Neev: Welcome back to Mythical Masala! I’m Neev, your guide to the world of Indian mythology, and today, we’re diving into one of the most fiery parts of the Ramayana—Hanuman’s incredible exploits in Lanka.

Co-host: Hi everyone! If you thought flying across the ocean was impressive, wait till you hear what Hanuman does next. Spoiler alert: there’s a lot of action, a burning city, and a powerful message.

Neev: That’s right. In this episode, we’ll follow Hanuman as he finds Seeta, confronts Ravana, and shows why he’s one of the greatest heroes in Indian mythology. Ready to get started?

Co-host: Absolutely. Let’s jump in!

Neev: Hanuman hid in the shadows of the Ashoka Vatika, carefully observing the area. Under a large tree, surrounded by fierce rakshasis holding weapons, sat Seeta.

Co-host: Poor Seeta! Trapped in a beautiful garden, but surrounded by guards—definitely not paradise.

Neev: Exactly. As dawn broke, Ravana entered the garden with all his grandeur. Dressed in his finest silks and jewelry, he carried himself with pride. But Seeta shrank away from him, her face a mix of fear and disgust.

Co-host: Ravana really doesn’t get it, does he? No amount of wealth is going to impress someone who’s already devoted to Rama.

Neev: That’s right. Ravana tried to tempt Seeta, promising her unimaginable wealth and power if she would marry him. But Seeta, holding up a single blade of grass as a symbol of the distance between them, firmly rejected his advances.

Co-host: Seeta is so fearless. She must think why doesn’t Ravana just take care of his existing wives and just leave me alone.

Neev: She declared her loyalty to Rama, calling Ravana out for his arrogance. “You are inviting destruction upon yourself and your kingdom,” she warned. My heart belongs to Rama, and you have already seen his power when he single- handedly destroyed your army. Seek his forgiveness; " otherwise, he will destroy you completely. 

Co-host: Oof, Ravana walked right into that one. But let me guess—he doesn’t take rejection well.

Neev: Not at all. Furious, Ravana threatened Seeta, reminding her that she only had two months left to accept his proposal before the rakshasis would kill her. With that, he stormed out, leaving her frightened but resolute.

Neev: Hanuman watched all this with deep pity and grief for Seeta, admiration for her courage and a growing fury at Ravana's impertinence.

Cohost: I bet Seeta was not happy with this latest encounter with Ravana.  

Neev: After Ravana left, Seeta was weeping, and the rakshasis began tormenting Seeta. Some mocked her, saying Rama would never come. Others urged her to accept Ravana’s proposal.

Co-host: Really? Kicking someone when they’re already down? That’s just cruel. 

Neev: But not all the rakshasis were the same. One of them, Trijata, silenced the others. She recounted a dream she’d had—a chilling vision of Lanka burning, Ravana in rags, and Rama rescuing Seeta on a royal elephant.

Co-host: That’s some premonition! How do all people dream about the future! I need some of what they are having so I can see if this podcast gets a million downloads in the future!  

Neev: Sure! For now we will hope for that. Back to our story - Trijata warned the others to beg for Seeta’s forgiveness if they wanted to avoid destruction.This frightened the rakshasis who fell silent. 

Neev: Hanuman, who had been watching everything, felt a mix of grief for Seeta and fury at Ravana’s audacity. But now, he had to find a way to introduce himself without alarming her.

Co-host: Yeah, because a talking monkey showing up out of nowhere might not exactly scream “friendly messenger.”

Neev: (laughing) Exactly! Hanuman began speaking softly, recounting Rama’s story and his unwavering love for Seeta. He spoke of how he had come as a messenger from Rama.  As his words reached her ears, Seeta looked up and saw the tiny monkey perched in the tree.

Co-host: I am sure she thought she might be hallucinating or maybe it's one of Ravana’s tricks. It would be really difficult for her to trust someone after all that has happened.

Neev: Yeah, but Hanuman sang praises of Rama which Ravana would never do. Then Hanuman descended and offered her Rama’s ring as proof of his loyalty.

Co-host: Oh right, Rama gave Hanuman a ring before he left so that  Seeta would  know that he came as a messenger from Rama. That was very clever  of him.

Neev: It was. Tears of joy filled Seeta’s eyes as she listened to Hanuman’s message of Rama’s love and his plan to rescue her with the help of the Vanara sena.

Neev: Seeta, though overjoyed, was curious. How could this tiny monkey have crossed the ocean and survived in Lanka?

Co-host: Fair question! A lot of people are going to underestimate Hanuman as we will soon see.

Neev: To answer her doubts, Hanuman demonstrated his ability to change size, growing as tall as the trees and then shrinking back down. He even offered to carry her back to Rama himself.

