Sundara Kanda
Hanuman’s heroic leap across the ocean, the discovery of Mother Sita in Ashoka Vatika, delivery of the signet ring, destruction of the garden, burning of Lanka, and joyous return.
The heart and crown jewel of the Ramayana. Removes all obstacles, bestows success in impossible endeavors, cures severe distress, and fulfills all righteous desires.
Sarga 1: Hanuman's colossal leap across the ocean; encounters Mainaka, Surasa & Simhika
Hanuman's colossal leap across the ocean; encounters Mainaka, Surasa & Simhika. Traditional canonical recitation of Sundara Kanda Sarga 1.
Sarga 2: Hanuman reaches Mount Lamba; beholds fortified Lanka at nightfall
Hanuman reaches Mount Lamba; beholds fortified Lanka at nightfall. Traditional canonical recitation of Sundara Kanda Sarga 2.
Sarga 3: Encounter with Lankini (Guardian Deity of Lanka); Lankini vanquished
Encounter with Lankini (Guardian Deity of Lanka); Lankini vanquished. Traditional canonical recitation of Sundara Kanda Sarga 3.
Sarga 4: Hanuman assumes subtle form (Chandra-hasini) and searches Lanka's streets
Hanuman assumes subtle form (Chandra-hasini) and searches Lanka's streets. Traditional canonical recitation of Sundara Kanda Sarga 4.
Sarga 5: Moonlit description of Lanka's opulent palaces and mansions
Moonlit description of Lanka's opulent palaces and mansions. Traditional canonical recitation of Sundara Kanda Sarga 5.
Sarga 6: Searching Ravana's palace and demon warriors' residences
Searching Ravana's palace and demon warriors' residences. Traditional canonical recitation of Sundara Kanda Sarga 6.
Sarga 7: Description of the celestial aerial vehicle Pushpaka Vimana
Description of the celestial aerial vehicle Pushpaka Vimana. Traditional canonical recitation of Sundara Kanda Sarga 7.
Sarga 8: Detailed description of Pushpaka Vimana's divine architecture
Detailed description of Pushpaka Vimana's divine architecture. Traditional canonical recitation of Sundara Kanda Sarga 8.
Sarga 9: Hanuman enters Ravana's inner bedchambers
Hanuman enters Ravana's inner bedchambers. Traditional canonical recitation of Sundara Kanda Sarga 9.
Sarga 10: Hanuman beholds sleeping Ravana and Queen Mandodari; momentarily mistakes her for Sita
Hanuman beholds sleeping Ravana and Queen Mandodari; momentarily mistakes her for Sita. Traditional canonical recitation of Sundara Kanda Sarga 10.
Sarga 11: Hanuman realizes mistake; searches the grand banquet halls (Pana Bhumi)
Hanuman realizes mistake; searches the grand banquet halls (Pana Bhumi). Traditional canonical recitation of Sundara Kanda Sarga 11.
Sarga 12: Hanuman grieves not finding Sita; fears mission has failed
Hanuman grieves not finding Sita; fears mission has failed. Traditional canonical recitation of Sundara Kanda Sarga 12.
Sarga 13: Hanuman resolves not to return without finding Sita; spots Ashoka Vatika
Hanuman resolves not to return without finding Sita; spots Ashoka Vatika. Traditional canonical recitation of Sundara Kanda Sarga 13.
Sarga 14: Entry into Ashoka Vatika; enchanting floral garden description
Entry into Ashoka Vatika; enchanting floral garden description. Traditional canonical recitation of Sundara Kanda Sarga 14.
Sarga 15: Hanuman beholds Mother Sita beneath the Shimshapa Tree
Hanuman beholds Mother Sita beneath the Shimshapa Tree. Traditional canonical recitation of Sundara Kanda Sarga 15.
Sarga 16: Hanuman weeps with joy and reverence observing Sita's pure austerity
Hanuman weeps with joy and reverence observing Sita's pure austerity. Traditional canonical recitation of Sundara Kanda Sarga 16.
