Chapter CXCVI: Section LIV

Casting his eyes on Lanka, the monkey, his wish attained, increasing his person and bursting with spirits, considered as to how to give the _coup de grace_ to his exertions. "What recently is to be done by me here to finish this business, that may afflict them the more? I have ravaged the wood, and slain the choice Rakshasas, and destroyed by main force a portion of the army. Now it remains to demolish the fortifications. On the fortifications being destroyed, my work shall have its toils crowned with joy. By undergoing slight labor in this business, I shall have my pains furnished with fruit. That bearer of sacrificial offerings[414] who flameth on my tail,--it is my duty to propitiate him with these excellent edifices." Thereat that mighty monkey, with his tail aglow, and resembling a cloud (luminous) with lightning, began to range before the dwellings in Lanka. And that monkey with a calm mind, eying (all round), ranged one house from another, and gardens, and stately piles. And that one gifted with exceeding vehemence, and in strength resembling the Wind, bounding up set fire unto the dwelling of Prahasta. Then Hanuman endowed with prowess, leaping up, set unto Mahaparcwa's mansion fire resembling that at the universal dissolution. And (then) the mighty monkey darting up, set fire unto Vajradanshtra's; and (then) that highly energetic one set fire unto Suka's and unto the intelligent Sarana's. And the leader of monkey bands in the same way burnt down Indrajit's mansion; and then he burnt the abodes of Sumali and Jamvumali; and Racmiketu's mansion and Suryyacatru's, and Hraswakarna's, and the Rakshasa Romaca's; and the houses of Yuddhonmattn, and Matta, and the Rakshasa Dwajagriva, and the calm Vidyujjibhwa, and Hastimukha; and of Karala, and of Vicala, and of Sonitaksha; and Kumbhakarna's mansion, and Nikumbha's, and the residence of Yajnacatru, and of Brahmacatru. And leaving alone the dwelling of Vibhishana, that exceedingly energetic one--foremost of monkeys--by and by burnt (all the houses there). And in those costly mansions and dwellings, that famous one, that foremost of monkeys, burnt all the wealth of those affluent persons.-- Having passed the dwellings of all, that powerful and auspicious one approached the residence of the lord of Rakshasas, Ravana. And in that foremost of mansions, adorned with various gems, resembling Meru or Mandara, graced with diverse auspicious things, he set unto the same, fire flaming at the end of his tail. And the heroic Hauuman roars, resembling a cloud (appearing) at the end of a _Yuga_. And assisted by the wind, that highly powerful and vehement one (Fire) flaimed up, like fire at the wreck of all, and the fire attained energy. And the wind spreading the flaming fire all round those dwellings, those mansions furnished with golden networks; and containing pearls and gems; enjewelled and magnificent, were shorn of their splendour. And cracked edifices began to topple down to the ground, like the mansions of Siddhas falling from the firmament on the exhaustion of their righteousness. And there arose a mighty uproar of those Rakshasas, as, bereft of their good fortune, despairing of preserving their abodes, they rushed in all directions,--"Forsooth it is Fire himself that hath come hither in the form of a monkey." And females crying with babes on their breasts, suddenly plunged (into the fire). And some fair ones with hair dishevelled, and surrounded on all sides with fire, as they fell down from dwellings, looked lovely like lightning from the welkin. And he (Hanuman) saw various kinds of metals, mixed with diamonds, and coral, and lapises and pearls and silver, runing down in streams from the mansions. And as Fire is not cloyed with wood and straw, Hanuman never at all felt satiety on slaying those foremost of Rakshasas. And the Earth could not contain the Rakshasas slain by Hanuman. And as Rudra had burnt down Tripura, the vehement and high-souled monkey, Hanuman, burnt down Lanka. And rising to the brow of Lanka's mount,[415] the fire of terrific energy kindled by the impetuous Hanuman, spread wide his tongues. And with the Wind assisting him, the smokless Fire in the dwellings, with his flames feeding on the bodies of the Rakshasas representing sacrificial offerings, spread his magnitude, touching the horizen--resembling the conflagration kindled at the universal dissolution. And possessing the fierce energy of a _koti_ suns, the mighty Fire completely encompassing the entire Lanka, increased (in volume), riving the mundane Egg with various sounds resembling thunder-claps. And the Fire of terrific might, having his flames resembling _Kincuka_ blossoms, rising up to the sky, clouds caused by volumes of smoke arising from extinguished fire, in hue resembling blue lotuses, looked exceedingly beautiful. "Either the thunder-bolt-bearing Indra the Great--chief of celestials, or Yama himself, or Varuna, or the Wind-god, or the Fire generated by Rudra's third eye, or the Sun, or Dhanada, or Soma. This is no monkey,--this is verily _Kala_[416] himself. Or is this the Rakshasa-annihilating Fire of Brahma himself--the Great-sire of all, the four-faced Disposer of the world's destinies,-- come hither, wearing the form of a monkey? Or is this Vishnu's Energy, inconceivable, unutterable, infinite and sole, and of surpassing power,--now come hither in its own illusory nature, assuming a monkey-form?" Seeing that city suddenly consumed, with her souls, dwellings, and trees, Rakshasas of note, assembled together, thus talked unto each other. And then Lanka, suddenly consumed with Rakshasas, horses, cars, serpents, crowds of birds, beasts and trees, began to bewail tumultuously and loud in forlorn guise,--"O father! O son! O love! O friend! O lord of my life and frame! all our religious merit is abolished." Indulging in various lamentations, the Rakshas thus created a mighty and frightful uproar. And with the flames encircling her, and her foremost heroes fallen, and her warriors destroyed, Lanka, overcome by the might of Hanuman's wrath, became as if she had been blighted by an imprecation. Then the mighty-minded Hanuman beheld the Rakshasas in terror and trepidation and castdown, and Lanka marked by fire and bright flames, even as the Self-sprung eyeth the world destroyed by his rage. And devastating the forest filled with many excellent trees, slaying many a terrible Rakshasa in conflict, and burning down the city of Lanka filled with picturesque houses, the monkey, Hanuman, Wind-god's son, stationed himself there. And destroying many a Rakshasa, felling many trees in the forest and setting fire to the houses of the Rakshasas, the high-souled (monkey) became engaged in thoughts touching Rama. Thereupon all the celestials praised highly the high-souled, excellent and mighty son of the Wind-god, foremost of heroic monkeys, gifted with the velocity of the Wind. And all the celestials, the foremost ascetics, the _Gandharbas_, the _Vidhyadharas_, the _Pannagas_, and all other great heroes, attained excess of delight. And having devastated the forest, slain the Rakshasas in conflict and burnt the grand city of Lanka, the great monkey appeared there. And seated on the variegated top of a splendid and high mansion, the foremost of monkeys, spreading the rays of his burning tail, looked like unto the sun of many rays. And having consumed the city of Lanka, the great monkey quenched the fire of his tail in the ocean. Thereupon beholding Lanka burnt down, the celestials along with Gandharbas, Siddhas, and the great ascetics, were struck with wonder.

[414] _Vide ante.--T._

[415] _Trikuta_ on which Lanka rested.--T.

[416] A name of Yama.--T.