the ring of the Lord – confirmed for Mother Sita that indeed Sri Hanuman ji was a devoted servant of the Lord. And so she came to have a trust and  faith in him, and a deep affection for Sri Hanuman ji grew in her heart. Her eyes filled with tears and  a thrill ran through her body. In a voice filled with emotion, she said: ‘Oh, son, if you had not come, I would have drowned in the ocean of sorrow from the separation from the Lord.’

SUNDAR KAND 11: SRI HANUMAN-JI ‘S ANGER

When Sri Hanuman-ji saw the way Ravana treated Mother Sita, his anger rose to a boiling point, but he restrained himself because of the instructions that Lord had given him. Nevertheless,  he decided that before he left Lanka he would teach Ravana a good lesson.

DEMONESSES HARASSING MOTHER SITA

At first, the demonesses tried to persuade Mother Sita to accept Ravan who would give her the most costly gifts; he was no ordinary being as was her husband (Lord Rama) who had lost his kingdom and was, they said, a mentally agitated weakling.

The demoness Ekajata extolled Ravan’s lineage and sang his glory, saying that a princess as beautiful as she deserved one as glorious as Ravan alone. Pulastya Rishi was the mind-born son of Lord Brahma and one of the ten Prajapatis or lords of creation. One of his sons was the glorious Vishrava, and Ravan was his son.

 But Ravan had none of the qualities that made his forbears shine. He was given to taking by force what he desired, and was sensual to the extreme. The name Ravan indicates one who makes his enemies cry.

Harijata and Vikata pointed out that Ravan had vanquished Indra and the thirty-three deities. None among the nagas and gandharvas could face him in battle. Mother Sita should accept such a heroic one as her husband who could command the wind god to clear away the fallen leaves or the sun to hide his brilliance and control his heat according to the whims of Ravan. Trees had to provide flowers and fruits as Ravan willed. They said that Ravan would renounce his beloved queen Mandodari and the others if only Mother Sita accepted him.

 But Mother Sita countered the views that they presented. Their advice was cheap and sinful and repugnant in the eyes of the world. Such thoughts would not stay in her mind even for a moment. A human lady, who was cultured refined, would never follow their counsel. Though her Lord Rama was deprived of his kingdom, he was her adorable deity and she would ever be devoted to him. She cited many examples of ideal wives: Suvarchala the wife of Lord Surya, Sachi the wife of Indra, Arundhati wife of the sage Vasishta; she mentioned Sukanya who served Chyavan rishi, and Savitri who was followed her husband Satyavan into the jaws death.

Another demoness tried to persuade her to abandon the rules of conduct of humans that she had been following thus far, and to accept the culture and ethos of the rakshas. It was the sensible thing to do as Lanka was far away across the sea from the mainland, and impossible of access. Even Indra would not be able to rescue her. It was best that she should shake off her depression, embrace cheerfulness, and enjoy excessive delights.

On the other hand, if she did not yield, they were going to tear out her heart and feast on her. One said that the moment she had seen her when Ravan had brought her, the desire to eat her was born in her. Now they were going to fulfil that desire. They were going to eat her bit by bit, part by part. And they would be drunk with wine and dance.

Despite all this, the answer of Mother Sita is what makes her stand out as the ideal of Indian womanhood: ‘Devour me if you will. I shall never follow your counsel.’

TRIJATA  –  A GOOD DEMONESS 

Goswami Tulasidas describes her as one who was devoted to Sri Rama’s feet and perfect in spiritual wisdom. Not only, this but she also excelled in service.  Wisdom, devotion and service were represented by her three braids or plaits. Hence, the name ‘Trijata’, which literally means having three braids or plaits. In some versions of the Ramayan, she is the daughter of Vibhishan.

Her service to Mother Sita took the form of her providing solace and support for Mother Sita and it is for this reason that Mother Sita addressed her as `Mother’, and as `my only companion in my adversity’.

While the other demonesses were tormenting Mother Sita, Trijata was asleep, and now she awoke. Her sleep was not the sleep of delusion. She had the consciousness of Knowledge and her mind was filled with devotion to the Lord.

When Trijata found that the demonesses were tormenting and intimidating Mother Sita, she stopped them, and told them of her terrible dream. She saw Lord Rama and his brother Lakshman-ji  mounted on a huge elephant, and Mother Sita, too, who touched the moon. According to a treatise on dreams (‘Swapnadhyaya’), these indications were inauspicious for the demons and auspicious for Mother Sita and Lord Rama. The sons of Ravan and the whole host of demons were annihilated. The ten-headed Ravan was riding a donkey, all naked, with his heads and arms cut off, and going southwards. This indicated the death of Ravan, as the southern region is ruled by Yamraj, the god of death. Lanka passed into the hands of Vibhishan, and Sri Rama’s victory was proclaimed, and he received Mother Sita. She had also seen the city of Lanka burned down by a monkey.

Trijata told the rakshasis that she was definite that her dream would come true in a few days’ time. There were many auspicious indications for the Mother Sita, such as throbbing of her left eye and limbs.

It was known that the dreams of Trijata were prophetic. The demonesses were filled with fear at the thought of their approaching destruction. Death is the greatest fear of ordinary human beings. For the demons, this fear is all the greater because they have an inordinate attachment to their bodies.

 How were they going to save themselves now that they had tormented Mother Sita so much?

Trijata advised them to go to the Mother who was all compassion, and pray to her to free them from all their fears. After all, she was the ultimate shelter. We should understand that there is no difference between Mother Sita and Sri Rama. Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi had said as much: ‘You should not draw a distinction between the Master and me.’

Then they all went to the Mother to ask for forgiveness and her protection. And Mother Sita, after hearing of the dream of Trijata and the fears of the demonesses, said: ‘If it comes true, then I shall surely be your protector.’ 

Sri Hanuman ji listened to all this with great interest. He was given the task to find Mother Sita but on many occasions, he did not know what to do, what Lord wanted him to do. There was no direct contact, no two-way radio or Twitter and Whattsapp. But Lord was sending his messages to him through such people as Trijata. When he heard her dream, he knew what he had to do – he was certain that the right situation would arise for him to burn down the city and kill the demons.