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Dwarka : Lord Krishna's Temporal Kingdom

Dwarka (Jamnagar district) in ancient Anarta (Saurashtra) was the capital of Lord Krishna's terrestrial kingdom. He shifted to Kusasthali which was the old name of the region to escape the harassing raids of Kamsa's father-in-law Jarasandha on Mathura after Krishna had killed Kamsa. Kusasthali was Krishna's ancestral place on his mother's side. It was founded by Raivata, his Yadava ancestor after he had lost his kingdom to Punyajanas and migrated to Mathura for safety; then he came back to found Kusasthali. So Krishna's migration to the Dwarka was in the reverse order.

Dwarka which was known as Suvarna Dwarka (the golden Dwarka) had been very prosperous and hence got the name. The Dwarkadhish temple honours Krishna Bhagwan and attracts thousands of pilgrims from different parts of the country. The Dwarka of Krishna's time lies submerged under the Arabian Sea. Tradition has itthat Krishna's residence was at Bet Dwarka, a few kms from the mainland Dwarka.
The Dwarkadhish temple (also known as Jagat temple) and its Sikhar rises to 170 feet. The pataka or flag of the temple is changed three times a day. Pilgrims and devotees vie with one another to pay for the flag. There are special tailors to stitch it. Before hoisting the flag it is taken round the temple by the donor. The five-storeyed temple stands on 60 pillars. The pilgrims enter the temple by Swarg Dwar (the gateway of heaven) and leave by Moksh Dwar (the gateway of salvation).

The temple has rich carvings. The ancient shrine has been supported by kings and commoners alike from its inception. It is one of the important moksh dhams. The Gomti River flows nearby.

The other temples in Dwarka are the Trikamji temple, Kalyanrai temple, the Patrani temple, Durvas temple, etc. Sharda Pith set up by Adi Shankaracharya imparts instruction in Sanskrit. Darukvan in the region is one of the Jyotirlingas.

Akshardham : A Tribute to Lord Swaminarayan

Akshardham Temple
Akshardham is a homage to the Sarafan DAa/ma in stone. The monument which is set in a 23-acre plot at Gandhinagar (Gandhinagar district) is built in pink sandstone. It is 108 feet tall and 6000 tonnes of stone has gone into its making. A point worth noting is that this modern monument to Hinduism was built as per the injunctions of Vastu Shastra. Not a bit of steel has been used.
The monument stands on 93 sculpted pillars, 210 single-piece stone beams, 57 window grills, M domes, eight ornate zarokhas, etc. The sanctum sanctorum contains a 1.2 tonne gold-plated idol of Lord Swaminarayan, the founder of the sect that bears his name. The 7-foot idol is shown in a sitting posture with his right hand raised in abhay mudra. He is flanked by Swami Gunatitanand on his right and Swami Gopalanand Swami on his left. Both of them were his disciples. Swami Gunatitanand is called Swaminarayan's Akshardham the eternal abode. According to the Swaminarayan philosophy whenever Lord Swaminarayan incarnates on this planet he brings with him his Akshardham.
Gunatitanand Swami is also called Aksharbrahma and ranks second in the hierarchy of the Bochasanvasi Akshar Purushottam Sanstha which built the Akshardham monument.

Inspiring episodes and incidents from the glorious history of Sanatan Dharma are presented in sound and light form for the benefit of the visitors. The show takes the visitors through various facets of Hinduism. So far millions of people have visited the monument since its inception on November 2,1992. They have been able to savour the story of Hinduism and to imbibe the message of universal peace and brotherhood.

The wisdom of the Vedas, the epics, the Puranas is depicted on a crowded canvas by the exhibition. The visitor comes face to face with personages who have made this land what it is.

It is a perfect mix of modernity and ancient values. Apart from Lord Ram going in search of his kidnapped wife, the visitor can see Shravan, the dutiful son, the Pandavas losing the game of dice in the Hastinapur palace, etc. Besides the visitors can see Sabari's long wait for Ram and Draupadi's humiliation in the Kauravasabha.

The Hall of Harmony projects world religious side by side. The monument is ringed by aparikrama containing 365 stone pillars.


 • Tallest structural stone pillars in India - four delicately sculpted pillars rise    
    to 33 ft.
• Longest stone support beams in stone architecture - 22 ft. long single-
   piece beams each weighing 5 tons.
• No iron or steel - from foundation to pinnacle - only stone has been used.
• 73 richly patterned and 63 partially carved pillars.
• 16 pillars with profuse roopkam - sculptures and figures.
• 64 large traditional sculptures with spiritual meanings and 192 small figures of gods and goddesses adorn the pillars.
• 5 types of stones used in the Monument : 1. Pink sandstone from Bansipahadpur. 2. Yellow stone from Jesalmer. 3. White marble from Makrana. 4. Maroon granite from Jhansi. 5. White marble from Ambaji.
• 25 domes of varying sizes and depths.
• Grandly ornate porch and 3 exclusively decorated porticos.
• Intricately carved from both sides - 30 large windows and 24 small grills.
• 220 stone beams for structural support.
• 57 stone screens for controlling light and enhancing beauty.
                                  • 160,000 cubic feet of pink sandstone has been carved and assembled.



