Kishkindha is the monkey (Vanara) kingdom of the Vanara King Sugriva, the younger brother of Vali, in the Indian theology of Ramayana times. This was the kingdom where he ruled with the assistance of his friend, Hanuman. This kingdom is identified to be the regions around the Tungabhadra river (then known as Pampa Saras) near Hampi in Karnataka. The mountain near to the river with the name Rishimukha where Sugriva lived with Hanuman, during the period of his exile also is found with the same name. During the time of Ramayana, i.e., Treta Yuga, the whole region was within the dense forest called Dandaka Forest extending from Vindhya range to the South Indian peninsula. Hence this kingdom was considered to be the kingdom of Vanaras which in Sanskrit means "apes", "monkeys" or "forest-animals". During Dwapara Yuga, the Pandava Sahadeva was said to visit this kingdom, as per the epic Mahabharata, during his southern military campaign to collect tribute for Yudhisthira's Rajasuya sacrifice.
Places In And Around Kishkindha:
Who is the heroic son of Anjana,
Who brought to an end, all sorrows of Seetha,
Who is the king of monkeys,
Who killed Aksha, the second son of Ravana.
Who brought to end the rakshasas,
Who is always present with eye full of tears,
With head bowed in veneration,
Wherever the praise of Lord Rama is sung.
Entering Dandakaaranya, Rama reached Panchavati where an abode was set up by Lakshmana for the three to stay and it was here Sita was abducted by Ravana. While some historians identify Panchavati with modern Nasik, there are others who hold the view that it must be the modern Badrachalam in Andhra Pradesh. After a long trek through dense forests in search of Sita, Rama and Lakshmana reached Sabari Ashrama which was located on the west bank of Pampa Saras. The district map of Bellary shows a Pampa Sagar on the north bank of Tungabadra. According to Professor Wilson, there is a Pampas Lake and also a river of the same name North of Tungabadra, the Pampa River starting from the Rishyamooka Hill joins the main river. Sabari received the brothers here. From there the brothers proceeded to Kishkinda. To the west of the town of Bellary on the south bank of Tungabadra is the small village of Hampi where the ancient Kishkinda is placed on general agreement by scholars. Longhurst on Hampi says Pampa Saras or Pampa Tirtha is on the Nizam’s side near the village Anegundi. Pampa is said to be the puranic name of River Thungabadra. Such is the story of the Ramayana that the names of several localities around Hampi are identical with those in the Epic.
Then the brothers went deeper in to the forest. Lakshmana observed many ill omens and cautioned Rama to be careful. Then they saw a rakshasa with very big body who had no head or neck but had only big stomach with a mouth and an eye in his chest. He had arms 8 miles long spread wide and was grasping many animals in them. He was obstructing the way of Rama and Lakshmana. He was Kabandha, so called because he had only kabandha, headless trunk. He caught them with his arms. Though Rama was not perturbed at all Lakshmana was agitated to see Rama getting into trouble and told Rama to leave him as a prey to the demon and escape. Rama reassured him and in the meanwhile KabanDha spoke to them in a voice like thunder.
He said that since the two of them had come to him they could not escape but will be eaten by him. He also asked them the purpose for which they had come to that forest. Seeing that there was no escape since he was grasping them tightly with his arms, Rama and Lakshman cut off his arms with their swords. Kabandha armless fell to the ground shouting and realized that they were great personages and asked them their identity whereupon Lakshmana told him the details about themselves and the reason why they were wandering in that forest. Lakshman asked Kabandha about his headless state as a kabandha with mouth and eye in his stomach. Kabandha remembered the command of Indra and realized that the end of his curse was near and told them about himself.
Kabandha said that he had a handsome body and used to take a terrifying body and torment the rishis in the forest and was cursed by a rishi named Sthoola Siras to have the terrible form permanently. Then he did penance towards Brahma who gave him long life and arrogant with the power he fought with Indra who struck him with his vajrayudha on his head and his head along with his legs went inside the trunk. He prayed to Indra to show him a means of getting food as he was blessed to have long life and Indra gave him an eye and the mouth in his stomach and also long arms to catch his food. Indra told him that when he would catch Rama and Lakshmana he would be freed from his curse. Hence Kabandha said that he used to catch every being that came within the region of his arms, not necessarily for eating them but in order not to miss Rama and Lakshmana.
