Chapter 25: Hanuman in Lanka
As night covered the island kingdom of Lanka, Hanuman stood upon a hill overlooking the magnificent city.
The moonlight reflected from golden palaces, jeweled towers, and mighty fortifications. Lanka appeared like a city of the gods, surrounded by the vast ocean on every side.
Hanuman folded his hands and silently prayed.
"May Lord Rama guide my mind and my strength."
Reducing himself to the size of a small monkey, Hanuman quietly approached the city's main gate.
Standing guard at the entrance was Lankini, the divine guardian of Lanka.
She sensed an intruder immediately.
"Who are you?" she demanded.
"No one enters Lanka without my permission."
Hanuman politely requested passage, but Lankini attacked him.
Hanuman struck her with a gentle blow.
Though he used only a fraction of his strength, she fell to the ground.
Recovering herself, Lankini remembered an ancient prophecy.
It had been foretold that when a Vanara defeated her, the destruction of Lanka would soon begin.
She bowed before Hanuman.
"The time has come," she said.
"Go forward, noble one. Your mission is blessed."
Hanuman entered Lanka in silence.
The city amazed him.
Wide streets were lined with magnificent palaces.
Gardens overflowed with rare flowers.
Temples, markets, and royal buildings glittered with gold and precious gems.
The sounds of music echoed through the night.
Yet beneath all its splendor, Hanuman sensed arrogance and pride.
He searched every palace.
He looked through royal halls, gardens, towers, and courtyards.
He saw many queens and princesses sleeping peacefully.
At one point, Hanuman entered Ravana's magnificent palace.
There he saw the mighty king of Lanka resting upon a luxurious bed, surrounded by wealth beyond imagination.
Nearby slept Queen Mandodari, Ravana's chief queen.
For a brief moment, Hanuman wondered whether she could be Sita.
But he quickly realized his mistake.
"No," he thought.
"Mother Sita would never sleep peacefully in such luxury while separated from Lord Rama."
He continued his search.
Hours passed.
Still he found no sign of Sita.
For the first time, doubt entered his mind.
"Could she be somewhere I have not searched?"
Refusing to lose hope, Hanuman climbed to the highest tower and carefully observed the city.
In the distance, he noticed a beautiful grove filled with Ashoka trees.
Unlike the rest of Lanka, the garden was heavily guarded.
A feeling arose within him.
"Perhaps she is there."
Moving silently from tree to tree, Hanuman entered the Ashoka Vatika.
The garden was peaceful, yet filled with sadness.
Moonlight fell gently upon the trees.
Flowers bloomed everywhere.
But beneath one ancient Ashoka tree sat a woman dressed in worn garments.
Her hair was unkempt.
Her face was pale from grief.
Though weakened by months of sorrow, her dignity and purity still shone brightly.
She sat upon the ground with folded hands, constantly repeating the name of Rama.
Around her stood fierce Rakshasi guards, watching her every movement.
Hanuman's eyes filled with tears.
"There is no doubt."
"This is Mother Sita."
Hidden among the branches of the Ashoka tree, Hanuman silently watched.
Just then, the sound of royal drums echoed through the garden.
Ravana entered the Ashoka Vatika, surrounded by attendants.
Dressed in magnificent royal garments, the king approached Sita.
Once again he tried to persuade her.
"Sita," he said proudly, "become my queen."
"Forget Rama."
"All the wealth of Lanka shall be yours."
Sita did not even look at him.
Calmly she replied,
"My heart belongs only to Rama."
"I would rather die than abandon Dharma."
Ravana's pride turned into anger.
"If you do not accept me within the time I have given you," he declared, "you shall face death."
Without another word, Sita turned away.
Enraged, Ravana left the garden, ordering the Rakshasis to frighten and pressure her into submission.
When the king departed, Sita wept quietly beneath the Ashoka tree.
Yet even in her sorrow, her faith remained unshaken.
Hidden above her, Hanuman understood that his mission had succeeded.
He had found Sita.
Now he had to earn her trust and deliver Lord Rama's message.
The hope that had nearly faded was about to shine once again.
For the first time since her abduction, Sita would learn that Rama had not stopped searching for her.
And the first ray of hope had arrived in the form of Hanuman.