Sundarkand · Chapter 32
The Brahmastra and Ravan's Court
The story so far
Hanuman has destroyed the Ashok Vatika and killed Ravan's son Akshay Kumar.
Meghnad was Ravan's mightiest son. He had once defeated even Indra, so he was also called Indrajit. He came to fight Hanuman, but for a long time could do nothing. Then he took out the greatest weapon of all: the .
Hanuman could have withstood even that, for he carried Brahma's blessing. But he thought: if I don't honour the brahmastra, its glory will be lessened. And being taken bound to Ravan's court also serves my purpose. So he allowed himself to be bound.
The demons tied him tightly with ropes and dragged him to the court. The Valmiki Ramayan has a lovely detail here: the brahmastra's hold loosened the moment other ropes were added, but Hanuman let no one know.
Seated on a golden throne, Ravan asked: who are you? Fearlessly, Hanuman said: I am Ram's messenger. Return Sita with honour and take refuge in Ram. He is compassionate and will forgive you. Otherwise you will lose everything.
Ravan angrily ordered: kill this monkey! Then Vibhishan stood up. He said: Your Majesty, says a messenger must not be killed. Give him some other punishment. Ravan thought for a moment, then laughed: monkeys love their tails. Set his tail on fire.
ब्रह्म अस्त्र तेहि साँधा कपि मन कीन्ह बिचार। जौं न ब्रह्मसर मानउँ महिमा मिटइ अपार॥
When Meghnad aimed the brahmastra, Hanuman thought: if I do not yield to it, its great glory will be lost.
— Ramcharitmanas, Sundarkand
A lesson for today
The truly strong know when to bow. Hanuman didn't give in; he showed respect, and used that very moment to serve his purpose.
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