Hanuman

by Vanamali

  Sugriva’s uncle was the guardian of the grove, and he tried his best to stop them, but they paid no heed to him. The whole garden was filled with intoxicated monkeys reeling about in different states of inebriation. At last he threatened that he would go and report the matter to Sugriva. Sugriva was seated with Rama and Lakshmana, and the guard narrated the whole story, insisting that the monkeys be severely punished, but contrary to his expectations, Sugriva told him not to worry about them. In fact, he seemed rather pleased.

  Turning to Rama, he said, “My Lord, I feel sure that these monkeys have accomplished your purpose and that is why they are so bold as to desecrate the king’s orchard. There is no doubt that Hanuman has discovered Sita!”

  Rama and Lakshmana were filled with delight to hear this. Sugriva told his uncle to return to Madhuvana and send Hanuman and the other monkeys to him without delay.

  He went immediately to Madhuvana and bowed humbly to Angada.

  “You are the crown prince, and I was told by Sugriva that you could have your fill of honey. Pray forgive me and the guards for having tried to stop you. You have been asked to return to Kishkinda straightaway.”

  Like stones shot from a catapult, Angada immediately leaped into the air, followed by Hanuman and the others. Seeing them coming, Sugriva told Rama, “I feel sure that Sita has been traced by Hanuman. None but he is capable of accomplishing this task. He is endowed with intelligence, valor, and capability. Moreover, Angada would not have dared to ransack the honey grove that was bequeathed to me by my grandfather had he not accomplished their purpose.”

  Even before he reached Rama, Hanuman shouted, “Seen have I Sita!” He phrased his sentence in this way because he knew that Rama’s heart was filled with expectation and until he heard the word “seen” he would be in agony. Hanuman wanted to spare him even this one moment of pain if he could and thus he cried out, “Seen have I Sita!”

  Hanuman now landed close to where Sugriva and Rama were sitting and bent low over his feet. He reported that Sita had been found and was in sound health and filled with devotion to her husband. By this time Angada and the other monkeys were also longing to have their say and jostled each other in their anxiety to tell the tale that they had heard secondhand from Hanuman. Rama looked lovingly at them and said, “I’m sure you have all done very well, but now I would like to know more about Sita. What did she say? Did she send any message or token for me?”

  Hearing this, the monkeys turned sheepishly to Hanuman and begged him to continue with the story.

  Hanuman bowed low before Rama and told him the whole story of his conquest of Lanka and his meeting with the lovely, lonely princess of Videha who was eating her heart out for her beloved husband.

  “O Valiant Prince! Your consort has been detained in a grove by that night wanderer, Ravana. She is forlorn and remains absorbed in you alone. She sleeps on the bare ground and is pale and wan like a lotus flower at the approach of winter. She told me two incidents that are known only to you.” He went close to Rama and whispered in his ear, “One is about the crow Jayanta, who pecked her breasts, and the other is about the red dot you playfully placed on her cheek. She also asked me to give you this jewel that she used to wear in her hair and that she had preserved carefully without it being noticed by the rakshasis. I offered to bring her to you on my back, but she refused to leave in such a secretive manner. She said that she would wait until her husband came and rescued her after killing the one who had treated her so abominably. At the end she told me to tell you this, “O Son of Dasaratha! Fallen as I am into the clutches of this ogre, I will not survive beyond a month!”

  All the while when Hanuman was speaking, Rama’s eyes were overflowing with tears. He clutched her jewel to his breast. A flood of memories swept over him and he said, “My heart melts at the sight of this jewel, which was presented to her by my father-in-law, King Janaka, at the time of our marriage and was fastened on her head by her mother. It is a precious jewel that was given to him by Indra, king of the gods. I remember clearly how charming she looked with her hair adorned with this jewel. Repeat to me once again, O Hanuman, every incident of your meeting with her. I can’t hear enough about her. She says she can’t survive another month without me, but I won’t be able to survive even for a moment without my dark-eyed darling!

  “Who else but the son of the wind god could have achieved such a stupendous task? Not only did you fly over the ocean and give solace to Sita, but you also laid waste the whole of the city of Lanka! The best type of servitor is the one who not only accomplishes everything his master told him to do but uses his intelligence and does even more.”

  As Valmiki tells it, Rama said, “No one endowed with a body, whether a god, a human being, or a sage, has put me under such obligation as you have done, O Hanuman! My mind shrinks from facing you, for at the moment I have nothing to repay you.”

  He continued, “Listen to me, my son! I have thought over the matter and I have concluded that the debt I owe you can never be repaid! At present I have nothing to reward you except this embrace.” So saying, Rama clasped Hanuman to his chest and hugged him.

  Hanuman’s eyes filled with tears at this mark of love from his master. He fell at his feet and said, “O Lord! You have given me the supreme gift. What else do I need?”

  Turning to Lakshmana, Rama said, “Let us not waste even a moment, now that we know where she is.”

  He then looked at Sugriva and asked him if he had any ideas on how to cross the ocean. Sugriva told him not to give way to despair and that his monkeys would easily construct a bridge across the sea by which all of them could cross without any difficulty. Rama now urged him to order the army to start on their march to Lanka, since they had only one month!