Kabandha then told Rama and Lakshmana to dig a pit and burn his body when he would get back his original form and then he would have the power to tell them the way to search for Seetha. They did as he said and Kabandha told them to meet Sugreeva at the earliest and make friendship with him, who would help them to find Seetha and also told Rama the way to got to Mathanga ashrama where Sabari, the aged female disciple of Mathanga was waiting to get liberation by meeting Rama. Then Rama and Lakshmana started towards Rishamooka parvatha where Sugreeva was, and to the Mathangasrama.
Kabandha continued telling Rama about Vali. Sugreeva is Sun's son. Enmity had developed between Sugreeva and his brother, Vali. Sugreeva lives on Rushyamooka parvatham, which is besides Pampa lake. You go to him. Take oath on your arms and weapons that you would make friendship with him. That is very important. Sugreeva knows all the places around, where demons live. There is no place remaining which he does not know. He would search all over and find Seetha. He would send his army of monkeys to search Seetha. He is sure to find Seetha in Ravanas abode. Even if Seetha is in underground or high above Meru mountain, Sugreeva is sure to find her, kill all the demons and bring her back safely. Rama, are you seeing the cluster of trees westwards? You travel that way. In that forest, trees bloom and fructify all through the year. If you cross those trees and travel among the woods, hills and trees, you would find Pampa lake. In that Lake, Pampa there are many species and varieties of fish. Waters are so clean, pure and clear. If you walk through those blooming trees in the evenings, you are sure to forget all your problems and relax. Rama, flowers in those trees never wilt. They donot fall to the ground. There are disciples of great sage, Mathanga. When they take necessary things to their Guru, sweat which drops from their bodies has become flowers by the power of their penance. So, they never wilt and dry up. But during period of time, all his disciples have passed away. But their servant maid, Sabari is still living there. She is waiting to see you. After seeing you to her hearts content, she would go to heaven.
Anjaneri Parvat ( Mountain) is the place where Mata Anajaneri mother of Lord Hanuman meditated to get boon from Lord Shiva for a son. Anjana was an apsara who was born on earth as a female vanara due to a curse. She would be redeemed from this curse on her giving birth to a son. His father Kesari was the son of Brihaspati and that Kesari also fought on Rama’s side in the war against Ravana.] Anjana and Kesari performed intense prayers to Lord Shiva to get a child. Pleased with their devotion,:Lord Shiva granted them the boon they sought. Hanuman, in another interpretation, is the incarnation or reflection of Lord Shiva himself.
As a child, believing the sun to be a ripe mango, Hanuman pursued it in order to eat it. Rahu, a Vedic planet corresponding to an eclipse, was at that time seeking out the sun as well, and he clashed with Hanuman. Hanuman thrashed Rahu and went to take sun in his mouth. Rahu approached Indra, king of devas, and complained that a monkey child stopped him from taking on Sun, preventing the scheduled eclipse. This enraged Indra, who responded by throwing the Vajra (thunderbolt) at Hanuman, which struck his jaw. He fell back down to the earth and became unconscious. A permanent mark was left on his chin, due to impact of Vajra, explaining his name. Upset over the attack, Hanuman's father figure Vayu deva (the deity of air) went into seclusion, withdrawing air along with him. As living beings began to asphyxiate, Indra withdrew the effect of his thunderbolt. The devas then revived Hanuman and blessed him with multiple boons to appease Vayu.
Brahma gave Hanuman a boon that would protect him from the irrevocable Brahma's curse. Brahma also said: "Nobody will be able to kill you with any weapon in war." From Brahma he obtained the power of inducing fear in enemies, of destroying fear in friends, to be able to change his form at will and to be able to easily travel wherever he wished. From Shiva he obtained the boons of longevity, scriptural wisdom and ability to cross the ocean. Shiva assured safety of Hanuman with a band that would protect him for life. Indra blessed him that the Vajra weapon will no longer be effective on him and his body would become stronger than Vajra. Varuna blessed baby Hanuman with a boon that he would always be protected from water. Agni blessed him with immunity to burning by fire. Surya gave him two siddhis of yoga namely "laghima" and "garima", to be able to attain the smallest or to attain the biggest form. Yama, the God of Death blessed him healthy life and free from his weapon danda, thus death would not come to him. Kubera showered his blessings declaring that Hanuman would always remain happy and contented. Vishwakarma blessed him that Hanuman would be protected from all his creations in the form of objects or weapons. Vayu also blessed him with more speed than he himself had. Kamadeva also blessed him that the sex will not be effective on him. So his name is also Bala Bramhachari.
