Not even a sigh escaped the indomitable Vanara hero as he quietly landed in enemy country. Surprised at himself for having achieved an almost impossible feat, without precedent so effortlessly, Hanuman walked through emerald green meadows, fragrant groves and wooded hillsides to reach the northern gate of the city. Lovely as Indra's Amaravathi perched on the summit of Trikoota the incredible marvel was rampant with magnificent mansions and spectacular palaces that rose into the sky. Beholding its glory, bewitched by the evocative grandeur of its mansions, thoroughfares and gardens Hanuman stood spellbound. Going towards the northern gate of the city his eyes feasted on brilliant blooms and gleaning fruit that filled the air with intoxicating fragrances. In that city fit for the gods roamed rakshasas whose vigil was ferocious and weapons deadly weapons, perhaps fearing Rama's arrows! Lanka created by Visvakarma, once the home of Kubera, which he could no longer enter was now the impregnable, invulnerable fort of Ravana, king of the rakshasas. Hanuman was intimidated by what he saw and uncertain of what Rama and Lakshmana, though strong and valorous could ever do if at all they reached Lanka! Surrounded by the ocean, seemingly afloat in the clouds, secure in the embrace of lofty mountains Lanka was well fortified. Golden ramparts, fathomless moats and deadly demon guards warded off every evil rendering that celestially beautiful city unassailable even to the very gods!Hanuman was dazed. There seemed to be no way of tackling the rakshasas. He knew that their cruelty would stand in the way of making peace with them, their wealth in the way of winning them over with gifts and their arrogant might in the way of vanquishing them. Shaking himself out of his dismal reverie Hanuman decided to first make sure if Sita was even alive. Committed with not only diligence but with reverence towards his mission, he wanted to achieve it as quietly and as discreetly as possible. For not even the wind seemed to escape the notice of the guards who held ready bows in eager hands. "How shall I elude the sleepless watch of cruel eyes mused Hanuman. Dwarfing his immense form to that of a tiny cat Hanuman waited for the dark of the night. Soon the Sun disappeared into the orange glow of the western horizon and along with the dusky shadows of twilight he too slipped into Lanka's mesmeric magnificence. There he beheld gold and silver pillars that soared high and higher rose the seven and eight storied mansions impeccably white and embellished with gems of every hue. Hanuman was awed by the wealth of the rakshasas and bedazzled by its lavish manifestations. Though he quailed at the thought of ever subduing the powerful rakshasas he quickly got over it telling himself, "I, who have come to find Sita will surely see her!" As if to aid and soothe him rose the moon shedding its luminance on the earth below.
Summary
Not even a sigh escaped the indomitable Vanara hero as he quietly landed in enemy country. Surprised at himself for having achieved an almost impossible feat, without precedent so effortlessly, Hanuman walked through emerald green meadows, fragrant groves and wooded hillsides to reach the northern gate of the city. Lovely as Indra's Amaravathi perched on the summit of Trikoota the incredible marvel was rampant with magnificent mansions and spectacular palaces that rose into the sky. Beholding its glory, bewitched by the evocative grandeur of its mansions, thoroughfares and gardens Hanuman stood spellbound. Going towards the northern gate of the city his eyes feasted on brilliant blooms and gleaning fruit that filled the air with intoxicating fragrances. In that city fit for the gods roamed rakshasas whose vigil was ferocious and weapons deadly weapons, perhaps fearing Rama's arrows! Lanka created by Visvakarma, once the home of Kubera, which he could no longer enter was now the impregnable, invulnerable fort of Ravana, king of the rakshasas. Hanuman was intimidated by what he saw and uncertain of what Rama and Lakshmana, though strong and valorous could ever do if at all they reached Lanka! Surrounded by the ocean, seemingly afloat in the clouds, secure in the embrace of lofty mountains Lanka was well fortified. Golden ramparts, fathomless moats and deadly demon guards warded off every evil rendering that celestially beautiful city unassailable even to the very gods!Hanuman was dazed. There seemed to be no way of tackling the rakshasas. He knew that their cruelty would stand in the way of making peace with them, their wealth in the way of winning them over with gifts and their arrogant might in the way of vanquishing them. Shaking himself out of his dismal reverie Hanuman decided to first make sure if Sita was even alive. Committed with not only diligence but with reverence towards his mission, he wanted to achieve it as quietly and as discreetly as possible. For not even the wind seemed to escape the notice of the guards who held ready bows in eager hands. "How shall I elude the sleepless watch of cruel eyes mused Hanuman. Dwarfing his immense form to that of a tiny cat Hanuman waited for the dark of the night. Soon the Sun disappeared into the orange glow of the western horizon and along with the dusky shadows of twilight he too slipped into Lanka's mesmeric magnificence. There he beheld gold and silver pillars that soared high and higher rose the seven and eight storied mansions impeccably white and embellished with gems of every hue. Hanuman was awed by the wealth of the rakshasas and bedazzled by its lavish manifestations. Though he quailed at the thought of ever subduing the powerful rakshasas he quickly got over it telling himself, "I, who have come to find Sita will surely see her!" As if to aid and soothe him rose the moon shedding its luminance on the earth below.