Ravana accepted Vibhishana's counsel and said, "we must think of some other way of punishing Hanuman. Are not monkeys proud of their tails? Let us set his tail on fire and parade him here in Lanka and when he goes back to Kishkinda, may his kin and friends see the maimed monkey". The angry rakshasas delighted with their king's command hurried to wrap pieces of cloth around Hanuman's tail. Wetting it with oil they set it afire. Flinging his tail around Hanuman in his fury glowed red like the rising Sun. He knew that the rakshasas could never restrain him and that he could slay them all. But since Rama had sworn to annihilate Ravana, he wanted it to be Rama's pleasure. He also thought that being paraded around Lanka would let him see the fortifications and strength of the city. So while his tail burned and Lanka ogled Hanuman amidst the blowing of conches and the booming of drums walked calmly and majestically gazing intently at the streets, buildings and palaces. Meanwhile the rakshasa women told Sita about the 'red faced' monkey and in her bosom stirred fresh pangs of grief. Praying to Fire god she said, "If I am pure and if I have served my husband faithfully may you not scorch Hanuman!"Agni in his mercy with held the heat and Vayu lovingly blew icy winds. While Lanka was going up in flames, Hanuman stood wondering. He wondered why even though his tail was on fire, he neither felt the heat nor was scorched by the flames. He thought perhaps that, just as he had overcome the hurdles on his way to Lanka by Rama's grace he was once again protected by that grace. Even fire wants to please Rama", exulted Hanuman, beholding the all- consuming flare of the flames. It was appalling and it was devastating, but Hanuman was unrelenting. His fury broke all bounds and the ultimate death knell of Lanka rang as he roared out his rage, "How can I a mighty hero whom these wretches have dared to bind, not punish them?" He once again went to stand at the gateway, where once the bustle of life and laughter had sounded eternally, silence reigned. Shaking off the ropes that bound him and quickly growing back to his native form, Hanuman picked up the iron club that lay on the ground and to its fury fell dead the monsters, who were there to guard him.
Summary
Ravana accepted Vibhishana's counsel and said, "we must think of some other way of punishing Hanuman. Are not monkeys proud of their tails? Let us set his tail on fire and parade him here in Lanka and when he goes back to Kishkinda, may his kin and friends see the maimed monkey". The angry rakshasas delighted with their king's command hurried to wrap pieces of cloth around Hanuman's tail. Wetting it with oil they set it afire. Flinging his tail around Hanuman in his fury glowed red like the rising Sun. He knew that the rakshasas could never restrain him and that he could slay them all. But since Rama had sworn to annihilate Ravana, he wanted it to be Rama's pleasure. He also thought that being paraded around Lanka would let him see the fortifications and strength of the city. So while his tail burned and Lanka ogled Hanuman amidst the blowing of conches and the booming of drums walked calmly and majestically gazing intently at the streets, buildings and palaces. Meanwhile the rakshasa women told Sita about the 'red faced' monkey and in her bosom stirred fresh pangs of grief. Praying to Fire god she said, "If I am pure and if I have served my husband faithfully may you not scorch Hanuman!"Agni in his mercy with held the heat and Vayu lovingly blew icy winds. While Lanka was going up in flames, Hanuman stood wondering. He wondered why even though his tail was on fire, he neither felt the heat nor was scorched by the flames. He thought perhaps that, just as he had overcome the hurdles on his way to Lanka by Rama's grace he was once again protected by that grace. Even fire wants to please Rama", exulted Hanuman, beholding the all- consuming flare of the flames. It was appalling and it was devastating, but Hanuman was unrelenting. His fury broke all bounds and the ultimate death knell of Lanka rang as he roared out his rage, "How can I a mighty hero whom these wretches have dared to bind, not punish them?" He once again went to stand at the gateway, where once the bustle of life and laughter had sounded eternally, silence reigned. Shaking off the ropes that bound him and quickly growing back to his native form, Hanuman picked up the iron club that lay on the ground and to its fury fell dead the monsters, who were there to guard him.