We had seen the beautiful tale of Hanuman taking the center stage of the epic in Lanka, turning the pages of the conflict from one episode to the other in a book dedicated entirely on him. After battling the demons on the ground and slaying many of them, he courageously speaks in the court of Ravana in a confrontation of words with the king himself. Hanuman was more than accurate in reiterating the words spoken by Sita to Ravana, that he needs to give up on the enmity with Rama and give himself one last chance to save the self and the kingdom from the eventual annihilation. The bold truth from the noble messenger of the Rama uttered in the entire assembly of Ravana and his men fell on deaf ears for yet another time. The slaying of a number of demons by the mighty Hanuman didn’t defeat the delusions of invincibility and arrogance of supremacy of the Ravana, who has the boons of immunity against highly Gods but of lowly humans and vanaras, there is disregard and disdain. Hanuman gave a true prediction of Ravana’s future which will be ended by an ideal human, Rama accompanied by his vanara friend, Sugriva. The courageous words which sound more louder for the embedded fiery truth from a humble, self-less servant infuriated a veiled demon head who ordered the death of Hanuman. How these impulsive arrogant words were corrected by reducing the punishment and the course of action taken by Hanuman to teach the erring demons a lesson by setting Lanka on fire can be seen in following chapters. The erring demons have created a gaping vacuum for a true hero on a righteous path to fill and punish their wrong deeds. Hanuman has emerged out of this very necessity and is going to mesmerize all the worlds with his very bold yet immaculately correct deed by reducing Lanka to ashes.
In chapter 52, hearing the harsh words of Hanuman, Ravana orders him to be killed. Vibhishana, however, advises Ravana to desist from the dastardly act, pointing out that the killing of an envoy is forbidden according to religious scriptures.
When Ravana in his rage decreed the death of Hanuman, Vibhishana in his wisdom begged to differ. He tried to politely impress upon him that great kings did not put their envoys to death, since royal tradition and the rules of righteousness forbade such acts. "How could you, a great scholar display such anger in your court? Was it not a futile effort," said Vibhishana. His counsel angered Ravana even more who countered, "Killing a sinner is not a sin. I shall slay this wretched Vanara." But Vibhishana, subduer of foes pleaded, "Listen Ravana, the wise have declared that at no time or place can an emissary be slain. This creature has no doubt committed terrible offences, chastise him but do not kill him. Many are the ways of punishment prescribed in sastras for emissaries. Tonsuring, maiming, flogging or branding is permitted, but death certainly is not. How can you, who can discriminate between right and wrong, fall prey to your passions? Do the brave not master their anger? Of what use is the killing of this vanara? Kill them who sent him. This messenger is the only one who can lead the arrogant princes to Lanka and into war with you. If you put him to death it will only lead to your infamy. Capture Rama and Lakshmana and it will bring you fame. Your soldiers are legion and their battle skills have no equal, send some of them to imprison your enemies and prove your might to the world". Ravana finally suppressed his anger. Though he suspected Hanuman to be the very embodiment of the effulgence of Vishnu and furious about it, he decided to heed Vibhishana.
In chapter 53, as ordered by Ravana, the demons wrap up old rags around Hanuman's tail, pour oil on it and burn it with fire. The demons tie Hanuman with ropes and conduct him to walk down the entire city, proclaiming to the citizens of Lanka saying that Hanuman is a spy. The female-demons inform Sita about the burning of Hanuman's tail and making him move around the city by demons. Then, Seetha starts praying the fire-god to do good to Hanuman. In response to her prayers, fire-god makes Hanuma feel cool with his burning tail. Then, Hanuman approaches the city-gate of Lanka, takes an iron-rod from the arched door of the gate and kills all the security-guards there.
