The Sundar Kanda (Beautiful Chapter) from the Tulasidasa Ramayana is a beautiful story describing how Pure Devotion in the form of a flying monkey (Hanuman) travels to Lanka (The Kingdom of the Ego) in order to find Rama’s wife Sita (Divine Nature), who has been kidnapped by Ravana (The Ego).Tulasidasa’s poetry is so succinct, it is impossible to replicate his language today. It takes so many English words to translate his ideas and the ideas are so profound that they should be shared.he Sundar Kanda is filled with such beautiful ideas and is one of the most celebrated pieces of spiritual literature from the Hindu culture. It can be sung in hundreds of ways, various tunes coming from the different cultures of Hinduism, all woven into a tapestry of joyous sounds in praise of God. Please enjoy the spiritual nectar of the Sundar Kanda!
Sundar Kanda Video Class 1
Beginning – Doha 3
This video class contains an examination of the Sundar Kanda from the beginning through Doha 3. Some of the parts of the story contained in this section are: The opening salutations to Lord Rama and Hanuman, Hanuman leaving to Lanka, Surasa attempting to eat Hanuman and a description of Hanuman arriving at Lanka. This video class contains first the chanting of the original Avadhi text, followed by a beautiful English translation and a detailed commentary.
Sundar Kanda Video Class 2
Doha 3 – Doha 7
This class contains an examination of the Sundar Kanda from Doha 3 through Doha 7. Some of the parts of the story contained in this section are: Hanuman entering the city of Lanka, Hanuman meeting Bibhisana and Hanuman locating Sita. This video class contains first the chanting of the original Avadhi text, followed by a beautiful English translation and a detailed commentary.
Sundar Kanda Video Class 3
Doha 8 – Doha 15
This video contains an examination of the Sundar Kanda from Doha 8 through Doha 15. Some of the parts of the story contained in this section are: Ravana attempting to seduce Sita in the garden, Trijata telling the demon women tormenting Sita of her dream prophesizing the death of Ravana at the hands of Lord Rama, Hanuman giving Sita the ring of Lord Rama and telling Her of the impending invasion of Lanka by Rama. This video class contains first the chanting of the original Avadhi text, followed by a beautiful English translation and a detailed commentary.
Sundar Kanda Video Class 4
Doha 16 – Doha 22
This video class contains an examination of the Sundar Kanda from Doha 16 through Doha 22. Some of the parts of the story contained in this section are: Sita blessing Hanuman and telling him to eat the fruits in the grove, Hanuman killing many demons and fighting with Ravana’s Sons, Hanuman allowing himself to be captured, Hanuman recounting the glories of Lord Rama to Ravana and Hanuman’s beautiful plea to Ravana to give up his selfishness and return Sita to Lord Rama. This video class contains first the chanting of the original Avadhi text, followed by a beautiful English translation and a detailed commentary.
Sundar Kanda Video Class 5
Doha 23 – Doha 30
This video class contains an examination of the Sundar Kanda from Doha 23 through Doha 30. Some of the parts of the story contained in this section are: Ravana’s demon soldiers setting Hanuman’s tail on fire, Hanuman escaping and burning down Lanka, Hanuman meeting Sita to obtain a token from Her to bring to Lord Rama and Hanuman’s return to Lord Rama. This video class contains first the chanting of the original Avadhi text, followed by a beautiful English translation and a detailed commentary.
Sundar Kanda Video Class 6
Doha 31 – Doha 35
This class contains an examination of the Sundar Kanda from Doha 31 through Doha 35. Some of the parts of the story contained in this section are: The longing of Sita to return to Lord Rama, Hanuman’s great devotion to Lord Rama and a description of the immensity of Lord Rama’s army. This video class contains first the chanting of the original Avadhi text, followed by a beautiful English translation and a detailed commentary.