Akshardham Temple - Night View

Sundara Kanda (Adhyaya VII of MahaBharata Tatparya Nirnaya)



Bedi Anjaneya

My alpa prayatna, may Sri Hari Vayu grant me the strength to do this post more justice. I'll shall add more details as and when possible.

About SundarKanda
SundarKanda is the 5th Kanda in Valmiki Ramayana ( Bal Kanda, Ayodhya Kanda, Aranya Kanda, Kishkinda Kanda, Sundar Kanda and Yuddha Kanda )
SundarKanda is the 7th Adhyaya in MahaBharata TatParya Nirnaya (MBTN) of Sri Madhvacharya. This a scholarly work, condensing 68 chapters into just 50 shlokas is phenomenal.

Sundar Kanda primarily deals with the journey of Hanuman from KanyaKumari to Lanka, his meeting with Seeta Akruti, his war with the Rakshasas, setting fire to Lanka, his journey back and presenting Sri Rama with choodamani.

Sundar Kanda starts with Hanuman's leap across to Lanka and ends with Sri Rama's embrace to Hanuman for all his achievements. (MBTN)
Some renditions of Valmiki Ramayana end Sundar Kanda with the presentation of Seeta Akruti's Choodamani to Sri Rama

SundarKanda is totally unique
      - The Name SundarKanda (beautiful chapter) itself is unique, no other chapter has a complete adjective describing it's name like this.
     Sri Valmiki found this to be the most beautiful chapter out of all the chapters
      - Vayu Jeevothamma is out and out the theme; which the core essence of Madhwa siddhanta
        - There are serveral lessons that are to be learnt, which we will see as we proceed.
        - Sundara Kanda contains the whole of Ramayana in brief
        - Hanuman describes the whole story before Sundar Kanda to Seeta Akruti
        - SundarKanda in itself 
        - Current narration and 
        - In Valmiki Ramayana, Sri Hanuman explains all his exploits to the kapi sena after returning from Lanka. Some books omit these one/two chapters, because they see this as a repetition.
            Hence some books of Valmiki Ramayana have 66 chapters while others have 68 chapters. 
            This chapter of Sri Hanuman narrating SundaraKanda in SundarKanda, clearly matches Sri Madhvacharya's SundarKanda Nirnaya
    - Hanuman also assures Seeta Akruti that Sri Rama will come defeat Ravana and take Seeta back to Ayodhya and rule (After SundarKanda in brief)
 - The miracles that happen with daily chanting of SundarKanda are enormous, which I leave the readers to test and verify for themselves, if people can share their experiences I would be greatly obliged

Prologue about SundarKanada 
The Vanara sena headed by Jambhavanta (same as the one in Syamantaka mani episode in Mahabharata ), Angada who is Yuvraja and Chandra avataara (Abhimanyu in next avataara) and Sri Hanuman (Vayu Devaru avataara)
which comprise of the Southern search party for Seetha Akruti have been informed by Sampathi (brother of Jatayu) that Seeta Akruti is present in Lanka under Ashoka Tree. Lanka is 100 yojanas across the ocean.
The monkeys state their powress, one by one all below 100. Jambavanta mentions he could have done 100, but he hit his leg against Meru Parvata because of that he can jump 96 yojanas. Angada mentions he can jump 100 yojanas; but he would not have the strength to make the return journey.
The whole army speaks except for Sri Hanuman. All the monkeys, headed by Jambavanta approach Sri Hanuman and request him to make the jump. Hanuman immideately agrees, increases his size to be as tall as the mountain and is ready to jump.

* - During Vamana avtaara of Sri Hari, when Bali was vanquished by Trivikrama roopa of Sri Hari; Jambavanta was excited and jumped up in the sky to announce that Sri Hari was victorious to all the lokas. During this jump he hit his knee to Meru Parvata.
* - A popular version is that Sri Hanuman had forgotten his strength due to shapa of Rishi's. Although it is probable that the shapa is there, Sri Hanuman is way way above in the Taratamya, so Rishi's shaapa are no obstacle for Sri Hanuman

SundarKanda
Since there are a lot of points to be discussed, I'm logically separating the events to look at each aspect in more detail

The Leap across the ocean
Just before the jump, Sri Hanuman increases his size to be as tall as the mountain; Valmiki Ramayana mentions Sri Hanuman prays to Sun-God, Lord Indra, God of Wind, Lord Brahma and Bhutas.
Sri Hanuman prays to the antaryami Sri Hari in all of these (for ex. Surya means Surya antaryami Surya Narayana etc.); this is more of a teaching for us. Also these are the Demi Gods whose varas he is going to overtake, hence a forementioned statement by Sri Hanuman.
Valmiki Ramayana gives a detailed and graphic representation of the Jump itself; when Sri Hanuman of the size of a mountain, presses his foot in the ground to jump, a depression is formed, the mountains shake, sulphur springs erupt and the mountain is basically flattened.
The velocity of the jump is so much that wind pressure uproots trees and the trees follow the trail of Sri Hanuman for some distance. Valmiki mentions it was like relatives, accompanying a loved one for a short distance while going on a long journey.
The flight itself is very graphic and the scenery is described with great accuracy. People who have travelled in flights can vouch for the details mentioned in SundarKanda.



