Sreemadramayana - An Introduction

It is believed that Lord Vishnu, the protector of the creation, was born as Rama in Tretayuga, opting to be the first among the four sons of Dasaratha, the King of Ayodhya, by his queen Kausalya. The Avatar was as a result of the prayers of the Devas (gods) and the Rishis for the purpose of killing a Demon King called Ravana and his followers and to reduce the earth's burden.

Valmiki, prompted by Lord Brahma, wrote the story of Rama,the greatest of the Ikshvaku kings in Sanskrit. This is considered to be an Epic and the first Kavya (poetic presentation) by anyone including Valmiki who is considered to be the Adi Kavi (the first poet). This is a sacred text to the Hindus and most of the Indians throughout India and elsewhere. There are 7 cantos (Kandas) in the Epic with 24,000 slokas (poems) in all.

1.Bala Kanda
2.Ayodhya Kanda
3.Aranya Kanda
4.Kishkindha Kanda
5.Sundara Kanda
6.Yuddha Kanda
7.Uttara Kanda

This Blog features an abridged version of the Sundara Kanda. This contains mainly the exploits of Anjaneya in Lanka, his discovery of Sita, kidnapped and held prisoner in Lanka by the Rakshasa King Ravana. In this Kanda, Anjaneya establishes contact with Sita and communicates Rama's message to her and carries her message back to Rama, becoming a link between the forlorn couple. He meets Ravana, and gives him advice in vain. He also gives a taste of his strength and valour to the Rakshasas and demonstrates what to expect from Rama and Sugriva in a full-fledged war with Ravana.

After the abduction of Sita by Ravana, it is Anjaneya who crosses the ocean, locates Sita and establishes himself as a two-way communication channel. In sheer strength of character, purity, wisdom, physical strength, spirit of adventure, dedication to a cause, selflessness and self-sacrifice, it looks impossible to find an equal to Anjaneya in any literature. Anjaneya is the son of Kesari and Anjana born out of the grace of the Wind God. He is, therefore regarded as Vayuputra (son of the Wind). Anajaneya's only purpose in life is to serve Rama and his cause. It is said he is a Chiranjivi (one who is deathless). He has the ability to assume any form and size, can access any place and can speak human language though he was born as a monkey. The monkeys in this epic have these traits in general and they are considered to be descendants of the gods (Devas).

The story of the Ramayana and particularly Anjaneya's story is ennobling. Those who learn the Sanskrit language have some chance of enjoying Valmiki's great poetry and through it the beauty of Sanskrit. Needless to say that one's own degree of enjoyment depends upon one's ability of comprehension and in this context, commentaries by competent scholars are a great aid and have to be looked into along with the text.

Lastly, it will not be out of place to quote Jawaharlal Nehru on the Sanskrit language and the Ramayana.

"If I was asked what is the greatest treasure which India possesses and what is her finest heritage, I would answer unhesitatingly that it is the Sanskrit language and literature and all that it contains. This is a magnificent inheritance and so long as this endures and influences the life of our people, so long will the basic genius of India continue. If our race forgot the Buddha, the Upanishads and the great epics (Ramayana and Mahabharata) India would cease to be India."

Extract taken from

'SAMSKRIT-The voice of India's soul and wisdom published by the National Council of Educational Research and Training, India."

Reference: Sundara Kanda Translation and Commentary by Dr. Pullela Sreerama Chandrudu garu
Ex Head of Sanskrit Department, Osmania University