Ravana accepted Vibhishana's counsel and said, "we must think of some other way of punishing Hanuman. Are not monkeys proud of their tails? Let us set his tail on fire and parade him here in Lanka and when he goes back to Kishkindha, may his kin and friends see the maimed monkey". The angry rakshasas, delighted with their king's command, hurried to wrap pieces of cloth around Hanuman's tail. Wetting it with oil they set it afire. Flinging his tail around Hanuman in his fury glowed red like the rising Sun. He knew that the rakshasas could never restrain him and that he could slay them all. But since Rama had sworn to annihilate Ravana, he wanted it to be Rama's pleasure. He also thought that being paraded around Lanka would let him see the fortifications and strength of the city. So, while his tail burned, and Lanka ogled Hanuman amidst the blowing of conches and the booming of drums walked calmly and majestically gazing intently at the streets, buildings and palaces. Meanwhile the rakshasa women told Sita about the 'red faced' monkey and in her bosom stirred fresh pangs of grief. Praying to Fire god she said, "If I am pure and if I have served my husband faithfully may you not scorch Hanuman." Agni in his mercy withheld the heat and Vayu lovingly blew icy winds. While Lanka was going up in flames, Hanuman stood wondering. He wondered why even though his tail was on fire, he neither felt the heat nor was scorched by the flames. He thought perhaps that, just as he had overcome the hurdles on his way to Lanka by Rama's grace he was once again protected by that grace. Even fire wants to please Rama", exulted Hanuman, beholding the all- consuming flare of the flames. It was appalling and it was devastating, but Hanuman was unrelenting. His fury broke all bounds and the ultimate death knell of Lanka rang as he roared out of his rage, "How can I a mighty hero whom these wretches have dared to bind, not punish them?" He once again went to stand at the gateway, where once the bustle of life and laughter had sounded eternally, silence reigned. Shaking off the ropes that bound him and quickly growing back to his native form, Hanuman picked up the iron club that lay on the ground and to its fury fell dead the monsters, who were there to guard him.
In chapter 54, Hanuman, with his blazing tail comes out and flits over the houses in Lanka, making up his mind to set fire to the city of Lanka which is the only work left for him to do. Hanuman burns the entire city, barring the abode of Vibhishana. All the demons were frightened of seeing the blazing fire, consuming their city with its trees, houses and a host of living beings. Surprised to see the city burning, the celestials and musicians (Gandharvas) gain a great delight.
Hanuman delighted with what he had achieved wondered if he could do anything else to inflict more suffering on the demons. Giving it a moment's thought he decided that the only thing left for him now was to wreck the inviolable city of Lanka. Watching his burning tail he said, "My tail still burns, and I shall offer that Agni(fire) the best in Lanka to feast upon." Leaping over gardens, groves and mansions, Hanuman ignited every one of them. Nothing was spared and everything went up in flames except the home of Vibhishana. Hanuman's final target was the palace of Ravana. Large as mount Meru, filled with riches beyond belief, it was a manifestation of opulence and splendor, while its architecture was stunning. Roaring with joy, Hanuman merrily consigned that monumental magnificence to ruin by setting it afire. Beholding the growing strength of the Devas, rid of the fear of Ravana, Agni blazed like the cosmic fire and Vayu(air) raced fanning its flames whose fiery fervor was enhanced by the burning fat of dead rakshasas.
Chaos reigned supreme as structures shattered, citizens screamed, and noisy guards tried to subdue Hanuman. Hungry flames hissed and crackled, reaching for the gems and pearls that had lent their charm to the grandeur of Lanka's. Fabulous palaces made of precious metals scorched and wilted. Bowing to the brutality of the blaze, they disappeared to appear again as rivers of molten gold and silver, carrying with them the glitter of gems. Lanka burned, the rakshasas wailed, and Hanuman exulted. He stood watching the last moments of Lanka as its glory and its very existence was coming to an end, to lie devastated for all time. But Hanuman was not satiated, nor was the earth, though thousands of bodies of the dead and dying rakshasas kept falling to the ground. Like a messenger of death from the land of Yama, Hanuman romped in the sky, while those who had survived the carnage wondered who the Vanara was asking each other, "Could it be Indra, Varuna, Vayu, Surya or Kubera? Perhaps it is Brahma coming in this form for the ruin of the rakshasa race or could it be the manifest effulgence of Lord Vishnu himself? Though the demons were unsure of who Hanuman was, they were sure that he was no ordinary monkey". In that city perishing in the infernal blaze, the noise of exploding buildings, the din of disintegrating splendor and the shrieking of bird, beast and rakshasa reached a crescendo. Lanka, smoldering in the aftermath of Hanuman's rampage was like a city cursed, while the cause of it all stood on the highest peak of Trikoota glowing like the Sun. The gods and the celestials praised Hanuman while the creatures of the earth looked in fear.
In chapter 55, making out that the whole of Lanka is reduced to ashes and conjecturing that Sita too thus might have lost her life, Hanuman begins to reproach himself for his unrestrained exhibition of anger. Hanuman regrets that if Sita dies now in this fire of Lanka, Rama and his brothers on hearing that report will not survive. While reflecting thus, Hanuma sees some good omens and asserts himself that Sita can survive from the harsh forces of fire by her virtues of penance and devotion to Rama. In the meantime, he hears of her safety from the lips of Charanas (celestial bards) and feels consoled. Hanuman makes up his mind to return only after seeing her again.
