Jai Sriman Narayana !!
Ravana was fuming with anger
after listening to the death of his son Akshakumara, he instructs Indrajit
(eldest son) who was well versed in Astra Sastra to fight against
Anjaneya. Ravana heightens his spirits
by giving advices about the war field tactics and reminded him the boon of Lord
Brahma. Ravana describes the
annihilation caused by Anjaneya and his valor to kill 80,000 Kingaras, 5 chief-army generals, 7 sons of Prakhasa and finally the prince
Akshakumara, he encourages and admiring
Indrajit who has possessed the valor and prowess equivalent to himself. After carefully listening to the advices of
his father, Indrajit circumambulates Ravana and left to war field. Indrajit hastened to the war field
accompanied by several mighty warriors with their malicious weapons. Anjaneya
was thrilled at the appearance of Indrajit and his enthusiasm. The battle between the two mighty warriors of
equal prowess and power continued. Yakshas , Nagas, celestials, Sages and Rishes
were witnessed the ferocious battle between them. Indrajit, decided to capture the mighty
Vanara instead of continuing the battle in vain. He shot Brahmastra against Anjaneya and it
worked well, Anjaneya stood motionless for a moment and fallen with a thud. Instantly, Anjaneya recollected the boon he
had received from Lord Brahma, but decided to remain static as a mark of
gratitude to Lord Brahma. Anjaneya
thought that this incident would give him an opportunity to have a dialogue
with Ravana and decided to remain calm.
The demons were rejoiced over the powerlessness of Anjaneya, they tied
him tightly with the ropes from the trees available without the knowledge of
the principal fact that the Brahmastra never accept the impure materials with
it. Anjaneya was mercilessly dragged by the crowd
of mighty demons to the assembly of Ravana, where Ravana was seated in a
majestic crystal chair adorned with precious metals and jewels was shining like
Aditya ordered his men to interrogate Anjaneya.
Before anybody could speak, Anjaneya introduced himself as convoy of Sugriva.
Ravana was majestically clothed,
embellished with the precious jewels all over his body, he had extremely
attractive physical features, his eyes were fiery and he had 10 heads and 20
powerful hands were beautifully adorned with precious gems and jewels, accompanied with
royal men and women clothed in splendid manner.
He was surrounded by the very important counselors of assembly like
Durdhara, Prakhasa, Mahaparsva, Nikumbha etc…
Anjaneya was amazed at the splendor of Ravana and his braveness,
charisma, strength and absolutely brilliant auspicious marks on him, all those
excellent features of Ravana forced to think that he would have been the
protector of celestial worlds if he had all the righteousness in him.
Ravana in a fury meticulously
observed Anjaneya and became suspicious about him, was that Nandikeshwara from
Mount Kailash or son of Bali to fight against him? He ordered Prahastha to find out the purpose
of Anjaneya’s entry into Lanka and the reason for causing such a massive
destruction which resulted in the death of several demons. Prahastha
shot with numerous questions against Anjaneya, was he the spy of Lord Indra or
Kubera or Lord Yama or Lord Varuna or King of Oceans or Lord Vishnu and
threatened him. Anjaneya gracefully
replied to Ravana ‘I am not the spy of any of the deities, I am the messenger
of Rama entered the city of Lanka to have a conversation with you. Whoever intervened and created impediments to
my purpose to visit you had to fight with me and in order to protect myself I
had to kill them in the battle, it was the reason for the destruction of
pleasure gardens in your city. I am unaffected by any of the Astras or
Sastra as I have received boon from Lord Brahma. I had to pretend that my movements are
restricted and I am impermeable, desired to have a word with you. I am the messenger of Rama; listen to my
words carefully which is beneficial for you.”
Anjaneya continued “Listen to me
King of Demons; I am here at the command of Sugriva, brother of the mighty
Vanara Vali. There was a righteous King
Dasaratha who had the splendor equivalent as Lord Indra, his eldest son Rama
young charming valiant prince moved to woodland with his wife Sita and brother
Lakshman at the command of his father.
The honorable prince Rama’s wife and the daughter of King Janaka was gone
missing in the forest of Dandaka. The
two valiant princes went in search through the forest and met Sugriva at
Rishyamukha. They promised each other to
help in their mission, therefore Rama killed the powerful Vali in a single shot
of his arrow and eventually Sugriva was appointed as the throne to
Kishkindha. Consequently, Sugriva sent
his numerous mighty Vanaras in search of Sita to all directions. I am Anjaneya, son of Lord Vayu came here
crossing the vast ocean of 100 Yojanas wishing to see Sita, and eventually I
met her in Asoka Gardens. You have mastered
numerous austerities and should not yearn for other’s wife; this very act would
cause destruction to you and your clan.