Sundar Kanda Video Class 7
Doha 36 – Doha 42
This video class contains an examination of the Sundar Kanda from Doha 36 through Doha 42. Some of the parts of the story contained in this section are: Ravana’s wife trying to dissuade him from continuing to hold Sita, Ravana exiling his brother Bibhisana and Bibhisana taking refuge in the Lotus Feet of Lord Rama. This video class contains first the chanting of the original Avadhi text, followed by a beautiful English translation and a detailed commentary.
Sundar Kanda Video Class 8
Doha 43 – Doha 50
This video contains an examination of the Sundar Kanda from Doha 43 through Doha 50. Some of the parts of the story contained in this section are: Lord Rama receiving Bibhisana with great delight, Lord Rama speaks of His infinite forgiveness to any who take refuge in Him, Bibhisana requesting the boon of devotion from Lord Rama, Lord Rama appoints Bibhisana King of Lanka and Lord Rama prays to the ocean for a method to cross it. This video class contains first the chanting of the original Avadhi text, followed by a beautiful English translation and a detailed commentary.
Sundar Kanda Video Class 9
Doha 51 – Doha 55
This video class contains an examination of the Sundar Kanda from Doha 51 through Doha 55. Some of the parts of the story contained in this section are: Lakshman send a message to Ravana to release Sita or perish, Ravana’s former spies praise the strength of Lord Rama’s army and Ravana’s former spies advise him to give up his egotism and not destroy the entire family. This video class contains first the chanting of the original Avadhi text, followed by a beautiful English translation and a detailed commentary.
Sundar Kanda Video Class 10
Doha 56 – Doha 60
This class contains an examination of the Sundar Kanda from Doha 56 through Doha 60. Some of the parts of the story contained in this section are: Lord Rama prepares to dry up the ocean, the ocean appears and offers Lord Rama a way to cross, the ocean tells Lord Rama that the monkeys Nila and Nala can make whatever they touch float on water and Tulasidasa reminds us that whoever listens with respectful attention to the qualities of Lord Rama will cross the ocean of the world without any other spiritual discipline. This video class contains first the chanting of the original Avadhi text, followed by a beautiful English translation and a detailed commentary.
Sundar Kanda Video Class 11
Ramayan Samputs and Pranayam
This video class contains an examination of the Samputs and chanting techniques with Pranayam. The Samputs are assorted mantras chanted before and after each line of the Sundar Kanda. Each of these Samputs creates a different special bhava (divine feeling), singing variously for Hanuman, Lord Rama, Sita, Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. Chanting with Pranayam allows us to increase the spiritual vibrations of the mantras that comprise the Sundar Kanda. In this video class, Swamiji masterfully and joyously guides us through these different approaches to reciting the Sundar Kanda and into the temples of our hearts where Lord Rama remains enshrined for all eternity. Jai Sri Rama!
Sundar Kanda Video Class 12
Rama Stuti and Hanuman Chalisa
Rama Stuti is a song or prayer to Lord Rama and Hanuman Chalisa is a special recitation of the different adventures of Hanuman. Rama Stuti praises Lord Rama as the giver of grace, the one who takles away the greatest fears of existence, the friend of the lowly and the one who destroys the forces of duality. This prayer is used frequently as an Aarti in the puja of Lord Rama. The Hanuman Chalisa says that those who chant it one-hundred times will be released from all bondage and attain to supreme happiness. It is a very popular and cherished prayer throughout all India. This video class contains first the chanting of the original Avadhi text, followed by a beautiful English translation and a detailed commentary.
Sundar Kanda Video Class 13
Bajarang Ban to End
The Bajarang Ban (The Arrow of the Very Strong), describes Hanuman’s infinite strength and is a sincere prayer to him. Similar to the Hanuman Chalisa, it speaks of his many adventures and feats. It praises Hanuman as an incarnation of Lord Shiva, the Cause of Peace. The Samkata Mochana Hanumanashtaka (The Eight Verses in Praise of Hanuman which remove all difficulties), is examined as well as the Hanuman Aarti, Jai Jadisha Hare and Raghupati Raghava Raja Ram. This video class contains first the chanting of the original Avadhi text, followed by a beautiful English translation and a detailed commentary.