Sunderkand: Setting fire to the tail of Hanuman (Chapter 53)

This article is part of “Sundara Kandam of Sage Valmiki”

Sunderkand: Fifty-third Chapter

Setting fire to the tail of Hanuman

(Ravana convinced by the advice of Vibhishana orders that Hanuman’s tail be burnt and he be dragged around the city. Hanuman thinks that this is a good opportunity to see round the city during the daytime and submits to this punishment. Informed about this Sita prays the God of fire not to harm Hanuman. Hanuman does not feel any pain and after seeing the city loosens himself from the bonds.)

The ten-headed one understanding that the words of Vibhishana are according to laws of land , told the following to the great one who is his brother. 1

What you have told is right. To kill an emissary is condemned by all. But for this we have to give some other punishment other than death. 2

Monkeys consider their tail as their favorite ornament. Let its tail which is its ornament be burnt. Let it return back with its burnt tail. 3

Let its friends, relations, its favorite ones and its relatives see it being in the sad state of having been with an ugly limb. 4

That king of Rakshasas ordered, Let him be dragged with his burning tail all through the several road junctions all over the city. 5

Those Rakshasas whose anger had increased a lot, hearing the orders of Ravana, tied around Hanumanâ€™s tail torn cloths made of cotton thread. 6

When they were tying cloths on his tail, that great monkey increased in size as fast as the forest fire. At that time they poured oil over the cloth and set fire to it. 7

At that time many Rakshasas among whom were ladies old people and children, came there with a wish to see the burning tail of Hanuman. 8

That Hanuman who was like the infant sun became extremely angry and beat the rakshasas with his burning tail and made them fall. 9

That monkey chief who was a great warrior was further imprisoned by the cruel Rakshasas who came in hoards and started thinking as to what is to be done. 10

I can break these ropes and jump up and kill all of them for even though I am imprisoned, these Rakshasas are not equal to me. There is no doubt about it. 11

If I do like this, I who am supposed to take beneficial action to my lord, would not be doing so. Is it not true, that these cruel people have tied me who am supposed to run about because of their king’s order. 12

I am sufficient to oppose in war all these Rakshasas together but I am tolerating all this because this would be according to the wish of Rama. 13

I have not seen the entire city of Lanka in the night properly. It is thus necessary for me to see the city in the daytime so that I know the secrets of its forts. Therefore it has become necessary for me to the city once again. 14

Let the Rakshasas give me ,who has been tied and whose tail has been set afire more trouble as they please. 15

Because of this those Rakshasas who did not understand his mind dragged the monkey who is great and who is the chief among monkeys with happiness and came out of the palace. 16

Those Rakshasas who were wont to do cruel deeds made lot of sound by their own action as well as by the sound of drums and conches and walked all over the town dragging Hanuman. 17

Hanuman who exterminated his enemies walked of his own accord followed by the rakshasas and understood well the great city of the Rakshasas. 18

Then that monkey chief saw peculiar palaces, places encircled by tall walls and well divided royal junctions. 19

That monkey who was the son of wind god, saw streets filed with houses, places which provided way to all directions, as also big avenues, small streets, places in between these small streets and big buildings which were like clouds. 20

In the junctions of roads, in the inns and in royal avenues, all the Rakshasas announced loudly Spy, spy 21

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