1st and 2nd Dohas of Sunderkand

Chaupai : Jamavamta ke bacana suhae, suni hanumamta hrdaya ati bhae ||

Taba lagi mohi parikhehu tumha bhai, sahi dukha kamda mula phala khai ||1||
Jaba lagi avau sitahi dekhi,hoihi kaju mohi harasa bisesi ||
Yaha kahi nai sabanhi kahu matha, caleu harasi hiya dhari Raghunatha ||2||
Simdhu tira eka bhudhara sumdara,kautuka kudi caRheu ta upara ||
Bara bara Raghubira sabhari, tarakeu pavanatanaya bala bhari ||3|
Jehi giri carana dei hanumamta,caleu so ga patala turamta ||
Jimi amogha Raghupati kara bana, ehi bhati caleu hanumana||4||
Jalanidhi Raghupati duta bicari, tai mainaka hoi sramahari ||5||

Hanuman Comes to Know of his Powers from Jambavant

Hanumanji was pleased to hear the beautiful words of Jambavant. He said, “ Oh brothers! Bear the tough times and surviving on bulbs, roots and fruits, you must wait for me till I return after seeing Sita. Our task will certainly be done because I am feeling very delighted.” Saying so and bowing to all present, Hanumanji set out in joyous abandon with the image of Shri Raghunathji dwelling in his heart. There was a beautiful mountain on the sea shore.

All of a sudden, Hanumanji playfully jumped and reached its peak,and recollecting Shri Raghuvir time and again,the immensely strong Hanumanji leapt from the top with great speed. Instantly the mountain on which Hanumanji had kept his foot while leaping sank into patala (subterranean region). Hanumanji sped forth just like the unerring arrow of Shri Raghunathji.Assuming him to be an envoy of the Lord of the Raghus, the Sea God instructed the Mainaka Mountain, “Oh Mainaka! You must be the one who gives him respite from fatigue (by letting him take rest on you).

Doha: 1
Hanumana tehi parasa kara puni kinha pranama |
Rama kaju kinhe binu mohi kaha bisrama ||1||

Hanuman Takes off from Mount Mainaka

Hanumanji merely touched the Mainaka Mountain with his hand. Making obeisance, he exclaimed, “How can I possibly relax without completing the work of Shri Ramchandraji?”

Chaupai:
Jata pavanasuta devanha dekha, janai kahu bala buddhi bisesa |
Surasa nama ahinya kai mata, pathainhi ai kahi tehi bata ||1||
Aju suranha mohi dinha ahara, sunata bacana kaha pavanakumara |
Rama kaju kari phiri mai avau, sita kahi sudhi prabhuhi sunavau ||2||
Taba tava badana paithihau ai, satya kahau mohi jana de mai ||
Kavanehu jatana dei nahi jana,grasasi na mohi kaheu hanumana ||3||
Jojana bhari tehi badanu pasara,kapi tanu kinha dugana bistara |
Soraha jojana mukha tehi thayau, turata pavanasuta battisa bhayau ||4||
Jasa jasa surasa badanu bhaRhava,tasu duna kapi rupa dekhava |
Sata jojana tehi anana kinha,ati laghu rupa pavanasuta linha ||5||
Badan paithi puni bahera ava,maga bida tahi siru nava |
Mohi suranha jehi lagi pathava, budhi bala maramu tora mai pava ||6||

Tiny Hanuman Enters Demoness Surasa's Mouth

The gods saw Hanumanji, son of the Wind God, speedily flying by, and to examine his exceptional strength and intelligence they sent Surasa, mother of the serpents. She came and told Hanumanji, “The deities have provided me with a meal today.”Hearing these words Hanumanji, son of the Wind God replied, “Let me come back after accomplishing the task of Shri Ramji and giving him news of Sitaji's whereabouts.Thereafter I will enter your mouth.I am telling the truth, oh mother! Let me go now as of now.”

