nfuriated by Hanuman’s advice, Ravana ordered that the monkey be executed. His wise and learned brother, Vibheeshana, intervened hastily, “This is an ambassador, my lord. He should not be killed.” Ravana accepted his advice, adding, “The monkey is very fond of his tail. Set fire to it and flog him out of Lanka.” The rakshasas tied yards and yards of rags soaked in oil on Hanuman’s tail that kept growing. Then they lit it up. Seeta, hearing of the insult and treatment of Hanuman, prayed that the fire would not harm him. Hanuman was surprised that he did not feel the heat of the fire at all as he was paraded through the streets and mocked by the men, the women and the children. He leapt from building to building, setting fire to everything. People ran in terror as the fire spread. Sitting on Trikoota hill, he saw all of Lanka was burning except Ashoka Vatika.
Lanka Burns
