While the citizens of Lanka looked in stunned disbelief at the ruin that was once their beautiful city and their pride, Hanuman dipped his still burning tail into the ocean. Just then a sudden terror gripped him and he gasped, 'I have burnt Lanka! What a wicked thing to do. Blessed is he who like controlling fire with water can control his anger with awareness. Which angry man will not commit a sin? He will not only deny the wisdom of the wise but can even kill his own guru. To him who is possessed by a great rage no evil is beyond him and no blasphemy beyond utterance. He alone is man who can patiently shed his anger like a snake silently sheds its slough. I have incinerated Lanka without thinking of Sita, who may have perished in the fire. May I too go up in flames for I am a traitor!' Unwilling to forgive himself Hanuman blamed his anger for the havoc it had created, perhaps causing the destruction of Sita and the doom of Rama's mission. Scolding himself he said, 'I have once again proven to the world the truth about the much ridiculed traits of the monkey. Though capable of saving Sita, I have lost her to my unbound freedom and to the whims of my capricious mind. How can I ever face my king, Rama and Lakshmana? Death is my only salvation! Should I burn, drown or be food to the creatures of the sea? Rama shall never survive news of Sita's death, Lakshmana will not live without Rama. Bharata and Satrughna will follow them and the very race of the Ikshvakus will cease to exist. Sugriva too will pass on. Suddenly a ray of hope flashed into Hanuman's anguished mind, 'How can Sita who is pure as fire perish? How can fire burn fire?' With that his fear grew faint, his hope grew strong and Hanuman reverted back to his brave indomitable self. It was also then, that he heard voices from the sky say that though Hanuman had achieved the impossible by burning Lanka with its towers, turrets and gates, Sita was safe and unharmed! Relieved, he sped away happily to meet Sita once again.