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5. Sundara Kand
The Book of Beauty · 68 sargas
The best-loved kand, and all of it Hanuman's. He leaps the ocean to Lanka, finds Sita in the Ashoka grove, gives her Rama's ring to steady her, burns the city and returns with her crest-jewel. It is the one kand that holds victory and no defeat, which is why it is considered the most auspicious to recite.
Key Episodes
- The hundred-yojana leap across the ocean
- Facing Surasa, Simhika and Lankini
- Finding Sita in the Ashoka grove
- Giving Rama's ring, and receiving Sita's crest-jewel
- Akshaya Kumara killed, and Hanuman's message in Ravana's court
- The burning of Lanka, and the return in triumph
Shlokas
Sundara Kand
जयत्यतिबलो रामो लक्ष्मणश्च महाबलः । राजा जयति सुग्रीवो राघवेणाभिपालितः ॥
jayaty atibalo rāmo lakṣmaṇaśca mahābalaḥ / rājā jayati sugrīvo rāghaveṇābhipālitaḥ
Victory to the mighty Rama, and to Lakshmana of great strength! Victory to King Sugriva, protected by Raghava! Hanuman's declaration — the words by which Sita knew he came from Rama.