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The Valmiki Ramayan is one of the two great Sanskrit epics of ancient India, attributed to the sage Valmiki. It narrates the life and journey of Lord Rama, the seventh avatar of Vishnu. The epic is divided into seven sections, known as Kandas, each focusing on different phases of Rama’s life. Among these, the Sundar Kanda—literally meaning “The Beautiful Section”—is the fifth and is considered one of the most spiritually significant and beloved parts of the Ramayan.
The Sundar Kanda centers around the heroic exploits of Lord Hanuman and is renowned for its powerful messages of devotion, courage, and hope. It begins with Hanuman’s daring leap across the ocean to the island of Lanka in search of Sita, who has been abducted by the demon king Ravana. Upon finding her in the Ashoka Vatika, Hanuman delivers Lord Rama’s message, reassures her of her rescue, and causes great destruction in Lanka before returning triumphantly to convey the good news to Rama.
This section is especially admired for its depiction of Hanuman’s strength, humility, intelligence, and unwavering devotion to Lord Rama. It is said that Sage Valmiki chose the name “Sundar Kanda” because of the sheer beauty in Hanuman’s character and the inspiring nature of his journey. In fact, this is the only section of the Ramayan named with a positive adjective—Sundar, or beautiful—which reflects both the poetic style and the uplifting tone of the narrative.
Join Chinmaya Mission Ottawa as we host Swami Ishwarananda on why the Sundar Kanda holds a special place in the hearts of devotees, and continues to inspire and elevate those who engage with it.
About Swami Ishwarananda
Swami Ishwarananda is a senior Acharya of Chinmaya Mission and currently leads Chinmaya Mission Los Angeles. Originally a software engineer, he was inspired by Swami Chinmayananda and entered monastic training at Sandeepany Sadhanalaya in Mumbai in 1991 under the guidance of Swami Brahmananda. After completing his brahmacharya course in 1993, he served in various centers across India before being posted in Los Angeles. He was ordained into sanyasa in 2000 by Swami Tejomayananda and given the name Swami Ishwarananda Saraswati.
Known for his dynamic and accessible teaching style, Swami Ishwarananda presents traditional Advaita Vedanta in a relatable way, blending deep scriptural insight with humor and clarity. His talks often explore topics like self-inquiry, meditation, stress management, and spiritual living in the modern world. He is a sought-after speaker at spiritual retreats, interfaith events, and even corporate seminars. As an author, his works—including Conscious Living, Silent Search, and Life of I—offer practical insights into inner transformation. With a rare blend of clarity, compassion, and relevance, he continues to inspire spiritual aspirants globally to live consciously and meaningfully,
Join us as Swamiji envelops us in the inspiring exploits and indomitable spirit of our beloved Hanumanji, whose timeless stories continue to uplift and elevate all who hear them.
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