On ascertaining Surya to be an all-knowing teacher, Hanuman raised his body into an orbit around the sun and requested to Surya to accept him as a student. Surya refused and explained claiming that he always had to be on the move in his chariot, it would be impossible for Hanuman to learn well. Undeterred, Hanuman enlarged his form, with one leg on the eastern ranges and the other on the western ranges, and facing Surya again pleaded. Pleased by his persistence, Surya agreed. Hanuman then learned all of the latter's knowledge. When Hanuman then requested Surya to quote his "guru-dakshina" (teacher's fee), the latter refused, saying that the pleasure of teaching one as dedicated as him was the fee in itself. Hanuman insisted, whereupon Surya asked him to help his (Surya's) spiritual son Sugriva. Hanuman's choice of Surya as his teacher is said to signify Surya as a Karma Saakshi, an eternal witness of all deeds. Hanuman later became Sugriva's minister.
Places In And Around Kishkindha:
- Tungabhadra River:
- Valmiki Ramayanam does not talk about this river. But an ancient and important river.
- Vaali Gufa:
- This is the place where Vali's fort was there. The place from where Vali was ruling the kingdom and later Sugreeva pattabhishekam happened here.
- Spatika Shila:
- Rocky mountains like spatikam. Brahma has created this place with these rocky mountains.
- Pampa Sarovar:
- Like golden water, a pond filled with lotus leaves.
- Sugreeva Gufa:
- Sugreevan was hiding here too. He was hiding at Rishyamuka parvatham. There is one sugreeva cave here too.
- Chintamani Temple Anegundi:
- This is the place where Vali and sugreevan fought and Ram shot an arrow from the place where he was standing.
- Madhuvan:
- Hanuman and the monkeys when they returned after seeing sita where so happy that they came to this madhuvan of Sugreevan to drink honey. The didn't go directly to Sugreeva instead came to this madhuvan and destroyed the madhuvan in happiness and drank the honey.
- Anjana Parvat:
- This is the place where Anjana did tapas for 7000 years to get Hanuman.
- Malyavanta Raghunath Temple:
- This malyavan parvatham is called as prasavana giri. Ram had stayed in this mountain for 4 months for the rainy season to get over so that they can go in search of sita.
- Mathanga Parvata:
- Place where Mathanga maharishi's ashram was there.
- Sabari Ashrama:
- Place where sabhari's ashram was there. Mathangar's seedai is Sabhari. She is the one who offered fruits to Rama when Ram had come here.
- Sita Kundam:
- It is told that while coming back from Lanka, the place where sita had taken bath. Pushapa vimanam had stopped for a moment to take all the women from this place on the way back from lanka to ayodhya, so this might be true.
- Rangatha Temple:
- Temple in southern style.
- Vittala Temple:
- There is a belief that vittala bhagawan went to pandaripuram from the place.
Anjana Nandanam Veeram Janaki Shoka Nasanam,
Kapeesa Maksha Hantharam, Vande Lanka Bhayangaram
Who is the heroic son of Anjana,
Who brought to an end, all sorrows of Seetha,
Who is the king of monkeys,
Who killed Aksha, the second son of Ravana.
Yatra yatra raghunath keerthanam
tatra tatra kruta masthakanjalim
bhashpa vari pari poorna lochanam
maruthim namatha rakshasanthakam
Who brought to end the rakshasas,
Who is always present with eye full of tears,
With head bowed in veneration,
Wherever the praise of Lord Rama is sung.
Entering Dandakaaranya, Rama reached Panchavati where an abode was set up by Lakshmana for the three to stay and it was here Sita was abducted by Ravana. While some historians identify Panchavati with modern Nasik, there are others who hold the view that it must be the modern Badrachalam in Andhra Pradesh. After a long trek through dense forests in search of Sita, Rama and Lakshmana reached Sabari Ashrama which was located on the west bank of Pampa Saras. The district map of Bellary shows a Pampa Sagar on the north bank of Tungabadra. According to Professor Wilson, there is a Pampas Lake and also a river of the same name North of Tungabadra, the Pampa River starting from the Rishyamooka Hill joins the main river. Sabari received the brothers here. From there the brothers proceeded to Kishkinda. To the west of the town of Bellary on the south bank of Tungabadra is the small village of Hampi where the ancient Kishkinda is placed on general agreement by scholars. Longhurst on Hampi says Pampa Saras or Pampa Tirtha is on the Nizam’s side near the village Anegundi. Pampa is said to be the puranic name of River Thungabadra. Such is the story of the Ramayana that the names of several localities around Hampi are identical with those in the Epic.
