Hanuman and the Burning of Lanka

The guards had already wrapped cloth around Hanuman's tail. Now he began to lengthen it — longer and longer, so that they had to keep bringing more cloth to cover it. When word of the fire reached Sita, she prayed that the flame would stay cool for Hanuman, since he carried out Ram's work and had treated her with respect. The fire burned around him, and it did not burn him.

He reduced his size, slipped free of the bonds, and leapt onto the city roofs. Using the flame meant as humiliation, he set fire to prominent palaces, towers, armouries, and military buildings. Wind carried the blaze through the city. People cried out in fear as fire spread beyond the centres of Ravana's power.

When Hanuman saw the blaze, triumph gave way to alarm. Had he endangered Sita through uncontrolled anger? He condemned his own haste and considered how one rash act could undo the entire mission. Reassuring voices and favourable signs suggested Sita was safe, but he did not rely on hope. He returned to the Ashoka grove and saw her again.

Sita confirmed that she had not been harmed. Hanuman bowed and repeated that Ram would come. She again asked him to carry her message faithfully and urged that the rescue not be delayed.

Hanuman then climbed Arishta mountain and prepared for the return leap. Behind him, Lanka had received both a warning and a wound. Ahead waited companions who did not yet know Sita was alive.