Hanuman’s tail was his pride, and Lanka was Ravan’s. Built of gold, Lanka was the perfect city for the arrogant and powerful king, Ravan. This is the story of how loyalty and devotion burn down arrogance – The story of Hanuman burning Lanka.
Hanuman’s feast in Ashok Vatika
Hanuman stood strong and tall, in the center of the beautiful Ashok Vatika garden in Lanka. His heart was full of emotions, after speaking to Sita. But, his stomach was empty, making noises, rumbling and growling with hunger! The scent of ripe fruits all around was very tempting, and Hanuman could feel his mouth watering! Hanuman said, “Ahaa, Lanka, you are made of gold, but your true riches are here in this garden! Your huge gold palace is no match for these huge golden mangoes of Ashok Vatika!” Like any other vaanar, Hanuman’s tail helped him balance as he jumped from tree to tree. He swung on branches, plucked mangoes, bananas, and a variety of other fruits, and stuffed them into his mouth. Hanuman ate in a hurry, so the fruit pulp trickled down from his mouth and his hands were coated with colourful fruit pulp! He was a vaanar, after all!
Hanuman creates chaos in Lanka
The demons noticed fruits and leaves falling from trees and ran toward the vaanar. But Hanuman did not care about the demons who were chasing him. In his spree of mischief, Hanuman began breaking down the branches and destroying the trees. The demons tried to run after him but tripped over Hanuman’s tail! He threw fruit peels and branches at them so that they all slipped and fell. Then Hanuman jumped high out of reach and threw more peels at them. The demons realized that the vaanar was too quick for them, and it was not easy to catch him. They informed Ravan that a powerful vaanar had entered Lanka, creating chaos.
The Princes of Lanka
Ravan’s younger son Akshay decided to take charge of the situation. He reached Ashok Vatika, armed with weapons. Akshay attacked Hanuman, and in the duel that followed, Akshay was badly injured and he lost his life. Ravan was shocked that his son Akshay was no more. He realized that this vaanar was not an ordinary monkey.
Ravan’s eldest son Indrajit decided to go and kill Hanuman. Indrajit had the knowledge of divine weapons and had magical powers to mislead the enemy. He attacked Hanuman, trying every possible way to kill him. But thanks to divine blessings, Hanuman was not harmed by any of Indrajit’s weapons. Finally, Indrajit threw his strongest weapon – the Brahmastra – and he was sure Hanuman would fall dead. Out of respect for Lord Brahma, Hanuman stood with his hands joined in prayer, accepting the weapon. The Brahmastra softly coiled around Hanuman, only tying his hands.
Hanuman’s tail – The vaanar’s pride
“Father, I have brought this vaanar to you. How should we punish him?” Indrajit looked proud as he asked Ravan. The arrogant Ravan looked at Hanuman and asked, “Who are you and how did you dare to enter my Lanka?” Hanuman said, “I am Ram-Doot Hanuman. I advise you to respectfully release Maata Sita, and apologize to Shri Ram.” Ravan laughed and said, “That I will never do! But yes, you shall be punished.”
Ravan turned to Indrajit and said, “Indrajit, look at this vaanar, how bravely he stands in my court! Hanuman’s tail is his pride. So set it on fire today and teach him a lesson!”
Hanuman’s tail on fire
Ravan ordered his army to tie pieces of cloth on Hanuman’s tail and set the tip of his tail on fire. Sita learned of Ravan’s cruel plan and prayed to Agni Dev, the God of Fire, to save Hanuman’s life. Even as the demons set Hanuman’s tail on fire, he did not feel the slightest pain. Ravan had no idea of the destruction that was on its way. He laughed and asked his army to take Hanuman around the city for everyone to see the vaanar. Hanuman’s tail was burning, but he had other plans. He looked around and suddenly leaped out of the palace and jumped across the golden walls, touching every pillar with his tail! The flames from his tail caught on to the pillars and structures of Lanka. Hanuman flew to every nook and corner of the city, thus burning Lanka. However, he spared the beautiful Ashok Vatika, where Sita was waiting for her Ram.
Hanuman smiled at the burning Lanka as the entire place turned from a rich golden city into a city of red flames. Ravan’s pride, his city Lanka, was on fire, and Ravan could not do anything to save it! All it took was just a small flame on the tip of Hanuman’s tail!
Hanuman dipped his tail in the sea to extinguish the fire. As the last bit of smoke died out, he felt his devotion growing stronger. He roared “Jai Shri Ram” and charged towards the sky, to return to Ram and convey Sita’s message.
To read more such excerpts of Hanuman ji, kindly click on Hanuman short stories
