Rama's Ballad - Sundara Kãnda by BS Murthy

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Rama's Ballad - Sundara Kãnda

by BS Murthy

Continued from Dream of a Nightmare - Sundara Kãnda If Mahabharata's Bhagvad-Gita is taken as a philosophical guide, Ramayana's Sundara Kãnda is sought for spiritual solace. What is more, many believe that reading Sundara Kãnda or hearing it recited would remove all hurdles and usher in good tidings! Canto 31 - Rama’s Ballad For Seetha’s ears then Rama’s tale Sang in sonorous tone Hanuman. In lineage 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. Wavers not he from dharma Adheres he to human rights Keeps his word at every turn Gives no quarter to enemies. Stepmother of Ram, Kaikeyi Wanted who crown for her son Coerced as she Dasarath then Gave up Ram thus his birthright So led Seetha with Lakshman To the thick woods of Dandak. Demons that ruled roost in Dandak Menaced they folk lived all there Killed them all Ram at one go Restored he thus righteous reign. At the news of kindred’s death Thought of settling scores Ravan, So he summoned Maareecha Turned who into golden deer Tempting Seetha to seek him, Sent then Seetha Ram to fetch Magic deer that stole her heart, Arrow when Ram’s hit Maareech Rent he cries then mimicking him Made which Seetha fear for Ram, Goaded Rama’s wife Lakshman To go in search of his sibling, With none there to stand by her Kidnapped Ravan Seetha then. Set as he on search for spouse Came Ram in touch with Sugreev Stole whose wife his own sibling. To uphold dharma then Rama Slew he Vali that mighty Helping Sugreev ascend throne. In time as per pact he made Sent Sugreev his vanar force In search of Seetha thus missing. It’s my fortune that I came Place to this in search of her. Picture have I of Seetha Painted for me by Rama. Won’t this lady well tally Picture with that Ram gave me? Spake as he with all his warmth Looked up Rama’s wife in hope. Found though she no soul in sight What she heard then made her glad. Sensing Seetha’s upbeat mood From hideout then came out Hanuman. Canto 32 - Is it True? Aura Hanuman’s made Seetha Think in terms of sun at dawn Peeping out of branching trees. Stared then Seetha in wonder Hanuman sighted in splendour. Wondered in awe then Seetha Who that wondrous vanar was. As she was at loss to know What to make of that visitor Prayed she then Ram for guidance. Stared as Hanuman at her long In her awe then swooned Seetha. Seetha at length pulled herself Wondered whether she had a dream. Looked then Seetha all over Waking up though from her sleep. Finding Hanuman staring her Lost she consciousness at once. Regained sense as she in time Recalled she then that proverb Portend simians ill in dreams. Felt then Seetha to start with Wink with none in lovelorn state How she could have had a dream! Since I tend to think of Ram All the time with never a pause What I heard that simian sing Product could be of my mind. Song as it’s that my heart sings Seems my ears have probed inside. But then it’s no illusion Him I see in flesh and blood. May god bless that what he said Would come true to bring me cheer. Canto 33 - Genesis of Exile Seeing Seetha’s demeanour change Gladdened Hanuman’s heart no end. Folding his 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 thou Have thee left thy man in huff? Seen thee grieving for some time Have thee lost some dear soul then? The more I see thee lovely one All the more I hold thee high. O thy bearing ’n demeanour No less empress make thee look. Are thee hapless Seetha then Snared by Ravan from thy man? Making two plus two as four Take I thee for Rama’s wife. Spoke as Hanuman to her thus Seetha thought it fit to speak. Dasarath was the king of kings Daughter in-law am his near Treated me he daughter like. Seetha am king Janaka’s dear Given in marriage to Rama Son of Kausalya the Queen In that palace of Koshal What a life I led with Ram For the best of twelve summers. Heavenly rule to bring on earth Came then time to crown Rama. Thought it fit then Kaikeyi Dasarath’s favoured number three To see her son then ascend throne. Made she clear then to Dasarath Surely she would starve to death Were he to crown Ram instead. Pressed as she her suit to hilt Cited she then that caveat Cater would the king to her Wishes three all when expressed. Pulled as by his love for Ram Stressed as Dasarath to the core Wanted she that Ram may spend From then fourteen years in woods. Bound as Dasarath to his word Sounded he then his first-born. Gladly my man gave up then Birthright his to rule his