Rama Lakshman Janaki in Exile no-watermark
1.9. HANUMAN MET SITA AND LANKA IS DESTROYED BY HIM
Hanuman was also applauded by Suras who showered flower petals on him. The Sun God silently blessed Hanuman by radiating less of heat. The wind God Vayu turned into a gentle breeze and wished his son success. To test Hanuman’s devotion towards Rama, the Devas sent Surasa, who obstructed Hanuman’s flight. She turned herself into a demoness and opened her mouth wide. Hanuman grew bigger in size. She opened her mouth several miles wide and challenged Hanuman that she would let him pass only if he could enter her mouth. Hanuman at once shrunk his body to the size of thumb and even before Surasa could realize what was happening, got in and got out of her mouth. Surase regained her earlier form and wished him well.
Hanuman encounters several more obstacles but he overcame all of them. He finally landed on Mount Trikuta on which the city of Lanka had been set up. Lanka city was dazzling city. It had beautiful gardens and parks. The city was surrounded by forts; fierce looking Rakshas kept watch day and night and never let any stranger enter the city. So, Hanuman decided to turn into a very tiny being and slip past the guards. Soon, it was dark all over and Hanuman tried to climb over the fort wall and enter Lanka. But he spotted by Lankini, the protector of Lanka and she tried to stamp him with her massive feet. The enraged Hanuman punched her very hard and with blood running out of her nose and ears, Lankini slumped to the ground. He then quickly entered the city.
Bearing in mind Rama’s description of Sita, Hanuman searched for her all over Lanka. But everywhere he found only hideous looking Rakshasas. He then peeped into each and every house but could not find Sita. “Ravana might have forced her to stay in the royal chamber. Let me cheek there” thought Hanuman but could not find her there. He closely examined each wife of Ravana including Mandodari but none could match the description of Sita. Hanuman got worried. If he were to go back to Rama empty handed, Rama would die. This would lead to Lakshmana’s death too. Unable to bear the news, Bharatha, Shatrugna, Kaushalya and the entire Ayodhya will die mourning for Rama. Sugriva will end his life unable to bear his friend Rama’s death. Hanuman trembled to think of the consequences if he could not find Sita. “Whatever happens, I will not return to Kishkinda unless I have news of Sita” swore Hanuman. Searching for Sita, Hanuman entered the Ashoka garden. With hundreds of trees, the garden looked beautiful. And under a tree sat a beautiful lady. All her clothes were torn and faded. She looked pale. The beautiful lady was surrounded by ugly looking Rakshasis who kept on praising Ravana in front of her. By then, Hanuman recalled seeing Sita when she threw down the ornaments. He felt happy and relieved that Sita was alive. But at the same time he felt sorry for her condition and also felt sad that a person like Sita had to undergo such cruelty.