Neev: It would, except Seeta declined.. Seeta wanted Rama to defeat Ravana and rescue her so his glory could spread far and wide. 

Co-host: Interesting choice! But how will Rama know it is really Seeta when Hanuman tells him?

Neev: Seeta gave Hanuman her chudamani, a hair ornament, as a token for Rama, along with stories only she and Rama would know.

Co-host: Good idea. Hanuman must feel like a courier here - exchanging pieces of jewelry between husband and wife. So Hanuman is off to get Rama?

Neev: Before leaving, Hanuman decided to make a statement. He began eating fruits, uprooting trees, and creating havoc in the Ashoka Vatika.

Co-host: Classic Hanuman—always leaving a memorable impression! I guess this was his mischievous streak at a whole new level.

Neev:  Absolutely! The rakshasis panicked, and Ravana’s guards rushed to stop him. Hanuman, however, was unstoppable and killed them all. 

Co-host: Ravana must have been furious.

Neev: Yes,  He ordered Prince Akshaya and soldiers to capture the monkey and bring him. The soldiers were terrified seeing how huge the monkey was. When Hanuman saw them coming. he uprooted a massive tree and flung it at them, killing all of them.

Co-host: Now Ravana must have been doubly furious - the death of his son is going to make him really mad!

Neev: He was. Ravana sent his other son, Indrajeet, to capture Hanuman. 

Co-host: Wasn’t Indrajeet the only warrior who could use the Brahmastra, the Vaishnavastra and the Pashupatastra - all very powerful weapons. 

Neev: That’s right! Indrajeet had been trained by Shukracharya, the guru of the asuras. Indrajeet thundered in on his chariot and Hanuman increased his form to a great height. He broke Indrajeet's arrows like straw., They batted for long. but Indrajeet could not injure him or capture him.

Co-host: Let me guess - he’s going to use one of his powerful weapons.

Neev: You got it! Indrajeet used the Brahmastra to bind Hanuman, who allowed himself to be captured so he could meet Ravana face-to-face.

Co-host: If you remember, Hanuman had received boons that no weapons could harm him. The brahmastra was the most powerful weapon and Hanuman knew that it could bind him only for 48 minutes. 

Neev: Yes, Hanuman knew he was actually free because the rakshahas took a long time to find enough rope that could bind him. But he played along, and was taken to Ravana’s court.

Co-host: haha! That must have been fun! I can’t wait to see the look on Ravana’s face when he realizes that they have been duped.

Neev: Hanuman was led into Ravana’s court, a place of unmatched splendor. The walls gleamed with gold and gems, silk drapes shimmered in the light, and an air of opulence surrounded the entire hall.

Co-host: Ravana sure knows how to decorate—pure intimidation through luxury.

Neev: Absolutely. Ravana himself sat on a grand throne, dark and commanding, his attire radiating power. But when Hanuman entered, he was offered no seat—an intentional slight to insult the envoy.

Co-host: Big mistake. Hanuman’s not one to take disrespect lightly.

Neev: Hanuman simply smiled. He coiled his mighty tail to form a towering seat higher than Ravana’s throne and settled into it with confidence.

Co-host: Now that’s a power move!

Neev: Ravana, his pride wounded, demanded to know who this bold monkey was. “Is he a representative of Indra? Or Kubera?” he asked his minister.

Co-host: Oh, Ravana, you’re about to find out!

Neev: Hanuman, unshaken, replied, “I am neither from Indra nor Kubera. I am Hanuman, minister of King Sugreeva of Kishkindha, and an emissary of Sri Rama. You have abducted the wife of Rama, revealing your cowardly and evil nature. Seeta’s purity and strength will be your undoing. You have invited death upon yourself and your kingdom. I urge you to seek Rama’s forgiveness and take refuge at his feet before it’s too late.”

Co-host: Whoa! Hanuman comes straight to the point. 

Neev: Hanuman’s words hit Ravana like thunder, but instead of wisdom, they ignited his fury. Ravana declared, “Execute this insolent monkey immediately!”

Neev: Before the guards could act, Ravana’s wise brother, Vibheeshana, intervened. “My lord,” he said cautiously, “this is an envoy. It is against our dharma to kill a messenger, no matter the provocation.”

Co-host: Vibheeshana, always the voice of reason. I think we might be seeing more of him. 

Neev: Reluctantly, Ravana agreed but added, “This monkey loves his tail. Set it on fire and flog him through the streets of Lanka!”

Co-host: Oh no! What’s going to happen now?

Neev: The rakshasas wasted no time. They soaked yards of rags in oil, tied them around Hanuman’s tail, and set it ablaze. The flames roared, but to Hanuman’s surprise, he felt no heat.

