Shree Ashwinkumar Pathak - Continuous Selfless Journey of Sundarkand Awareness

Shree Ashwinkumar Pathak - Continuous Selfless Journey of Sundarkand Awareness

Shree Ashwinkumar Pathak , formerly an English teacher in Ahmedabad, has initiated and promoted a special drive to serve as many seekers and people in society as possible by singing with them “Sundarkand” from Shree Ram Charit Manas by Tulsidas. He is the disciple of Shri Santram Maharaj and Shri Narayandaji Maharaj based at Santram Mandir, Nadiad near about 50 Kms from Ahmedabad in Gujarat. He is following the Spiritual Path guidelines by Shri Narayandasji Maharaj earlier than year 2000.

Brief Background of Shree Samtram Samadhi Sthan - Santram Mandir

The original Santram Maharaj was a great Saint of the Avadhoot category.
He came to Nadiad from Girnar so he also called Girnari Bava, Videhi Bava or Sukha-Sagarji. He came here in Samvat 1872, lived for the spiritual good of People for the 15 years, and took Jivat-Samadhi on the full-moon-day of the month Magha of Samvat 1887. At the first he was dwelling in a hollow of the Rayan-tree, situated where the 'Santram Deri' is located at present.

There were two miracles happened, 
            The first miracle was this: A laborer from the ighboring field came to fetch water from the well near the Rayan-tree. He had brought with him a rope and a bucket. The Maharaj asked him to keep the rope and bucket there for some time, as he wished to take his bath. But the laborer turned a deaf ear to the words of the Maharaj. He had to come again to fetch more water after a few minutes and he saw the Maharaj taking his bath, sitting on the Thala of the well by means of gourd. The water of the well had come to the surface by the attraction-power of the Great Yogi, who had full control over the five great elements.

            The second miracle was this: A Kanbi used to come for darshan to the Maharaj every day, once he wised to give supper to the Maharaj in the evening. The Maharaj said, "I will take only Milk today evening". The face of the Kanbi fell in dejection. He said that his she-buffalo had stopped giving any milk. The Maharaj said, " Take this gourd with you and bring for the Maharaj the milk that your she-buffalo gives". That evening the Kanbi’s she-buffalo filled the Maharaj’s gourd with sweet luck-warm milk; The Maharaj took that milk.

Due to these two-miracle people began to come to the Maharaj in great number. So he thought of going away to some other place. But Poojabhai Patel of Lakhawad stopped him, saying "If you go away from here the good luck of Nadiad would leave the town and go away". To test Poojabhai the Maharaj said "I would stay here on condition that you will render service to me till I stay". Poojabhai said "What greater luck could there be for me than that?".

In accordance with this condition the Maharaj took his Jivat-Samadhi on the full-day of the Month of Magha Samvat 1887 instead of the full-moon-day of Posha of that year. When the Maharaj took Jivat-Samadhi, luster came out of his Brahmie aperture at the top of the head. A lamp of ghee was lighted with that luster that lamp of ghee is still kept burning for the last 147 years. In fact, Shree Santram Maharaj is the eternal flame of light of the Divine.

During his lifetime and thereafter there became many devotees of the Maharaj, viz: Haridas, Hariram, Jetho, Adesang, Narayandas of Vankaner, Raghav-Muni, Mugat-Ramji and others. All of them have written Padas and Bhajans, except the last devotee. They have been published in ‘Pada-Sangraha’. Most of the devotee came from farmers, laborers and workmen of the villages.

The Nadiad Temple had its branches in Baroda, Umreth, Padra, Karamsad, Koyali, and Radhu. They carry on their work in accordance with the behests of the main temple of Nadiad. One devotee had the Darshan of Santram Maharaj at Benaras after he took Jivat-Samadhi. A manuscript book on Yoga is kept in the Kalasha (the top circular vessel) of the Nadiad Temple. Laxmandasji was the main disciple of the Santram Maharaj. He has laid down the rules for the Mahants of the main Nadiad temple that he shall not stop out of the precincts of the temple, and that he shall never ask for anything from anybody, but depend only on the will of the Divine.