Obstacle #1
Mainka Parvata (Mountain of Gold)- Was saved by Vayu and Sagar is Suryavamasha; so as service to Sri Hari Vayu, he requests Sri Hanuman to rest for a while.
Sri Hanuman is Vayu Devaru avataara. He needs no rest, shvasa-japa portfolio is awarded to Sri Hanuman because all Gods below him need rest at some or the other point.
Sri Hanuman appreciates the offer but declines it, he touches Mainaka Parvata as a token and proceeds.
Learning : 
#1 Just the sankalpa of Sri Hari Vayu seve will send many riches your way (mountain of gold). SathyaNarayana pooje is full of such stories as well. Imagine how much the actual seve can fetch you.
#2 No rest should be taken when it is not required
#3 Sri Hari seve always comes first no matter what
#4 No amount of temptation(monetary or otherwise) should deter us from Sri Hari seva 

Obstacle #2
Surase mother of Nagas is given a boon by the devates and sent to test Sri Hanuman. She is given a boon, that whatever she wishes will fall in her mouth. SriHanuman decides to honour this boon, he expands to 100 yojanas, Surase expands her mouth as well, before she can close it, Sri Hanuman reduces his size to a thumb, enters the mouth of Surase and comes out.
Learning:
#1 Satisfied boon conditions but did not obstruct Sri Hari's work
#2 Some situtations should be dealt with tact, even though he could overcome the situation; he used his intellegence to diffuse the situation


Obstacle #3
Simihka a raskhasi has a boon by Brahma Devaru to be able to catch people from their shadow. She catches Sri Hanuman's shadow, although fully capable of escaping this, Sri Hanuman enters her mouth, tears her heart and kills the demoness
Learning:
#1 Satisfied BrahmaDevaru's boon, but did not obstruct Sri Hari's work
#2 Some situations need to be dealt with force, tact will not work always neither does force. The challange is to use optimum tact and force.

Landing on Trikuta
Sri Hanuman lands in Lanka on Trikuta Parvata, flatnning it, thereby reducing the fortification of Lanka further.
Valmiki Ramayana clearly mentions that Sri Hanuman tells that although he has flown across the ocean and has overcome demons; he isn't even a bit tired.
This reflects the tattva that Vayu accomplishes tasks without even the slightest effort and that he was the suprememost vanar.
Sri Hanuman reduces his size to that of a cat and enters Lanka during nightfall. Night is when the rakshasas power double, so it is like entering a double danger zone.

Search for Seeta Akruti (Description of Lanka)
Sri Hanuman overtakes Lankini the gram devate of Lanka which proves Sri Hanuman is higher than any Gram Devate.

Valmiki Ramayana gives a very detailed and graphic description of Lanka, the splendid buildings, the arches, the decorations etc.
The pubs of Lanka are described in vivid detail; it's not possible for such glamourous pubs to even exist today. 
The night life of Lanka includes description of drunk women strewn on the street with their clothes displaced and exposed. 

This incident is clearly very relevant on a more subtle level.

If you see girls dressed inappropriately either drunk or in the name of fashion or whatever reason, does it constitute bhanga of Brahmacharya?
Sri Hanuman puts up this question for himself and replies in the negative, the reason; no matter how inappropriately the women are dressed, Sri Hanumans mind is not diverted from Sri Rama even for a second and therefore does not constitute bhanga of Brahmaacharya.

This is a very big learning for us.

Learnings:
#1 In this age of onsite travel craze; it reveals how to behave onsite. Some people try to justify saying following Dharma in India is fine but outside is not possible. Sri Hanuman is not one bit moved by all the grandeur. Valmiki Ramayana records a statement of Sri Hanuman saying that all this beauty is going to get destroyed by Sri Rama; because ravana opposes Sri Rama.
#2 Maintaing Sri Hari Dharma inspite of kaliyuga and the circumstances. (ravana is kali avataara, so Lanka is kali rajya)
#3 Sri Hanuman searches all of Lanka, inspite of Sampati telling him location previously, is sign of perfection. Because there is no garuntee that ravana would have kept Seeta akruti in the same place.

Meeting of Sri Hanuman and Seetha Akruti
SriMadacharya uses two words to describe this conversaton which is detailed in Valmiki Ramayana : Naraloka Vidambana
There are daityas in the universe who have the power to observe everything, these daityas don't deserve moksha. Hence this vidambana is acted out, so the daityas reach Tamas
This discussion is of great importance; because it brings out important teachings.
Before Seetha Akruti believes Sri Hanuman to be Sri Rama's messenger, she asks him to describe Sri Rama. Sri Hanuman's description of Sri Rama.

