Canto 3
Prelude to Entry
Having hovered in the skies
Landed Hanuman in Lanka.
Bypassed Hanuman those sentries
Manned who Lanka’s gates all there.
Such was mirth of Lankans then
Matched in decibels roars of seas
Graced that place with soothing breeze.
Lived there people strong ’n stout
Carved were elephants on main gates.
Of the star-filled bluish skies
Mirror image so Lanka seemed.
Unfurled sea breeze Lankan flags
Unleashed tinkles their trinkets.
Onto Lankan wall he jumped
Got he then a bird’s-eye view.
Doors there all were gold plated
Paved were verandahs with corals.
Facades were all filled with gems
Rooftops there had gold elephants.
Cat’s eyes inlaid staircases
Furnished well were drawing rooms.
In tandem with those tinkles
Emanated from women’s jewels
Bird calls rent air from courtyards.
Wide-eyed he then stared for long
At such splendour never equalled.
Marveled as he at such wealth
Thoughts his turned to Ravan’s might.
Guarded as well Lanka thus
Is there scope for entry then?
But Kumud, Angad, Sushena too
Might stand chance as Maind and Dwivid.
Not to speak of Lord Sugreev
Kusaparv, Jambavan, Ketumal, and I no less.
Be that as it may Lanka
Stands no chance with Ram Lakshman.
Won’t look Lanka like a dame
With these dwellings as ear-rings
And its workshops her huge boobs?
Lights with its on won’t Lanka
Look like woman in white saree?
Got wind of him Lankin then
Deity Lanka’s that huge fiend.
Came she forthwith in his way
Hideous with her frame so large.
Lost she no time to confront
Him in her tone that was harsh.
Value if thou life thy now
Make a clean breast of thyself.
How it entered thy little head
Sneak thou might in Ravan’s land?
Undaunted said thus Hanuman:
Dared as thee to address thus
May I know now who art thou?
With thy hideous looks and all
Why thee stand guard at this time?
Then the deity in response
Spoke to Hanuman in disdain.
Guard I Lanka day ’n night
Serve I Ravan in good faith.
Tuck thy tail and run for life
Lest thy soul should rest in peace.
That thou realized who I am
Make haste now ’n beat retreat.
Hanuman at this grew so huge
Matching Lankin pound for pound.
Having come thus face to face
Hanuman then her thus addressed.
As I heard of thy Lanka
Know I came as just tourist.
All I want is to saunter
All through Lanka in leisure.
With that Lankin lost her cool
Flared she thus at Hanuman then.
Enough of cunning O simian
Dare if thou cross swords with me.
Acting then all innocent
Addressed Hanuman thus Lankin:
Seek as I to see thy place
Wonder why thou make big fuss?
Lankin at that turned physical
With her fist on Hanuman’s frame.
Roused as Hanuman in anger
Roared he loud like lion hungry.
Then a left hook he landed
On her huge frame bare fisted.
Yet he did no more than that
Out of respect for women folk.
With the power of his punch then
On all fours the fiend fell down.
Writhed as she in such great pain
Pitied Hanuman the woman in her.
Scared no end was wounded fiend
Begged she mercy from Hanuman.
Hurt not women valorous men
Know am Lankin, Lanka’s deity.
As I was by thee matted
Think I time to tell thee all.
Signalled Brahma to Lanka
Nadir as I lose my fight
At the hands of some simian.
Lost as I the fight to thee
End I see of Ravan’s reign.
How can Brahma ever go wrong?
Seetha’s kidnap proves him right.
Thus O Hanuman get thee set
On thy mission in Lanka straight.
Seizes us as Brahma’s curse
Go in search of Seetha now
Snared who Ravan to this land.