Jai Seeta Ram.
Lanka in flames :
Hanuman is very fond of narrating the story of Rama time and again and seized the opportunity to give a brief account one more time of how Rama was exiled, why Lakshmana, His brother and wife Seeta followed Him to Dantaka, while living there how Seeta went missing and at the request of Rama, Lakshmana, what made Sugreeva send his army of monkeys in all the four direction and he being his envoy, crossing the hundred yojana ocean had come to Lanka to search Seeta and while strolling around the city had found Seeta in Ravana's abode.
''So let not you dare any harm to Rama and restore Seeta to Him''. Giving this piece of advice Hanuman answered the purport and intent of his visit to Ravana. Hanuman is aware that advising the ill-fated Ravana may not work wonders. When Seeta to whom the wrong is done chose to educate Ravana for his folly, why not Hanuman try the same at him?
Though a Rakshasa, he has his Dharma to follow. The fruits of righteousness does not co-exist with the result of unrighteousness. In the words of Sri Krishna, it is said as follows :
யத் சாஸ்திர விதி உத்ஸ்ருஜ்ய வர்த்ததே காமகாரத:
நச சித்திம் அவாப்நோதி -- கீதா ஸ்லோகம்.
''Defaulters of virtue, irrespective their birth, are in fact Asura and Ravana though a Brahmana by birth, aspiring Seeta, wife of another as his own by thought, words and deeds will obtain the fruits of unrighteousness inasmuch as the fruits of righteousness was enjoyed by him so far. The muscle and mind power alone will not suffice when the power of Dharma, that of God and Elders weigh against. Brahma, Swayambu or Indra will not be able to protect the one to be killed by Rama in the battle field'' --elicited Hanuman.
Hearing the unpalatable words of Hanuman, Ravana ordered him to be killed. Vibishana intervened to say that killing of a messenger is wrong and against Kingsley practise. Ravana however argued that capital punishment to the sinned is no sin. Yet agreeing to what Vibhishana said, finally decided to go about the right action commensurate with Royal Virtue.
There are several punishments intended for an envoy, who acts arrogant. Deforming of his limbs, whipping, head shaving, or leaving marks of ignominy on his person are some.
''Perhaps the carnal punishments are due to those who sent this monkey here. Let him return and make your powers known to your adversaries'' - Vibishana prompted. Agreeing to what is said by his brother, Ravana insisting on some other punishment, wanted its tail to be burnt, as the ''pucham'' is considered to be the pretty portion of a monkey.
Hearing those words the demons wrapped up rugged clothes around the tail of Hanuman and sprinkling oil set it on fire. Desiring it to be an opportunity to go round in day time, Hanuman kept quiet for them to drag through the city.
Some of the demons reported the matter to Seeta and she with grief made prayers to the fire-God, pledging by Her devout service to Rama and Her faithfulness to Him said ''If Rama has little of kindness towards Me, let the fire be cool to Hanuman''.
The fire-God is said to be the son of wind-God and Hanuman being another son of him, the brothers did good to each other, his tail shining with sharp flames, yet remained harmless to Hanuman. In fact he felt like a snowball kept at the tip of his tail and he considered that to be the grace of his Master, Lord Rama.
வேங்கடங்கள் மைமேல் வினைமுற்றவும்
தாங்கள் தங்கட்க்கு நல்லனவே செய்வார்
வேங்கடத் துறைவார்க்கு நம என்ன
லாம்கடமை அது சுமந்தார்கட்கே (திருவாய்மொழி 3-3-6)
He who utters the words ''Oum Namo Venkatesaya'' as a duty cast on him for the benefit of his Soul, ward off the sins inherited from past births as well as subsequent ones as the same will be burnt out without any balance. Despite the Lord obliging this way, He feels it a burden to have done less than what is said in enormity by His devotee, which is unbearable to Him.
பீஷாத்மா வாதப் பவதே பீஷோ அஸ்து ஸூர்ய: So declare the Scriptures.
The celestial objects when they carry on their duty with fear of reprimand by the Lord, the fire-God is obliged to act cool on Hanuman's tail, at the request of Seeta, His consort as well. So much so Hanuman considered his mite has pleased the Lord to redress the burning nature out of fire in his tail.
By another thought Hanuman using the blazing tail and jumping from mansion to mansion set the beautiful city on fire, barring the house of Vibishana. Seeing the blazing fire consuming the city with its trees, houses and the host of other creatures suddenly realised the mistake of setting the abode of Seeta as well on fire.
''Alas!! What I have done. My angry deed has led to the ruin of the whole purpose of my visit.'' As Hanuman was cursing himself so, he heard the voice of two airborne SaraNas talking to themselves applauding Hanuman for what they would call it a miracle to set Lanka on flames, except the Asoka Vana where Seeta is and exclaimed ''what can fire do to fire of Seeta's chastity?''
Only at that did Hanuman breathe a sigh of relief.
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