THE SPLENDID KING Ravana

 THE SPLENDID KING Ravana

When Hanuman first met Ravana, he was in awe of the king's strength and power.

The Rakshasas dragged Hanuman, bound with ropes, and presented him before the king of Lanka. When they saw him, some Rakshasas asked each other, "Who is this?", "Where did he come from?", while others shouted, "Kill it!". "Burn it!", "Eat it!"

Hanuman found himself at Ravana's feet and saw the

king resplendent in all his glory, surrounded by women and powerful Rakshasa warriors. He saw the king's strength, beauty, and all-round perfection,

and contemplated on how Ravana's non-adherence

to dharma had led to his downfall.

The interrogation

Ravana, his eyes burning with anger, faced the Vanara who had killed his son and caused such destruction. He turned to his adviser Prahasta and said. "Ask him where he came from, who sent him, and his purpose. Why did he destroy the grove and scare the Rakshasis?"

Prahasta asked Hanuman, "Tell us who sent you. Was it Indra or Kubera? Perhaps it was the lord of death, Yama? Was it Vishnu? Your form resembles an ape, but your strength distinguishes you. We will free you if you tell us the truth, but your life will be in peril if you lie."

Hanuman replied. "None of them have sent me. I am a Vanara and I destroyed the grove as I desired an audience with the king. I have Brahma's blessings and cannot be bound by any weapon. I went along just so I could see him."

A messenger's plea

Hanuman further said, "I am the messenger of the almighty Rama. Listen to my words for they are beneficial. I have come at the behest of Sugriva, the king of Kishkindha. He, as a brother, asks after your well-being. Listen to his advice, imbued with dharma and artha (meaning or purpose), and it will serve you well in this world and the next."

He then told Ravana of Dasharatha and his virtuous son Rama's exile, of Sita's disappearance, and Rama and Lakshmana's meeting with Sugriva. He spoke of the Vanaras who searched for Sita in all directions and then said, "I am Hanuman, the son of the wind, who has travelled across the ocean to see Sita."

A warning

"You know dharma." Hanuman continued. "You ought not act this way towards another's wife.

Even the gods cannot stand before Rama and Lakshmana's fiery arrows. There is nobody in the three worlds who can cross the Raghu scion and sleep in peace. Accept what I say, for it is for your own good and in accordance with dharma and artha. Return Sita. I have performed the difficult task of finding Sita and the rest is up to Rama. "You have lost your senses since you brought Sita to Lanka. Your attachment to dharma should not be destroyed in this way. Remember, the invincibility that you have received as a result of your self-discipline is only with respect to the gods and Asuras. Sugriva, being a Vanara, is neither, and Rama, too, is human. Do what you can to protect yourself.

"Good and bad deeds both produce results. You have been enjoying the results of the former. If you do not act you shall soon reap the fruit of the latter. Even Indra cannot survive crossing Rama. what of one like you? Bunt by Sita's radiance and Rama's fury, you shall soon see this city in flames. Hamıman said and fell silent.

Hanuman's harsh and unpleasant words made Ravana angrier. Incensed he cried, "Kill the ape!"