021: Hanuman sets Lanka on fire

Hanuman sets off to start eating something out of the plush garden filled with fruit bearing trees, but he’s on to something more mischievous…. He starts destroying the personal garden belonging to Ravana. It came as a surprise to Ravana’s guards and army to see a monkey so powerful.

Ravana sends a sizeable army to catch the ‘Monkey’. Was enormously surprised to see that some of his best generals couldn’t stop him either. So, he finally sends his son Indrajit.

Ravana’s son Indrajit, with a history of having won over Indra was a very powerful man. He shoots a Bramhastra at Hanuman. But Hanuman had a boon that even the Bramhastra wouldn’t work on him. Out of respect to the weapon, Hanuman stops the destruction and surrenders. He’s now tied up and taken to Ravana’s court.

In the court, Ravan sees Hanuman. A conversation takes place between them in which Hanuman is advising Ravana to return Sita to Rama. Not to underestimate the power of Rama and his strength. He reminds Ravana that Rama has already killed a few whom Ravana couldn’t win over.

Ravana’s ego couldn’t accept praise for someone else. He is angry beyond control. And is ready to get Hanuman killed. Ravana’s brother Vibheeshana stops him and advices that messengers should never be killed and that there are other forms of punishing them. Its decided that Hanuman’s tail should be set on fire and so, it was set on fire.

Hanuman takes this as an opportunity, jumps out and uses the fire on his tail to set fire to every corner of Lanka. Somewhere in between, Sita is informed that Hanuman’s tail is set on fire. She prays to the lord of fire, Agni to not burn Hanuman.. suddenly Hanuman starts feeling the fire to be very cooling on is tail. He understands this must be some blessing from somewhere.

Finally, while cooling his tail in the sea, Hanuman suddenly realises Sita Mata is in the very Lanka that he set to fire. He flies immediately to check if she was ok…. And Yes, she was. She blesses him and asks him to return quickly with Rama.

Hanuman reaches the shores where his friends were waiting. He shouts again and again that he saw Sita. The entire group of monkeys is rejoicing his victory. They immediately reach Kishkinda. In the nearby forest, they drink honey and eat all they can. Finally, they’re summoned by Sugreeva to meet him and Rama immediately.

Hanuman relates Sita’s story and gives the choodamani Sita sent. Rama is overjoyed and Hugs Hanuman. The best gift anyone can receive from Rama.