Sarga 17: Description of hideous demonesses guarding Sita
Description of hideous demonesses guarding Sita. Traditional canonical recitation of Sundara Kanda Sarga 17.
Sarga 18: Ravana arrives in Ashoka Vatika surrounded by celestial damsels
Ravana arrives in Ashoka Vatika surrounded by celestial damsels. Traditional canonical recitation of Sundara Kanda Sarga 18.
Sarga 19: Sita trembles like a plantain tree in storm; covers herself with tears
Sita trembles like a plantain tree in storm; covers herself with tears. Traditional canonical recitation of Sundara Kanda Sarga 19.
Sarga 20: Ravana sweet-talks and attempts to woo Sita
Ravana sweet-talks and attempts to woo Sita. Traditional canonical recitation of Sundara Kanda Sarga 20.
Sarga 21: Sita places a blade of grass between them; warns Ravana of Rama's wrath
Sita places a blade of grass between them; warns Ravana of Rama's wrath. Traditional canonical recitation of Sundara Kanda Sarga 21.
Sarga 22: Ravana gives two-month ultimatum under threat of death
Ravana gives two-month ultimatum under threat of death. Traditional canonical recitation of Sundara Kanda Sarga 22.
Sarga 23: Demonesses surround and harass Sita to yield to Ravana
Demonesses surround and harass Sita to yield to Ravana. Traditional canonical recitation of Sundara Kanda Sarga 23.
Sarga 24: Ekajata, Harijata, and demonesses threaten to devour Sita
Ekajata, Harijata, and demonesses threaten to devour Sita. Traditional canonical recitation of Sundara Kanda Sarga 24.
Sarga 25: Sita's heartbreaking lamentation; wishes to end her life
Sita's heartbreaking lamentation; wishes to end her life. Traditional canonical recitation of Sundara Kanda Sarga 25.
Sarga 26: Sita contemplates hanging herself with her long braid
Sita contemplates hanging herself with her long braid. Traditional canonical recitation of Sundara Kanda Sarga 26.
Sarga 27: Auspicious dream of noble demoness Trijata predicting Rama's victory
Auspicious dream of noble demoness Trijata predicting Rama's victory. Traditional canonical recitation of Sundara Kanda Sarga 27.
Sarga 28: Sita approaches Shimshapa tree; auspicious omens (left eye throbbing)
Sita approaches Shimshapa tree; auspicious omens (left eye throbbing). Traditional canonical recitation of Sundara Kanda Sarga 28.
Sarga 29: Throbbing of Sita's left arm, eye, and garments; revival of hope
Throbbing of Sita's left arm, eye, and garments; revival of hope. Traditional canonical recitation of Sundara Kanda Sarga 29.
Sarga 30: Hanuman deliberates how to speak to Sita without frightening her
Hanuman deliberates how to speak to Sita without frightening her. Traditional canonical recitation of Sundara Kanda Sarga 30.
Sarga 31: Hanuman melodiously recites Sri Rama's divine qualities from the tree branches
Hanuman melodiously recites Sri Rama's divine qualities from the tree branches. Traditional canonical recitation of Sundara Kanda Sarga 31.
Sarga 32: Sita looks up and sees the radiant, humble golden monkey
Sita looks up and sees the radiant, humble golden monkey. Traditional canonical recitation of Sundara Kanda Sarga 32.
Sarga 33: Hanuman descends, bows, and introduces himself as Rama's messenger
Hanuman descends, bows, and introduces himself as Rama's messenger. Traditional canonical recitation of Sundara Kanda Sarga 33.
Sarga 34: Sita suspects trick of Ravana; Hanuman describes Rama's form and virtues
Sita suspects trick of Ravana; Hanuman describes Rama's form and virtues. Traditional canonical recitation of Sundara Kanda Sarga 34.
