Episode 22 - Anjaneya's encounter with Ravana. Prahasta's questions and Anjaneya's response

The heroic Anjaneya's eyes became red as he looked at Ravana and reflected upon his own capture by him. Ravana wore a golden crown embedded with gems and many ornaments. He wore silken clothes and his body was painted with strange pictures. He was shining with ten frightening heads and looked like a mountain with cruel animals on its peak. Well-decorated ladies were standing around and serving him. With four strong accomplished Ministers around him, Ravana was like the earth surrounded by the seas. There were also some other Ministers, wise, pious and brilliant and amidst them, Ravana looked like Devendra served by the gods.

Even as Hanuman was being troubled by the Rakshasas, he could not help being surprised at the brilliance of Ravana. He reflected: “What a physical appearance! What courage, what strength and radiance! This Rakshasa King has all the noble attributes. But for his Adharma (sinfulness), he would have ruled Heaven including Indra. But for his cruel, crooked and wicked acts, he would have ruled the gods and the demons alike.

Now it was the turn of Ravana to be amazed at the brilliance of Anjaneya. He reflected: “Is he truly Bhagavan Nandi (Lord Siva's chariot in the form of an Ox) by whom I have been cursed in Kailasa (Lord Siva's Mountain abode)? Is this Banasura (Demon King) in the form of a monkey?” Then he turned to his Prime Minister, Prahasta and said: “Ask this evil-minded fellow wherefrom and why he has come here and why he has destroyed the garden and frightened the Rakshasas, by entering my impregnable kingdom.”

Prahasta turned to Anjaneya and asked: “O Vanara! Don't be afraid. Have you been sent by Indra, Kubera, Yama, Varuna or Vishnu (all gods) to conquer this island? You are a monkey only in appearance and not by your radiance. Speak the truth and be safe. Otherwise, you will be dead.”

Hanuman answered: “I have not been deputed by any of the gods. I am by nature and truly a monkey. I wanted to see the King Ravana and as a means to it, destroyed the garden to attract his attention. Then the Rakshasas attacked me and I fought them in self-defence. Astras do not hurt me because of the boon granted to me by Lord Brahma. Though I have been relieved by the Brahmastra, I have allowed myself to be hauled up into the king's presence. Know that I am a messenger of Rama, the most powerful, and listen to my good advice.”

“O Rakshasa King! I have come on a mission from Sugriva, your brother, who wishes you well. Hear his message pregnant with Dharma which can do good to you in this life and in the life hereafter. Rama is the eldest and the most beloved son of the valiant King Dasaratha, who treats his subjects as a father treats his children. Rama, who follows the tenets of Dharma, as stipulated by his father, the King, has left the royal palace and entered the forest along with his Consort, Sita, and brother, Lakshmana, to lead the life of an ascetic. Rama's devoted wife and king Janaka's daughter, Sita, has been lost in the forest. In their search for her, Rama and Lakshmana have reached the Rishyamuka Mountain and have come into contact with Sugriva, the Vanara King. They have entered into an agreement according to which Vali, whom you know, has been killed by Rama by a single shot. Sugriva, who had been wronged by his brother Vali, has been installed King in his place. Sugriva, in turn, has despatched his army of lakhs of Vanaras and bears to search for Sita in all directions of the earth, in the sky and underground.”

Among the Vanaras, there are some equal to Garutman, the King of Birds and some to the Wind God. I am the son of the Wind God himself. For the sake of Sita, I have crossed the ocean, which is 100 yojanas wide, and I have found her here in your custody. You have done great penance and you know the nature of Dharma (Code of conduct) and Artha (wealth or the rules for the acquisition of wealth etc.) It is not proper for you to kidnap someone else's wife. Men of wisdom like you do not commit acts which are dangerous, opposed to Dharma and extremely destructive by their nature to the doer.”

“There is none else in all the three worlds who can withstand the arrows speeding out of the rage of Rama and Lakshmana. You do not know that Sita, full of grief, is like a five-hooded serpent. She is food mixed with poison and cannot be digested by anyone. By your penance, you are blessed with long life and it does not behove you to get your life and wealth annihilated. You have obtained a boon from Lord Brahma by which you cannot be killed by the gods, the demons and some other groups. But under the boon, you have no immunity from death at the hands of human beings and Vanaras. How can you protect yourself from Sugriva, a Vanara, or Rama? Now your Adharma (sinful conduct) has overtaken your Dharma (pious conduct) and the time has come for you to reap the consequences of your Adharma.”

“Also know that I am enough to destroy the whole of Lanka with all its forces. However, it is Rama's declaration that he will himself undertake the destruction of those who have harmed Sita. Even Lord Indra cannot be happy, having injured Rama. What of people like you? Know Sita to be Kala Ratri (Goddess of Destruction). Visualise the destruction of Lanka along with you, your kith and kin by the power of Sita and the anger of Rama.”

“'O Rakshasa King! Listen to me, Rama's servant and messenger and especially a Vanara. (Hanuman implies that he has no reason to be partial, being a monkey.) Rama, the Supreme Lord, is capable of destroying all the animate and the inanimate objects of the world including the Five elements and recreate them as they were. He is like Lord Vishnu (Actually, Rama is an Avatar of Vishnu) in his valour and there is none among the gods or in any other group anywhere in the world, at any time, who can face him in war. Therefore, none can save his target like you.”

Having heard the well-constructed, well-directed and unpleasant message to Ravana by Anjaneya, Ravana became so furious as to order his immediate death.

Note: In this part of the Ramayana, the poet Valmiki beautifully describes the mutual and silent admiration of two great warriors, Anjaneya and Ravana. Besides, Anjaneya's extraordinary courage displayed amidst a host of enemies and Ravana's continued adherence to Adharma are well brought out.