Hanuman in Lanka
Hanuman in Lanka
On his flight across the sea, Hanuman had to face many obstacles. But, with presence of mind and courage, he overcame them and landed at last on the shores of Lanka. Resting on the top of a small mountain, he surveyed the city. He was wonderstruck by its magnificence and beauty. The city was heavily guarded and so, he decided to enter by night.
Night fell. He contracted himself into a small sized monkey and was about to climb a wall. He was suddenly seized by a Rakshasa lady, who was the guardian Goddess of Lanka. Hanuman gave her a good blow, which sent her reeling. She bowed to him and allowed him to enter the city. Thus, he conquered a very powerful obstacle. This seemed to him as a very good augury for his august mission.
Now, Hanuman commenced a detailed seach, moving from palace to palace. Lanka was a grand city planned and built by Viswakarma, the celestial Architect. There were a number of temples and gardens, and other buildings. All kinds of activities were seen, recitations of Vedic hymns, reading of poetry, political discussions, delicate arts, music, dance, etc. Hanuman was filled with awe and appreciation at the splendour of the city. He entered even private rooms, kitchens, restaurants, but he could not find Sita, though he found many ladies of exceptional beauty.
Finally, Hanuman entered Ravana’s bed chamber. He was wonder-struck at the sheer grandeur of the place. The womanly charms seen by him there would have spoiled even ascetics, but Hanuman had full control over his senses (Jitendriya), so nothing but Sita interested him.
Ravana lay on a bed sleeping. Hanuman thought, “What a splendid figure.” Unable to find Sita, he slipped out of the palace, wandered for a while, and entered a garden called ‘Ashoka Vana’.
He prayed to Rama to guide him properly. In the Ashoka Vana, he looked around and saw a number of Rakshasa ladies. Some were fearful even to look at. He wondered what so many ladies were doing there. Suddenly, his looks were riveted on a frail, fair, and graceful lady sitting alone under a Simsupa tree, with her hair loosely falling on her back and wearing simple clothes. Her face was pale and eyes swollen with continual weeping.
Hanuman noiselessly jumped onto that tree and observed closely. Almost non-coherently, the name Rama was coming from her mouth. He was thrilled to hear that name. He felt purified by the darshan of this holy lady. He immediately concluded that this must be the Sita, for whom he had been deputed to search. He felt highly invigorated on finding her.
Suddenly, he heard a mild commotion. It heralded the arrival of Ravana into the garden. Ravana came on the scene with his retinue of ladies. He stood before Sita and pleaded with her to accept him as husband. Sita stood motionless. Ravana became furious and threatended her with dire consequences. Sita scornfully replied,
“I have married Rama. I belong to Him. I think of no other man. Rama will not spare you. Your entire Lanka will perish under the fire of His weapons. So, go and fall on His feet. He is a noble man. He will pardon you.”
Ravana was enraged at these words. He shouted, “I am giving you two more months. By that time, if you don’t’ accept me, I will order my servants to cut you to pieces and serve them to me in my breakfast. “He returned to his palace, fuming with anger.
Sita’s inborn virtue gave her sufficient courage to resist Ravana and give him a fitting rebuff. She, who had voluntarily chosen a life of hardship in the forest alone with Rama, had spurned Ravana’s offer of royal pleasures and untold riches, as she treated them as dirt and dust compared to the company of Rama.
Hanuman quickly climbed down the tree and approached in the form of the small monkey he was already in. He started to recite the story of Rama from His birth till He reached Kishkindha. She could not understand how a monkey could utter human words. He stood before her with folded palms. She was no doubt impressed by his charm, but she immediately doubted him. She said scornfully, “I know you are Ravana. You are assuming various forms to cheat me. Know that you will never succeed.”
Hanuman was perplexed. He begged her not to mistake him. “I am the real servant of Rama. See this ring given by Him for your sake.” He gave her the ring. Taking the ring in her hands, she shed tears. She felt as if she was seeing Rama in person. Then, Hanuman narrated to her an intimate incident that happened during their sojourn in the forest. Hearing this, Sita was flooded with emotion and all her doubts were dispelled.
Hanuman requested her to climb on his back, so that he could carry her out of Lanka. But, she refused. “Dear son, I cannot run away like a thief. Rama should take up the challenge, invade Lanka, defeat Ravana, and free me. Then only He is a true Kshatriya.”
Hanuman’s reverence towards her increased tenfold on hearing these words. He took leave of her. Before he left, Sita gave him a jewel and asked him to give it to Rama.
Hanuman’s reverence towards her increased tenfold on hearing these words. He took leave of her. Before he left, Sita gave him a jewel and asked him to give it to Rama.
Hanuman provokes Ravana
Hanuman, instead of returning straight to the sea, thought of a mischievous plan. He wanted to provoke Ravana and teach him a minor lesson. He immediately started to demolish the beautiful Ashoka garden. The watchmen rushed to Ravana’s court and reported that a monstrous monkey was spoiling the city’s best gardens. Ravana sent a posse of soldiers to tackle the monkey, thinking that it was a simple affair. But, as Hanuman killed all those Rakshasas, Ravana sent a few generals and one of his sons also. All of them were killed by Hanuman.
Ravana was a little concerned and sent his son, Indrajit. Hanuman repelled all the astras employed by Indrajit. Finally, Indrajit used Brahmastra. Out of respect to Brahma, Hanuman allowed himself to be bound by the astra.
He was taken to Ravana’s court at once. There, he was questioned as to who he was and why he had come to Lanka. Hanuman replied, “I am the servant of Rama. You have brought His wife, Sita, in a deceitful way. So, I came here to warn you of dire consequences. Ravana lost his temper and ordered the monkey to be killed. Vibhishana, Ravana’s brother, intervened and said that a messenger should not be killed. So, Hanuman’s tail was wrapped with rags, oil was poured on them, and was set fire.
Hanuman immediately started flying over the entire city, setting fire to all buildings and reducing them to ashes in no time. He dipped the burning tail in the sea and sat for a while pondering. Then, he realised his folly, “Oh, God, what a foolish thing I did. Perhaps, mother Sita also might have been burnt.” He flew to Ashoka Vana and to his great relief, saw Sita sitting calmly.
He took leave of her once again and started on his journey back across the sea.
He crossed the sea and was greeted by Angada, Jambavan, and others. They all crowded round him and he narrated his experiences in Lanka. They complimented Hanuman on his achievement. Angada ordered that they should immediately return to Kishkindha and give the happy news to Rama and Sugriva.
So, the Vanaras reached Kishkindha. On seeing their bright faces, Rama and Sugriva were sure that they had succeeded in their mission. Hanuman bowed to Rama and told Him how he had seen and spoken to Sita and his experiences in Lanka. Then, he presented to Rama the jewel given by Sita. Rama was so much moved at the sight of the jewel and Sita’s message conveyed through Hanuman, that He embraced the Vayuputra affectionately and expressed His gratitude.
Questions :
- How did Hanuman make Sita know that he was Rama’s messenger?
- Why did Sita suspect and how did she get convinced?
- What was the minor lesson taught by Hanuman to Ravana?