Sunderkand Path refers to the recitation of the Sundara Kanda (Sanskrit: सुन्दरकाण्ड, "beautiful chapter"), the fifth book of the Hindu epic Ramayana. The original Sundara Kanda was composed in Sanskrit and is traditionally attributed to the sage Valmiki, who is regarded in popular tradition as the first to scripturally record the Ramayana.
The Sundara Kanda is distinctive among the chapters of the Ramayana, as it is the only book in which the principal protagonist is not Rama but Hanuman. The narrative follows Hanuman's journey to Lanka in search of Sita, and the text foregrounds his selflessness, strength, and devotion to Rama. Episodes within the chapter depict his crossing of the ocean, his entry into Lanka, his meeting with Sita, and the events that follow.
According to tradition, Hanuman was fondly called "Sundara" by his mother Anjani, and Valmiki is said to have chosen this name for the chapter over other possibilities because the Sundara Kanda centres on Hanuman's journey. The recitation of the Sundara Kanda, commonly known as Sunderkand Path, is undertaken by devotees as an act of devotion within the Ramayana tradition, with the chapter valued for its focus on Hanuman's character and conduct.
Beyond the Sanskrit original, the chapter has been rendered in regional languages and devotional retellings of the Ramayana, where it continues to be read and recited as part of the wider tradition of Ramayana literature.
Adapted from the English Wikipedia article on Sundara Kanda.