To Perform Sundara Kandam Parayanam

'Sundara Kandam' Is the Fifth Section of Srimad Valmiki Ramayana

By MUTHUSAMY R

You may know that 'Ramayana' is the story of

Lord Rama. Rama Avatar is one of the Ten
Incarnations (Dasavatharam) of Lord Vishnu.
Sage Valmiki has written Ramayana in Sanskrit
language. Therefore it is called Srimad Valmiki Ramayanam. He has divided the narration into
sections or Kandams - 'Bala Kandam', 'Ayodhya Kandam', 'Aranya Kandam', 'Kishkinda
Kandam' and 'Sundara Kandam', the fifth Kandam. Sundara Kandam comprises of 2885 slokas
or verses spread in 68 chapters.
Ramayana: Story
I Sita is his faithful duty.
Sundara Kandam: Story
With this assurance Hanuman commences his attempts to search Sita. From here our Sundara
Kandam begins. From Skandhamana Parvatham - a mountain - Hanuman successfully crosses
the Bay of Bengal. Reaches Sri Lanka and there he meets Sita. He identifies himself as Lord
Rama's envoy (Rama Dootha) and hands over his Lord's Ring as his identity. At the court of
Ravana Hanuman was disrespected and ill-treated. The army of Ravana set fire over
Hanuman's tail. Hanuman took rabout his meeting with Sita as well as her eagerness for
reunion with Lord Rama.
This is the most blessed Kandam or section in the whole of Ramayana and therefore it gains
this unique name 'Sundara Kandam'. 'Sundaram' means beauty. Lord Hanuman's other name
is 'Sundara'. In Sundara Kandam, Sage Valmiki speaks about the achievements of Hanuman.
For Hanuman nothing is impossible. His attitude always reminds us self-confidence, faith and
devotion to Rama, fearlessness, and trustworthiness.
Benefits of Sundara Kanda Parayanam
The events in this chapter bring confidence and hope from all corners. Hanuman's indulgence
in the destruction of evils has proved that Dharma alone will triumph. People started believing
in Dharma (good virtues). Only Lord Rama could destroy Adharma (all evil virtues). The
Kandam teaches us that, if we want to be successful in life we have to practice Dharma. The
significance of performing Sundara Kandam Parayanam will definitely result in prosperity and
it will mitigate all problems you face in your daily life. Reading one chapter or sargam of
Sundara Kandam is equal to chanting 1000 times Gayathri Japam.
Step 1
Where to Recite? When to Recite? :
Recitation of Sundara Kandam of Srimad Valmiki Ramayana is called 'Parayanam.' It can be
read for any occasion like Rama Navami (Rama's birthday), Navarathri, Anniversary, Birthday,
etc.
There are conventional methods for Sundara Kanda Parayanam. The Parayanam can be made
either on a communal basis in temples, public mandapams (halls) or in your home. Parayana
can either be made by a guru for the benefit of every listener to hear, or you yourself can
recite the slokas in Sanskrit. To help people who don't know Sanskrit script, there are books
comprising Sanskrit slokas along with English (or other Indian vernacular languages)
transliteration.
Step 2
How to Recite?

Though it is desirable to represent Rama either by Dasavarana Yanthra or statue, it would be sufficient if you

worship your Ramayana Book. You may keep the Pattabhishekam image of Lord Rama. You must offer
Naivedya (submit boiled milk added with Sugar) to God before and after the Parayana. If not at beginning at
least offer Naivedya at the end of the Parayana. Lotus and Thulasi (Ocimum) flowers are the best to worship
the Lord. If not available, any flower except Karavira (Arali) can be used. Offering to God Pomegranate would
bring in immense benefits. You may commence with Chanting of Rama Gayathri or Shadakshari mantra
before and after finishing you parayana. Find your Rama Gayathri and Shadakshari mantra below:

"Dasarathaya Vidhmahe, Sita vallabhata Dheemahi, Thanno Rama Prachodayath."

- Rama Gayathri
Om Ram Ramaya Namaha (or Swaha) - Shadakshari mantra
Step 3
How to PLAN and Cover the Parayanam within specified days:
Read the entire Sundara Kanda once in ONE full day.
Read Chapter 1-35 on the first day and the rest of the chapters in the SECOND day.
Read Chapter 1-37 on the first day, 37-40 on the second day and the rest on
the THIRDday.
Read chapter 1-15 on the first day, 16-37 on the second day, 38th chapter on the third
day, 39-54 on the fourth day and the rest on the FIFTH day.
Start on a Friday, daily read 9 chapters and complete reading on the next
Friday. EIGHTdays
Read within NINE days stopping each day on 5th, 15th, 20th, 26th, 28th, 40th, 52nd,
80th and 68th chapters.
Daily read 6 chapters and complete it on the TWELTH day.
Till 22 days read two chapters a day, 5 chapters on the 23rd day, 3 chapters on the
24th day, 6 chapters on the 25th day, 3 chapters on the 26th day, 4 chapters on the
27th day and the rest 3 chapters on the TWENTY-EIGHTH day.
Step 4
Sundara Kandam Parayanam to Mitigate Specific Problem or Grief:
You may recite the slokas as per your capacity and convenience without following any plan or
conventions. The purpose is to recite the slokas and complete Sundara Kandam. You may
mitigate your specific problems by reciting certain chapters. The details are found below. I am
reproducing below what Lord Shiva told to Goddess Parvathy: Whoever reads or listens to this
book on theSundara Kanda Phala prapthi, would become a great devotee of Lord Rama
and would lead a happy painless life.
Salvation can be achieved by reading the first chapter daily for six months.
Effect of attack of devils, ghosts, and spirits can be warded off by reading 3rd chapter.
To get rid of dullness of brain, read 13th chapter
To get rid of the sin of having affair with someone else's wife, read chapters 7-11.
To get permanent wealth and happiness read chapter 15.
To get rid of bad dreams read Chapter 27.
To get good behavior read chapter 20-21.
To rejoin with lost relatives read chapters 33-40.
To get rid of impending danger read chapter 36.
To get pardon from god for insult done to him, knowingly and unknowingly read chapter
38.
Read chapters 42-47 to win over enemies
To become just and charitable read chapter 51
For improvement of assets like house, land, etc. read chapter 54.
To get peace and happiness read Chapter 61
To get perennial happiness and to attain God read chapter 67.
To get what one wishes read chapter 41
To realize God and to become one capable of sweet words read chapter 19.
At the end of the parayana you recite this sloka:

Yatra yatra Raghunatha KirtanamTatra

tatra kritha mastakanjalim
Bhaspavaan paripurna lochanam
Marutim namata rakshasanthakam
Meaning: We bow the Maruthi, Sri Hanuman, who stands with his folded above his foreheadth
atorrent tears flowing down his eyes wherever the Names of Lord Rama is sung.
You may conclude your Parayana for the specified day with Karpura Harathi.
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Required Tools:

Sundara Kandam, Lifco Publications, Chennai

Photo of Sri Ramar Pattabhshekam
Flower, Milk, Prasadam

Quick Tips:

Reading one chapter or sargam of Sundara Kandam is equal to chanting 1000 times
Gayathri Japam.
In Sundara Kandam, sage Valmiki speaks about the achievements of Hanuman. His attitude
always reminds us self-confidence, faith and devotion to Rama, fearlessness, and trustworthiness.
The events in this Kandam bring confidence and hope from all parts. Hanuman's
indulgence in the destruction of evils has proved that Dharma alone will triumph.