Sundarkand · Chapter 28
Hanuman Enters Lanka
The story so far
Having crossed the ocean, Hanuman has reached the shore of Lanka, passing the tests of Surasa and Simhika on the way.
Night had fallen. Golden Lanka glittered with lamps, and demons stood at every gate. Hanuman knew that entering in his large form was impossible.
He took a form as small as a mosquito and remembered Ram's name in his heart. The goal was clear: find Mother Sita, nothing else.
At the gate the demoness stopped him. Hanuman struck her with a single blow, and she fell. Rising, she said: Brahma once told me that when a vanara's blow shakes you, know that the end of the demons is near.
Lankini folded her hands and let Hanuman pass. He began searching for Mother Sita through palaces, gardens and streets.
प्रबिसि नगर कीजे सब काजा। हृदयँ राखि कोसलपुर राजा॥
Keep the king of Kosala, Shri Ram, in your heart, enter the city and do all your work.
— Ramcharitmanas, Sundarkand
A lesson for today
When the task is big, keep your ego small. New job, new college, new city: first quietly understand the place, keep your goal in your heart, and show your strength only when it's needed.
All chapters
- 1How the Ramayan Began: Valmiki and Narad
- 2Dashrath's Yagya and the Birth of the Four Brothers
- 3Vishwamitra and the Fall of Tadaka
- 4Ahalya Set Free
- 5Sita's Swayamvar and Shiv's Bow
- 6The Anger of Parshuram
- 7The Coronation Plans and Manthara
- 8Kaikeyi's Two Boons
- 9Ram Leaves for the Forest
- 10The Boatman's Love: Crossing the Ganga
- 11The Death of King Dashrath
- 12Bharat's Love and Sacrifice
- 13Bharat Meets Ram: The Sacred Sandals
- 14The Blessings of Atri and Anasuya
- 15Through the Dandak Forest to Panchavati
- 16Shurpanakha
- 17The Battle with Khar and Dushan
- 18Maarich and the Golden Deer
- 19Sita Is Taken
- 20Jatayu's Sacrifice
- 21Shabari's Berries
- 22Ram Meets Hanuman
- 23Friendship with Sugriv
- 24The Fall of Bali
- 25The Search Parties and Sampati
- 26The Decision to Cross the Ocean
- 27Surasa and Simhika
- 28Hanuman Enters Lanka
- 29Sita in the Ashok Vatika
- 30Hanuman Gives Ram's Ring
- 31The Ashok Vatika Destroyed, and Akshay Kumar
- 32The Brahmastra and Ravan's Court
- 33Lanka in Flames
- 34Return with the Chudamani
- 35Vibhishan Seeks Refuge
- 36Building Ram Setu
- 37Angad, the Envoy
- 38The War Begins
- 39Lakshman Struck, and the Sanjeevani
- 40Kumbhakarna
- 41The Fall of Meghnad
- 42The Fall of Ravan
- 43Sita's Return and the Trial by Fire
- 44The Return to Ayodhya
- 45Ram's Coronation
- 46Ram Rajya
- 47Valmiki's Ashram and the Birth of Luv and Kush
- 48Luv and Kush Sing the Ramayan
- 49Sita Returns to the Earth