Sri Hanuman's description of Sri Rama.
"O Hanuma! What are the characteristics of Rama and Lakshmana? Narrate them to me, so that sorrow will not take possession of me again."
"Of what kind was the appearance of that Rama and of Lakshmana? Of what kind was their form? How were the thighs? How were the arms? Tell me."
Hearing the words of Seetha, Hanuma, the son of wind-god, then started to describe Rama according to his actual state (as follows):
"O Seetha having eyes resembling lotus leaves! By my fortune, you are enquiring about the appearance of Rama your husband and Lakshmana, eventhough you know about them. Alas! what a pleasure!"
"O the large eyed Seetha! I tell the characteristics of Rama and Lakshmana as I recognized them; hear them from me."
"O Seetha the daughter of Janaka! Rama has his eyes resembling the petals of a lotus (kamala patra akShaH). He has a handsomeness, attracting the hearts of all living beings(sarva bhuuta mano haraH). He is endowed with grace and dexterity, by birth(ruupa daakShiNya sampannaH prasuuto)."
"He is equal to the sun in splendour (tejasaa aaditya samkaashaH), earth in endurance (kShamayaa pR^ithivii samaH ), Brihaspati in intelligence (bR^ihaspati samo buddhyaa) and Indra in fame (yashasaa vaasava upamaH)."
Sri Rama is the protector of all the people (rakShitaa jiiva lokasya) and his own people (sva janasya ca rakShitaa), Sri Rama protects his own character and upholds dharma (akShitaa svasya vR^ittasya dharmasya ). Such Sri Rama is the ultimate destination of all austerites (param tapaha)
"O Seetha! Rama is the protector of the four castes of the world (lokasya caaturvarNyasya rakShitaa). He is the doer and also the agent for the people's propriety of conduct (maryaadaanaam ca lokasya kartaa kaarayitaa ca saH)."
* Four principal castes described in Manu's code - Brahmanas (priestly class), Kshatriyas (members of military or reigning order); Vaisyas (Traders and agriculturists) and Sudras (class of servitude).
"Sri Rama exceeds everyone in resplendence and respected (arciShmaan arcito atyartham). He is established in a vow of chastity (brahmacarya vrate sthitaH). He knows how to do good to virtuous people (saadhuunaam upakaaraj~naH). He knows the application and advantage of his actions (pracaaraj~naH ca karmaNaam)."
"He is well trained in statesmanship (raaja vidyaa viniitaH). He honours brahmins, the priestly class. He possesses sacred knowledge (shrutavaan). He is endowed with good conduct (shiila samapannaH). He is a modest man (viniitaH). Such Sri Rama is the ultimate destination of all austerities (param tapaha)"
"He got trained in Yajurveda, the sacrificial Veda (yajuH veda viniitaH ). He is highly honoured by those well-versed in Vedas (vedavidbhiH supuujitaH). He is skilled in Dhanurveda, the science of archery, other Vedas and the six limbs* of Vedangas. (dhanuH vede ca vede ca veda angeShu ca niShThitaH)"
Six limbs of Vedangas : 1) Siksha, the science of proper articulaton and pronunciation 2) Chandas, the metre 3) Vyakarana, the grammar 4) Nirukta, the explanation of difficult Vedic words 5) Jyotisha, the astronomy or rather the Vedic Calendar. 6) Kalpa, the ceremonial represented by a large number of Sura works.
"O princess! Rama is a broad shouldered (vipulaamsaH) and a long-armed man (mahaabaahuH). He has a conch-like neck (kambugriivaH). He has a handsome and auspicious countenance (shubhaananaH). He has a hidden collar-bone (guuDha jatruH). He has beautiful eyes (suutaamraakSaH). His fame is heard about by people (shrutaH janaiH)."
"He has a deep voice like the sound of a kettle-drum (dundubhi svana nirghoSaH). He has a shining skin (snigdhavarNah). He is full of splendour (prataapavaan). He is of proportinate build(samaH). His limbs are built symmetrically (samavibhaktaaN^gaH). He is endowed with a dark-brown complexion (varNam shyaamam samaashritaH)."
"He is ever firm in three limbs (tristhiraH) (viz. the breast, waist and fist),long in three (tripralambashcha) (viz. the breast, waist and fist), uniform in three (trisamaH) (viz. his locks, testical and knees, elevated in three (triShu ca unnataH) (viz. his breast, rim of his navel and lower abdomen), coppery in three (tritaamraH)(viz. the rims of his eyes, nails, palms and soles), soft in three (smigdhaH triSucha)(viz. the lines on his soles, hair and the end of the membrane virile) and always deep in three (triSu gambhiiraH) (viz. the voice, gait and the navel)."
"He has three folds in the skin of his neck and belly (trivaliivaan). He is depressed at three places (tryavanataH) (viz. the middle of his soles, the lines on his soles and the nipples). He is undersized at four places (chaturvyaN^gaH)(viz. the neck, membran virile, the back and the shanks). He is endowed with three spirals in the hair of his head (trishiirSavaan). He has four lines at the root of his thumb (chatuSkalaH) (denoting his proficiency in the four Vedas). He has four lines on his forehead (chaturlekhaH)(indicating longevity). chatushkishku : one kishku is 24 angul so chatukishku means four kishku ie 96 angul height. He has four pairs of limbs equally matched (chatuHsamaH )(viz. the cheeks, arms, shanks and knees) ."
"He has fourteen other pairs of limbs (chatur dasha madvandvaH) (viz. the eye brows, nostrils, eyes, ears, lips, nipples, elbows, wrists, knees testicles, lions, hands, feet and thighs) equally matched. The four large teeth at both the ends of his upper and lower jaws are very sharp and even (chaturdamSTraH). He walks in four gaits (chaturgatiH)(resembling the walks of a lion, a tiger, an elephant and a bull). He is endowed with excellent lips, chin and nose(mahoSTha hanunaasashcha). He has five glossy limbs (paN^chasnigdhaH)(viz. the hair, eyes, teeth, skin and soles). He has eight long limbs (aSTa vamshavaan) (viz. the arms, fingers and toes, eyes and ears, thighs and shanks).
"Rama has ten lotus-like limbs (dasha padmo)(viz. the countenance, the mouth, the eyes, the tongue, lips, palate, breasts, nails, the hands and the feet). He has ten ample limbs (dasha bR^ihat)(viz. the chest, the head, the forehead, the neck, the arms, the heart, the mouth the feet, the back and the ears). He is spread through by reason of three (tribhiH vyaapto)(viz. splendour, renown and glory). He is doubly pure (dvishuklavaan)(on father's and mother's side). He is elevated in six limbs (SaDunnataH)(viz. the flanks, the abdomen, the breast, the nose, the shoulders and the forehead). He is sophisticated and not coarse in nine (navatanuH)(viz. the hair, the moustaches and the beard, nails the hair on the body, the skin, the finger-joints, the membrum virile, acumen and perception). He pursues religious merit, worldly riches and the sensuous delight in three periods (tribhiH vyaapnoti raaghavaH)(viz. the forenoon, midday and afternoon).
"Rama is engrossed in truth and righteousness (satya dharma paraH). He is the Lord of Lakshmi (Shreeman). He is interested in bestowing complete blessings on his devotees (samgraha anugrahe rataH). He knows how to apportion place and time (desha kaala vibhaagaJNaH). He speaks affectionately with all (sarvalokapriyamvadaH)."
Sri Rama is Ashtakshar khyata : one who is known by ashtakshar mantra. TRIJAGADGURU : jagat means VAYU . trijagat means [ three avataras of VAYU , HANUMAN BHEEM and MAdhvacharya ] in each avatara also the guru is always NARAYANA . hence RAMA is NARAYANA his guru.
At the end of this description Sri Hanuman also mentions why he his called Hanuman. Quite contrary to the popular conception that Hanuman means swollen chin/cheek.
O Seetha! I am born in the womb of the wife of that Kesari the monkey who killed a demon named Shambasadana by the sea shore; by the grace of the wind-god. By my activity alone, I am renowned as Hanuma in this world
(hanuumaan iti vikhyaato loke svena eva karmaNaa)
* Please note; nowhere in Valmiki Ramayana does Sri Hanuman mention that he is Rudra avatara as is the popular misconception

