Hanuman recounts his exploits to the Vanaras - Chapter 34

In the previous chapter, we saw Hanuman leaves Lanka. , Now we'll see Hanuman recounts his exploits to the Vanaras.

Valmiki compares the sky to the sea and describes beautifully how Hanuman sailed across. He compares the Moon to the lotus, the Sun to a water bird, the clouds to thick moss, the star Punarvasu to a big fish, the planet Mars to a big crocodile and so on and says that Hanuman travelled in the sky which is shore less. Hanuman clad in white cloth was hidden from time to time by clouds of varied colours and he shone like the Moon. He flew by Mynaka Mountain and saw also the Mahendra Mountain and made a loud noise.

 

All the Vanaras who had already gathered on the northern shore awaiting Hanuman’s return could hear the loud noise made by Hanuman and became anxious. But Jambavan called all of them and said that Hanuman had certainly accomplished his mission fully or else he would not make such loud noises. All the Vanaras assembled to meet Hanuman and they stood with folded hands to welcome him. Hanuman came to Mahendra Mountain and landed on a beautiful mountain brook! The Vanaras offered him fruits and roots. Hanuman paid his respects to Jambavan, Angada and other elders and then announced shortly “Sita was seen”. In Sanskrit Hanuman said ‘Drishta Sita’. He first used the verb was seen so that the successful result was first known. Had he started with ‘Sita’ then there could be suspense and one could fear that anything bad had happened to Sita. This would illustrate the good speaking capabilities of Hanuman and also the power of the Sanskrit language. This is also true for Tamil. He then told them “I saw Sita being kept prisoner surrounded by the Rakshasis. She was so lean and was covered by dust awaiting the arrival of Rama”. Everyone jumped with joy and raised a loud noise. They all hugged Hanuman for his bravery and the unique feat that he had accomplished. Angada praised Hanuman for his heroic act and said none could equal him.

Jambavan asked Hanuman to describe his findings in detail and asked how Ravana treated Sita Devi. Jambavan added that they should know all the details so that they could decide what to tell and what not to tell to Rama. This is indeed very thoughtful and wise of Jambavan. He did not want Rama to be told about un- pleasant things if any. Hanuman started to describe to them in detail how he started to fly across the sea and what all the hindrances he had. Let me only briefly refer to this, as it would be just a repetition.

Hanuman told them how a mountain interrupted him and how he smashed the peak with his tail. He then explained that the Mainaka Mountain welcomed him and what he learnt from it. Hanuman told them about Surasa who wanted to swallow him and cleverly he escaped by entering her big mouth and coming out very rapidly. Then Hanuman described his encounter with Simhika who dragged him by catching his shadow and how he split her heart and killed her. Hanuman said that this act was praised by the Siddhas who moved about in the sky.

Hanuman said that he then landed in Lanka city to be challenged by Lankini whom he hit with his fist and subdued. He described his long and tedious search for Sita in the palace of Ravana. He described the magnificent palace to them. He told how he was disappointed in not finding Sita anywhere and he got dejected. Then Hanuman told them about his finding the Ashokavana where he said he found Sita sitting under the Simsupa tree meditating upon Rama. He told them about Ravana’s visit to Sita and his harsh treatment of her. Finally, he told them how he thought of a plan to open a conversation with Sita without her losing confidence in him. He said that he sang the praise of the Ikshvaku family, which helped him to gain Sita’s confidence, and enabled him to start the conversation with her.

To cut the story short Hanuman then explained to them how he destroyed the Ashoka Vana, which led to a fight with many Rakshasas. He described his being made a prisoner by Indrajit, which enabled him to meet Ravana. He described his conversation with Ravana who angrily ordered that he be killed. He then told how thanks to Vibheeshana’s intervention Ravana ordered that they set fire to his tail.

He told them how he set fire to the whole city of Lanka using the fire on his tail which he said was not hurt by the fire, thanks to Sita’s blessings. Hanuman said that after causing so much destruction to Lanka he ascertained that Sita was safe and finally left Lanka, crossed the sea and returned.

 

Hanuman concluded, “I have told you what all happened. Thanks to Rama’s blessings and your powers I was able to accomplish the mission entrusted to me by king Sugreeva. So let us proceed with what should be done”.

Hanuman further said “After seeing Sita’s behaviour my mind became peaceful. How come that Ravana did not perish even after touching Sita? Sita is all alone and drowned in her sorrow. She did not care a bit for Ravana. Her mind is set only on Rama and she is in the same old dress. She sleeps on the floor. She was about to end her life but was saved by me by my encouragement. Let a proper action be chosen to take revenge on Ravana”.

In the next chapter, We'll see a Discussion between Angada and Jambavan.