The Sundarakanda is one of the most revered and spiritually significant chapters of the Ramayana. It narrates Hanuman ji's courageous journey to Lanka, his search for Mother Sita, his battle with Ravana's formidable army, and the deep wisdom and devotion that emerge from his divine encounters.
Hanuman's Flight to Lanka
With Lord Rama's mission at heart, Hanuman leaped across the ocean from the shores of India to Lanka, his powerful leap a testament to his unwavering devotion and immense strength. The wind roared, and the sea trembled as he soared like a mighty meteor, determined to locate Mother Sita, who had been abducted by the demon king Ravana. His heart was full of devotion to Lord Rama, his mind clear in the righteous mission, and his body empowered by divine energy.
As Hanuman neared Lanka, the city of gold, his path was blocked by Surasa, the serpent goddess, who tested his strength and intelligence. To outwit her, Hanuman shrank to the size of a tiny creature and quickly passed through her jaws. With this triumph, he continued his journey and landed in the magnificent city of Lanka, unseen by anyone due to his magical ability to shrink or expand at will.
Entering Lanka’s Fort and Vanquishing the Enemy
As night descended, Hanuman, now in a diminutive form, quietly entered the heavily guarded fort of Lanka. He marveled at the city’s grandeur, adorned with gold and jewels, but beneath the beauty, he sensed darkness and evil. He ventured through the palace, his eyes sharp, looking for any trace of Mother Sita.
As Hanuman scoured the city, he was detected by Lanka’s fierce guardian, Lankini, a powerful demoness. She attempted to stop Hanuman, but with a single mighty blow from his fist, he vanquished her, sending her crashing to the ground. In awe of his divine strength, Lankini realized that her defeat was foretold as the end of Ravana’s reign, and she surrendered. She blessed Hanuman, allowing him safe passage further into the city.
FIERCE HANUMAN JI VANQUISHING DEMONESS LANKINI
Undeterred, Hanuman continued his search, and after sneaking through Ravana’s palace, he reached the garden of Ashoka Vatika, a beautiful grove where Mother Sita was held captive. Her divine radiance was unmistakable, and Hanuman’s heart swelled with joy and reverence.
The Meeting with Mother Sita
Mother Sita sat under a tree, her face reflecting sorrow and determination as she awaited Lord Rama's arrival. Ravana had tried to convince her to marry him, offering her all the riches of his kingdom, but she steadfastly refused. She remained devoted to Lord Rama, her heart unshaken in its loyalty, despite the threats she faced.
Seeing her from a distance, Hanuman was overwhelmed with emotion. He knew he must approach her carefully, as any sudden action might frighten her. He perched on a branch above her and softly began to sing Lord Rama’s glories. Hearing the name of her beloved Lord, Sita looked up in amazement.
Hanuman then revealed himself in his humble, miniature form and introduced himself as Lord Rama’s messenger. He bowed before her with utmost respect, his hands folded, his voice filled with devotion.
“Devi, I am Hanuman, a humble servant of Lord Rama. I have come to you on his behalf. He grieves for you and has sent me to assure you that he will soon come to rescue you.”
Overcome with relief and joy, Sita ji wept tears of gratitude. She blessed Hanuman and asked him to recount how Rama and Lakshmana were faring. Hanuman spoke of Rama’s undying love and sorrow for her absence, and he handed her Rama’s signet ring as proof of his identity. Sita ji’s heart, though heavy with sorrow, was now filled with hope. She gave Hanuman a precious jewel from her hair to deliver to Lord Rama as a token of her love and her promise to wait for him.
Hanuman’s Battle with Ravana’s Forces
With his mission accomplished, Hanuman decided to test the strength of Lanka's army. Before leaving, he allowed himself to be captured by Ravana’s soldiers, intentionally allowing them to bring him before the demon king. Hanuman stood tall and fearless in Ravana’s court, his mere presence defying the terror that Ravana was known for.
Ravana, with his ten heads, was furious at the audacity of a monkey entering his kingdom and wreaking havoc. He ordered that Hanuman’s tail be set on fire as punishment. But little did Ravana know that Hanuman was no ordinary being. As his tail was wrapped in cloth and soaked in oil, Hanuman invoked his divine powers and made his tail grow longer and longer, confusing the demons. Once his tail was set ablaze, Hanuman, instead of cowering, leaped from one building to another, setting the entire city of Lanka on fire.
The flames of Lanka roared high as Hanuman unleashed his divine wrath, reducing Ravana’s golden city to ashes. Yet, even in his fury, Hanuman ensured that no harm came to Mother Sita!