Humility of Sri Hanuman: Sri Hanuman to inspire confidence in Seeta Akruti mentions that he is the last kaapi (like a water boy) in the kaapi sena.

Sri Hanuman gives Sri Ramas ring as a sign of Sri Hari's authority and Seetha Akruti gives Sri Hanuman her choodamani (Ornament to tie hair) as a sign of surrender.

Teachings:
#1 Before believing in a Guru, you can measure the depth of faith of Guru in God itself.  Trivikrama Panditacharya places all his doubts before Sri Madhacharya, once they are all cleared effortlessly, he accepts SriMadhacharya as his Guru.

AshokaVana Bhanga
Sri Hanuman destroys all the trees except the Simshupa tree under which Seeta is present. Scholars and Learned people compare this to SriMadacharya crtizing all the wrong bashyas of Brahma Sutra and establishing the correct Matha of Tattvavada.
Valmiki Ramayana clearly mentions that Sri Hanuman, was unarmed. He took weapons like an iron bar from the iron gate and killed crores of soldiers.
Ashoka Vana Bhanga creates a lot of Shoka or sadness for ravana. he dispatches a battalion of army called kinkaras. These kinkaras are as valiant as ravana and almost equally powerful. Sri Hanuman destroys them, effortlessly. 
Sri Hanuman then destroys the rakshasa temple and proclaims Sri Rama is sarvothamma. Seven ministers sons as huge as mountains and protected by boons of Rudra and Brahma of immortality come to fight with 80 crore soldiers. Sri Hanuman kills them all along with the seven sons of ministers. 
aksha kumar son of ravana is dispatched; Sri Hanuman calculates that aksha kumar is as powerful as ravana. ravana, aksha kumar and indrajeet form a trio; so killing aksha kumar will reduce ravanas strength by 1/3 rd. Sri Hanuman catches akshakumar's legs wheels him in the air and dashes him to pieces.
indrajeet comes next and is frustrated as he is no match Sri Hanuman. indrajeet uses the brahmastra; Sri Hanuman thinks that he has violated plenty of boons already, so he'll honour this one. Sri Hanuman also wants to talk to ravana, so this is an oppurtunity to speak to him and accepts to get binded by the astra; even though he can overcome it.
The other rakshasa immideatly bind him with jungle vine and ropes. This is a very big insult to the BrahmaAstra and shows clearly asuric mentality; they cannot trust anything sattvik and suffer as a result.
This is like; taking influence of constable when Commisioner is already doing your job for you. If the commisioner sees that you have asked the constable to do the job; then he'll just back off and you can't use that influence again.