land. Ordained thus by Kaikeyi Set to Dandak woods then Ram. Wanting hassles none for me Wanted Ram that I stayed back. What was there for me to cling On to Dasarath’s palace then When my man was not at home? Not the one to forego Ram Lakshman too then joined us. That’s how three of us entered Those thick jungles of Dandak. Neared as end of our exile Snared me Ravan from my man. Intends Ravan to kill me Were I to fail to take his hand No more than in two more months, Who is there to tell my man Made up my mind to die now For none I would have of Ravan. Canto 34 - Swings in Mood Moved as Hanuman to the core Made he move to soothe Seetha. Know am Hanuman Rama’s man Came in search of thee his spouse. Rama is so scholarly Well versed he with four Vedas Possesses as well Brahmastra Spares that none in combat zone. Know Lakshman is no less sad That he made thee hapless then. Having heard all what he said Joyous turned then Rama’s wife. Hoping for the best in life How well said that one should live. Felt all at ease then Seetha With the simian her man sent. Seeing change in Seetha thus Moved he then to reach her close. What if Ravan came disguised Developed Seetha thus second thought. Opened my mind to Ravan What a fool all I made myself! Taking Hanuman for Ravan Sank in sorrow then Seetha. Saddened as her change of stance Bent then Hanuman in reverence. Sighed then Seetha at her fate She at length thus addressed him. In thy disguise as vanar Won’t I know thee vile Ravan? How come thou think I forgot Saintly garb donned by thee then? What a shame on thee Ravan Stalk thou dame so unwilling? Sensing Hanuman in distress Looked she into his eyes then, Feelings what she saw in him Made her sing a different tune: Make as thou me feel easy And that Ravan puts me off Think my fears are but liars Seems thou art but Rama’s man. If thou are by Rama sent Won’t thee tell me his welfare? Flood waters as wear river-banks Rama’s name so weans sorrows. Is it true and not a dream That Rama’s Hanuman is with me? Making nights for me wink-less That Ram can’t sooth me in dreams Seems dream-god is jealous of me! Sights as ’n when man vanar Said to bring all good tidings, Came I face-to-face with thee Won’t it then all portend well? How come at the drop of hat Changing am I my thinking? Time I kept my doubts at bay Lest Ravan should gain leeway. In spite of her averments thus Failed Seetha to trust Hanuman. Having into shell withdrawn Kept she then her own counsel. Having gauged her state of mind Addressed Hanuman her sweetly. It’s but sun-like shines thy Ram Nears him when moon turns all pale. Him none equals in learning Rivals gods in kindness Ram. Sight at his all vile turn pale Next to him looks Cupid but plain. Using his man Maareecha Turned who into golden deer Contrived Ravan to make Ram Chase it leaving thee his spouse. Ram in time would let Ravan Pay the price for snaring thee. To make thee privy his intent Sent I was by thine own Lord. Lovelorn Ram is crestfallen Lakshman too is ever eager To set thee free from evil Ravan. Pledged his force all Lord Sugreev That Lord Ram could fight Ravan. Back home all but think of thee Know they sent me to trace thee. Take it won’t thee long to meet Ram and Lakshman in this spot. Treats me equal as Sugreev Servant like I serve thy Ram. Crossed I know the sea this vast Bade by Ram to reach thee now. Know it none of Ravan’s tricks But am Hanuman Rama’s man. Canto 35 - Winning the Trust Spoke as Hanuman in that vein Developed Seetha trust in him. She then 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 frame of his Or his kindly heart therein None can ever know which scores more. While frame his is mid-sun like Hath he patience of mother earth. Gives he shelter who might seek Blemish he hath none in conduct. Lays he store on noble thoughts Goads his folk to think likewise. Leads he life of celibate now Fate as thee thus weaned from him. None he slights as come to seek Given not Ram to spare who dare. Hath he Vedas all by heart Excels he ever in warfare. Second to none he in valour None there equals him in grace. Whoso submit tone his soothes Terse it turns to those oppose. While at ease he seems vigorous Looks he strong from head to foot. Frame his seven-foot is well built Face his oblong ever looks good. Lips his rosy slip like glove Rows teeth over of snow white. Eyes his wide both compelling Strike so dark and deep as well. Manner as well demeanour his Holds good adage of old thus Handsome is as handsome doth. Worthy no less than thy man Lakshman the brother-in-law thine. If