Episode 5 - Anjaneya spots Ravana in sleep

Anjaneya continued his search in Ravana’a palace, which, along with the walls surrounding it, was about 8 miles in length and 4 miles in breadth. As he was surveying the building, he found a beautiful Sayanagaram (rest house). There he found a magnificent Swethachatram (white umbrella), the king’s insignia. He also found a beautiful golden bed strewn with flowers and various scents. As he went near the bed, he found Ravana who was drunk and sleeping after indulging in romantic acts with his lovers. He wore beautiful ornaments like ear-rings and also clothes made of golden thread. He was heavily exhaling like a serpent and was being served by ladies standing around with fans. As Anjaneya neared Ravana, he was terrified by his awful presence and withdrew to a distance.

Again, Anjaneya looked at Ravana. He had a golden crown. He had great strong arms like elephants’ trunks and they bore marks of injuries inflicted by Indra’s Vajra and Lord Vishnu’s Sudarsana Chakra (discus). Ravana’s wives were also asleep near his legs after the night’s enjoyment. Some of them, tired as they were, slept wherever they liked. Some were huddled together with their various musical instruments. At last Anjaneya found Mandodari, the Rajamahishi (the queen). Decorated with priceless gems and other ornaments and by her own splendour, she appeared to be an ornament to the whole palace. By her youthful exuberance and beauty, Anjaneya thought she was Sita herself. He felt a great joy, jumped up and down and performed several tricks appropriate to a monkey.

Anjaneya, however, quickly recovered from his false identification of Mandodari as Sita. He recollected the noble and chaste qualities of Sita, a Pativrata (devoted wife). When her husband, Rama, was not available, Sita would not be able to drink or sleep or decorate herself. There was none even in Heaven, including Lord Indra, equal to Rama.

The great Vanara continued his search. There were thousands of ladies in the palace. They were all tired, some by singing, some by dancing and most of them having indulged in romantic acts. Some became unconscious by drinking. Ravana shone among them like an ox among cows.

Anjaneya found all kinds of meat and drinks in golden vessels in the palace and there were left-overs here and there. There was a separate ale-hall provided with beautiful seats and beds. There were natural wines obtained directly from trees and there were wines made out of honey, sugar and flowers. Slow winds were blowing all around, carrying all kinds of scents emanating from sandal paste, honey, various drinks, garlands, camphor and scented sticks. Some ladies were so lost in sleep that they embraced one another. Among them were women, black, white, brown and golden in colour.

Anjaneya, who had been watching the women closely reflected: “I have been looking at these women who belong to another man, being his wives. There is probably a breach of Dharma in my conduct.” However Anjaneya reconciled his conduct against the background of his mission and said to himself: “My mind is pure. It has not wavered into the physical attractions of the ladies. Mind is the director of all the senses and is responsible for good as well as evil deeds. My mind has not lost its equanimity. I have had to look for Sita, necessarily, among ladies and not among animals, though I could not find her.” So thinking, Anjaneya banished any thought of sin lurking in his mind.

Note: Anjaneya’s scrupulous adherence to Dharma by his purity in thought, word and deed is the best example of good conduct.