Sarga 35: Hanuman details Rama's 32 physical auspicious marks and character
Hanuman details Rama's 32 physical auspicious marks and character. Traditional canonical recitation of Sundara Kanda Sarga 35.
Sarga 36: Hanuman presents Rama's Sacred Signet Ring (Anguleeyakam)
Hanuman presents Rama's Sacred Signet Ring (Anguleeyakam). Traditional canonical recitation of Sundara Kanda Sarga 36.
Sarga 37: Sita's boundless joy; Hanuman offers to carry her on his back across ocean
Sita's boundless joy; Hanuman offers to carry her on his back across ocean. Traditional canonical recitation of Sundara Kanda Sarga 37.
Sarga 38: Sita gives Chudamani jewel & narrates the intimate Kakasura story
Sita gives Chudamani jewel & narrates the intimate Kakasura story. Traditional canonical recitation of Sundara Kanda Sarga 38.
Sarga 39: Sita gives one-month life deadline to Rama
Sita gives one-month life deadline to Rama. Traditional canonical recitation of Sundara Kanda Sarga 39.
Sarga 40: Hanuman comforts Sita with solemn oath of Rama's imminent arrival
Hanuman comforts Sita with solemn oath of Rama's imminent arrival. Traditional canonical recitation of Sundara Kanda Sarga 40.
Sarga 41: Hanuman resolves to destroy the Ashoka garden to test demon strength
Hanuman resolves to destroy the Ashoka garden to test demon strength. Traditional canonical recitation of Sundara Kanda Sarga 41.
Sarga 42: Demonesses report to Ravana; 80,000 Kinkara demons dispatched
Demonesses report to Ravana; 80,000 Kinkara demons dispatched. Traditional canonical recitation of Sundara Kanda Sarga 42.
Sarga 43: Hanuman roars atop the Chaitya temple, declaring himself Rama's servant
Hanuman roars atop the Chaitya temple, declaring himself Rama's servant. Traditional canonical recitation of Sundara Kanda Sarga 43.
Sarga 44: Slaying of demon general Jambumali
Slaying of demon general Jambumali. Traditional canonical recitation of Sundara Kanda Sarga 44.
Sarga 45: Slaying of seven sons of Prahasta
Slaying of seven sons of Prahasta. Traditional canonical recitation of Sundara Kanda Sarga 45.
Sarga 46: Slaying of five great demon army chiefs (Virupaksha, etc.)
Slaying of five great demon army chiefs (Virupaksha, etc.). Traditional canonical recitation of Sundara Kanda Sarga 46.
Sarga 47: Aksha Kumara (youngest son of Ravana) enters battle; heroic duel
Aksha Kumara (youngest son of Ravana) enters battle; heroic duel. Traditional canonical recitation of Sundara Kanda Sarga 47.
Sarga 48: Slaying of Aksha Kumara; Indrajit dispatched to battlefield
Slaying of Aksha Kumara; Indrajit dispatched to battlefield. Traditional canonical recitation of Sundara Kanda Sarga 48.
Sarga 49: Indrajit binds Hanuman with Brahmastra; Hanuman respects Brahma's weapon
Indrajit binds Hanuman with Brahmastra; Hanuman respects Brahma's weapon. Traditional canonical recitation of Sundara Kanda Sarga 49.
Sarga 50: Hanuman brought into Ravana's imperial court; Prahasta's interrogation
Hanuman brought into Ravana's imperial court; Prahasta's interrogation. Traditional canonical recitation of Sundara Kanda Sarga 50.
Sarga 51: Hanuman delivers thunderous counsel to Ravana: 'Surrender Sita or perish'
Hanuman delivers thunderous counsel to Ravana: 'Surrender Sita or perish'. Traditional canonical recitation of Sundara Kanda Sarga 51.
Sarga 52: Ravana orders Hanuman executed; Vibhishana intervenes on envoy sanctity
Ravana orders Hanuman executed; Vibhishana intervenes on envoy sanctity. Traditional canonical recitation of Sundara Kanda Sarga 52.