Ayomukhi and Kabandha:
Rama and Lakshmana went westward in order to proceed to the southern direction and came to the Krouncha forest and saw a cave there and nearby that cave there was a demoness eating the wild beasts. When they went near, The demoness caught hold of Lakshmana and said that she was a rakshasi called Ayomukhi and she wanted to live with Lakshmana for the rest of her life. Lakshmana, quick to anger, took his sword and cut off her limbs and she ran away shouting with pain.Then the brothers went deeper in to the forest. Lakshmana observed many ill omens and cautioned Rama to be careful. Then they saw a rakshasa with very big body who had no head or neck but had only big stomach with a mouth and an eye in his chest. He had arms 8 miles long spread wide and was grasping many animals in them. He was obstructing the way of Rama and Lakshmana. He was Kabandha, so called because he had only kabandha, headless trunk. He caught them with his arms. Though Rama was not perturbed at all Lakshmana was agitated to see Rama getting into trouble and told Rama to leave him as a prey to the demon and escape. Rama reassured him and in the meanwhile KabanDha spoke to them in a voice like thunder.
He said that since the two of them had come to him they could not escape but will be eaten by him. He also asked them the purpose for which they had come to that forest. Seeing that there was no escape since he was grasping them tightly with his arms, Rama and Lakshman cut off his arms with their swords. Kabandha armless fell to the ground shouting and realized that they were great personages and asked them their identity whereupon Lakshmana told him the details about themselves and the reason why they were wandering in that forest. Lakshman asked Kabandha about his headless state as a kabandha with mouth and eye in his stomach. Kabandha remembered the command of Indra and realized that the end of his curse was near and told them about himself.
Kabandha said that he had a handsome body and used to take a terrifying body and torment the rishis in the forest and was cursed by a rishi named Sthoola Siras to have the terrible form permanently. Then he did penance towards Brahma who gave him long life and arrogant with the power he fought with Indra who struck him with his vajrayudha on his head and his head along with his legs went inside the trunk. He prayed to Indra to show him a means of getting food as he was blessed to have long life and Indra gave him an eye and the mouth in his stomach and also long arms to catch his food. Indra told him that when he would catch Rama and Lakshmana he would be freed from his curse. Hence Kabandha said that he used to catch every being that came within the region of his arms, not necessarily for eating them but in order not to miss Rama and Lakshmana.
Kabandha then told Rama and Lakshmana to dig a pit and burn his body when he would get back his original form and then he would have the power to tell them the way to search for Seetha. They did as he said and Kabandha told them to meet Sugreeva at the earliest and make friendship with him, who would help them to find Seetha and also told Rama the way to got to Mathanga ashrama where Sabari, the aged female disciple of Mathanga was waiting to get liberation by meeting Rama. Then Rama and Lakshmana started towards Rishamooka parvatha where Sugreeva was, and to the Mathangasrama.
Kabandha continued telling Rama about Vali. Sugreeva is Sun's son. Enmity had developed between Sugreeva and his brother, Vali. Sugreeva lives on Rushyamooka parvatham, which is besides Pampa lake. You go to him. Take oath on your arms and weapons that you would make friendship with him. That is very important. Sugreeva knows all the places around, where demons live. There is no place remaining which he does not know. He would search all over and find Seetha. He would send his army of monkeys to search Seetha. He is sure to find Seetha in Ravanas abode. Even if Seetha is in underground or high above Meru mountain, Sugreeva is sure to find her, kill all the demons and bring her back safely. Rama, are you seeing the cluster of trees westwards? You travel that way. In that forest, trees bloom and fructify all through the year. If you cross those trees and travel among the woods, hills and trees, you would find Pampa lake. In that Lake, Pampa there are many species and varieties of fish. Waters are so clean, pure and clear. If you walk through those blooming trees in the evenings, you are sure to forget all your problems and relax. Rama, flowers in those trees never wilt. They donot fall to the ground. There are disciples of great sage, Mathanga. When they take necessary things to their Guru, sweat which drops from their bodies has become flowers by the power of their penance. So, they never wilt and dry up. But during period of time, all his disciples have passed away. But their servant maid, Sabari is still living there. She is waiting to see you. After seeing you to her hearts content, she would go to heaven.
