Hanuman who had effortlessly crossed the sea was not at all tired and was carefully examining the Lanka City constructed on top of Thrikoota Mountain top. The flowers which had fallen from the trees on him looked as though he was statue made of Flowers.
The Thejasvi who was incomparable in Prowess, despite crossing 100 Yojanas did not breathe heavily; nor was he tired. Thinking “ I will leap many 100 Yojanas distance , after all crossing this 100 Yojanas of Sea does it matter?”. Hanuman, who was matchless in Vigour and long jumping after crossing the sea, went fast towards Lanka. The tender leaf grass were growing all over , the Forests with many fragrant Trees and boulders seeing them he went into the middle of them. He crossed those mountains covered by Trees and the Garden in rows with Flowers he crossed. Standing on the hill, he saw the Garden, small Forests and the Lanka city constructed on top of the Thrikoota Mountain. He saw the flowers filled trees such as Sivada, Pine, Hilly Jasmine, Thazhampoo (Pandanus odoratissimus, Ketaki flower) and hose trees which were covered by Flowers and buds such as Ezhilam Pala (Alstonia scholaris)trees Flowers ,Kadambu, Malayiathi, alari, etc. Some Trees were filled with Birds ,which were singing melodiously and the tips where swaying due to wind. There were swans, Water stork birds, and streams which were adorned by Lotus, red lotus, Black neidhal flowers , and the place where normal people play, Swimming pools where men and women have fun, and all those trees which were showering Flowers and Fruits all through the year. He was also looking at those Gardens where Kings and his entourage play while walking and reached near Lanka City.
This was Ravana‘s capital; it was covered by trenches which were filled with Lotus, black neidhal flowers since he had taken Sita and kept there, Ravana was all the more careful than earlier. Dangerous Looking Rakshasaas were wearing Bow and Arrow and guarding the place. The city was with High Compound wall which had Golden hue; the Houses were like 9 Planets, like the summer clouds were high duly white washed was White in color. On top of the Fortress wall there were many Weapons kept at regular intervals for waging Battles. There were plants, creepers and there were Cloth hanging with inscription on them. In some places the Flags were hoisted which as Fish, Crocodile etc creatures as their insignia. Novel Flags, Cloth with paintings and Golden decorations were eye catching. It appeared as though you were in Amaravathi Capital of Heaven and was awe inspiring. The White houses constructed on top of the Hill to Anjaneya looked like the Serpent which was flying in the sky. The City was constructed by Divine Architect Vishwakarma under duress from Ravana. The one who was ruling this country was Ravana. Lady of Lanka’s hip was the Foundation brick wall carrying the weight of the Fortress compound; the Moat Trenches with pure water were the New Dress; The Cannon, Tridents kept on top of the Fortress wall were the hair; the bunkers on top of the Fortress walls were the Ear Rings; this City was constructed by Divine Architect Vishwakarma. But to look at it felt as though it has been constructed by Mind.
Then Hanuman went to the Northern entrance and looked at the City intently. It was Like the Kailash Mountain of Himalayas white in colour. Seeing those tall buildings one felt as the city was flying in the sky. Like the Boghavathy city is guarded by Nagas (Serpents), like the Caves of the Hills are guarded by Serpents, Countless ominous looking Rakshasaas with white coral teeth fully armed were guarding the city always safely. Earlier the city was constructed beautifully by Kubera (God of wealth) was so bewitching that one could not even comprehend it with imagination. The Palaces for the same are awesome; further the sea surrounding it in all 4 sides which cannot be easily surmounted was an additional protection.; the mere mentioning of the King Ravana’s name makes everyone tremble. Considering all this Hanuman “For Vanara Army to come here is a rare possibility. Even if they come, it will be of no use. Even if the Deities joined together, to lay siege and capture Lanka is impossible. It has many layers of Defense structure which made penetration by Enemy impossible. Even if Rama comes somehow, what can he do? as the city is guarded by the Famed wicked Ravana. These Rakshasaas who have the demonic mentality cannot be won over by discussions i.e. Sama. ; they have immeasurable wealth and cannot be bought over can they be lured by wealth? They are arrogant with Pride, Power, Prowess, Strength you cannot divide them by fostering revolution amongst them. Since they are Intelligent and well versed in warfare they will not succumb to defeat. Except Angadha, Neel, Self and Sugreeva none of the other Vanaras can reach here. Let that rest. Is Sita alive or not? Let me ascertain that first. if She is alive then I can think about these things” thus Hanuman stayed for 1 Muhurtham (1 ½ hours) in that Mountain Top; was thinking of means to retrieve Sita being a well wisher of Rama.
