Sundar Kaanda
150 - Burning of Lanka
Chaupais
Description
"When the tailless monkey will go back, the wretch will bring his master with him, and I shall have an opportunity of seeing his might, whom he has so lavishly exalted ." Hanuman smiled to himself on hearing these words. "Goddess Sarada has proved helpful to me, I believe." On hearing Ravana's command the stupid demons started doing as they were bid. Not a rag was left in the city nor a drop of ghee (clarified butter) or oil, the tail had grown to such a length through Hanuman's playful gesture. The citizens thronged to see the fun; they kicked Hanuman and jeered much at him. With beating of drums and clapping of hands they took him round the city and then set fire to his tail. When Hanuman saw the fire blazing, he immediately assumed an utterly diminutive size, and slipping out of his bonds sprang to the attics of the gold palace, to the dismay of the demonesses.