Moments after walking away from Sita, uninvited and unsought for a thought flickered in Hanuman's mind. That little thought arrested his mighty stride and it said, "You have seen Sita, but you have now to see Ravana to know the enemy" He then started thinking of how he should tackle the enemy. He knew that Ravana's inviolable might would render him immune to the challenge if war. His wealth would make him immune to benefactions and causing dissension among his, ranks would be in vain, as powerful enemies never compromised. Hanuman decided that force alone would chastise the rakshasas, for Ravana being a rakshasa would never be open for arbitration. Thinking about his next move, Hanuman told himself that the smallest of tasks required meticulous planning, utmost attention to detail and more than one method of approach. It would also be laudable if an emissary entrusted with a mission could achieve other challenges. He wanted to assess the strength of Ravana and his armies so that he would have the satisfaction of fulfilling Sugriva's command. How can I incite these monsters to war without much effort, so that I can see Ravana with his ministers and his war chiefs, to know of him, his might and his strategy?" Hanuman's thoughts and their manifestation seemed to happen almost simultaneously. His gaze fell on the incomparable beauty of the Asoka grove, pride of Ravana and jewel among the marvels of Lanka. "I shall destroy this grove", he said, "which will infuriate Ravana and bring him here with his horses, elephants and men. In that fight which will then ensue I shall slay every one of them and return to Kishkinda with great joy." His enthusiasm and imagination became a reality as he swung into action. He flew around with the speed of stormy winds, uprooting hundreds of trees and razing the grove to the ground. He knew that this devious plan of provocation would soon lead to confrontation. A confrontation which would blossom into a full-fledged war in which Ravana and his forces would perish! Beautiful as the garden of the gods, and joy of the rakshasas for centuries, the Ashoka grove was reduced to an ugly nothingness within minutes by Hanuman. Every tree, pillar, post and edifice was shattered. The noisy shrieks of terror struck bird and beast reached a crescendo even as deadly serpents and insignificant insects seemed to instantly become extinct. Blossoming trees entwined with lush vines, rudely broken and thrown on the ground resembled weeping women. Its mesmeric charm was snuffed out forever, a victim of vengeful wrath and Hanuman stood outside the grove glowing in all his splendour and ready to maul the mightiest of monsters."
Summary
Moments after walking away from Sita, uninvited and unsought for a thought flickered in Hanuman's mind. That little thought arrested his mighty stride and it said, "You have seen Sita, but you have now to see Ravana to know the enemy" He then started thinking of how he should tackle the enemy. He knew that Ravana's inviolable might would render him immune to the challenge if war. His wealth would make him immune to benefactions and causing dissension among his, ranks would be in vain, as powerful enemies never compromised. Hanuman decided that force alone would chastise the rakshasas, for Ravana being a rakshasa would never be open for arbitration. Thinking about his next move, Hanuman told himself that the smallest of tasks required meticulous planning, utmost attention to detail and more than one method of approach. It would also be laudable if an emissary entrusted with a mission could achieve other challenges. He wanted to assess the strength of Ravana and his armies so that he would have the satisfaction of fulfilling Sugriva's command. How can I incite these monsters to war without much effort, so that I can see Ravana with his ministers and his war chiefs, to know of him, his might and his strategy?" Hanuman's thoughts and their manifestation seemed to happen almost simultaneously. His gaze fell on the incomparable beauty of the Asoka grove, pride of Ravana and jewel among the marvels of Lanka. "I shall destroy this grove", he said, "which will infuriate Ravana and bring him here with his horses, elephants and men. In that fight which will then ensue I shall slay every one of them and return to Kishkinda with great joy." His enthusiasm and imagination became a reality as he swung into action. He flew around with the speed of stormy winds, uprooting hundreds of trees and razing the grove to the ground. He knew that this devious plan of provocation would soon lead to confrontation. A confrontation which would blossom into a full-fledged war in which Ravana and his forces would perish! Beautiful as the garden of the gods, and joy of the rakshasas for centuries, the Ashoka grove was reduced to an ugly nothingness within minutes by Hanuman. Every tree, pillar, post and edifice was shattered. The noisy shrieks of terror struck bird and beast reached a crescendo even as deadly serpents and insignificant insects seemed to instantly become extinct. Blossoming trees entwined with lush vines, rudely broken and thrown on the ground resembled weeping women. Its mesmeric charm was snuffed out forever, a victim of vengeful wrath and Hanuman stood outside the grove glowing in all his splendour and ready to maul the mightiest of monsters."