Sundarakanda - A Boon to Mankind

Many of us have heard about the importance of listening or recitation of Sundarakanda, yet we hardly get the chance to explore the deeper secrets behind it or grasp how we may apply what Lord Rama and Hanumanji taught us to our own lives.

Sundarakanda derives from the word "Sundara," which means beautiful, and "Kanda," which implies a Chapter or episode. Mata Anjani used to lovingly call Hanumana as Sundara, hence Sage Valmiki chose this name for the fifth section of Ramayana as it precisely talks about Hanumanji’s journey towards Lanka. Sundarakanda talks about the adventures of Lord Hanuman, his selflessness, his devotion towards Lord Rama, his supreme intelligence, courage and valor. The one who recites it with complete devotion derives positivity, hope, courage and is able to win over tough situations in life.

Significance of Sundarakanda Paath

Sundarakanda is hailed as among Ramayana's most crucial verses. According to Sundarakanda, Seeta represents Bhakti or devotion, and sailing the Ocean of Life, one requires the feathers of love and prayer.
Narrating or listening to Sundarakanda makes one feel comfortable, confident and happy. This epic is weaved with numerous tales that inspire people to find harmony and peace of mind while releasing their mental distress.

Rules for reading Sundarakanda Paath

It is highly beneficial to start the Sundarakanda Paath on Tuesdays and Saturdays. However, one can commence this Paath on any day of the week.
Let’s understand certain rules that one needs to follow to do this paath :

• You should have a shower and wear clean clothes.
• In your home, place a statue of Shri Hanuman upon a little, square seat called a "Chauki." Sit in a clean "Aasana" that is shorter than the Chauki.
• Lord Hanuman should be presented with flowers. To honor Lord Hanuman, decorate him with sandalwood and tilak, and light a Deepam before him.
• All set! You can start the recitation.
• If you want to recite Sundarakanda alone, it is wise to choose the time between 4 and 6 AM (Brahma Muhurta).
• For best results, group recitation should occur after 7 PM.
• Once the Paath is completed, perform Aarti and offer prasad or Bhog to Lord Hanuman. It is highly advisable to distribute the Prasad to as many people as you can.
• Surrender yourself completely in his devotion and be patient. Your faith in Lord Hanumana will certainly help in finding solutions to all of your concerns.

Perks of reciting the Paath

You can recite it whenever it is handy, whether morning or night. Sundarakandais read or recited to fight against all the evils.

• It eliminates all the toxicity and challenges in one's life and brings pleasure and success to the person.
• When one starts this parayana, Sundarakanda instructs how to overcome all obstacles and negatives in life.
• It helps an individual to maintain optimum health and serve as a defense against sickness.
• People believe whoever recites Sundarakanda consistently for 40 days, then their wish comes true.
• You will also be freed from your life's traumas, tragedies, and miseries.
• One's financial situation is enhanced by reciting Sundarakand.
• Reading of Sundarakanda helps in removal of obstacles on personal as well as professional front .

The Tuesday tradition of reciting Sundarakanda

Starting Sundarakanda paath on Tuesday has an additional advantage. Bhagwan Hanuman discovered Seeta Mata on a Tuesday in Lanka. It is stated that Mother Seeta entitled the ray of hope that any individual who worships Lord Hanuman on Tuesdays would receive her blessings as a bonus to Hanuman's favors. Thus it is considered an outstanding and helpful practice to recite Sundarakanda Paath on Tuesdays.

Different verses of Sundarakanda and its Perks!

It is interesting to note, that even if you aren't able to recite the entire paath, however, you can read a particular verse pertaining to the issues you are facing.
For each verse, there is a substantial perk in Sundarakanda. Let's delve deeper into those.

• You will be rescued from harms and losses if you recite the first verse every day for six months.
• Reading the third verse wards off the attacks of devils, ghosts and spirits.
• The thirteenth chapter helps to soothe your brain's fatigue.
• You can overcome the sin of an extra marital affair with someone by reading verses 7 to 11.
• Reading verse 15 can also help you get lasting wealth and pleasure.
• To stop dreadful nightmares, you should recite verse 27.
• You may peruse verses 20–21, if you want to get good behavior.
• Natives can recite verses 33 to 40 to reunite with their lost kin.
• Verse 36 can be used to get away from looming threats.

Different ways of Reciting Parayana

Under the devotees' demands, preferences, and other factors, rules have been established for reciting Sundarakanda's 68 chapters in their full context in diverse manners. It is often advised to repeat this several times to reap the best results. You may choose either of the methods to complete your paath. Let's have a quick glimpse on the various ways of reciting Parayana:

• Method 1: Completing the Parayana in 1 day.

Ensure to recite a complete Sundarakanda in a day at once.

• Method 2: Completing the Parayana in 2 days.

On the first day, read verses 1 to 35; on the second day, read the remaining verses.

• Method 3: Completing the Parayana in 3 days.

On the first day, read verses 1 to 37; on the second day, 37 to 40; and the remaining on the third day.

• Method 4: Completing the Parayana in 5 days.

Read verses 1 to 15 on day 1, verses 16 to 37 on day 2, chapter 38 on the third, verses 39 to 54 on day 4, and the remaining verses on day 5.

• Method 5: Completing the Parayana in 8 days.

Read nine chapters every day, commencing on Friday until the upcoming Friday.

• Method 6: Completing the Parayana in 9 days.

In Nine days, read the paath, pausing daily on chapters 5, 15, 20, 26, 28, 40, 52, 60, and 68.

• Method 7: Completing the Parayana in 12 days.

Read six chapters each day, concluding it on the twelfth day.

• Method 8: Completing the Parayana in 28 days.

Read two chapters every day up to day 22, then five chapters on day 23, three on day 24, six on day 25, three on day 26, four on day 27, and the last three on day 28.

Final Words

Chanting the Sundarakanda Consistently offers us the courage to confront temporal tragedies with courage. In his concluding statement, Saint Valmiki affirms that individuals who pay attention to this kanda with devotion are given the ability to accomplish materialistic desires, fulfill their wishes, lead a purposeful and happy life.

In case you are undergoing sadesati, undergoing dhaiyya or Kantak shani, suffering sudden losses in business, legal issues or suffering health issues than doing Sundarakanda parayana is one of the best remedies and is considered to be quite beneficial.