When she did not let him leave under any circumstances, Hanumanji retorted, “Then why not devour me.” She expanded her mouth to a yojan (about eight miles)and soon after Hanumaji doubled in size of her gaping mouth. She extended her mouth to sixteen yojans (128 miles) and instantly Hanumanji enlarged himself to 256 miles. Just as Surasa increased the dimension of her mouth Hanumanji would double in size. When she widened her mouth to 100 yojans (800 miles)Hanumanji assumed a very small form.And entering her mouth, he came out soon enough. Bowing before her, he begged to leave. Now she revealed, “I have gauged the secret of your intellect for which the gods had deputed me.”

Doha: 2
Rama kaju sabu karihahu tumha bala buddhi nidhana |
Asisa dei gai so harasi caleu hanumana ||2||

Defeating Surasa,Hanuman Heads for Lanka

Blessing him and exulting, “You will succeed in doing the entire task of Shri Ramchandraji because you are the store of strength and intelligence,” she left. Soon after, Hanumanji happily resumed his journey.

1, 2 & 3 Slokas of Sunderkand

Sloka 1

Santam sasvatamaprameyamanagham nirvanasantipradam

Brahmasambhuphanindrasevyamanisam vedantavedyamvibhum

Ramakhyam jagadisvaram suragurum mayamanusyam harim

Vande'ham karunakaram raghuvaram bhupalacudamanim || 1 ||

Rama, Lord of the Universe

I pray to the Lord of the Universe called Rama, chief of the Raghus, supreme amongst kings, a mine of loving tenderness, destroying all sins, visible in human form because of his maya (power of illusion), greatest of the deities, all pervading,worth knowing through Vedanta (the Upanishads) constantly served by Brahma, Shambhu and Sheshnag (the thousand-headed snake on which Vishnu sleeps), granting supreme bliss in the form of moksha or salvation, sinless, beyond mundane perception, eternal and calm.

Sloka 2

Nanya sprha raghupate hrdaye'smadiye

Satyam vadami ca bhavanakhilantaratma |

Bhaktim prayaccha raghupungava nirbharam me

Kamadidosarahitam kuru manasam ca || 2 ||

Lord of the Raghus

I tell the truth, oh Lord of the Raghus! You very well know that there is no other wish in my heart since you are the inner soul of everyone. Oh chief of the Rahgus! Grant me absolute religious devotion for you and strip my mind of lust and other vices.

3^rd Sloka

Atulitabaladhamam hemasailabhadeham

Danujavanakrsanum jnaninamagraganyam |

Sakalagunanidhanam vanaranamadhisam

Raghupatipriyabhaktam vatajatam namami || 3 ||

Shri Hanuman

I bow to Shri Hanuman, son of the wind god,the lovable devotee of Shri Raghunath (Lord of the Raghus),the master of the monkeys,the trove of all virtues, best of the wise,equivalent to the blazing fire for destroying the forest of demons,with a body shining like the Sumeru mountain of gold,and the abode of immeasurable strength.

The Sunderkand: Introduction

The Sunderkand

Sunderkand forms a part of seven kands or sections of the 'Ram Charit Manas' written by Goswami Tulsidasji. It is a saga of Hanuman's total surrender to Rama, his supreme master. Devotees recite the Sunderkand as a prayer to Hanuman, the Monkey God.

The Ashok Vatika

The Trikutachal Mountains in Sri Lanka have three ranges. The country folk stay in the Neel Range while the Suvel Range is a vast plateau. Since the Ashok Vatika where Sita was imprisoned by Ravana is located in the Sundar Range this section is named Sunderkand.

Hanumana Crosses the Ocean

Sunderkand commences with the departure of Hanuman for Lanka in search of Sita and ends with Rama ready to cross the ocean in order to liberate Sita.It is symbolic of the battle between good and evil.

Maryada Purushottam Rama

Sunderkand presents Rama as Maryada Purushottam or the perfect man and stresses on chanting the name of Rama which brings purity of heart, peace and righteousness plus energy. Who is Rama? Vibhisan says that Rama is not the son of Dashratha, the king of Ayodhya. He in reality is the Lord of Time, Space and Causation. He is the one without attributes, the unborn, the First Cause and the eternal. (39/1)

Hanuman, an aspirant of self-realization, crosses the ocean of life’s ordeals to discover Sita, an icon of perfect virtue and beauty. Devotion is essential in the perennial quest of mankind for a divine and transcendental love in the Sunderkand.