The previous Mahant of the Nadiad temple, Shree Narayandasji was the eighth Mahant on the Gadi of the temple. The details are as follows:

1. Shree Santram Maharaj : Samadhi-date was the full-moon-day of Magha of Samvat 1887.


2. Shree Laxmandasji Maharaj: (till Samvat 1925)


3. Shree Chaturdas Maharaj (till Samvat 1941)


4. Shree Jayaramdas Maharaj (Samvat 1941 to 1947)


5. Shree Mugutram Maharaj (Samvat 1947 to 1961)


6. Shree Manekdas Maharaj (Samvat 1961 to 1973)


7. Shree Jankidas Maharaj (Samvat 1973 to 2026)


8. Shree Narayandas Maharaj (Vikram Samvat 2023 to 2060, A.D. 1979 to 2004)


9. Shree Ramdas Maharaj: 2060 to till date (A.D.2004 till date). 

Shree Ashwinkumar Pathak's Selfless Journey

Shree Ashwinkumar Pathak is following the Spiritual Path guidelines by Shri Narayandasji Maharaj earlier than year 2000 and since then this “Sundarkand Awareness” drive or a movement has gradually increased its popularity since its start in the year 2000, not only in and around Ahmedabad, but also in distant cities, villages, and abroad including the USA, UK, Africa, Kenya , Canada and Australia. Many seekers and devotees of Shree Ram and Hanumanji have fondly continued their periodic recital of Sundarkand sing-along path at their own facilities with the help of inspiring recordings of Ashwinkumar Pathak’s devotion-filled voice. Plenty of audio cassettes, audio CDs, video CDs, and DVD copies are available and being distributed at a nominal cost to cover for its production and other related expenses.

As this movement influences seekers in the USA, motivated volunteers are welcomed to join and share the supportive roles that will facilitate growth and further sharing of noble service to our society.While Ashwinkumar Pathak with his team of devotees have visited many homes, temples, gathering halls, and satsang tents that included from tens of attendees to several thousands at a time, his love for sharing the joy, devotion and the moments in satsang with people from all walks of life leaves a touching experience for all attendees.

 This team has welcomed and respected invitations, reserving of the desired dates for Sundarkand Path in group without any charge. Lovingly known, also as Guruji to so many devoted seekers, Ashwinkumar also explains the benefit and the need for reciting Sundarkand, at the conclusion of path.

In India, his team also brings along the necessary sound system for convenience and at no charge to the gracious hosts. The strength of volunteers, devotees and generous donors have also facilitated availability of Sundarkand books (Gujarati and Hindi) to be distributed without charge to those who may wish to conduct such path on their own at other times. This growing group of seekers fondly call this movement, Jay Shree Ram Sundarkand Parivar, that requires no formal membership and makes no demands, as this sharing of wonderful names of Siya-Ram and Hanumanji with Love. Anyone may attend a scheduled path at any time, and in any place.

See the full Sundarkand by Ashwinkumar Pathak video in his own voice.

Those who are familiar with various types of difficulties, natural calamities, and communal disturbances that Ahmedabad had endured through recent years, may appreciate knowing that Sundarkand Paath drive maintained its regularity without a break or delay for any to what has been a continued tradition of over 5700 days (more then 15.5 year) now. This was all strongly supported by simple people in our society without any hesitation and expectations in return. Thus, the inspiring performance by one (Guruji) has propagated to many seekers who maintain their own steadfast service to the Eternal Lord through their own dedicated services.

About Sundarkand Path

Sundarkand, performed by H.H. Ashwinkumar pathak, is a musical recitation of the 5th chapter of Shree Ram Charit Manas written by Tulsidas. lt is a pious prayer highlighting the adventures of LORD HANUMAN on the mission of locating Sitaji, and ensuring Her release from Ravana. Also, it is a story of moral values that Tulsidas expounded through narrations by Shree Ram. Daily recital of this wonderful part of the scripture yield peace and better composure to devotees. Many have experienced cure from worldly problems and diseases through dedicated recitals.