thy Ram is blue diamond Lakshman is all golden-hued. It’s the search for thee Seetha Brought them both to Kishkindha. Banished as by his sibling Met them Sugreev in hiding. Sugreev as was good to us Followed we his loyal band. It was thus we came to meet Ram ’n Lakshman dressed all coarse. But Ram had that bow on him Make which would all bow to him. Sighted as he them in arms Shivered but Sugreev in his pants. Sent me my Lord on errand So that I could befriend them. Made I thus thy man privy Plight of our own Lord so good. Having heard that story Ram Thought it fit to meet Sugreev. Realized as they both of them Sail they thus in same boat then Lords those both came ever so close. Consoled Rama vanar Lord Lost who wife to his sibling. Said then Lakshman to Sugreev Seems Ram’s spouse was snared by some. That Ram had to lose his wife Made Sugreev grieve all the more. Flew as Ravan thee by force Recall how thee threw jewels From the skies of Kishkindha. Showed we them all to thy man Told we know not who snared thee. How the sound of that landing Still rings fresh in Kishkindha? Sighted as he thy jewels Fainted Ram in Lakshman’s lap. Compelled as if by thy thought Woke up Ram and tapped them all. As if to dust them all then Shed Ram tears on all of them. Left with no more drop to drop Seemed he drained his heart for thee. For safe keeping of them all Gave them Ram to Sugreeva. Having thus lost thee consort There none is to console Ram. Had he no wink all these days Pines he ever to sleep with thee Having lost the trace of thee Know thy man is truly lost. Lost as he his lovely spouse Pleases him none spring even. It’s for certain that Rama Would kill Ravan in Lanka. Know vanars all bound by oath Take thee back soon to thy Lord. For he slew the vile Vali Oath we took to help thy Lord. Having crowned our Sugreeva As the king of Kishkindha Won’t we all owe to thy man? Grateful Sugreev vow then took To help thy man to get thee back. It’s in thy search Sugreeva Sent all simians to scan earth. Bade us Sugreev not to leave Stone unturned to search Seetha. Vanars are on global hunt To nail the vile who snared thee thus. Angad son of slain Vali Marched with some of us southward. Lost we way in vast Vindhyas Groped in dark for several weeks. Not to go sans breaking news To our Lord who owed thy man Thought we all to end our lives. If ever it came to the crunch Felt we should die exhausted In search of Rama’s dear Seetha. Haunted by our own failure Lost we hope of finding thee. Low then we all felt to core Lay we flat on mountain peak Flew in then Sampaathi Sibling of slain Jataayu. Having heard his sibling’s death Spaketh thus the agonized bird. Pray thee tell me O vanars Who did kill my good sibling? Angad then told Sampaathi Trying to save Rama’s spouse Lost his sibling his own life. Having heard the story thus Sampaathi then told Angad With the bird’s-eye view of his Sensed he Ram’s spouse in Lanka. Having got the clue from him Led us southward then Angad. At the prospect of success Enthused were then all of us. Sea vast in time as we reached Poured that water on our hopes. In that Angad and the rest Saw the mission as ending there. But the urge to find out thee Made me lunge that sea across. Chance I had to see Ravan Glad I met my Rama’s wife. It’s me Rama’s own Hanuman Treat me as thine own servant. Know am none but Vayu’s son Trust that Rama yearns for thee. Lakshman as is wont of his Is at Rama’s beck and call. Sent me Sugreev to Lanka In the service of thy Lord. At the news of thy kidnap Sunk our vanar folk in grief. Break I when the news to them Know they all would jump for joy. Hears as Rama thou are sad Won’t he itch to take thee soon? Know am but the son born to Anjana Devi queen of queens. Married though she king Kesar Womb hers was by Vayu blessed. Valour of mine ’n conduct Spread far ’n wide fame of mine. Brought I thee as good tidings Time thee look for happy times. Ardour that she found in him Made then Seetha trust Hanuman. With the change of her mind thus Rolled on her cheeks tears of joy. With that bright look on her face Shone she like a full moon then Freshly out of grand eclipse. Knowing that he won her trust Spoke then Hanuman to her thus: It’s time that I now start moving Pray tell whatever in thy mind Treat I would as Rama’s word. Being none but Wind God’s son Strength I have to fly all worlds. Continued to "More of the Same" - Sundara Kãnda

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19-Feb-2012

More by : BS Murthy

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