Episode 3 - Anjaneya’s survey of Lanka

As Hanuman entered Lanka, he set his left foot on the land wishing and implying evil times for the kingdom of Ravana. He began to survey the buildings there, one by one. Ladies, fully drunk, were singing melodiously like Apsarasas in Heaven. Their ornaments produced musical sounds. He listened to the Vedic hymns (Mantras) being chanted by the Rakshasas in their homes. Some others were singing the glory of Ravana.

Moving from one building to another, Anjaneya secretly entered the palace of the Demon King, Ravana. The building was shining like a Heavenly abode. All kinds of melodious sounds emanated from it. There were chariots, airplanes, great horses, elephants and deers and various birds adoring the home and making their very own beautiful noises. There were thousands of efficient and valiant Rakshasa guards protecting the palace.

Anjaneya surveyed several homes of the Rakshasas in the night. The Rakshasas were in all kinds of moods and were engaged in various activities. Some were drinking and talking too much, some were ridiculing others, some were exhibiting their chests, some were employing their bows and some others were meeting their lovers. Some of the Rakshasas were handsome and well-versed in the Vedas and Sastras (arts and sciences) and Hanuman was pleased to see them. Some had ugly features in contrast. There were some ladies who were accomplished, chaste and devoted to their husbands. Some of them were drinking wine and shining like stars.

Anjaneya also saw some men and women engaged in romantic acts and enjoying the night. Some ladies were seen pining for their lovers, who were absent. However, he could not find Sita who was rooted in the Sanatana (ancient, traditional) Dharma romantically wedded to her husband, Rama, and always thinking of him alone and also residing in his heart. She was superior to all other women of great accomplishment and character. Not finding her, the Consort of Lord Rama, the greatest conversationalist, Hanuman was dejected for a moment.

Once again Anjaneya entered Ravana’s palace. It was protected by fierce Rakshasas like a great forest by lions. He moved from building to building and identified the abodes of Kumbhakarna and Vibhishana, Ravana’s brothers and those of other prominent Rakshasas.

Anjaneya’s concentration was on the extremely beautiful palace of Ravana, well guarded by Rakshasas. Terrible Rakshasis (female giants) acted as bodyguard to Ravana. The palace had several entrances adorned with gold and silver. There were highly skilled charioteers, horse-riders and elephant-riders. There was priceless furniture and there were vessels studded with diamonds. There were many beautiful birds and animals beautifying the palace and the surroundings. Attractive ladies belonging to Ravana bedecked with ornaments of gold and diamonds and all kinds of precious stones lived in the palace and as they moved, the ornaments made musical sounds.

The palace was vibrating with the sounds of various musical instruments and war instruments like conch. In the daily rituals, Agni (God of Fire) was being propitiated by the Rakshasas by the recitation of Vedic hymns and by offerings. Hanuman thought that Ravana’s palace with all its grandeur and splendour was like an ornament to the city of Lanka. Besides, he found the manifestation of wealth and prosperity everywhere and in every home.

Anjaneya continued his search. In Ravana’s palace he found palanquins of different shapes, little homes made of creepers, museums, sports complexes, beautiful bedrooms, a day home and small mountains made of woods. There were peacocks everywhere and flags and posts. With heaps of wealth including diamonds, scattered throughout the length and breadth of the palace and guarded by great warriors, it verily looked like the home of Kubera, God of Wealth. By the splendour of the various gems and diamonds around and by his own splendour, Ravana shone in his abode like the sun amidst his beautiful and bright rays in a wide compass.

Anjaneya found that all the beautiful, blemishless and wealthy buildings were obtained by the Rakshasas by their heroism and looked as if they were built by Maya, the architect of the Devas (gods). Ravana’s own palace was outstandingly beautiful and filled with all kinds of priceless objects. Anjaneya also saw a grand high airplane, called Pushpaka, in Ravana’s palace. It was full of architectural beauty with wonderful carvings of serpents, elephants, horses and birds made of gold and diamonds. All kinds of flowers were scattered around. The plane was floating in the sky and shining with beautiful ladies inside and clouds outside. There were beautiful water-pools, mountains and trees in the airplane. A carving showed Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth, being bathed by elephants with lifted trunks. However Anjaneya, with all his wisdom and enterprise, could not find Rama’s Consort, Sita, and was grief-stricken.