Hanumanji
Sunderkand Path
Sunderkand is the fifth book of the Ramcharitmanas. It tells of Hanumanji's journey to Lanka and his search for Mata Sita, and it is the part of the epic that families recite most often as a path.
- Found in
- Ramcharitmanas by Goswami Tulsidas (fifth book)
- Language
- Awadhi (a dialect of Hindi)
- Traditional days
- Tuesday and Saturday
- Time for the full path
- About 2 to 3 hours
About the Sunderkand Path
The Ramcharitmanas by Goswami Tulsidas has seven books, or kands. Sunderkand is the fifth. A Sanskrit Sundara Kanda also appears in the Valmiki Ramayana, but the path families usually mean in North and West India is the Awadhi one from the Ramcharitmanas.
A Sunderkand Path is done as a complete recitation in one sitting, often with a sankalp at the start and the Hanuman Aarti at the end. Some families hold it as a musical evening with singers and instruments.
Meaning
The book follows Hanumanji as he crosses the ocean, meets Mata Sita in Lanka, delivers Lord Ram's message, and returns. It is a story of devotion, courage and faith in difficult moments.
Full text
Read the full text (690 lines)
Source: Ramcharitmanas, Sunderkand (Goswami Tulsidas); edition to be confirmed
When to recite
- Tuesday and Saturday are the traditional days for Hanuman worship.
- Families commonly hold it before a new beginning, a house move, or in thanks for a wish fulfilled.
- Morning and the evening after sunset are both common.
How to recite at home
- The path begins with a sankalp, where the family's name, gotra and purpose are stated, and an invocation of Lord Ganesha and Hanumanji.
- The pandit recites the whole Sunderkand before a murti or picture of Hanumanji or the Ram Darbar.
- It ends with the Hanuman Aarti and prasad. The full path usually takes two to three hours.
Customs differ by region and family. Follow what your own family or guru teaches.
Traditional belief
- Traditionally done to seek Hanumanji's strength, courage and protection.
- Often chosen before a new beginning or in thanks for a blessing received.
- A devotional occasion that the whole family can sit and join.
Book a Sunderkand Path with a verified pandit
Choose your language and a date and time. The pandit brings the samagri and recites the full path at your home.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a Sunderkand Path take?
About two to three hours for the full recitation, including the aarti.
Which days are best?
Tuesday and Saturday are traditional, though it can be held on any day that suits the family.
Can we recite it ourselves?
Yes, many families do. If you want it recited in full by a trained pandit, with sankalp and aarti, you can book one.
What do we need to arrange at home?
A clean space, a picture or murti of Hanumanji or the Ram Darbar if you have one, and fruits or sweets for prasad. The pandit brings the puja samagri.