Sundara Kãnda: Hanuman's Odyssey   By: BS Murthy

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.