“Sundere sundero ram sundere sunderi katha
Sundere sunderi sita sundere Kim na sunderem”
Translation : In Sunderkand, Ram is beautiful, the story is beautiful and Sita Ma is beautiful, hence the name Sunderkand.
In Sri Lanka, the Trikutachal Mountains had 3 levels, Neel, Suvel and Sundar. Most of the events of Sunderkand occur in the Sunder peak of the mountain range. This is where Mother Sita was held captive in Ashok Vatika.
First I will give the story and then the Yogic interpretation. The only proof I can offer anyone about the interpretaion is Go deep in meditation and confirm the validity. It is a matter of experience, not a matter of intellectual discussion.
The story starts off with Jambvant reminding Hanumanji of his divine powers of being able to fly. Hanuman then flies over the ocean and en route he encounters Sursa and Lankini. (I have related the story of Sursa who killed birds flying over the ocean by capturing their shadow). Hanuman is also offered an opportunity to rest on a mountain but he declines and says, he has a very important task and he will continue his path. He reaches Lanka and enters the area by becoming very small. He defeats Lankini and goes to Ashok Vatika. The lead Rakshasi Trijata (who also secretly worships Ram) is there also.
Ravana hears of a “monkey” who has invaded his territory and sends a troop headed by his son Akshaykumar. Hanuman quickly kills Akshaykumar. Then Ravana sends his other son Meghnad who uses the Brahmastra. Hanuman, out of respect for Ram surrenders to the Brahmastra and is taken to the court of Ravana. Ravana orders that Hanumans tail be set on fire and Hanuman uses the tail to quickly burn all territories of the trikutachal mountain except Ashok Vatika. Finally, thinking that Vibhishana is a traitor, Ravana expels Vibishana from his kingdom. Vibhishana surrenders to Ram and Ram proceeds to build a bridge to go to Lanka.
The 3 levels of Trikutachal mountains refer to the 3 grant his of the Sushumna nadi. The lower 4 chakras – Rudra granthi are the neel mountain range. The ordinary people of Lanka live there. Meaning, most people have their impulses restricted to the lower 4 chakras which give them either ego or emotionalism or intellectualism. An ordinary person is not able to go beyond it for several life times.
The second range of mountains refer to the Vishnu granthi the chakra ranging from Anahata to Agna chakra.
The highest range, where Ashoka vatika resides is the Brahma nadi or the Sunder Nadi as described by Tulsidasji Maharaj. This is the area between Agna chakra and Sahastrar. Sahastrar is the place of Rama. Below the Sahastrar is Shakti or Sita Mata. Nada is below Shakti and then one comes to Agna chakra. One more thing, there is a manas chakra and Ravana represents the Abhasa Chaitanya.
Even as I write this, my heart knows no limits to the Joy. The Joy of being there. The joy of the incredible work of Tulsidasji.
Thus he states, the Brahmanadi is beautiful, the 2 goals in Brahmanadi – Ram and Sita is beautiful and the path or story itself is beautiful. What else can I call the chapter but Sunderkanda or Brahmanadi?
In the initial part of the chapter, Hanuman or the prana has forgotten his divine right. He is reminded by Jamvant or the Guru his divine power. The prana first leaves the body and goes to Lanka or the Sushumna nadi. It assumes a very small form and secretly enters the lower part of the Sushumna. As soon as the prana enters the area, Bhakti begins (VIbhishana). However, it will be a long time before Bhakti or Vibhishana can meet Ram. Vibhishana directs Hanuman to Brahmanadi where Sita mata resides. When hanuman or the prana hears the loud sound of Meghnada, Hanuman or the prana finally becomes very still. At that point, when Ravana tries to burn hanuman, but instead, Hanuman or the prana anhilates or destroys all the lower parts or chakras of the Sushumna. Thus all the Sanskars are destroyed.
In short, the story of Sunderkand is beautiful because it is a very accurate description of the travels of a Yogi with the prana from the body to Brahmanadi. This final lap or trip through the Brahmanadi is very beautiful. Everyone should go there.
Bhavin