Co-host: That’s got to be Seeta’s prayer at work. She always comes through.

Neev: Exactly! Seeta had prayed for Hanuman’s safety, and her prayers shielded him. As the rakshasas paraded him through the streets, mocking and jeering, Hanuman began to smile.

Co-host: Oh, that’s the smile of someone who’s got an evil plan.

Neev: With his tail ablaze, Hanuman leapt into action. He sprang from one building to another, setting the city on fire. The flames spread rapidly, consuming the grand palaces, marketplaces, and towers.

Co-host: Ravana must have been seething, watching his golden city turn to ash.

Neev: Absolutely. The people of Lanka ran in terror as the fire engulfed their homes. Perched on Trikoota Hill, Hanuman looked down at the burning city, his heart filled with righteous fury and a deep sense of accomplishment. Lanka, the symbol of Ravana’s arrogance, was now a city in flames.

Co-host: What a statement! Hanuman didn’t just deliver Rama’s message—he made sure Ravana felt it.

Neev: After assuring Seeta of Rama’s imminent arrival, Hanuman prepared to leave Lanka. Bowing deeply to Seeta, he promised, “Mother, I will return with Sri Rama and his army to bring you home.”

Co-host: That’s a promise you know he’s going to keep. Hanuman never falters.

Neev: As he soared back across the ocean, he paused briefly to greet Mainaka, the mountain who had offered him rest earlier. With a gentle stroke of gratitude, Hanuman flew onward to Mahendra mountain, where the vanara sena anxiously awaited his return.

Co-host: I can’t wait to learn about their reaction! So exciting!

Neev: The moment Hanuman landed, the vanaras erupted in celebration. Their cheers and dances echoed across the mountain as they realized he had succeeded.

Co-host: I can almost see it—monkeys swinging from trees, banging on drums, eating all the fruit they can find!

Neev: (laughing) You’re spot on! Hanuman recounted his entire journey: his encounters with Mainaka, Surasa, and the Chhayagrahini; his discovery of Seeta; and his daring exploits in burning Lanka. He described Seeta’s strength, piety, and unwavering devotion to Rama.

Co-host: And let’s not forget—he really painted a vivid picture of Ravana’s arrogance and Lanka’s might. This was vital intel for the battle to come.

Neev: The vanaras celebrated by feasting on fruits, honey, and even bee-hives. But Jambavan, ever the wise leader, reminded them of their mission. “This news must reach Rama and Sugreeva immediately,” he said.

Neev: The vanara sena wasted no time and set off for Kishkindha. When they arrived, they gathered before Sugreeva and Rama, presenting Hanuman as the hero of the hour.

Co-host: You can imagine the tension—Rama, desperate for news, hanging on every word.

Neev: Exactly. Hanuman, knowing Rama’s anxiety, began with the words Rama longed to hear: “I have seen Mother Seeta.”

Co-host: I bet that hit Rama like a tidal wave of relief.

Neev: It did. Hanuman described how Seeta was constantly repeating Rama’s name, and how Ravana, despite all his threats, had not dared to harm her. Then, with reverence, Hanuman handed Seeta’s chudamani—a cherished ornament from her wedding day—to Rama.

Neev: Rama held the chudamani, his eyes welling with tears. He saw in it not just a token, but Seeta’s resilience and her unshaken faith in him.

Co-host: That moment must’ve been both heartwarming and heartbreaking.

Neev: It was. Hanuman then detailed the strength of Lanka and Ravana’s army, emphasizing the need for careful planning. “Seeta is waiting,” he said, his voice steady and determined. “It is time to prepare for war.”

Co-host: And so it begins! Ramayan’s big war between good vs evil. Everything so far was leading up to this moment.

Neev: Sugreeva and Rama began rallying their forces, moving the army southward toward the shores of the ocean. Along the way, Rama would often feel overcome with worry for Seeta, but Lakshmana, Sugreeva, and Hanuman offered words of comfort and encouragement.

Co-host: You know - having good friends is so helpful in such moments.  This is the power of friendship and loyalty.

Neev: Soon, the vast army reached the shores of Mahendra mountain, standing at the edge of the ocean, ready for the next phase of their journey.

Co-host: I can’t wait to see how they’ll cross that massive ocean and face Ravana’s powerful army.

Neev: Neither can I! But that’s a story for our next episode. Thank you, listeners, for joining us today as we celebrated Hanuman’s bravery, Seeta’s resilience, and the unwavering bonds of love and loyalty.

Co-host: Don’t forget to share your thoughts, questions, and favorite moments from today’s episode. We’d love to hear from you!

Neev: And remember, every great journey starts with a single step—or, in Hanuman’s case, a giant leap. See you next time on Mythical Masala!