Srimad Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa | Sundara Kāṇḍa ~ Sarga 53 of 68

To see the burning tail of that Hanuma, the delighted demons together with their women, chldren and elders went there.

Tied down again by the cruel demons, coming together, the heroic Hanuma the foremost among monkeys made up his mind appropriate for that occasion (as follows):

“Though I have been tied down, those demons cannot do whatever they wish to do against me. Breaking the ties, I can fly up and kill them.”

“If these evil-minded demons fasten me who is acting for the good of Rama my lord, because of the command by their lord, no rebuff has been done to me.”

All the demons proclaimed in cross roads, four-pillared temples and in royal high-ways, saying that Hanuma was a spy.

Women, children and old people came out from their respective dwellings, with an eagerness to see that Hanuma with his burning tail.

While the tip of Hanuma’s tail was being ignited by the demons there, those female-demons with monstrous eyes then informed that unpleasant matter to Seetha, the princess.

“O Seetha! That monkey with a red face, who had a conversation with you, is being moved around in the city, with his ignited tail.”

Hearing that cruel news, which created as much sorrow as when she was carried away by Ravana, Seetha was tormented with grief and started to pay homage to the fire-god.

Then, the large-eyed Seetha, wishing for the welfare of Hanuma, prayed the fire-god with her devoted self.

“If I have done any service to my husband, if I have performed a penance and if I am a faithful wife, please be cool to Hanuma.”

“If the wise Rama has even a little of kindness to me and if I have still some good fortune remaining to my credit, please be cool to Hanuma.”

“If that virtuous Rama recognises me as one,, who is endowed with a good moral conduct and who is ardently desirous of meeting him, please be cool to Hanuma.”

“If the venerable Sugreeva, true to his promise, can make me traverse from this ocean of sorrow, please be cool to Hanuma.”

Then, the fire-god, as though informing the fawn-eyed Seetha about the well-being of Hanuma, shone brightly with sharp flames, undisteurbed and shooting out pointed flames towards the right.

Even wind-god, the father of Hanuma, combined with the fire on Hanuma’s tail, swept coolly like a snow-breeze, creating a solace to Seetha.

While his tail was in flames, Hanuma was reflecting why the fire, which was blazing on all sides, was not burning him.

“It is conspicuous with large flames. But it is not creating any paoin to me, as if a snow-ball is kept at the tip of my tail.”

“Or, while I was jumping over the ocean, a surprise-alliance was formed with Mount Mainaka and through the mountain, with the ocean, because of Rama’s power. By this, the reason of the coolness is clear.”

“If such an eagerness was there in the mind of the sea and the wise Mount Mainaka for the cause of Rama; will not the fire-god show the same degree of eagerness in making its touch cold?” .

“The fire does not burn me, due to kindness of Seetha, powerfulness of Rama and friendlines of my father.”

That Hanuma, the foremost among the monkeys, reflected agian for a monment, jumped with swiftness and roared too.

Then, the glorious Hanuma like a mountain-peak, approached the city-gate, which was looking high and stood secluded from the crowds of demons.

That prudent Hanuma assumed the form of a mountain and immediately within a moment, assumed an exceedingly short form, thus becoming free from his tethers.

The glorious Hanuma, having been free from his bonds, again assumed the form equal to a mountain and while looking around, found and iron rod belonging to the arched door-way.

That long-armed Hanuma, again taking taht rod made of iron, killed all those guards.