SUNDAR KANDA

Recited by K.K.SAH Geoffrey Gordon Tablas

2 CD Set 4 Page Booklet

 

The Ramayana is the story of Sri Rama, the Avatar of Vishnu and is composed of kand’s (chapters) that are named for specific purpose. Example, in the Balakanda there is a description of Sri Rama's childhood; the Ayodhya-Kanda describes the occurrences in Ayodhya. The Sundar-Kanda is known as the Beautiful Chapter as it contains the description of Sri Rama's beauty and virtues.

 

 (Ram Dass)…..”During that first winter in India …a wonderful new Indian friend, K.K.Sah, brought me an English-translation copy of the Ramayana, a book that he promised would help me understand Hanuman.  It was a folk version written by Tulsidas.  The great epic poem the Ramayana is a bible for millions of people in India.  The people hear it recited, study it, name their children after its characters, and model their lives on the teachings contained in its stories. ...the stories like most bibles, is about the battle between good and evil.  Ram is an incarnation of God who passionately takes birth in order to rid the universe of the rakshasha (demons) led by Ravana….Ram his wife Sita, and his devoted brother Lakshman are living in the jungle as hermits. Ravana, true to demon nature of lust and greed, steals Sita away (Ram’s wife)...Ram and Lakshman then set out to find Sita. ..Hanuman is the most pure in his devotion to Ram and Ram’s cause.  As a result of his single-minded devotion, Hanuman is blessed with extraordinary powers ...Hanuman again and again performs extraordinary feats in helping Ram to be victorious in his battle against evil…and to uphold the Dharma ( the truth). Hanuman is characterized as a wise and rascally monkey whose joy is found in serving Ram.  He is so close to Ram, serving him so intimately, that he is known as the “breath of Ram.”

 Compassion In Action By Ram Dass and Mira Bai Bush