Orientation
For generations, the Indian masses have heard tales of Ramayan(and other epics) from their elders, saints, preachers, books and so on. Our generation is fortunate to have access to painstakingly done research and fathomless information, and a lot of it is available easily. The times have also changed a lot, hence, it is essential for a rational Indian to periodically read the epics like a work of history, rather than simply listening and accepting those as folktales.
Hanuman is known to have at least the following talents(many more are documented but my focus is on the listed ones):
1. Extreme physical prowess.
2. Unrivalled combat skills.
3. Accomplished career diplomat.
4. Statesmanship.
5. Profound knowledge of the Ved(Hindi: वेद), Shastras(Hindi: शास्त्र), grammar.
6. Astute communicator.
Sadly, the Indian society has reduced Hanuman to a celibate, muscular ‘God’ rather than a versatile person who can serve as an ideal of many skills that are crucial in the practical world. This series of posts will focus on Hanuman and his endeavours from the viewpoint of a history buff
Context
- More than a month had elapsed since Sugreev(Hindi: सुग्रीव) dispatched the search parties in all directions, to locate Sita(Hindi: सीता).
- Failure to locate Sita meant bad news for everyone – Sugreev executing the failed Vanaras(Hindi: वानर), conflicts between Sugreev and Ram(Hindi: राम), internal turbulence in Sugreev’s kingdom.
- Hanuman’s legendary feat to reach Lanka came just in nick of time!
- During his ‘Mission Lanka’, Hanuman demonstrated his vast skillset, and virtues. Even scratching surface of his feats during this mission needs several posts.
- Till this point, the epic, as well as the folklore highlight ‘Finding Sita’s whereabouts’ as Hanuman’s primary/sole mission. While this is one fact, the overall scope of the Hanuman’s Lanka mission was much wider.
Situation
Hanuman had reached the northern entrance of Lanka(my guess: the northern gate of Lanka’s main/city’s fortification). He already had viewed the city from a distance – vantage points on a mountain. The city was secured by moats, and was heavily guarded by Rakshas(Hindi: राक्षस) army, round the clock.
How did Hanuman proceed? What was the train of his thoughts? What skillsets he put to use?
The following sections elaborate the same.
Strategic Assessment
- Upon remotely observing the fortifications of Lanka, he asserted that Ram, along with the entire Vanar army cannot conquer the city.
- To commence the search for Sita, Hanuman climbed a battlement/bulwark, and reasserted that the city cannot be taken by force.
- By the time Hanuman infiltrated Ravan’s palace, he was impressed by the strategic strength, prosperity of Lanka, and compared it with Indra–lok and Dev–lok.
Listing, and prioritizing tasks
- Hanuman didn’t get bogged down by the thinking about invincibility of Lanka. He decided to first find Sita, and leave strategic matters for later.
Self-restrain
- Hanuman reminded self that a reckless spy/ambassador fails the mission, therefore, he should be cautious.
- Despite of being tightly slapped by Lanka(the sentry), Hanuman exercised restrain – he lightly punched her on face.
Spy
- To avoid attention, Hanuman decided to infiltrate the city in the dark(after sunset).
- A sentry named Lanka stopped Hanuman during his infiltration attempt. Upon being questioned about his intent/purpose, Hanuman lied to Lanka that he was their for sightseeing(he didn’t reveal his mission objectives).
- Hanuman spotted, observed, and memorized the locations of houses of aplenty Rakshas chiefs like Prahast, Kumbhakarna, Vibhishan, Mahodar, Virupaksh, Vidyujeev, Vidyunamali, Vajradanshtra, Shuk, Saran, Indrajeet, Jambumali, Sumali, and many more.
- He spotted ‘Pushpak Viman'(this belonged to Kuber, and was looted by Ravan).
- He observed that Ravan’s harem contained thousands of abducted, and despoiled women – most of these were ‘riches/wins of war’.
Apprehension, Despair, and so on!
- Looking at the densely populated, and vast Lanka, Hanuman became apprehensive about combing it, and finding Sita.
- After searching the residences of principle Rakshasas, and finally Ravan’s palace, Hanuman found no sign of Sita. He begun to lose his heart due to the following thoughts:
- Ravan murdered Sita.
- Sita committed suicide.
- Hanuman, and other vanaras feared Sugreev’s wrath, in case they return empty-handed.
At this point, Hanuman contemplated fasting to death!
- Hanuman left Ravan’s palace, and continued searching Sita. Even after wandering on the streets, and peeping in countless houses, he couldn’t find a clue. He was eventually alarmed at the thought that Sita might have fallen to death during the abduction event itself.
Optimism
- Though daunted by city’s vast expanse, Hanuman didn’t lose heart, and focused on finding Sita.
- Hanuman assured self that Sita wouldn’t let Ravan despoil, trick or depredate her.
- He asserted the importance of being optimistic, and snapped himself out of the apprehension that overtook him when he couldn’t find Sita even in Ravan’s palace. He decided to comb the rest of the city.
Hardiness
- Hanuman walked on various streets, stalked some Rakshasas(in search of information), and finally reached the heart of city. Then, he continued to search Sita, door to door! Remember that he had made an seemingly impossible journey from some southern tip of the mainland to Lanka, only a few hours ago.
Life is about being kinetic 