No one has gained happiness by putting Rama into anxiety. I advise you for your good Ravana return
Sita to Rama, which would restore peace to you and your Kindgom. She is equivalent to five hooded serpent, a
poison consumed never helps to digest and you have detained a Kalaratri, which
will cause the destruction of your entire Kingdom effortlessly. Oh! Ravana listen to my words Rama alone
would be capable to destroy the city of Lanka.
Rama, who is the Lord of Lords, has the prowess equivalent to Lord Vishnu;
it would be unlikely to survive after committing a sin to him. Even Lord Brahma, the self-existed Lord of
Creation with four faced and Lord Rudra who has three eyes and destroyer of
Tripura, Mahendra the lord of celestials would not be able to protect you from
Rama. ” Ravana ordered to Kill Anjaneya
after listening to the ruthless and consequential words of him. Vibhishana, the younger brother of Ravana
firmly opposed the verdict of Ravana to kill a messenger; he softly spoke to
his brother to set aside his anger and listen to his words. He advised Ravana that it is not an
appropriate method of punishment to kill a convoy; moreover it was against
royal virtues and universal custom.
Ravana was blazing in anger disagreed with the opinion of his
brother. Vibhisha patiently approached
Ravana and enlightened him about the righteousness of a ruler and the
predictions of the Sages. Visbhishana
also agrees with the fact that the Vanara deserves punishment for the mayhem he
had caused to the City of Lanka and there are many ways to punish him by
causing deformity, physical torture, shaving head or imprint an evident mark on
the body etc.. Vibhishana firmly oppose the very idea of killing a messenger
sent by an enemy, he continues to praise the virtues of Ravana and calming
down. Finally, Ravana heed to the words
of Vibhishana agreed to give an appropriate punishment to Anjaneya.
Ravana after a moment of
meticulous thought ordered his men to fire the tail of Anjaneya and take him
for a walk around the city of Lanka.
Soon the demons wrapped up the gigantic tail of Anjaneya with rags and
poured oil on it and set fire on the tail.
Anjaneya mounted with rage pushed away the demons; the demons witnessed
Anjaneya with blazing tail were rejoiced over the failure of him, shortly crowd
of demons were followed Anjaneya with the drumbeat. Some of the demons were informed Sita about
the pathetic state of Anjaneya. Sita was
horrified at the news and started paying homage to Lord Agni, she sincerely
prayed “If I am a chaste woman devoted to my husband, let the fire cool
Anjaneya. If Rama has kindness towards
me and if I have some fortune, let the fire cool Anjaneya. If virtuous Rama treats me as a woman of
moral conduct and desirous to meet, let the fire cool Anjaneya. If Sugriva was sincere in performing his
promise and capable to retrieve me from the ocean of sorrow, let the fire cool
Anjaneya”. Instantly, the fire on the
tail of Anjaneya turned out a cool-breeze for him, though it was blazing like
furnace, it does not hurt him at all. Anjaneya
realized the effective prayer of Sita, he wandered the city of Lanka with his
burning tail, decided to set fire to all those beautiful mansions before him. Like a fire ball moved to the mansions of
Prahastha, Mahaparsva, Vajradamshtra, Shuka, Sarana, moved to the mansion of
Vibhishana and meticulously avoided, he rushed to the manor of Rashmikethu,
Suryashatru, Hrasvakarna, Dhamshtra, Romasa, Yuddhonmaththa, Maththa,
Dwajagreevah, Vidhyujivha, Hasthimukha, Karala, Pischacha, Shonithaksha,
Kumbhakarna, Makaraksha, Yajnashatru, Brahmashatru, Naranthaka, Kumbha and
Nikumbha and set fire on them. Gradually
moved to the palace of Ravana, he set fire on the majestic palace made of
precious stones and gems. Soon, the
flame vigorously spread all over the place with the soaring speed of the
wind, the mansion embellished with
precious metals, gems and stone were exploded with deafening noise, women and
men were panicky scattered to different places with their lives. The molten metal contains the precious stones
and gems were surging through the majestic path ways. Anjaneya burnt the city of Lanka like Rudra
engulfed the city of Tripura. In the
middle of combustion Lanka gave out an appearance of millions of Aditya, the
demons were forced to think that he was not just a monkey, he must be any of
the deities like Lord Indra , Lord Varuna, Lord Yama, Lord Kubera, Lord Shiva,
Lord Vayu, Lord Surya or Kala, may be the furious form of Lord Brahma or Lord
Vishnu in disguise. The city of Lanka
reverberated with the sounds of pitiable cries of demons and in a short time the
prosperous city of Lanka turned out heap of ash. Anjaneya majestically stood on the top of
Mount Trikoota, immersed at the thought of Rama, with his burning tail which
created an impression of garland of fire surrounded by him. All the celestials Gandharvas, Vidhyadharas,
Nagas, Yakshas Rishis and Sages were eulogized the braveness and intelligence
of Anjaneya with immense joy.