  Before starting their journey to the south, Rama questioned Hanuman once again about the fortifications of Lanka, the number of entrances, and the type of missiles they possessed.

  Hanuman answered, “My Lord! First of all, Lanka is surrounded by the sea, which itself is a natural fortification. Then, it is built on a hill encircled by a thick forest and a river. It also has artificial fortifications of moats and walls. A high protective wall of gold, inlaid with jewels, surrounds the city. These walls are again encircled by fathomless moats infested with poisonous serpents and alligators. Each gateway has a drawbridge by which the moats can be crossed. The central drawbridge at the northern gate is strongly garrisoned and extremely strong. The city has four main gates with strong doors closed with massive bars. At the entrance to the gates are stationed enormous catapults, capable of discharging darts and huge boulders. Hundreds of huge sharp-edged steel clubs bristling with iron spikes are kept ready at every gate. Ravana himself reviews his forces now and again. Lanka is thus extremely difficult to get into.”

  “Inside, the city is packed with horses and elephants in ruts. Thousands of rakshasas carrying poisoned darts and swords are stationed at the eastern gate. An army of foot soldiers along with horses, elephants, and chariots are garrisoned at the southern gate. A million rakshasas carrying swords and shields are stationed at the western gate. A hundred million of Ravana’s crack regiment coming from noble houses are at the northern gate. Finally, hundreds and thousands of men are stationed in the central military barracks. These drawbridges, gates, and walls were smashed and burned by me as well as many of the stately mansions of the nobility. Actually, there is no need to try and take the whole of the monkey army across to Lanka. Just a few of us can easily go and get Sita for you since most of the fortifications have already been broken by me. However, it is possible that they have all been repaired. If it’s your wish that all the monkeys should be transported, then that also can be done. We await your command!”

  Rama immediately ordered Sugriva to start their march at the propitious time when the sun was at its zenith. This is an auspicious hour known as abhijit and spells victory for anything that is commenced at that time.

  “Today is a very propitious day and now is the hour to start, s
o let us not delay any further. The lid of my upper right eye is twitching, and for a man this is a most favorable omen. Let the monkey known as Nila accompanied by a lakh (hundred thousand) of agile monkeys march at the head of the army and choose the best route. Let him lead the army through a route full of fruits and roots and honey and fresh water. Be vigilant since the enemy might try to poison our water sources. If there are any weak limbs in the army let them remain at Kishkinda, for we have a formidable task ahead of us. Let some of the best generals guard the left and right flanks of the army. The mighty Jambavan and a few of the others shall guard the rear. I myself shall ride on Hanuman’s back and Lakshmana on Angada’s, and we will remain in the center so that we will be able to move faster.”

  Sugriva immediately gave orders according to Rama’s instructions, and the mighty contingent of assorted monkeys started to move forward with great enthusiasm. They set out in a southerly direction. Some were leaping in all directions in order to guard the army from all sides; others were breaking branches and clearing a passage. All of them were shouting and screaming in excitement and feasting on fruits and fragrant honey. Nila was the commander-in-chief of the army and held the monkeys in check lest they should do any mischief while they passed villages en route as they pressed forward like the tide of the sea. The monkeys had to cross mountains, rivers, and deserts as they advanced toward the southern sea.

  There was great excitement amidst the vanara hoards that leaped from tree to tree, shouting and waving their tails in glee. They bounded and hopped and swung from branch to branch, plucking trees and waving banners of flowering creepers, sparring and playing pranks on each other and feasting on fruits and honey. They were all in high spirits. Mile after mile they covered effortlessly, camping beside lakes and traversing hills and forests, until they reached the southern sea.

  All the while Lakshmana pointed out to Rama many good and auspicious signs and thus kept up his brother’s spirits. At last they reached Mahendra Mountain. Rama and Lakshmana climbed the mountain and beheld the turbulent sea stretching before them as far as the eye could see.

  Rama gave orders that the monkeys should camp on the beach while they made plans about the method of crossing the sea. The noise made by the monkeys drowned the roar of the sea! Thousands and thousands of monkeys arrived and camped on the shore. In fact, they appeared like another ocean. They stared fascinated at the storm-lashed waves and wondered how they would cross it!

  Looking at this formidable array of water, Rama said to his brother. “O Lakshmana! They say that grief decreases with the passage of time, but in my case it seems to be just the opposite. Every moment away from my beloved increases my agony. The time stipulated by her is passing away. Every moment is precious, and I have no idea how to transport this army across the ocean. I only survive because I know that she is still alive.” Lakshmana comforted him as best as he could, and they spent the night on the beach.

  Feeling the wind on his face, Rama said, “O gentle breeze, please blow over my beloved’s face and then return and caress me while her touch is still warm upon you. She must have called for me time and time again as she was being carried away over the sea. I am tormented at the thought of her helplessness. Now that I know where she is, I am on fire to see her. I long for her smile, her gentle glances, and her caressing voice. She was always slim, and now with this continuous fasting, she must be weak and emaciated. I am aching for the day when I can kill that fiend and clasp her to my bosom!”