“When should I enter Lanka? Which disguise should I take? There is no use in going inside in this form. The Strong Rakshsaas are there everywhere guarding the place.; they are extremely Cruel; they are terribly Violent; they are known warriors. First I must dupe them and then only start my search of Sita. The disguise I take others should not be able to identify so easily, at the same it should be in suitable for the task I am going to undertake. If I take a huge form then Rakshsaas will easily find out. If I take disguise so small and invisible, then I cannot search entire Lanka if I enter in the Night then I can complete the task I have planned for” the city which cannot be , penetrated by even celestials, Hanuman thought about it often to find the most suitable means to search Sita.
“How can I see Sita without being found out by the Wicked Soul Ravana? What is the way to ensure the Rama’s task is accomplished? When no one is around how to meet Sita and what should be the tactic? Even tasks which are solvable if entrusted to an immature Emissary, and if the efforts are not made according to time and Situations/environment of Locale then it will be Like the Darkness gets destroyed on Sun’s arrival. Is that alone? King & his Ministers after deliberations on tasks, tools, methods, strategies to counter Enemies and consultations entrust to an emissary who does not have common sense, will bring infamy and reduction of intelligence to the King and also the task will not be concluded. Emissaries consider themselves as intelligent and they spoil the task entrusted to them. Rama’s Task should not be spoilt; shall I enter now itself during day time? Or is it good to go in Night? Shall I go with this Big size? Or is it Good to take a smaller size? I should not earn the name that I am of lesser intellect. My having leaped across the sea should not go waste. Rama knower of all things, is clear that Ravana should be destroyed. While I am searching if Rakshasaas find me then the whole mission will be spoilt. Even if I am in disguise of Rakshasaa the locals will come to know fast. Do I need to tell about other disguises? So going in this huge form into Lanka is wrong. I think even Lord Vayu cannot freely move without their knowledge. Is there anything which is unknown to these strong Rakshsaas? If I am in this Form, I will most certainly be killed. Then my Lord’s task also will be spoiled. In order that his task is accomplished, I will shrink my normal Form and enter Lanka in the night. Until then I will hide in some Cave of the hill. After sunset I will enter this Capital of Ravana which cannot be penetrated during the night a search in many houses and find out Sita” thus decided the Vanara Warrior was eagerly waiting for sunset to search Sita.
After Sunset and it became Night, Maruti (Hanuman) reduced his body to the size of a Cat. That was surprising to look at. Then in the beginning of Night he started from there, he entered the beautifully constructed Lanka quickly. That City was with Pillars made of gold and Silver, with Palaces having Windows made of Gold, looked like the City of Gandharvas. (Gandharva city which appears in the sky which has Minarets and Palaces with different types of gems embedded on them. If that happens it is said that countless Elephants, Lions, Tigers will die and the Earth will drink their Blood says Saashstra-Doctrines). Houses 7 to 8 Stories tall made of Crystals with Golden carvings duly embedded with Diamond Vaidooriyam is Lapiz-Lazuli on the floor along with Pearls studded Garlands were dazzling. Wherever you see the Houses of Rakshasaas were decorated with gold made Lanka illuminate. With eagerness to find Sita, unimaginable, awesome looking city Hanuman was feeling bad to enter the city at the same time was wonderstruck by its sheer magnificence. The White Minarets / Gopurams were sky high. Windows / Stair cases made of costly Gold is lofty and is guarded by Ravana and his entourage of Strong Valiant Rakshasaas. At the time Moon also as though he wanted to help Anjaneya , rose as a Full Moon amidst Stars and spread Illuminence with many thousands of his soft Rays. Hanuman saw the Moon having the Aura of Valampuri Shanku ( a shell of the species Turbinella pyrum), but one that has the very rare reverse-turning spiral twists rightwards (dakshinavarti),and the full Moon having the colour of Milk and Lotus stem and wondered “ Moon rising with such Aura is he the King Swan swimming in the Stream?”. (Slokas 58)
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