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 would execute the failed Vanaras(Hindi: वानर), conflicts would erupt between Sugreev and Ram(Hindi: राम), internal turbulence would destroy 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 assured Sita about beginning of the end for Ravan. He slayed several, prominent Rakshas warriors. He then was taken as a prisoner to Ravan’s court, where he elaborated about himself, Ram, Sugreev, and others, also warned Ravan of the impending catastrophe. Ravan fumed at Hanuman’s words, and ordered to incinerate his tail.
How did Hanuman proceed? What was the train of his thoughts? What skillsets he put to use?
The following sections elaborate the same.
Note: Readers, don’t be surprised/upset if you don’t find any mention of interaction between a)Hanuman and Sita and b)Hanuman and Ravan. Those events deserve at least 2 separate posts each, and would be coming soon.
Rage
- When fire was set to his tail, Hanuman was enraged, and used the tail itself to beat up the surrounding Rakshasas.
Self-restrain
- When the Rakshasas tied up Hanuman, and started to parade him through the streets of Lanka, the residents were visibly pleased. Hanuman thought:
“It is a cakewalk to unshackle myself, and also vanquish these Rakshasas, however, this would not be beneficial, as of now, for my mission. I will wait a bit, and assess further”.
- While being paraded through the city, and being insulted by the residents, Hanuman continued his observations. After quite some time, Hanuman pondered for at least one Muhurta(Hindi: मुहूर्त), and finally made up his mind to retaliate, reminding self of behaving like a brave man.
Listing, and prioritizing tasks
- While being paraded through the city, Hanuman thought
This is a golden opportunity to view, and memorize the city, it’s fortifications, deployment of troops, and so on. I couldn’t do this effectively in the dark but now I can make up for that loss.
- After escaping the parade, and freeing self from the shackles, Hanuman revisited his (strategic)To-Do list:
- Pramadavan(Hindi: प्रमदावन) destroyed: Done
- Aplenty prominent Rakshasas, and a few columns neutralized: Done
- Destroying/vandalizing Lanka, as much as possible: Pending
- After panicking, later, realizing that Sita was probably safe even after Lanka was incinerated, Hanuman decided to revisit her before leaving Lanka.
Composure, Memory, Speech, and other talents
- While being paraded through the city, Hanuman memorized the overall planning, and architecture of the city – fortifications, crossroads, etc. He spotted several, weird-looking planes parked within the city.
- He had not forgotten the exact locations of houses of prominent Rakshasas, even though he had sneaked in the dark of night.
- While trying to reassure self that Sita must have survived the carnage of Lanka, Hanuman spotted a group of Charanas(Hindi: चारण)(sort of wandering minstrels) who quoted:
Whoa! Hanuman has performed an unprecedented, and impossible task(incinerating Lanka). Houses burning, walls crumbling, population scattered but Sita is unscathed. Isn’t this a sheer miracle?
Ultimate Warrior
- While being paraded, finally Hanuman leaped high while still being tied up. He went to a gate of the city that were having only a few Rakshas soldiers around. Then he changed the size of his body, and immediately freed himself from the ropes, and other shackles. He then picked up a mace kept near the gate, and killed all the nearby Rakshas soldiers.
- Hanuman decided to vandalize Lanka as much as possible. With fire already available at hand, he incinerated houses(in order. This list is partial. It should be noted that Hanuman spared Vibhishan’s house.):
- Prahast
- Mahaparshwa
- Vajradanshtra
- Shuk
- Saran
- Meghnad
- Jambumali
- Sumali
- Rashmiketu
- Suryashatru
- Rhaswakarna
- Danshtra
- Romesh
- Matta
- Dhwajagreev
- Vidyujeevah
- Hastimukh
- Karaal
- Vishal
- Shonitaksha
- Kumbhakarna
- Makaraksha
- Narantak
- Kumbh
- Nikumbh
- Yadnyashatru
- Brahmashatru
- Ravan
- After burning the houses of prominent Rakshasas, Hanuman turned his attention to the fortifications, and the houses of commoners.
Strategic Assessment
- Hanuman was absolutely right about his assessment that Rakshasas can be demoralized only by force. When he killed the invading Rakshasas, and burned down the city, the general population was running helter-skelter for lives. The masses assembled at various places, and exclaimed:
Is this the Yam(Hindi: यम) himself? Or is it some Dev(Hindi: देव)? Or is he Death personified? Have Brahma or Vishnu arrived in a disguise to annihilate the Rakshasas?
Apprehension, Despair, and so on!
- Hanuman finally put out his lit tail, and watched the blazing Lanka from distance. Immediately, he was alarmed, and paralyzed at the thought that Sita might have perished in the fire.
Now, Hanuman cursed self:
I am sinner! Rage/anger destroys a man’s life, and causes him to commit heinous deeds. Strong men can contain their anger. I have acted dumbly, and remorselessly. I have failed my masters. I chopped the roots of the very tree which everyone in my camp is trying to save.
- Hanuman now contemplated suicide by drowning/self-immolation.
Optimism
- After the bout of panic and macabre thoughts receded, Hanuman thought:
Sita is a woman of lustrous character, and fiery as the fire, and fire cannot burn fire! She is so dear to the most powerful man(Ram) in the world, she cannot meet such a sorry end. Fire didn’t burn me, so it will not burn her either!
- The quotes of the wandering minstrels refilled Hanuman with vigour.
Hardiness
To summarize, Hanuman’s physical, mental stoic and strength amazes, and awes even today:
- Undertook the unprecedented, arduous, and perilous journey to Lanka. Barely got a few hours of rest.
- Spent entire evening and night combing the city, stalking the prominent Rakshas warriors and ministers.
- Didn’t sleep at night. At dawn, spotted and interacted with Sita. Might have eaten some fruits, and drunk water.
- Engaged in combat with Rakshas, was even wounded.
- Maltreated at Ravan’s court.
- Beaten, then paraded in streets of Lanka, on foot. Ignoring the insults, abuses, and often manhandling, focused on observing the city.
- Went across half of Lanka, burning it down as much as possible.
- Reached the shores, put out the lit tail, climbed a vantage point, and observed the burning Lanka.
- Reentered the city, and revisited Sita.
- Took final exit, and undertook the perilous journey back to the southern tip of the mainland(the then Indian subcontinent, that is my guess!).
Life is about being kinetic 