Lanka Sabha
Sri Hanuman is calm and Valmiki Ramayana mentions that Sri Hanuman thinks that even if these rakshasas want to harm me they cannot so he lets them play for a while.
Sri Hanuman is asked who/what/why/where about him. Instantly Sri Hanuman declares that he is Sri Rama's dasa and has come as a messenger of Sugriva.
Sri Hanuman warns ravana to mend his ways else he'll suffer the same consequence of his army. When Lord Shiva and Lord Brahma cannot stand before Sri Rama; how does he taking their boons hope stand in front of him.
Hanuman's tail is set on fire

Learning:
#1 Sri Hanuman is preaching Dasoham and Sri Rama sarvothamma and ravana is pratika of Aham Brahmasmi. Who won??? You decide
#2 ravana is scared of Sri Hanuman because he could not be vanquished even by BrahmaAstra so he can't think of anything to do; hence the setting of tail on fire. Sri Vibeeshana is a satvik soul, but it should not be thought that he saved Sri Hanuman's life

Burning of Lanka
Sri Hanuman remains calm and goes around Lanka and observes it even more minutely this time to help Sri Rama's army. Agni is called MaruthSaka; meaning Vayu's friend more appropriately dependent on Vayu.
With the power of his Tejas Sri Hanuman sets fire to the whole of Lanka except Vibheeshana's house and Seetha Akruti's tree.

Learning:
#1 Can you melt gold with a rag and oil. Gold needs extreme temprature to melt. Sri Hanuman burnt down Lanka with his tejas. Vishwakarma had made Lanka fireproof; but Lanka burnt. This is proof Sri Anjaneya's power.
#2 All the rakshasas were mute spectators to this feat of Sri Hanuman; they had no astras, no weapons to nullify this fire.
#3 It was rakshasa captial full of Aham Brahmasmi's, Sri Hanuman was alone and more than sufficient.

Returning to Kapi Sena
Sri Hanuman extinguishes the flame on this tail by just dipping it in the sea. (Again shows nimmita matra, can an oil fire be doused by water)
Sri Hanuman narrates his experiences to the Kapi Sena and they return to Kishkinda, near Kishkina there is honey forest. All the monkeys are giving permission to wreck havoc in the forest and enjoy the forest.
The "honey" news reaches Sri Rama and then Sri Hanuman appears before Sri Rama and presents the Choodamani and the news of Seeta Akruti to Sri Rama.
Sri Rama then commends Sri Hanuman and embraces him for his exception service rendered. This is the granting of Brahma Padvi to Sri Hanuman in the next kalpa by Sri Rama.

Learning:
#1 The rest of the monkeys and Jambavanta travelled to the sea shore, waited for Sri Hanuman while he single handedly accomplishes the task to perfection. The monkeys then accompany Sri Hanuman back.
In the madhuvan, Sri Hanuman allows everyone else to enjoys all the fruits of his heroic deeds and they celebrate. 

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The most authentic and concise account of SundarKanda is found in the 7th Chapter of SriMadAcharya's MBTN.
It's a first party account (SriMadAcharya himself is Hanuman), it's concise(~50 shlokas), extremely effective (you have to try it to believe it, just one recitation with conviction can perform miracles.).
I'll add the translation as per Sri Hari Vayu anugraha, I'll thought I'll put out the text for now.

Learned people have advised that if you are pressed for time and have to choose between Sri HariVayuStuti and SundarKanda Nirnaya; choose this. If you learn this by rote should take you about 10 mins. Chant this as many times as you can as the magic unfold !!!

Vidyabhooshan has a good rendering that I heard which might help to learn by rote 

SRIMAN Mahabharatha Thathparya Nirnaya
Of
Srimad Ananda Theertha

hanUmatpratiyAnam
atha saptamo.adhyAyaH

ADHYAYA VII
CHAPTER VII

OM ||
rAmAya shAshvatasuvistR^itashhaDguNAya sarveshvarAya sukhasAramahArNavAya | natvA lilaN^ghayishhurarNavamutpapAta nishhpIDya taM girivaraM pavanasya sUnuH || 7.1

chuxobha vAridhiranuprayayau cha shIghraM yAdogaNaiH saha tadIyabalAbhikR^ishhTaH | vR^ixAshcha parvatagatAH pavanena pUrvaM xipto.arNave girirudAgamadasya hetoH || 7.2