Entering Lanka’s Fort and Vanquishing the Enemy (continued)
As night enveloped Lanka, Hanuman shrank his mighty form to the size of a small monkey, slipping past the vigilant guards of the golden city. The air was thick with danger, and the towering walls of Lanka seemed impenetrable, but Hanuman's divine mission gave him courage. He traversed the shadowy streets, observing the lavish palaces and the demonic forces under Ravana’s rule. His heart burned with anger at the suffering caused by these demons, but he remained focused on his mission—to find Mother Sita.
However, as he roamed the gardens of Ravana’s palace, he was confronted by Lankini, the powerful guardian spirit of Lanka. She challenged Hanuman with her colossal strength. Unfazed, Hanuman struck her with a single mighty blow, sending her tumbling to the ground. Realizing his divine purpose, Lankini bowed before him, acknowledging that her defeat was foretold and that the fall of Lanka was near. With her blessing, Hanuman continued his search.
Finding Mother Sita
Hanuman stealthily entered the royal gardens of Ashok Vatika, where his keen eyes finally rested on Mother Sita, sitting beneath a tree, sorrowful and emaciated. Her radiant beauty was dulled by the weight of her grief, as she longed for Lord Rama’s rescue. Ravana’s threats and proposals had not swayed her resolute devotion to Rama, and she clung to her faith in her beloved.
Overcome with emotion at the sight of Sita Mata, Hanuman felt an overwhelming sense of compassion and reverence. But he knew he had to approach her with care. Still in his small form, he perched on a tree above her and softly began to recite the praises of Lord Rama. The sound of Rama’s name reached her ears, and for a moment, hope stirred in her heart.
Carefully, Hanuman descended from the tree, reverently presenting himself before Mother Sita. He introduced himself as the humble servant of Lord Rama, showing her Rama's signet ring as proof of his allegiance. Sita’s eyes welled up with tears of joy and relief as she realized that her beloved had not forsaken her. Hanuman conveyed Rama’s message of unwavering love and his vow to rescue her soon.
Hanuman’s Promise to Sita
Moved by Hanuman’s devotion and valor, Mother Sita gave him a jewel from her hair to deliver to Lord Rama, a symbol of her love and steadfastness. Hanuman, filled with determination and a deep sense of purpose, assured her that Rama would soon arrive to defeat Ravana and rescue her.
Before departing, Hanuman asked Sita for permission to deliver a message to Ravana’s army and demonstrate the might of Lord Rama’s forces. With her blessing, Hanuman grew in size, returning to his enormous form, and began to lay waste to the lush gardens of Ashok Vatika, uprooting trees and smashing statues. His roaring presence summoned the soldiers of Ravana.
The Battle in Lanka
Ravana's finest warriors were dispatched to capture Hanuman, but the mighty son of the wind god Vayu was unstoppable. Armed with only his fists, tail, and the divine power coursing through his veins, Hanuman vanquished battalions of demons. One by one, they fell before his strength and speed. He set Ravana’s army ablaze, his tail lit with fire, and struck fear into the hearts of the enemy.
Even Ravana’s formidable son Indrajit—the great warrior known for his mastery of illusions—failed to subdue Hanuman. Eventually, Hanuman allowed himself to be captured to deliver a message directly to Ravana. When brought before the demon king, Hanuman boldly declared that Lord Rama, the ruler of dharma, would soon come to destroy his evil reign unless he freed Sita.
In a rage, Ravana ordered that Hanuman’s tail be set aflame. But this backfired as Hanuman used the flames to his advantage, expanding his body and setting the entire city of Lanka on fire. The once-glorious city of gold was consumed by divine retribution, its flames a warning of Ravana’s impending doom.
The Return to Rama
After wreaking havoc in Lanka, Hanuman returned to Lord Rama with Sita’s message and the jewel she had entrusted to him. He recounted all that had happened—his finding of Sita, the destruction of Ravana’s forces, and Sita’s steadfast faith. Rama was overwhelmed with gratitude and emotion, and he embraced Hanuman with tears in his eyes, praising him for his courage, devotion, and unparalleled loyalty.
The Sundarakanda ends with the promise of hope, strength, and the triumph of good over evil. Hanuman’s journey is not just a tale of physical prowess but a story of his deep love for Lord Rama and the strength of unwavering devotion. His actions in Lanka served as a precursor to Ravana’s eventual downfall and stand as a timeless testament to the power of faith and righteous action.
In the Sundarakanda, Hanuman’s journey is one of valor, wisdom, and dedication. His role as the messenger of Lord Rama, the destroyer of evil, and the protector of dharma inspires all who seek to walk the path of righteousness.
