Sundara Kānda - Hanuman’s Odyssey BS Murthy ISBN 81-901911-7-9 Copyright © 2005 BS Murthy Originally published by Self in 2005 This improved E-book edition is of 2013 Cover designed with Madhubani painting Self Imprint F-9, 1-10-234, Ashok Nagar Hyderabad – 500 020 Other books by BS Murthy Benign Flame- Saga of Love Jewel-less Crown – Saga of Life Crossing the Mirage – Passing through youth Glaring Shadow - A stream of consciousness novel Prey on the Prowl – A Crime Novel Stories Varied – A Book of Short Stories Onto the Stage – Slighted Souls and other stage and ...Read More

Canto 2 City in Clouds On the landmass of Lanka Chitrakoot was the king mountain Kissed its peaks all clouds in skies Reigned Ravan from peak foremost. Climbed as Hanuman that mountain Rained all trees then flowers on him. Such was stamina of Hanuman Fresh he looked from that short rest. Felt he had still left in him Strength to circle earth itself. Flying wonder that Hanuman Powerful soldier none the less. Green all yonder found Hanuman Reached as he that mountain range. Valleys all of that hill range Had thick trees ’n wide gardens. Had he thus a ...Read More

Canto 3 Prelude to Entry Having hovered in the skies Landed Hanuman in Lanka. Bypassed Hanuman those sentries Manned who Lanka’s gates all there. Such was mirth of Lankans then Matched in decibels roars of seas Graced that place with soothing breeze. Lived there people strong ’n stout Carved were elephants on main gates. Of the star-filled bluish skies Mirror image so Lanka seemed. Unfurled sea breeze Lankan flags Unleashed tinkles their trinkets. Onto Lankan wall he jumped Got he then a bird’s-eye view. Doors there all ...Read More

Canto 4 Foray into Fort Lankin as thus gave visa Set then Hanuman on his course. Having Lanka’s bird’s eye view Through its back door he entered. So to bring it bad tidings Put forth he then his left foot. In time he went to King’s Way Had that flowering trees on sides. Dwellings in all either side Saw he mirth ’n merry then. Glow of Lanka seemed to him As cloud of silver in the skies. Light as creaked out from houses Swastiks in their scores rays made. Roamed as he then Ravan’s town Well-pleased Hanuman with himself. ...Read More

Canto 6 Precincts to Beat Having recouped from despair Roamed then Hanuman all the more. Entered then Admin block Came with face-to-face palace. Keep at bay as lions poachers Looked all scary palace guards. Archways silver, gateways gold Made that look like heaven on earth. Vigil while some kept on elephants Rode others tireless horses there. Guards had ivory chariots there Wheels of which were made of gold. Facades had all well cut gems Furniture there lay out of world. Deer as ran fast in their stride Birds went helter-skelter then. Like a diamond in the sky Lay ...Read More

Canto 8 Pushpak’s Prowess End to end he searched Pushpak Cover he could not all its Wonder that was Pushpak called Like the one that never conceived. Abodes of gods ’n angels too Add up not to Pushpak’s tail. It had in itself to change Needs to suit of who owns it, Got it Ravan not for song For he had to shed his blood. When in flight it acquires speed Synch which would with pilot’s mind. Presence of it then got Lanka Preeminence in all three worlds. Frescos it had men in rows With that vigorous look ...Read More

Canto 10 Women in Want Hanuman on the sly entered Chambers private of Ravan. Such a cot found lay there Made to rival Ravan’s throne. Meant to impart moon’s aura Had it canopy made of wreaths. Cot his huge was made of gold Seemed on it sun came to rest. Fanned by lovely handmaidens Rent air perfumes rare fragrance. Bed it had of soft sheepskin Stuffed to brim with silk cotton. With red eyes for want of sleep He-man Ravan lay there spread. Layers thick of sandal paste Applied on his manly frame Soothed those scores of love ...Read More