syAlo harasya giripaxavinAshakAle xiptvA.arNave sa marutorvaritAtmapaxaH | haimo giriH pavanajasya tu vishramArthamudbhidya vAridhimavarddhadanekasAnuH || 7.3

naivAtra vishramaNamaichchhata niHshramo.asau niHsImapaurushhaguNasya kutaH shramo.asya | Ashlishhya parvatavaraM sa dadarsha gachchhan devaistu nAgajananIM prahitAM vareNa || 7.4

jij~nAsubhirnijabalaM tava bhaxametu yadyat tvamichchhasi tadityamaroditAyAH | AsyaM pravishya sapadi praviniHsR^ito.asmAd devAnanandayaduta svR^itameshhu raxan || 7.5

dR^ishhTvA surapraNayitAM balamasya chograM devAH pratushhTuvuramuM sumanobhivR^ishhTyA | tairAdR^itaH punarasau viyataiva gachchhan chhAyAgrahaM pratidadarsha cha siMhikAkhyam || 7.6

laN^kAvanAya sakalasya cha nigrahe.asyAH sAmarthyamapratihataM pradadau vidhAtA | chhAyAmavAxipadasau pavanAtmajasya so.asyAH sharIramanuvishya bibheda chA.ashu || 7.7

nissImamAtmabalamityanudarshayAno hatvaiva tAmapi vidhAtR^ivarAbhiguptAm | lambe sa lambashikhare nipapAta laN^kAprAkArarUpakagirAvatha saJNchukocha || 7.8

bhUtvA bilALasamito nishi tAM purIM cha prApsyan dadarsha nijarUpavatIM sa laN^kAm | ruddho.anayA.a.ashvatha vijitya cha tAM svamushhTipishhTAM tayA.anumata eva vivesha laN^kAm || 7.9

mArgamANo bahishchAntaH so.ashokavanikAtaLe | dadarsha shiMshapAvR^ixamUlasthitaramAkR^itim || 7.10

naralokaviDambasya jAnan rAmasya hR^idgatam | tasya cheshhTAnusAreNa kR^itvA cheshhTAshcha saMvidaH | tAdR^ikcheshhTAsametAyA aN^gulIyamadAt tataH || 7.11

sItAyA yAni chaivA.a.asannAkR^itestAni sarvashaH | bhUshhaNAni dvidhA bhUtvA tAnyevA.asa.nstathaiva cha || 7.12

atha chULAmaNiM divyaM dAtuM rAmAya sA dadau || 7.13

yadyapyetanna pashyanti nishAcharagaNAstu te | dyulokachAriNaH sarvaM pashyantyR^ishhaya eva cha || 7.14

teshhAM viDambanAyaiva daityAnAM vaJNchanAya cha | pashyatAM kalimukhyAnAM viDambo.ayaM kR^ito bhavet || 7.15

kR^itvA kAryamidaM sarvaM vishaN^kaH pavanAtmajaH | AtmAvishhkaraNe chittaM chakre matimatAM varaH || 7.16

atha vanamakhilaM tad rAvaNasyAvalupya xitiruhamimamekaM varjayitvA.a.ashu vIraH | rajanicharavinAshaM kAN^xamANo.ativelaM muhuratiravanAdI toraNaM chA.a.aruroha || 7.17

athAshR^iNod dashAnanaH kapIndracheshhTitaM param | didesha kiN^karAn bahUn kapirnigR^ihyatAmiti || 7.18

samastasho vimR^ityavo varAddharasya kiN^karAH | samAsadan mahAbalam surAntarAtmano.aN^gajam || 7.19

ashItikoTiyUthapaM purassarAshhTakAyutam | anekahetisaN^kulaM kapIndramAvR^iNod balam || 7.20

samAvR^itastathA.a.ayudhaiH sa tADitashcha tairbhR^isham | chakAra tAn samastashastaLaprahArachUrNitAn || 7.21

punashcha mantriputrakAn sa rAvaNaprachoditAn | mamarda sapta parvataprabhAn varAbhiraxitAn || 7.22

balAgragAminastathA sa sharvavAksugarvitAn | nihatya sarvaraxasAM tR^itIyabhAgamaxiNot || 7.23

anaupamaM harerbalaM nishamya rAxasAdhipaH | kumAramaxamAtmanaH samaM sutaM nyayojayat || 7.24

sa sarvalokasAxiNaH sutaM sharairvavarshha ha | shitairvarAstramantritairna chainamabhyachAlayat || 7.25

sa maNDamadhyakAsutaM samIxya rAvaNopamam | tR^itIya eshha chAMshako balasya hItyachintayat || 7.26


nidhArya eva rAvaNaH sa rAghavasya nAnyathA | yadIndrajinmayA hato na chAsya shaktirIxyate || 7.27

atastayoH samo mayA tR^itIya eshha hanyate | vichArya chaivamAshu taM padoH pragR^ihya pupluve || 7.28

sa chakravad bhramAturaM vidhAya rAvaNAtmajam | apothayad dharAtaLe xaNena mArutI tanuH || 7.29

vichUrNite dharAtaLe nije sute sa rAvaNaH | nishamya shokatApitastadagrajaM samAdishat || 7.30

