Hanuman went to Ravana’s court. It was unmatched in splendour and glory, with silk and gems and jewels glowing everywhere. Ravana himself was a formidable person, dark and handsome, wearing gorgeous clothes and jewellery. No seat was offered to the envoy, so Hanuman extended and coiled his tail to form a seat even higher than Ravana’s and settled down for a discussion. “Who has sent him? Ask him if he is a representative from Indra or Kubera,” Ravana told his minister to check. “Neither Indra nor Kubera sent me,” retorted Hanuman. “I am the minister of King Sugreeva of Kishkindha. I come as an emissary of Sri Rama. You have abducted the wife of Sri Rama, revealing your evil and cowardly nature. But you have invited Death in the form of Seeta. If you want to avoid the destruction of your entire race, seek Sri Rama’s forgiveness and find shelter at His feet,” advised Hanuman.
Hanuman in Ravana’s Court