Sarga 53: Ravana orders Hanuman's tail set on fire with oiled cloth
Ravana orders Hanuman's tail set on fire with oiled cloth. Traditional canonical recitation of Sundara Kanda Sarga 53.
Sarga 54: Sita prays to Agni Deva to be cool to Hanuman; Hanuman sets Lanka ablaze
Sita prays to Agni Deva to be cool to Hanuman; Hanuman sets Lanka ablaze. Traditional canonical recitation of Sundara Kanda Sarga 54.
Sarga 55: Hanuman extinguished tail in ocean; sudden panic that Sita might have burned
Hanuman extinguished tail in ocean; sudden panic that Sita might have burned. Traditional canonical recitation of Sundara Kanda Sarga 55.
Sarga 56: Charanas assure Sita is safe; Hanuman visits Sita one last time
Charanas assure Sita is safe; Hanuman visits Sita one last time. Traditional canonical recitation of Sundara Kanda Sarga 56.
Sarga 57: Hanuman climbs Mount Arishta and leaps back across ocean
Hanuman climbs Mount Arishta and leaps back across ocean. Traditional canonical recitation of Sundara Kanda Sarga 57.
Sarga 58: Hanuman roars approaching Mahendra; Vanaras erupt in joy; narrates discovery
Hanuman roars approaching Mahendra; Vanaras erupt in joy; narrates discovery. Traditional canonical recitation of Sundara Kanda Sarga 58.
Sarga 59: Hanuman summarizes Sita's sorrow and fidelity to Angada and Jambavan
Hanuman summarizes Sita's sorrow and fidelity to Angada and Jambavan. Traditional canonical recitation of Sundara Kanda Sarga 59.
Sarga 60: Angada proposes marching immediately to liberate Sita; Jambavan advises informing Rama
Angada proposes marching immediately to liberate Sita; Jambavan advises informing Rama. Traditional canonical recitation of Sundara Kanda Sarga 60.
Sarga 61: Vanaras feast on royal Madhuvana honey garden of Sugriva
Vanaras feast on royal Madhuvana honey garden of Sugriva. Traditional canonical recitation of Sundara Kanda Sarga 61.
Sarga 62: Madhuvana guardian Dadhimukha beaten; complains to Sugriva
Madhuvana guardian Dadhimukha beaten; complains to Sugriva. Traditional canonical recitation of Sundara Kanda Sarga 62.
Sarga 63: Sugriva deduces success: 'Sita has been found!'
Sugriva deduces success: 'Sita has been found!'. Traditional canonical recitation of Sundara Kanda Sarga 63.
Sarga 64: Vanaras arrive at Prasravana; Hanuman proclaims: 'Drushta Sita' (Sita is Seen!)
Vanaras arrive at Prasravana; Hanuman proclaims: 'Drushta Sita' (Sita is Seen!). Traditional canonical recitation of Sundara Kanda Sarga 64.
Sarga 65: Hanuman delivers Mother Sita's Chudamani into Sri Rama's hands
Hanuman delivers Mother Sita's Chudamani into Sri Rama's hands. Traditional canonical recitation of Sundara Kanda Sarga 65.
Sarga 66: Rama weeps clutching the Chudamani; recalls Sita's wedding day
Rama weeps clutching the Chudamani; recalls Sita's wedding day. Traditional canonical recitation of Sundara Kanda Sarga 66.
Sarga 67: Hanuman narrates Sita's exact words and unshakeable fidelity
Hanuman narrates Sita's exact words and unshakeable fidelity. Traditional canonical recitation of Sundara Kanda Sarga 67.
Sarga 68: Hanuman recounts Kakasura incident; Rama resolves to march on Lanka
Hanuman recounts Kakasura incident; Rama resolves to march on Lanka. Traditional canonical recitation of Sundara Kanda Sarga 68.