Valmiki Ramayana - Sundara Kanda in Prose Sarga 3
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In this chapter Hanuma faces Lanka, the city of |
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That Hanuma, best among monkeys, the intellectual son of Vayu, one with great might, stood on the mountain called Lamba with its high peaks equaling a high cloud, gathered
courage and entered at night the city of
Seeing the city everywhere Hanuma became surprised at heart.
Thereafter Hanuma the monkey, became happy seeing the doors which were of golden
color, with platforms of cat's eye gems, inlaid with diamonds, crystals and
pearls, embellished with floors of gems, graced with elephants made of refined
gold, crowned with spotless white silver, stairs studded with cat's eye gems,
with inside walls made of crystal free from dust, provided with lovely assembly
halls, with sounds of Krauncha birds and peacocks,
served by royal swans, looking as though flying toward the sky, with auspicious
houses resounding everywhere with the sounds of clarionets
and ornaments, equaling the city of Vasvaukasaara, as
though flying towards the sky.
Seeing that city of
That great monkey saw that city of king of rakshasas
like a wealthy woman decorated with diamonds for her clothes, with various
storage houses as earrings, with amouries for her
breasts. Due to the lamps that illuminated the radiant great houses, all
darkness was lost. Thereafter, the guardian of that city, in her own form, saw
Hanuma, the best among monkeys and the mighty one, entering.
Seeing that best among monkeys Hanuma there, that Lanka ruled
by Ravana, rose up herself with a horrific appearance of face an eyes.
She stood in front of the best among Vanaras Hanuma.
She made a great sound and spoke to Hanuma thus. "O one who lives in gardens! Who are you? For what reason did you come here? As
long as your lives are sustained, tell me the truth here before that. It is
indeed not possible for you to enter this city of
Thereafter the mighty Hanuma spoke to Lanka standing in front of
Him as follows: "Whatever matter you are asking me, I will tell you that
truthfully. You are standing at the entrance to the city. O one with ugly eyes!
Who are you? O horrible one! Stopping me, for what reason are you threatening
me?
Listening to Hanuma's words, that Lanka,
with ability to achieve desired form, became angry and spoke these strong words
to Hanuma. "I protect this city, being invincible. I wait for the orders
of the king of demons Ravana, the great one. After humiliating me it is not
possible for you to enter the city. Being beaten by me, you will leave life and
have a permanent sleep. O Vanara! I am protecting
this city of
The son of Vayu and best among Vanaras heard Lanka's words and stood up like a second
mountain, with a purpose. Thereafter that Hanuma the wise one, with great strength,
best among those who can fly and best among Vanaras,
saw that city of Lanka in the form of an ugly woman and spoke thus. "I
should like to see the city of
Listening to Hanuma's words, Lanka with
the ability to assume desired form, spoke harsh words
stronger than before. "O lowly Vanara with an evil
mind! It is not possible for you to see this city ruled by king of rakshasas, without first defeating me."
Then that tiger among Vanaras Hanuma
spoke to that demon: "O auspicious one! After seeing this city I will
return back again to where I came from."
Thereafter that Lanka made a great sound causing terror and hit
Hanuma, the best among Vanaras, with her palm
quickly. Then that tiger among Vanaras,
the powerful son of Vayu, being hit powerfully by
Lanka made a great sound. Hanuma became dizzy with anger and folded his
fingers of left hand. He then hit her with His fist. "She
is a woman" - thinking thus He did not show much anger by Himself.
That demon fell on land immediately by that hit with a distressed body and
appeared with a horrific face. Then the intellectual and glorious Hanuma saw
her fallen down and thinking her to be woman, showed kindness. Lanka being very
gloomy spoke with a flattering tone without pride these words to Hanuma the Vanara.
"O long armed one! O best among Vanaras!
Get propitiated and protect me. O gentle one! Those with great strength and
courage always stand firm on tradition. I am myself the city of
Thus completes the third chapter of Sundara
Kanda in Valmiki Ramayana, the first poem.