Hanumanji Symbolises the Perfect Devotee

Reciting the Sundarkand confers moksha on devotees as it depicts the process of liberation.The ocean of sansara and the finding of Sita by Hanuman is a paradigm of the seeker for ultimate reality. The aspirant's struggle for self-realisation is reflected in Hanuman’s facing obstacles on his way to Lanka and Sita’s efforts to unite with the Supreme Spirit represented by Rama.

Human mind has often been linked to a monkey because of its wavering nature. The innate powers of Hanuman could not be revealed under Sugreeva and only when he came in contact with Rama was he acclaimed as a Monkey-God.

Shri Hanuman Setting Fire to Lanka

Sunderkand describes the picturesque and prosperous Lanka in all its glory. Hanuman initially views it from a mountain- top and finds it is surrounded by the oceans from all sides.Even Lanka’s burning is described as a beautiful act, destroying evil.

Lord Shiva & Parvati

 Lord Shiva and his consort Parvati are watching the entire sequence of Sundarkand with their dialogue forming the core of this episode’s teachings. Lord Shiva affirms that those who chant Rama’s name in speech, thought and action will be free of grief for all times to come.

In Sunderkand, every thing ends beautifully on a positive note. Hanuman finds out the whereabouts of Sita and her rescue is assured. Mandodari in Ravana’s palace advises him on correct behaviour.Vibheeshana is liberated from evil surroundings and accepted in Rama’s camp. Rama is ready to enter Lanka for liberating Sita as he learns the secret of crossing the sea from the Sea God.

Goswami Tulsidas

Religiously reciting the Sunderkand gives us strength to boldly face calamities on the temporal plane. Goswami Tulsidasji concludes the section by confirming that those who listen to the kand with reverence are empowered to cross the ocean of worldly existence.

Shri Rudrashtakam: Sanskrit in Roman English

Lord Shiva as Rudra

Namaa miisha mishaana-nirvaana rupam |
Vibhum vyaapakam brahma-veda-svaroopam ||
Nijam nirgunam nirvikalpam niriham |
Chidaakaasha maakaasha-vaasam bhaje ham ||1||
Niraakaara monkaara-moolam turiiyam |
Giraa gnaana gotiita miisham giriisham ||
Karaalam mahaa-kaala-kaalam krpaalam |
gunaagaara samsara paaram nato ham ||2||
Tushaa raadri-sankaasellsha-gauram gabhiram |
Manobhuta-koti prabha sri sariram ||
Sphuran mauli-kallolini-charu-ganga ||
lasad-bhaala-balendu kanthe bhujangaa ||3||
Chalatkundalam bhru sunetram visalam |
Prasannaa-nanam nila-kantham dayaalam ||
Mrgadhisa charmaambaram mundamaalam |
Priyam sankaram sarvanaatham bhajaami ||4||
Pracandam prakrstam pragalbham paresham |
Akhandam ajam bhaanukoti-prakaasam ||
Trayah-shula-nirmulanam shula-paanim |
Bhaje ham bhavaani-patim bhaava-gamyam || 5 ||
Kalaatitata-kalyaana-kalpanta-kaari |
sadaa sajjanaa-nanda-daataa purarih ||
Chidaananda-sandoha-mohaapahaari |
Prasida praslda prabho manmathaarih || 6 ||
Na yaavad umaanaatha-paadaaravindam |
Bhajantiha loke parevaa naraanam ||
Na taavat-sukham shaanti-santaapa-naasham |
Praslda prabho sarva bhutaa-dhivaasam || 7 ||
Na janaami yogam japam naiva pujam |
Nato ham sadaa sarvadaa sambhu tubhyam ||
Jaraa janma-duhkhaugha taatapya maanam |
Prabho paahi apan-namaamisha shambho || 8 ||
Shloka
Rudrastakam idam proktam viprena haratosaye |
Ye pathanti nara bhaktya tesam sambhuh prasidati ||

7th and 8th Verses of Shri Rudrashtakam

Verse 7

Na yaavad umaanaatha-paadaaravindam |
Bhajantiha loke parevaa naraanam ||
Na taavat-sukham shaanti-santaapa-naasham |
Praslda prabho sarva bhutaa-dhivaasam || 7 ||

Worship the Lotus Feest of Lord Shiva, Parvati's Husband

Unless humans worship the lotus feet of Parvati's husband neither do they get happiness and peace in this mundane world and the next nor is their suffering alleviated. Therefore oh Lord, who dwells within the hearts of all living sentient beings, kindly be pleased.