Canto 11 Qualms of Celibate Felt soon Hanuman that Seetha Forsake would not her Lord Ram. How could forlorn Seetha then Would have had that happy look? Could ever Seetha find a man Who would out tempt her Rama? In his search for Rama’s spouse Went in Hanuman further down. To his surprise there he found Many more in wait for Ravan. After a bout of game of dice Worn out there lay some on beds. On their sexiness lasses Indulged then in innuendos. Some as cracked crude party jokes Rest of them had heck of time. Praised ...Read More

Canto 12 At Wits End In his search for Seetha thus Sauntered Ravan’s place Hanuman. Failed as to find her still Felt she could have died of grief. Finding her no yielding type Ravan could have got her hanged. Or else Seetha should’ve gone Underground in Ravan’s land. Were he to go with blank page Would Lord Sugreev approve that? Would not all the pains it took For him to reach Ravan’s land Come to naught were she not found? When he would go back in time Won’t his peers and Lords as well Get round him for ...Read More

Canto 14 Garden of Grief With Seetha in mind Hanuman Reached that garden royal soon Perched then on compound wall. In that grove that’s thick and wide Saw he scores of full-grown trees. Besides Asoka trees there were Flowering neem and mangoes too. Like Ram’s arrow then he sped Towards a climber in that grove. Flowers there all pleased him much Thrilled him sounds all birds then made. Shone there flowers North Star like Sauntered there then deer languid. Craving cuckoos cried on trees Bees on heat on flowers there zoomed. Hovered birds then for their mates Clamoured ...Read More

Canto 15 Withered Flower Failed as Seetha to turn Came in open then Hanuman. Deep breathed as he so he felt Scent there that of sandalwood. Ventured as he further down Tought he was in Indra’s grove. Wildlife he found there so rare Thought he visited other planet. Buildings there were five-storied By boulevards wide hundred feet. Fruits they bore all golden hues Seemed they street lamps in their scores. Perched as they in their thousands Seemed as trees had birds for leaves. Birds as flew with flowers in beaks Looked they all like well-decked brides. For their ...Read More

Canto 16 She is Seetha Prayed then Hanuma in earnest Lord Rama he revered most And thought of task on hand. Seeing her in such distress Felt as if his heart was seized. Casts when shadow fate on man Can he ever go beyond its reach? But for being Rama’s spouse Wouldn’t have fate ever crunched her more? Whichever way one might see it Made for each other couple they make. Seeing Seetha in her plight Recalled he then Ram’s valour. If not for her would have Ram Cared to end ever Vali’s ...Read More

Canto 18 Ravan on Heat In time it was time to dawn Sprang up Lanka to last Vedic chants that rent the air Sounded music to Hanuman. Surely Ravan would wake up Then to sound of that music. Thought as Hanuman so Ravan Stirred in bed in Seetha’s thought. Lust of his for Rama’s wife Made him lose his peace of mind. Got as he down from his bed Lost he no time to reach her. Entered Ravan that garden Failed it charm his enamored heart. Stride in his to reach Seetha Left ...Read More

Canto 20 Womanizer at Work To fair Seetha he confined Spoke then Ravan in disdain. thy pair of lovely hands Why block sight of thy bosom Hope it’s not the fear of me Prompts thee squat in like fashion. Is a beauty like thine ever And a lover than me better! What to fear in this Lanka Lost whose Lord his heart to thee. Fair it’s not for thee to blame Granted when it’s to our ilk Force we might all women we fond Never mind ever their state of mind. Crave as I ...Read More

Canto 21 Steadfast in Love Hurt by Ravan’s words Seetha Spoke to him thus in smooth tone. thou belittle my Lord Ram! Doth it behove a learned man? Blinded by thy lust Ravan Fail thou see the God in Ram. Having lovely wives in scores Why eye me Ram’s only wife? How come thou think Rama’s wife Would ever bed with another man! Pray thee divert from me lust Engage all thy women in want. Want as thou thy wives loyal Let me be bound to my man. Lust if thou for another’s wife Won’t thou know that ...Read More