athendrajinmahAsharairvarAstrasamprayojitaiH | tataxa vAnarottamaM na chAshakad vichAlane || 7.31

athAstramuttamaM vidheryuyoja sarvadushhshhaham | sa tena tADito harirvyachintayannirAkulaH || 7.32

mayA varA vilaN^ghitA hyanekashaH svayambhuvaH | sa mAnanIya eva me tato.atra mAnayAmyaham || 7.33

ime cha kuryuratra kiM prahR^ishhTaraxasAM gaNAH | itIha laxyameva me sa rAvaNashcha dR^ishyate || 7.34

idaM samIxya baddhavat sthitaM kapIndramAshu te | babandhuranyapAshakairjagAma chAstramasya tat || 7.35

atha pragR^ihya taM kapiM samIpamAnayaMshcha te | nishAchareshvarasya taM sa pR^ishhTavAMshcha rAvaNaH || 7.36

kape kuto.asi kasya vA kimarthamIdR^ishaM kR^itam | itIritaH sa chAvadat praNamya rAmamIshvaram || 7.37

avaihi dUtamAgataM durantavikramasya mAm | raghUttamasya mArutiM kulaxaye taveshvaram || 7.38

na chet pradAsyasi tvaran raghUttamapriyAM tadA | saputramitrabAndhavo vinAshamAshu yAsyasi || 7.39

na rAmabANadhAraNe xamAH sureshvarA api | viriJNchisharvapUrvakAH kimu tvamalpasArakaH || 7.40

prakopitasya tasya kaH purasthitau xamo bhavet | surAsuroragAdike jagatyachintyakarmaNaH || 7.41

itIrite vadhodyataM nyavArayad vibhIshhaNaH | sa puchchhadAhakarmaNi nyayojayannishAcharAn || 7.42

athAsya vastrasaJNchayaiH pidhAya puchchhamagnaye | dadurdadAha nAsya tanmarutsakho hutAshanaH || 7.43

mamarshha sarvacheshhTitaM sa raxasAM nirAmayaH | baloddhatashcha kautukAt pradagdhumeva tAM purIm || 7.44

dadAha chAkhilaM puraM svapuchchhagena vahninA | kR^itistu vishvakarmaNo.apyadahyatAsya tejasA || 7.45

suvarNaratnakAritAM sa rAxasottamaiH saha | pradahya sarvashaH purIM mudA.anvito jagarja cha || 7.46

sa rAvaNaM saputrakaM tR^iNopamaM vidhAya cha | tayoH prapashyatoH puraM vidhAya bhasmasAd yayau || 7.47

vilaN^ghya chArNavaM punaH svajAtibhiH prapUjitaH | prabhaxya vAnareshiturmadhu prabhuM sameyivAn || 7.48

rAmaM sureshvaramagaNyaguNAbhirAmaM samprApya sarvakapivIravaraiH sametaH | chULAmaNiM pavanajaH padayornidhAya sarvAN^gakaiH praNatimasya chakAra bhaktyA || 7.49

rAmo.api nAnyadanudAtumamushhya yogyamatyantabhaktiparamasya vilaxya kiJNchit | svAtmapradAnamadhikaM pavanAtmajasya kurvan samAshlishhadamuM paramAbhitushhTaH || 7.50

iti shrImadAnandatIrthabhagavatpAdAchAryavirachite
shrImahAbhAratatAtparyanirNay
shrIrAmacharite hanUmatpratiyAnaM nAma saptamo.adhyAyaH

भारती रामन मुख्या प्रण अनातार्गता श्री  क्रिश्नार्पनामास्तु 

SUNDARKANDA Parayana Procedure
Parayan is as per sampradaya.
Sundarkanda are three texts 1 valmiki 2.sangraha ramayana 3. acharya Madhwa sundarkanda Nirnaya.
Parayana procedure varies a lot.
One such detailed krama is as follows.
Achamana,Pranayama,Sankalpa
dwadasha guru namaskara
1 anga nyasa of Ugram viryam
manyusuktha.
2.anga nyasa with, anjaneyay,rudramurthaye,vayuputraya,agnivarnaya,ramdutaya,bramhastranivaranaya astray phat
3.balthha suktha
4.panchamukhi kavach
5. sundarkanda nirnay three times.
complete anga nyasa
recite sankshipt ramayana by sri Raghavendra swamy “sriman poorvam prajato…”
this completes one parayana for a day. you can do this for a week ,three weeks or 48 days.
OR
anganyas as you have been taught ,after manyusuktha , vayustuti ,then sundarkanda , sankshep ramayana .
nirnay gives more phala than valimiki ramayana. if done done with understanding phala is 100 times more.
if you are doing Sangraha Ramayana
then pre procedure as above
then
recite chapter 1 1st day
recite chapter 1-2 2nd day
recite chapter 1-3 3rd day
so on — till you complete all chapters.
complete on the last day perform homa ,tarpana, and bramhana bhojana.
* Note do not decrease the number of  chapters, either maintain same number or increase.