Verse 8
Na janaami yogam japam naiva pujam |
Nato ham sadaa sarvadaa sambhu tubhyam ||
Jaraa janma-duhkhaugha taatapya maanam |
Prabho paahi apan-namaamisha shambho || 8 ||

Lord shiva Protects us From the Many Miseries of Birth

I have no inkling of yoga, incantations or religious observances. Oh Shambhu I respectfully salute you in particular at all times. Oh Lord, protect me from the many miseries of birth, old age and death which I am afflicted with. I make salutations to you oh God! Oh Shambhu!

Shloka
Rudrastakam idam proktam viprena haratosaye |
Ye pathanti nara bhaktya tesam sambhuh prasidati ||

Lord Shiva is Pleased by People who Chant This Octet

This octet which is a eulogy for Lord Rudra was recited by the Brahman to placate him. Lord Shambhu is pleased with person who religiously chants this hymn of praise.

5th and 6th Verses of Shri Rudrashtakam

Verse 5
Pracandam prakrstam pragalbham paresham |
Akhandam ajam bhaanukoti-prakaasam ||
Trayah-shula-nirmulanam shula-paanim |
Bhaje ham bhavaani-patim bhaava-gamyam || 5 ||

Lord Shankar is Attained by Bhava

I worship Lord Shankar the husband of Bhavani,attainable by bhava or love flowing towards the Lord, holding a trident in His hands, uprooting the three-fold pangs of suffering and radiant like millions of blazing suns.The Parmeshwar is unborn, indestructible, brilliant, supreme and the fearsome form of Rudra.

Verse 6
Kalaatitata-kalyaana-kalpanta-kaari |
sadaa sajjanaa-nanda-daataa purarih ||
Chidaananda-sandoha-mohaapahaari |
Prasida praslda prabho manmathaarih || 6 ||

Lord Shiva Bringing About Dissolution of the World

Be pleased, be pleased oh Lord! You are the enemy of Kamdev (god of lust), dispel illusion by churning the mind, are Sacchidanandan (being, thought and bliss,a title of the Ultimate Being) and the foe of demon Tripura. Granting constant delight to the virtuous, you bring about dissolution of the world at the end of a kalpa and are the svarupa who is beyond artistic skills as you work for our salvation.

3rd and 4th Verses of Shri Rudrashtakam

Verse 3
Tushaa raadri-sankaasellsha-gauram gabhiram |
Manobhuta-koti prabha sri sariram ||
Sphuran mauli-kallolini-charu-ganga ||
lasad-bhaala-balendu kanthe bhujangaa ||3||

 Worship Fair-complexioned Shiva

I worship Shiva who is fair-complexioned and dignified like the Himalayas, whose body is radiant with the splendour of crores of Kamdevs , the beautiful river Ganga is nestled on His head, with the crescent moon posited on His brow and snakes adorning his neck.

Verse 4
Chalatkundalam bhru sunetram visalam |
Prasannaa-nanam nila-kantham dayaalam ||
Mrgadhisa charmaambaram mundamaalam |
Priyam sankaram sarvanaatham bhajaami ||4||

Lord Shiva is Known as Neelkanth

I worship Lord Shankar (working for our well-being)who is the Lord loved by everyone. Kundals (large ear-rings as worn by yogis) are dangling from His ears, He has beautiful eyebrows, huge eyes, and looks pleased.He is known as Neelkanth (According to the Puranas, Shiva received this name as He drank the poison that emerged from the ocean after it was churned for getting the nectar of immortality. With the power of His yoga, Shiva arrested the poison in His throat but it turned blue.) and is merciful. Putting on a garment made of lion skin, He has a garland of skulls draped around his neck.