While the citizens of Lanka looked in stunned disbelief at the ruin that was once their beautiful city and their pride, Hanuman dipped his still burning tail into the ocean. Just then a sudden terror gripped him and he gasped, 'I have burnt Lanka. What a wicked thing to do. Blessed is he who like controlling fire with water can control his anger with awareness. Which angry man will not commit a sin? He will not only deny the wisdom of the wise but can even kill his own guru. To him who is possessed by a great rage no evil is beyond him and no blasphemy beyond utterance. He alone is man who can patiently shed his anger like a snake silently sheds its slough. I have incinerated Lanka without thinking of Sita, who may have perished in the fire. May I too go up in flames for I am a traitor.' Unwilling to forgive himself, Hanuman blamed his anger for the havoc it had created, perhaps causing the destruction of Sita and the doom of Rama's mission. Scolding himself he said, 'I have once again proven to the world the truth about the much-ridiculed traits of the monkey. Though capable of saving Sita, I have lost her to my unbound freedom and to the whims of my capricious mind. How can I ever face my king, Rama and Lakshmana? Death is my only salvation. Should I burn, drown or be food to the creatures of the sea? Rama shall never survive news of Sita's death; Lakshmana will not live without Rama. Bharata and Satrughna will follow them and the very race of the Ikshvakus will cease to exist. Sugriva too will pass on. Suddenly a ray of hope flashed into Hanuman's anguished mind, 'How can Sita who is pure as fire perish? How can fire burn fire?' With that his fear grew faint, his hope grew strong and Hanuman reverted back to his brave indomitable self. It was also then, that he heard voices from the sky say that though Hanuman had achieved the impossible by burning Lanka with its towers, turrets and gates, Sita was safe and unharmed. Relieved, he sped away happily to meet Sita once again.
In chapter 56, Hanuman again visits Ashoka Garden and sees Sita once more. He consoles Sita that Rama along with his forces of monkeys and bears will come soon and after conquering the enemies in battle, will take her back. After bidding adieu to Sita, he ascends Mount Arista and enlarges his body making himself ready to leap across the ocean.
Hanuman happy to see Sita paid her his obeisance saying how fortunate he was to see her unhurt. Sita then asked him to stay on for one more day so that it would give her that much respite from her grief. She said "I am not sure if I will even be alive until you come back. It makes me sad to think that I may never again see you. I know that single handed you can vanquish these rakshasas, but rescuing me should be Rama's privilege. She even doubted if the armies of bears and vanaras could ever cross the ocean. Consoling Sita Hanuman said, "Be patient mother", he said, "for Ravana will soon be dead". Assuring Sita of the imminent invasion of the Vanara army, he strode up the mighty mountain known as Arista to launch away from its lofty heights to reach Rama. As Hanuman's pounding feet went up its slopes, the mountain shook, and stones crushed under his feet came raining down. Tormented by the pressure of his feet, Arista which is twenty yojanas wide and thirty yojanas high, shuddered, shattered and crumbled to earth. Its sublime heights lay forlorn in level with the ground and Hanuman soared away over the heaving blue ocean on his way to Rama.
This concludes chapters 52, 53, 54, 55 and 56 of Sundara Kanda where we had seen one of the most prominent incidents of the epic – Lanka burnt down in the flames put out by Hanuman. The heroics of Hanuman reach a crescendo with this act which is also the last one of his mission in Lanka, for there is nothing left to do in addition. As we had seen, Ravana brings down the punishment from a death sentence to putting the tail of Hanuman on fire, heeding the wise counsel of Vibhishana. This is still a transgression of truth and a haughty display of arrogance from the Rakshasa head who couldn’t take the words of Hanuman. This needs to be amended and after Hanuman was paraded in the streets of Lanka with his tail on fire, he hits back in unimaginable ways by setting the vast riches of Lanka on flames, including all the royal houses except one belongs to Vibhishana. Lanka was reduced to ashes for playing with fire and soon this metaphoric fire will consume entire Rakshasa clan in next Kanda. There is lot of distance to cover before reaching there and for now, Hanuman visits Sita one last time before flying back to Rama over the ocean. A true hero rises for the occasion, and we are yet to see a bigger hero till date, even in any of the most modern tales, whose actions eclipses those in this age-old Sundara Kanda. The beauty unraveled and unsurpassed and fortunate are we who are enchanted, engrossed and drowned in his mystic spell, reliving the epic in this form. The one-man, spell-bound heroic episodes of Hanuman in Lanka comes to a close by burning the very kingdom and his return to the vanara troops will be seen in subsequent chapters.
No comments:
Post a Comment