Anjana Parvat (Anjaneya Hill - Lord Hanuman Birth Place):
One calls this place the mythical Kingdom of Kishkinda and there is a Hanuman temple on top of the Hills and its really steep to climb. Anjanadri is believed to be the hillock on which the monkey god was born, and today, a temple dedicated to him stands over the hill. It is a relatively easy climb, with about 550 steps leading to the temple etched over the rock. Incidentally, the entire region is covered by huge rocks of all shapes and sizes, which are believed to have been thrown by the childish Hanuman, or Anjaneya (son of Anjana) as He was then known.
Anjaneri Parvat ( Mountain) is the place where Mata Anajaneri mother of Lord Hanuman meditated to get boon from Lord Shiva for a son. Anjana was an apsara who was born on earth as a female vanara due to a curse. She would be redeemed from this curse on her giving birth to a son. His father Kesari was the son of Brihaspati and that Kesari also fought on Rama’s side in the war against Ravana.] Anjana and Kesari performed intense prayers to Lord Shiva to get a child. Pleased with their devotion,:Lord Shiva granted them the boon they sought. Hanuman, in another interpretation, is the incarnation or reflection of Lord Shiva himself.
As a child, believing the sun to be a ripe mango, Hanuman pursued it in order to eat it. Rahu, a Vedic planet corresponding to an eclipse, was at that time seeking out the sun as well, and he clashed with Hanuman. Hanuman thrashed Rahu and went to take sun in his mouth. Rahu approached Indra, king of devas, and complained that a monkey child stopped him from taking on Sun, preventing the scheduled eclipse. This enraged Indra, who responded by throwing the Vajra (thunderbolt) at Hanuman, which struck his jaw. He fell back down to the earth and became unconscious. A permanent mark was left on his chin, due to impact of Vajra, explaining his name. Upset over the attack, Hanuman's father figure Vayu deva (the deity of air) went into seclusion, withdrawing air along with him. As living beings began to asphyxiate, Indra withdrew the effect of his thunderbolt. The devas then revived Hanuman and blessed him with multiple boons to appease Vayu.
Brahma gave Hanuman a boon that would protect him from the irrevocable Brahma's curse. Brahma also said: "Nobody will be able to kill you with any weapon in war." From Brahma he obtained the power of inducing fear in enemies, of destroying fear in friends, to be able to change his form at will and to be able to easily travel wherever he wished. From Shiva he obtained the boons of longevity, scriptural wisdom and ability to cross the ocean. Shiva assured safety of Hanuman with a band that would protect him for life. Indra blessed him that the Vajra weapon will no longer be effective on him and his body would become stronger than Vajra. Varuna blessed baby Hanuman with a boon that he would always be protected from water. Agni blessed him with immunity to burning by fire. Surya gave him two siddhis of yoga namely "laghima" and "garima", to be able to attain the smallest or to attain the biggest form. Yama, the God of Death blessed him healthy life and free from his weapon danda, thus death would not come to him. Kubera showered his blessings declaring that Hanuman would always remain happy and contented. Vishwakarma blessed him that Hanuman would be protected from all his creations in the form of objects or weapons. Vayu also blessed him with more speed than he himself had. Kamadeva also blessed him that the sex will not be effective on him. So his name is also Bala Bramhachari.
On ascertaining Surya to be an all-knowing teacher, Hanuman raised his body into an orbit around the sun and requested to Surya to accept him as a student. Surya refused and explained claiming that he always had to be on the move in his chariot, it would be impossible for Hanuman to learn well. Undeterred, Hanuman enlarged his form, with one leg on the eastern ranges and the other on the western ranges, and facing Surya again pleaded. Pleased by his persistence, Surya agreed. Hanuman then learned all of the latter's knowledge. When Hanuman then requested Surya to quote his "guru-dakshina" (teacher's fee), the latter refused, saying that the pleasure of teaching one as dedicated as him was the fee in itself. Hanuman insisted, whereupon Surya asked him to help his (Surya's) spiritual son Sugriva. Hanuman's choice of Surya as his teacher is said to signify Surya as a Karma Saakshi, an eternal witness of all deeds. Hanuman later became Sugriva's minister.
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