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.