Canto 23 Guards that Pander To see Ravan off the grove Followed suit then guards all there. the bidding of their king Trooped they all back to Seetha. Felt they disgust for Seetha That she rubbished Ravan thus. Sang they praises of Ravan Sense they tried to put in her. In time lost a guard temper And then spoke to Seetha thus: Great grandad of king Ravan Is none other than Lord Brahma. Ravan’s father Visravas Was the son of Pulasthyu. Looks thy wits have gone astray To snub Brahma’s great grandson. To give Seetha more of lead ...Read More

Canto 25 Hapless Soul Guards as gave her no respite Broke down Seetha in Seetha in time pulled herself And thus explained her position. It’s no custom for humans To get wed to the demonic folk. Stick I would to our tradition Leave the rest to thy decision. Having stated her position Sulked then Seetha in distress. Cornered as would deer hunted Crouched there Seetha in dismay. Like a withered leaf on floor Lovelorn Seetha thus there lay. Tears those profuse as she shed Passed her valley in thick streams. In her fright then her frail frame Looked ...Read More

Canto 27 Dream of a Nightmare Seetha’s intent to end life Made some scurry to Ravan. Stayed back to turn their ire On Rama’s spouse in despair then. That thou would be put to death No need for thee to end life. Rose then Trijata one learned Appraised thus the risks involved. She’s Janaka’s daughter fair Married young to Dasarath’s son Reveres whom world as Lord Rama. Slept off as I dream I had Trouble that portends to us all. Trijata’s prophesy of doomsday Shell-shocked those on Seetha’s guard. Detail now thou dream thy had Makes thee ...Read More

Canto 28 On the Verge Stunned as guards all kept silent Had then Seetha yet second thought. Recalled as she Ravan’s threat Thought she fit to end her life. Wonder didn’t I drop dead now Ravan though scared me to death! If it were not made of stone Why wouldn’t sorrow break my heart? Better on my own end my life Fiends all here sure skin me live. Fails to turn up if my Lord Bound to cruel Ravan then Like a surgeon at his work Turn his scalpel on my frame. Since the outer limit ...Read More

Canto 31 Rama’s Ballad For Seetha’s ears then Rama’s tale Sang in sonorous tone Hanuman. In old of Ikshvaakus Known to all for his valour Dasarath was the reigning king. Noble as he was the king Valued was he like a saint Power he had to rival gods. Generous was he by nature Took he care of his subjects Ruled he like a god on earth. For his righteous reign Dasarath Earned he fame the world over. Esteemed he his eldest son Known to all as Lord Rama, Prowess his to target well Arrows at his enemies awe. ...Read More

Canto 33 Genesis of Exile Seeing Seetha’s demeanour change Gladdened Hanuman’s heart no end. Folding hands in reverence Approached he then Rama’s wife. Find thee grieving for some time What doth make thee feel so sad? Thy eyes that are all welled up Make they clear that thou are hurt. From thy bearing one can see Come that thou from noble stock. Tend I think that thou are none But an angel strayed to earth. Wonder thou could be North Star Came down here from those high skies. Pray thee tell me who art ...Read More

Canto 35 Winning the Trust Spoke as Hanuman in that vein Developed Seetha trust in him. She said in sonorous tone – How come Rama came in touch With thee and thy Lord Sugreev? How can thou be so certain Ram ’n Lakshman that thou met? Tell O Hanuman for my sake Facial features of those two. Gladdened as she opened up Spoke thus Hanuman to Seetha: Talking no end of thy man It’s a pleasure of its own kind. Recall as I his features Solace it would thy sad heart. Whether it’s godly ...Read More

Canto 36 More of the Same Went on Hanuman in same vein So that Seetha him more. O Lord Rama’s revered wife Gave thy man this ring of his Me to pass on to thee now. Guessed thy man thy state of mind Felt his ring would make thee trust Me he sent in search of thee. Grabbed then Seetha Rama’s ring Fondled it for ever so long As she would her husband’s hand. Aided by that bright diamond Face her glowed like moon in bloom. Reminisced as she Rama’s love Turned then coyer her ...Read More