Anjaneya observed the once
beautiful city of Lanka turned into a mass inferno and the panic struck demons
of huge number were running for their lives.
Anjaneya became thoughtful; an angry act of a wise person could take
away the life of Acharya or anyone, an agitated person never knows what he
speaks or acts, ultimately fails to recognize the difference between good and
bad. Anjaneya worried about the life
Sita who resides in the Ashoka Vatika, he imagined Sita must have been burnt in
the huge fire that consumed the whole Lanka, and he blamed himself for the mass
destruction caused in Lanka. He lamented
over his senseless act thereby blemished the very purpose of Rama. The whole city of Lanka has been turned
into ashes, there was no place left untouched.
Anjaneya turned hysterical and thought to jump in the fire and kill
himself, he felt worthless, he held himself responsible for the thoughtless act
thereby ruined the task of Rama. Anjaneya tormented with various thoughts, If
Sita dies, Rama and Lakshman will not survive, and ultimately that will result
in the annihilation of clan of Ikshvaku and Vanaras. Soon, he listened to the conversations of the
demons admiring Sita’s undivided devotion to her husband and divine power to
remain unharmed in the wild blaze.
Anjaneya instantly realized that the massive fire unhurt him mainly due
to his devotion and benevolence of Rama and Sita. The demons were surprised to see Sita and the
Ashoka Vatika was well protected, while the whole Lanka was in a horrifying state. The above conversation of the demons brought
immense pleasure in Anjaneya, he made up his mind to personally visit her in order
to make sure of her status and leave. He
met Sita in Ashota Vatika safe and sound.
Sita praised his valorous act and advised him that she would appreciate
Rama should reveal his prowess in the battle with Ravana and win over him. Anjaneya affirmed the arrival of Rama with
several thousand mighty Vanaras to accomplish the task. Once again he paid salutations to Sita and
prepared to leave Ashoka Vatika.
Anjaneya assumed a huge form and dived to Mount Arishta crushed under
the feet of him and he took a giant leap across the ocean.
Anjaneya was dashing through the
clouds at the pace of his mind with boisterous roaring gave out the appearance
of Garuda in the sky. Anjaneya’s
deafening roaring reverberated in the sky as he was nearing Mount
Mahendragiri. The Vanaras assembled on
the northern side could listen to the roaring of Anjaneya, they were anxious to
meet Anjaneya. Instantly Jambavan
confirmed the victory of Anjaneya in accomplishing the task of Rama. Anjaneya victoriously landed on the Mount
Mahendragiri, all the Vanaras gathered around Anjaneya with their monkey acts
due to their irrepressible joy. All the
happy Vanaras surrounded were presented him with various fruits and immersed in
state of bliss to see Anjaneya successful in his mission. Angada, Jamabavan and several of Vanara
honored Anjaneya and took their seat.
Anjaneya started to speak “I have seen Sita, daughter of Janaka in
Ashoka Vatika. She is unblemished,
living in the thoughts of her dearest husband, having no ornaments on her body
with a single plait of beautiful hair.
She was extremely distressed due to grief, lack of sleep and food; she
was clothed in a mucky saffron material.
She was surrounded by numerous demons of dreadful appearances”. After listening to the nectar like speech of
Anjaneya, the Vanaras assembled were in a state of ecstasy expressed their unmanageable
happiness in various monkey acts. Angada
immensely praised Anjaneya about his valor and intelligence.
