Canto 2
City in Clouds
On the landmass of Lanka
Chitrakoot was the king mountain
Kissed its peaks all clouds in skies
Reigned Ravan from peak foremost.
Climbed as Hanuman that mountain
Rained all trees then flowers on him.
Such was stamina of Hanuman
Fresh he looked from that short rest.
Felt he had still left in him
Strength to circle earth itself.
Flying wonder that Hanuman
Powerful soldier none the less.
Green all yonder found Hanuman
Reached as he that mountain range.
Valleys all of that hill range
Had thick trees ’n wide gardens.
Had he thus a full measure of
Land of Ravan that was green.
Bore all trees there fruits varied
Besides date palms and santras.
Thick were bushes on those hills
Fragrant flowers all bloomed therein.
Birds well nestled on trees all there
Rustled leaves were by southern breeze.
Graced flowers lotus tanks all those
Swans in them swam with rare grace.
Grew fruits well in all seasons
Well-grown farms in scores there lay.
Itching to search Ravan’s town
Hanuman in time reached its gates.
Lest Rama should sneak in there
On high alert were Ravan’s troops.
Bricks of gold made Lanka’s wall
Kissed its castles clouds in skies.
Mansions it had in millions
Wide ’n well laid were there roads.
Climbed creepers green gold arches
Looked like Lanka heaven on earth.
Seemed as Lanka city in clouds
Lay dwellings on mountain peaks.
Built it was by gods’ builder
Earned it fame in Ravan’s reign.
Lankan fort in that sea then
Seemed like saree clad maiden,
Compound wall its laid in gold
Looked like virgin’s narrow waist,
Long-range guns its plaits parted
Seemed as gables gold ear-rings.
Moved as Hanuman languidly
Thought he thus in wonderment:
Sky scrappers these of Lanka
Won’t they lead to heaven itself!
None but Kubera owned it once
But vile Ravan grabbed from him.
Demons then came to own this place
Teeth that protrude seem them fiends.
Such as reside in Lanka
Circled by seas as it were
Foe to fear made king Ravan.
Came as cropper demigods all
Of what avail Rama’s vanar force!
Maginot line that Ravan built
Find would Rama hard to breach.
Rich as Lankans ’n powerful
Bribe ’n bravery might not work.
But for Angad, Neel ’n Sugreev
Rest might get stuck at these gates.
Place why horse before the cart
Makes it sense to strive my best.
So felt Hanuman it’s proper
Handled he better task on hand.
With my normal simian form
Won’t I hoodwink Ravan’s men?
Big and powerful they are all
How to throw wool in their eyes!
Why not I turn tinier
And wait till the sun goes down.
Lying in wait Hanuman then
Weighed all options on his hand.
Not by letting Ravan’s men
Smell a rat of my spying
How am I to find Seetha!
Without muddling my errand
How to find here Seetha soon?
Towel in throws as night at dawn
Confronted by unforeseen
Mid-course dullards leave their jobs.
Mission one’s awry goes for sure
Meddles if one in half knowledge.
Thus for having come so far
Why not carry Seetha’s word
For the waiting ears of Ram.
Stop me if these in my tracks
Derailed gets then Seetha’s search.
How to look for Rama’s spouse
Unseen by these guards in scores!
Given the strength of their network
None the disguise might well work.
Were I to surface as it were
Might I as well get captured.
Makes it eminent if I move
With darkness to aid me well.
It’s night that makes conducive
To search Ravan’s own premises.
Having worked out his plan thus
Waited Hanuman moon to come.
When the sun went out of scene
Cat-like instinct showed Hanuman.
Airborne was he soon over
Lanka’s well-laid avenues all.
Pillars silver had buildings
Windows whose wore golden frames.
Built were mansions eight-storied
Set on gold floors were cat’s eyes.
Stuccoes precious gems had walls
Adorned pearls their wide doors all.
Domes there were all gold plated
Bright they were by day and night.
Having had a bird’s- eye view
Flustered Hanuman Lanka’s wealth.
Land that was of king Ravan
Domicile of those demons varied.
As if to show him the way
Moon came out in full bloom then.
In the moon rays of full moon
Seen Hanuman the green signal.