Guruji often says: "This is a true Ayurvedic medicine, that has no side effects."

Guruji has received many responses, in writing and verbally, from people on the beneficial effects and experiences they had through path. He is ever vigilant about advising seekers to benefit from path recital, and not fall for blind belief, myth or other misunderstanding such as black magic etc.

One’s wellness and self-improvement through prayer and sincere shraddha (faith/trust) in the Eternal Lord may materialize in terms of experiencing a miracle or not readily explicable to our common senses.

In fact, Guruji always remind us that HANUMANJI is an INSTANT GOD with whom you can talk and He listens.

What is Sundarkand ?

Sundarkand is the fifth chapter of the Hindu holy book called ‘Ramayan’.
The Ramayana has been divided into following chapters by Tulsidas as per the events andimportance of the life of lord shri Ram.

1. Balyakand


2. Ayodhyakand


3. Aranyakand


4. Kishkindhakand


5. Sundarkand


6. Lankakand


7. Utarakand

What does it contains ?

When Rama sets out for searching Sita towards lanka, they were at the bank of sea at
Rameshwar and were planning how to cross the sea. Jamwant reminded Shree Hanumanji of having a divine power of flying, Shree Hanumanji sets out towards lanka in search of Sitaji.
This is the commencement of Sundarkand. 

On the way Hanumanji met lots of obstacles in the form of she demon Sursa than lankini, however He successfully reaches lanka by over powering them.
On reaching He meets Vibhishan where he tells Hanumanji about the critical situation of Sitaji and told about Ashok Vatika. Hanumanji meets Sitaji after showing the proof of being the ambassador of Shree Rama.
He than destroys the Ashok Vatika upon which Ravan gets annoyed and sent his sons to kill Him but in this process one of his son got killed.
However they could overpower Hanumanji who brought Him in front of Ravan. Ravan
orders his followers to lit a fire on his tail.
As a result of this the tail went on becoming bigger and bigger and the fire engulfed whole
lanka.
After doing this Hanumanji went to meet Sitaji and said He will come with lord Ram to
rescue her.
Hanumanji narrated total incident to lord Rama on returning from Lanka.
Upon this Rama started his journey towards lanka by creating Ram setu on the
sea and enters lanka.
This is the Sundarkand being narrated in verses and poetry form.

Why it is supposed to have power ?

As you know this version of Ramayana has been written by Shri Tulsidasji.After completing the end verses of Kishkindhakand he felt that next portion should bewritten in presence of Shree Hanumanji. So he started 'sadhana' and 'upasana' and 'aahwan' to which shri Hanumanji accepted and came.

Sundarkand was written in front of shri Hanumanji and at the end of Sundarkand, Tulsidasji requested to imbibe life in this kand by blessing the devotees who recites this kand of freeing from the worldly worries. This was done by lord Shree Hanumanji. Hence it is powerful.

Why it is named “Sundarkand” ? 

The Trikutachal mountains at Srilanka have three ranges.

• Neel range on which the country people stay.


• Suvel range which is the vast plateau.


• Sundar range where Ashok Vatika is located and the total events of Sundarkand took place on this range, hence the Sundarkand.

Further more Shri Tulsidasji has said; “

" Sundare sundaro ram sundare sundari katha,

Sundare sundari sita sundare Kim na sundarem” " - Shri Tulsidasji

Meaning of this is : In Sundarkand everything is 'sundar' means beautiful. Rama is beautiful; Sita is beautiful; the story is beautiful. 

It is an 'upasana' or a prayer of beautiful people hence the prayer has to generate a power for the devotee or sadhak or the reciter. 

It contains a lovely hugging of lord Rama and his devotee Shree Hanumanji showering the word of appreciation and indebt ness for all good Hanumanji did to Rama while rescuing Sita. A devotee to whom Rama could not reciprocate. He did as a sevak. This power percolates to the devotee who prays to lord Hanumanji via sundarkand containing the praise of lord Shree Hanumanji.

Source : Jay Shree Ram Sundarkand Parivar