Jambavan, Angada and the entire
armies of Vanaras requested Anjaneya to narrate the whole scenario took place
in the City of Lanka. Anjaneya heartily
paid salutations to Sita and described the incident happened in Lanka. Anjaneyas encounter with Mount Mainaka and
his generosity, Surassa, Nagamatha and
triumph on her with his sharp intelligence,
killing of ferocious demon Simhika, Chayagrahi, Lankini’s ill fate in
the hands Anjaneya, meeting with Sita and her distressed state at Ashoka
Vatika, conversation with Sita and eventually hand over the ring of Rama and
obtains Choodamani as sign of remembrance for Rama from her, destruction of
gorgeous City of Lanka, battle with 8000 Kingara’s
of Ravana and their death, battle
with Jambumali, son of Prahastha, 5 chief army officials, 7 sons of minister
and their pathetic death, Son of Ravana, Akshakumara’s death, battle with
Indrajit and capture with the superior Brahmasthra,
conversation with Ravana, intervention of Vibhishna to protect from death
sentence, verdict of Ravana to set fire
on his tail, burning the City of Lanka, worries about life of Sita amidst the
burning city of Lanka and verification about the safety of Sita. Thus,
Anjaneya described wisely and precisely about the incidents that has taken
place in Lanka. Anjaneya concluded his
amazing speech graciously praising the glories of Rama and the abundance of
encouragements received from his subordinates.
Anjaneya describes the pathetic state of Sita in Ashoka Vatika, it
irritated him to fight against Ravana, he generously praised the valor of
Angada, Jambavan, Neela, Panasa, Mainda, Dvivida. Anjaneya earnestly prays for a solution to
eradicate the grief of Sita and bring solace to her. After listening to Anjaneya, Angada prompted
the idea of retrieving Sita from the custody of Ravana. Jambavan, eldest amongst the army advised
Angada to encourage and support the inclinations of Rama in the task of
repossess Sita from the clutches of Ravana.
All of them were agreed to the wise advice of Jambavan and preceded
their journey from Mount Mahendragiri.
On their way to Kishkindha, they witnessed an amazing garden Madhuvanam,
favorite garden of Sugiriva and it has abundance of various tropical fruits was
well protected by Dhadhimukha, maternal uncle of Sugriva. Seeing the garden of abundance of honey, all
the Vanaras requested Angada for permission to taste the honey. They scurried into the most beautiful garden
after obtaining permission from the seniors like Angada, Jambavan and
Anjaneya. In a short while they turned
the rich garden upside down with their monkey acts, (Jumping from one tree to
another, sing and dancing, pushing & pulling each other, talking with no
sense, some were boisterously laughing, beating and scratching each other, some
of them were in fight, some of them were playing, some of them were arguing)
they consumed honey at their heart’s content.
None of them were in conscious; all of them were in an intoxicated
state. Dhadhimukha approached them and
got into a huge fight and retired with a brutally hurt. All the Vanaras rejoiced at the victory of
Anjaneya, they delightfully consumed honey. Once again, Dadhimukha approached with a care
takers to the Madhuvana in order to ward off the Vanaras from the destruction
of the favorite garden of King Sugriva.
He tried all his efforts to protect the garden, but he was harshly
beaten by Angada. Dadhimukha with his broken
shoulders, arms and thighs, fully drenched in blood fell on the ground and lost
his conscious for a while. Shortly, he
decided to leave Madhuvana in the hands of Vanara and report these mischievous
acts to King Sugriva. Dadhimukha was
very confident that King Sugriva never tolerates the destruction of Madhuvana
and he would definitely punish the Vanaras to death. Immediately Dadhimukha along with his guards
flew to Kishkindha to inform the ruinous incident to King Sugriva. Before long, Dadhimukha reached Kishkindha
and found Sugriva along with Rama and Lakshmana. He abruptly fell at the feet of King Sugriva.
