Original Sanskrit with english Translation Valmiki's Ramayana,consisting of 24000 verses,is one of the most famous epics in the world's literature.Apart from it's literary grandeur,it is also looked upon by the Hindus as a holy text. Of the six sections or Kandas of the Ramayana,the present volume comprises the fifth,known as th Sundarakandam.
Consisting as it does of 2885 Sanskrit verses,the Sundarakandam deals with the heroic exploits of Hanuman in one day and night,during which he crossed over to Lanka,discovered Sita,inflicted crushing defeat on Rakhasa forces,set fire to Lanka and returned to the southern shore of the Indian contiinent to convey the news of Sita's discovery to Rama at Kiskhindha.
Devotee-scholars of India who equate the whole of the Ramayana with the Veda,consider the Sunderakandam as it's Upanishad,the essential portion.It's study is considered equal to the study of the whole Ramayan.Pious Hindus atach great psychic potency to this text,and use it for ceremonial recitation for the attainment of various worldly blessings also.