Canto 37 Aborted Move In time Seetha gave Hanuman The key to state of mind of hers. That my man is so constant Lifts my spirits all well to skies But the news of his despair Pulls me down back to square one. Vices if were to drag down Man on road of his misery In the plenty of riches Forever loses man his course, Can one really overcome What is ordained by his fate? Won’t my story underscore Aspect this of life on earth. In the high seas of sorrows Boat of my ...Read More

Canto 38 Story to Tell Respect with all due to her Addressed Hanuman thus Seetha. Surmise I can from thy words What a woman of virtue makes. It was not a fair offer For the fair sex on my part Help I them as piggyback. Intent that thine not to touch Someone other than thy husband Made I know thee stay thus put. One so chastely as Seetha Is there ever in all three worlds! Won’t I tell Ram in detail Spoke thee what and all I saw. Urge it’s mine to bring an ...Read More

Canto 39 Doubts to the Fore In her new found hope Seetha Voiced then her feelings thus: Once Rama sees this diadem Warmth of my love fills his heart. It’s all left to thee Hanuman How thou make it back to Ram. Hope thou slip not on thy way So that I could come out clean. Having assured her Hanuman Inclined was he to take leave. Lost her nerve then Rama’s wife Leave would Hanuman all too soon. In the choking tone of hers Encored she her feelings thus: Tell O Hanuman my concern To my man and his ...Read More

Canto 40 Repeats the Dose Spurred as Seetha by pep talk Spoke she then with fortitude. Words thy no less drops of rain Land on that so parched for long. In the despaired heart of mine Seed like words as sowed by thee Seem they turned all sprouts of hope. Ever I cherish the time I spent With my beloved spouse Rama, Keep in mind to remind my Lord The tale of crow that lost its eye. In that night-long lovemaking Smudged as dot my vermillion Remind my Ram that he fashioned Dot on my cheek ...Read More

Canto 42 Panic in the Town To the sound of falling trees Woke up Lanka from Cried as flying birds all then Cuddled all Lankans in panic. Reached as tongues of flame to skies Rushed out Lankans from their homes. So to put the fear of death In them into giant he turned. Ran to Seetha women in fright Hoping that she throws some light. Tell us Seetha what thee know Why this fiend did came to us? Fear thee have none to tell us What was that he spoke to thee? ...Read More

Canto 45 Marshals in the Mire Like the balls of fearsome fire Forthwith set out seven Marshals. Famous for their fighting skills Went thy all for Hanuman’s scalp. Drawn by horses that were swift Chariots theirs were made of gold. Bows theirs were all gold plated Quivers of theirs were made of gems. Enraged they all at the thought Scores of Lankans lost their lives In their own land at alien hands. At the head of their force then Attack they led all from the front. Like the darts of pouring rain Sent they arrows ...Read More

Canto 43 Itching for Fight None there left to give battle Prahastha’s son as not yet reached Thought of future course Hanuman. Thought he fit to despoil Hill like palace found therein Used for funeral pyres to lay. Up the golden roof of it Hop step and jump he went. Perched on top of that terrace Seemed he rivalled sun in skies. Saw all those him stand up there Wondered how he reached those heights. Grew he so tall that he touched Skyscape that was filled with clouds. Slapped afresh he arms his strong Sound that ...Read More

Canto 47 Akshay’s Life on Line Heard as all of Durdhar’s fall Akshay truly itched for Fell as Ravan’s eyes on him Bowed his son with golden bow. In his chariot made of gold Rode as Akshay to Hanuman Seemed he like the sun on move. Wind God it beats at his game Akshay’s chariot drawn by eight. Custom built in heaven itself Out-maneuvers it all on earth. Battles as he from that frame None can ever face Akshay then. With such battle guard Akshay Went to confront Hanuman then. Like the lion ...Read More

Canto 48 It takes Indrajit Aggrieved as by Akshay’s death Thought then Ravan of sending Son his eldest who subdued Indra himself in battle. Addressed Ravan his eldest Who could invoke that mantra To make his arrow Brahmastra And thus stun foes formidable. With thy prowess at battle Beat thou all in battlefield. With thy mystic powers and all None can harm thee in combat. Is there any in all three worlds Hath who not heard of thy fame. In the art of waging war Thou I know are my equal. At the hands of this vanar ...Read More