Sugriva was taken aback at the
gesture of Dadhimukha and enquired the reason for his nervousness. Dadhimukha hesitatingly informed that the
Madhuvana has been destroyed by a large group of Vanaras in the leadership of
Angada, Jambavan and Anjaneya and these Vanaras were under the influence of
intoxicated drink ruthlessly attacked the guards who were on duty to protect
it. Lakshmana anxiously enquired the
reason for Dadhimukhas grief. Sugriva
magnanimously announced that the Vanaras sent to southern directions were
returned with nectar like information about Sita which made them consume the
honey from Madhuvanam. Sugriva profusely
appreciates the capabilities of Anjaneya to accomplish task successfully. Sugriva joyously announced that Anjaneya must
have located Sita, the nectar like words from Sugriva brought immense bliss to
Rama and Lakshmana as well. Soon Sugriva
pacified Dadhimukha and informed him to send all the Vanaras to the assembly
immediately. Sugriva revealed their
collective desire to see Anjaneya and understand the welfare about Sita. Rama and Lakshmana in a state of ecstasy with
tears of joy realized that their task is going to be successful without any
further delays. Dhadhimukha after
paying obeisance to Sugriva, Rama & Lakshmana rushed to Madhuvana carrying
the massage of Sugriva. At Madhuvana all
the Vanaras were in a state of seventh heaven after consuming honey at their hearts
content, none of them were in a state of conscious. Dadhimukha approached Angada and offered
salutations to him and conveyed the message of Sugriva to be in the assembly
with all the Vanaras immediately. Angada
amiably informed the Vanaras to be ready to leave Madhuvana and meet King
Sugriva at Kishkinda. Thus, Angada and the
large group of Vanaras were swooped in the air with loud a noise. Sugriva pacified Rama that the Vanaras under
the leadership of Angada, Anjaneya and Jambavan would bring the auspicious news
about Sita and they must have seen Sita.
Sugriva speaks highly about Angada, Anjaneya and Jambvan and their
heroism. Instantly, they could hear the
cheerful noises of Vanaras in the sky.
Angada and Anjaneya preceded before the assembly, paid salutations to
Sugriva, Rama & Lakshman. Anjaneya
declared the nectar like message ‘Sita was found’ in the Ashoka Vatika, she is
in the constant thought of Rama. Rama
and Lakshmana felt extremely delightful after listening to the nectar like
words from the mouth of Anjaneya. Rama
remembered about Anjaneya with high esteem.
Angada, Anjaneya and Jambavan
along with their group of Vanaras arrived at Mount Prasravana, they paid
salutations to Rama, Lakshmana and Sugriva.
Anjaneya graciously narrated about the pitiable state of Sita after
paying reverential obeisance to the direction where Sita resides. He described the wretched state of Sita in
mucky saffron clothes with a single plait of hair as a mark of desolation
amongst the dreadful demons, absorbed in the constant thought of Rama, drained
of fast and lack of sleep, turning down the lustful approach of Ravana and a
firm decision to leave mortal coil in a month.
Further, Anjaneya pacifies Rama that Sita was appropriately informed
about his purpose of visit and the companionship between Rama & Sugriva and
was given abundance of encouragement to surpass the ongoing difficult
situations. Thus, Anjaneya gracefully
handed the Choodamani which has the origin from the sea to Rama.
Rama affectionately took the Choodamani
close to his heart and began wept bitterly.
Rama explains the situation where Sita affectionately received the
commendable Choodamani as a gift from her father in order to embellish her
beautiful hair at the time of wedding.
It was previously presented by Lord Indra as a appreciation for the
propitious performance of Yagna by King Janaka. This marvelous ornament brought the memories
of King Janaka of Vidheha and King Dasaratha of Ayodhya as well. Rama reveals his inability to live without
Sita, he profusely speaks about the good nature of Sita and urged Anjaneya to speak about the present
state of her. Anjaneya benevolently
speaks about the incident of a crow happened at Chitrakoota while Rama and Sita
was having pleasing times, her immense faith in the valor of Rama to protect
blameless from the enemies, her comparison of Rama & Lakshman with the
splendor of wind and fire, her lamentation over the ill fate and desire to
annihilate Ravana by Rama’s powerful arrows.
Anjaneya pacifies Rama that she was well assured with the knowledge of
arrival of Rama, Lakshman and Sugriva along with crores of mighty Vanaras in
Lanka shortly to reduce Lanka into ashes and eventually the reunion of the
divine couple. Anjaneya describes about
his request to Sita for a sign of remembrance for Rama and compassionate
gesture from Sita providing Choodamani.
Thus, Anjaneya conveyed the message of Sita effectively. Further, Anjaneya explains her anxiety expressed
about how to cross the vast ocean of 100 Yojana that too was well clarified by
providing perfect examples of the braveness of Vanaras in the army of Sugriva
who had circumambulated the Universe for several times, their illustrious
prowess, endowed with immense strength and sincerely committed to the command
of Sugriva. Anjaneyas informs Sita’s appeal to Rama to vanquish
Ravana and exhibit his prowess.
Jai Sriman Narayana !!
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