  Sri Rama praised you highly and said,

  “You are as dear to me as my brother Bharat.”

  SRI HANUMAN CHALISA BY TULSIDAS

  Aum Sri Hanumathe Namaha!

  Aum Mahatmane Namah!

  17

  Mahatman

  Ravana’s Council of War

  Shatruchedaika mantram

  Sakalamupanishadvaakya sampujya mantram

  Samsarothara mantram

  Samuchita samaye

  Sanganiryana mantram.

  The only mantra for vanquishing foes,

  The mantra that contains all the truths of the Upanishads,

  The sole mantra by which we can cross the ocean of existence,

  The mantra that will save us at the time of death.

  SRI HANUMATH STOTRAM

  Looking at the dreadful destruction done to his city by Hanuman, Ravana was stricken with sorrow. He called his councillors together and asked them for a plan of action. His spies had informed him of the approach of the monkey contingent. He felt sure that Rama would succeed in crossing the sea. Ravana called a council of war and said, “Our impregnable and glorious citadel has been laid waste by a mere monkey and some of our best men have been killed. How are we to proceed? We have to come to some fast decision before the enemy reaches the farther shore as they are sure to do.”

  Unfortunately, he did not realize that he was surrounded by sycophants and toadies. All they knew was to bolster up his already bloated ego. One of Ravana’s generals now spoke confidently. “O mighty ruler! You have conquered everything from the heavens to the nether regions. There is no one in all the three worlds who doesn’t tremble at the very mention of your name. Why should you fear Rama? His army is only composed of monkeys and bears. How can it be compared with yours? Your son Indrajit is also said to be unconquerable. You don’t have to stir from this stronghold. He will annihilate the enemy hordes single-handed even before they cross the ocean. That would be the best thing to do.”

  Now Prahasta, the commander-in-chief of his army, spoke. “You have only to command me, Sire, and I shall personally cross the ocean and destroy the army of monkeys.”

  “This assault of our city by a mere monkey is not to be tolerated,” declared another rakshasa. “I shall dispose of Rama and his army in a trice and will return before night sets. You have only to give the command!”

  Many of the valiant heroes of Ravana’s army now made the same claim and insisted that they would go single-handed and destroy Rama’s army. These words of comfort by his ablest men made Ravana feel very confident. He cast his glance on all of them in approbation.

  After listening to all their boasts, Vibhishana, Ravana’s youngest brother, now spoke. “Dear Brother! We should not be led away by vain boasts. It is not good to underestimate the power of the army. Ever since Sita arrived here, evil portents have been seen. You have many sycophants, O King, who are ready to please you with evil advice. Send back Sita and save yourself and your people. We would all like to live in peace and harmony. Rama is no mean enemy, as you might think! He is a dangerous opponent.”

  Ravana dismissed Vibhishana’s advice scornfully. “I see no cause for fear from a mere mortal like Rama, supported by a motley crew of untrained monkeys. They will be helpless against our well-trained and powerful army.” With these words he insultingly dismissed his younger brother.

  All of them now thought of a plan that would make Rama turn back. Ravana ordered the sorceress Benjkaya to take on Sita’s form and pretend to be dead. The corpse was cast adrift on the sea and washed ashore close to Rama’s camp. When it was brought before Rama, he turned pale, for he recognized the necklace as belonging to Sita.

  “Ravana must have killed her and cast her body on the sea,” he cried and fell to the ground in agony.

  Hanuman, however, sensed that something was wrong. He ordered the monkeys to make a pyre and place the corpse on top and light it. As soon as the flames began to lick the body, it jumped up and ran toward the sea! Hanuman caught her and forced her to reveal the whole foul plot to Rama.

  After having told Rama the whole story, she fell at Hanuman’s feet and begged him to marry her, for she could no longer return to Lanka. Hanuman declined the offer but promised to give her shelter in Kishkinda. Thus she spent the rest of her life in Kishkinda singing the praises of her savior!

  When he realized that his trick had been seen through, Ravana dismissed the council for the day. When he returned to his own palace, he brooded over his younger brother’
s words, but due to his infatuation for Sita he could not accept it. In fact, day and night he could think of nothing but Sita. The more he thought of her, the more determined he became to keep her with him at any cost.

  He knew that war was imminent, so he decided on another council of war. The ten-headed king of the rakshasas got into his golden chariot and drove to the assembly hall in state where he was met with a blare of trumpets. All his best troops lined the roads to the hall to honor their king. He ordered the foremost of his generals, including his younger brother Kumbhakarna, who normally slept for ten months of the year, to be woken up and brought to the hall forthwith. They came one by one and bowed at his feet.

  Ravana ordered Prahasta, his commander-in-chief, to see to it that all four parts of the army—cavalry, elephant brigade, chariots, and infantry—were stationed at all the four gates in readiness for any attack. He then spoke to that assembly of rakshasas who were eager to please him in whatever way they could.