Sundara Kand

It is said that reading the Sundara Kand is as good as reading the whole of the Ramayana. Sundara Kand or the Beautiful Episode tells the story of Hanuman and his flight to Lanka in search of Sita Hanuman’s search for Sita takes us through the prosperous streets of Lanka and into Ravana’s splendid palace where the valiant demon king lives with his beautiful wives and sons. When he finally finds Sita sitting lonely and forlorn in Ashoka Vana, he is overwhelmed with anger and sorrow at her grief. Consoling her by speaking about Rama and taking from her an ornament as proof of their meeting, Hanuman gives vent to his fury. He uproots Ashoka Vana and destroys everything in sight. He then allows himself to be captured by Ravana’s guards. They take him to Ravana’s court where he admonishes Ravana and tells him to release Sita or face the wrath of Rama Enraged by Hanuman’s audacity, Ravana orders his tail to be set on fire. Hanuman breaks his bonds and with the flaming tail leaps from one mansion to another setting each one on fire till the whole of Lanka is caught in a raging blaze.