Canto 49 Ravan’s Darbar Stared as Ravan in dismay Looked at him in awe Studded as it with rare diamonds Had king Ravan crown of crowns. Garments Ravan wore were silk Ornaments on him all were gold. Frills to its his dress scented Smeared with ash was his forehead. Eyes of his so wide and sharp Turned they red by his rage then. Heads he sported ten in all Seemed they all but as if one. Wore as myriad chains of gems Dangled which on his bare chest, Made they rays of mid-day ...Read More

Canto 51 Advice to Deliver Unnerved continued Hanuman With Ravan who scared all gods. Wishes Sugreev all well With the message that follows. Help as it would thee all now Heed thee advice of my Lord. Dasarath was a godly king Fame he earned for rule his fair. Son his eldest Lord Rama So to honour his dad’s word Gave up lawful right on crown. For the help his wife the third Rendered him in some battle Gave word Dasarath to her then Honour bound he would be to Fulfill wishes three of hers, Came when time ...Read More

Canto 52 Placates the Sibling In rage Ravan then ordered Hanuman be to put to death. Stood up Vibhishan in dismay The sibling fair of Lankan king. To stall the folly of the court Pleaded Vibhishan with Ravan. To set Ravan in right frame Praised his sibling him to skies. Heed me learned king Ravan Fair it’s none to kill Hanuman. Kill if we one on errand Don’t all we earn infamy? Remind none thee O learned It’s not how the king should act. Swayed if thou by thine anger What would come of ...Read More

Canto 53 Tail on Fire Sibling as his stood so firm Spoke then Ravan changing tune. Spare as we may life of him Let him not go scot-free now. Pride as vanars at their tails Set his tail on fire that hurts. Goes as he back with burnt tail Makes a scene to folk back home. Burns as his tail like a log Take this vanar round boulevards. Having led him out of court Set the palace guards all there Rags to tie on Hanuman’s tail. Worked as guards on tail his long Turned ...Read More

Canto 54 Arson to Hurt Having had his way thus far Thought of future course Why not I give them in kind For what they did all to my tail? Much is left to hurt the foe Caused I might have some damage. Why not I torch Ravan’s town With the help of tail mine That they set on fire themselves? For the favour of Agni Make I Lanka his fodder. Hovered as he in mid-air Surveyed Ravan’s land he thus. Landed then on some dwelling Jumped he then from one another. Chose he Prahastha’s ...Read More

Canto 55 What of Seetha? Died as embers in Lanka So to quench his burning tail Went beach then Hanuman. Cooled as he tail by seashore Felt then Hanuman thus in qualms. Have I gone wrong by burning Lanka to the last dwelling? Was it all wrong on my part Lost I bearing in my wrath? Of all what that afflicts man Anger takes the pride of place. Drives to extremes man anger Thought in his ’n deed as well. Whoever can nip his anger In the bud is man seasoned. Reckoned as ...Read More

Song 57 Flight sans Hassles Airborne as he so he seemed Like a mountain with huge wings. Nagas from stratosphere Saw him then in his flight route. Stars all in their resplendence Saw him as he passed them by. Hanuman got a feeling then Was he there in another world. Moved as he thus in high skies Seemed he swallowed clouds all there. Picked as up he speed in flight Seemed as if skies shrunk in size. Formed then rainbow in mid-air Looked that like a welcome arch. Clouds as darkened in mid-course Played ...Read More

Canto 56 Havoc of a Take-off Finding Seetha in fine shape To her Hanuman prostrated. bade Hanuman her goodbye Spoke in fondness Rama’s spouse. Wish I now thee in some nook Take some rest for day or two. Well, O Hanuman thy advent Made my sorrows turn their backs. Bring as and when thou my Ram Know am not sure whether I live. Leave as thee to fetch Rama Wonder whether I stand agony Replace that would joy thou gave. Can ever Ram ’n Lakshman cross Sea this vast to reach Lanka With the vanar force ...Read More

