Sundara Kandam - Valmiki Ramayanam Sanskrit - Tamil

Sundara Kanda is the only chapter of the Ramayana in which the hero is not Rama, but rather Hanuman. Hanuman's selflessness, strength, and devotion to Rama are emphasized in the text. Sundara Kandam is the fifth section of Ramayana (the story of Lord Rama) written by Sage Valmiki and comprises of 2885 verses spread in 68 chapters. “Sundara” as we all know in the literary sense means beautiful and Kandam means section. The sage has called this section a “beautiful section” of Ramayana. The Sundara Kanda forms the heart of Valmiki s Ramayana and consists of a detailed vivid account of Hanuma's adventures. After learning about Sita, Hanuman assumes a gargantuan form and makes a colossal leap across the ocean to Lanka. Here Hanuman explores the demon's city and spies on Ravana. He locates Sita in Ashoka grove which is wooed and threatened by Ravana and his rakshas to marry Ravana. He reassures her giving Rama's signet ring as a sign of good faith. He offers to carry Sita back to Rama, however she refuses reluctant to allow herself to be touched by a male other than her husband. She says that Rama himself must come and avenge the insult of her abduction.