Separation and Reunion

In the Sundara Kanda, Hanuman is a witness to the mental

anguish that Rama and Sita undergo as a result of the separation

brought about by Ravana.

Right from the moment Hanuman stands in front of the

sorrowing Sita, he realises their inseparably united state that

towers above their physical separation, pointed out Damal

Ramakrishnan and Perundevi in a discourse.

He is struck by the divine couple’s unequalled penance

and chastity. Rama’s heart is with Sita as much as Sita’s is

with Rama.

Sita’s entire being senses Rama’s presence when she gains

access to Rama’s signet ring. What could be a greater balm

to the sorrow she has experienced in the past ten months in

isolation? She tells Hanuman that she could have easily burnt Lanka and the whole world by merely pronouncing a deadly curse.

But she has refrained from doing so only to ensure that the

reputation of Rama’s bow remains untarnished.

To Sita’s ultimatum that she would end her life in a month

if Rama fails to rescue her, Hanuman reassures her that

there is no reason to doubt Rama’s word. Had He not vowed to kill the rakshasas even before Sita was abducted ?

Ravana who had tried to wrong her chastity and cruelly

imprisoned her would never be able to get away with this

dastardly act, leave alone his other deeds of wickedness

Sita’s plight of being forcibly separated from Rama may

be compared to the jivatma getting estranged from its moorings,

the Paramatma, and how a reunion is made possible by

the grace of an acharya who is capable of leading one on the

right path.

Hanuman’s role in the Sundara Kanda is similar to that of

an acharya who brings about their reunion.