Canto 58 Odyssey in a Nutshell Where to start and what to tell Felt like Buridan’s Hanuman. For their part then all his folk Sat there tight to catch his words. As though to help him in script Addressed Jambavan Hanuman thus: Tell O Hanuman where and how Found thee Seetha Rama’s spouse. Tell us how thou zeroed on Rama’s spouse in wilderness. Brief us now of odyssey thine So that we can plan ourselves. At the request of his peer Spoke then Hanuman in loud tone. Of course thee all bear witness ...Read More

Canto 59 Pep Talk to Peers Having told the main story Fillips these then gave Hanuman. Heartened that I found Seetha Glued I then to Rama’s thought. Lays who store on spouse like her Woman there none so ever like her. Ravan is no common man For he survived Seetha’s ire. Can turn Seetha to ashes With her looks the gods even Should they come ever coveting her, But Ravan who laid on her Hands his as he kidnapped her Came out unscathed from her wrath. How I wish that I could have Brought her back ...Read More

Canto 62 Orgy in the Garden At length on the same coin Paid as Dadhimukh trespassers then Hanuman to save them. Sending Dadhimukh then packing Goaded Hanuman them for more. With that go by from Hanuman Beseeched Angad then his flock That they could have more of fun. Vanars at that hailed Hanuman As well Angad their young prince. Having got the license thus Indulged they in wild orgies. Cared they two hoots for the guards And chased them out of that garden. Having had their fill in time Vanars then had their siesta. ...Read More

Canto 60 Angad on Rebound Spoke thus Angad Vali’s son: Found as Hanuman Seetha now Why not fetch her to Ram? How it feels if we tell him Found though we failed to fetch her. Know we all could fly across Ocean this vast to reach there And slay Ravan and his men. Then we could bring Seetha back And make Rama meet his spouse. Slain as Hanuman Ravan’s men What is left for us to do Than lead Seetha back to Ram? Why to bother folk back home For what we could do on ...Read More

Canto 63 Sugreev’s Reading Fell as Dadhimukh at his feet Spoketh vanar Lord perplexed. What’s fault that makes thee fall At the feet of thy nephew? Fright thine makes me worried man Harmed might’ve been my Madhuvan. Ardour thus by Sugreev showed Moved then Dadhimukh to speak thus: Though all knew it out of bounds Trespassed vanars some Madhuvan. Ignored they all my warnings Ate they every fruit and root. Swarmed as by all bees out there Yet they squeezed out honey in tons. Having got drunk to the hilt Mocked they my ...Read More

Canto 65 News in Brief Followed Angad suit Hanuman Paid he respects to Lord Ram. Such was vanars’ state of mind Spoke they out of turn they all. Blabbered they all one by one In bits ’n pieces what they heard. Amused by their hearsay Ram Heard them all for quite sometime. Enquired in time Ram of them What doth Seetha think of him. At that they all passed baton To Hanuman who was in the know. Set to recap then Hanuman Thought of Seetha in reverence And turned southward to face her. Taking ...Read More

Canto 67 Hanuman’s Replay Moved no end by Rama’s plight Spoke with ardour then Hanuman. Narrate I would verbatim Tale she told me to tell thee. Woke up as I ahead of Ram Slept when we both in open Pecked my bosom Kakasur. Bore I pain all in silence Not to disturb his sleep then. Taking advantage of that Went on hurting me that crow Making fountains of my breasts. Fell as my blood on his chest Woke up Ram to find me bleed. Saw he as me in distress Hissed my man like ...Read More

Yuddha Kanda (War on Ravan) Canto 01 Embrace of a Gift Pleased no end was then Hope thus Hanuman could infuse In his forlorn spouse Seetha. Well O Hanuman thy great deeds Would stand out all times to come. With God Vayu ’n Garuda Fly who with ease seas across Make thee living legend now on. Just to set foot in Lanka Dare not angels ever in dreams. Know not I a soul on earth Dared that trespass Ravan’s land, Speaks in volumes thy valour Dared as thee ’n came back sound. Comes it ...Read More