Hanuman searches house to house in minuscule form
With the blessing of Lankhini’s foresight, Hanuman, emboldened by zeal, faith, and boundless enthusiasm, pressed forward with great strides. Though he had vanquished Lankhini by sheer strength, graced by divine power, he did not forsake the etiquette of honoring the strength of others. With reverence, he addressed her:
“O noble lady! Though demon-born, you are angelic in duty and unwavering in your commitment to truth. With your kind permission, I shall proceed. Be not surprised at my mode of entry, for it is tradition that one does not walk through the royal gates into an enemy’s domain but leaps in by stealth. As I scale these towering walls, I ask for your prayers that my mission may find success.”
With the noble intent of aiding Sugreeva and fulfilling Rama’s cause, Hanuman touched down upon the soil of Lanka, setting forth his left foot—a gesture signifying the subjugation of a formidable foe. As prescribed by the divine sage Brihaspati, one must step forward with the right foot for auspicious ventures—such as embarking on a journey or entering a sanctified home—but in enemy territories, where tyrants insult women, desecrate the sacred, and poison the very life-giving waters, it is the left foot that must take precedence. Thus, with due reverence to this wisdom, Hanuman pressed on.
Through the moonlit night, Hanuman traversed paths strewn with flower carpets, past curtains of pearls and glittering gemstones, all leading toward the splendorous palaces of Lanka. In the air resounded the laughter of revellers, like the rustling of leaves in the breeze, mingling with the celestial strains of music—drums, flutes, veenas, and violins—all combining into an exquisite symphony, a harmony vying with nature’s melody.
The palatial marvels before him were unparalleled, adorned with diamonds, sapphires, and emeralds, rising in shapes of tridents, discs, bows, and intricate designs unknown to mortal artistry. Their luminous splendour mirrored the golden hues of autumn clouds adrift in a pristine sky. At every turn, the eye beheld architectural wonder—lotus-shaped abodes of immense wealth and grandeur, adorned with golden swans, deer, elephants, lions, and even serpents—a golden jungle in itself. Some homes bore the auspicious swastika form, while others took after the sacred banyan tree, their entrances fortified with golden tridents, swords, maces, conches, and chariots, reflecting the magnificence of Vishwakarma’s divine craftsmanship.
Hanuman, in his relentless search for Sita, moved from one house to another, encountering a realm beyond imagination. The air was thick with Vedic chants, their intonations flowing in perfect rhythm, echoing the unbroken order of Sruthi. Some among the rakshasas were in deep meditation, adorned with rudraksha beads, clad in tiger and bull skins, wielding tridents, maces, bows, and swords. He marvelled at their varied forms—some towering like palmira trees, others short yet formidable, their movements swift and effortless.
As he ventured further, he observed Lanka’s elite warriors, some engaged in combat practice, sharpening their skills without complacency. He found himself amidst spies, trained in the most intricate arts of deception, their presence as elusive as shadows.
At last, Hanuman beheld a colossal palace, its gates towering in gold and silver, fortifications resembling a mountain peak atop a rocky height. The very entrance gleamed with an array of *golden weapons—tridents, pestles, bows, sickles, and daggers—*forming a magnificent yet menacing display. Here stood the fabled dwelling of Ravana, the king of demons.
Beyond the outer halls, he glimpsed mighty elephants with four tusks, roaming freely alongside stags, deer, and vibrant birds, a paradise untouched by strife. Yet, this paradise was under constant guard—thousands of demon warriors, fully armed and ever-vigilant, ensuring their king’s stronghold remained impenetrable.
But Hanuman, master of stealth, slipped through unseen. The grandeur within was beyond mortal reckoning—gold, silver, and precious jewels adorned every inch of space, the air thick with sandalwood fragrance, a scent befitting celestial realms.
Yet, Hanuman’s purpose was not to marvel at opulence but to fulfill Sugreeva’s command. He had entered not merely to find Sita but to ignite a cause far greater—one that would set the wheels of divine justice in motion, restoring the balance of the
