37. Hanuman Burning Lanka (Devotional)

      Once Ravana tried to enter kailasa to meet Lord Shiva. Nandiswara who is one of the guardian in kailasa stopped him. Ravana got angry and scolded Nandiswara as monkey. In turn Nandiswara cursed Ravana that a monkey will destroy his Lanka. According to his curse, Hanuman started destroying Lanka as explained in Hanuman's Fight In Lanka. Hanuman got confined himself with Brahmasthra to meet Ravana. Indrajit brought Hanuman to Ravana's court where Hanuman met Ravana and was astonished by Ravana's glory. Ravana inquired of Hanuman as to who he was and also his motive in destroying the pleasure-garden as also killing the demons. Hanuman replied that he did all this to meet Ravana and introduced himself as Rama's messenger. 

      Vibhishana, one of the half brothers of Ravana offered Hanuman to be seated as it was ritual that messenger should be respected but Ravana told that there is no need to respect a monkey. Hanuman created his own thorn by expanding his tail and sat on it. Hanuman warned Ravana to return Sita back to Rama else he will be punished. Ravana got angry and ordered his soldiers to kill Hanuman but Vibhishana advised Ravana not to kill Hanuman as it is not right to kill a messenger. So Ravana ordered to wrap cloths around Hanuman's tail and set fire. Hanuman expanded his tail further and further such that even all cloths in Lanka were not enough to wrap around it. Finally when they set fire to his tail, Hanuman started setting that fire to all buildings in Lanka. Hanuman burnt the entire city, barring the abode of Vibhishana. All the demons were frightened seeing the blazing fire consuming their city with its trees, houses and a host of living beings.

      After burning Lanka, Hanuman went to the ocean and got rid of fire to his tail. He jumped into the ocean to refresh himself then a drop of his perspiration fell into the mouth of a great fish (a mermaid) which later gave birth to a mighty hero named Makara Dhvaja. Suddenly Hanuman thought about Sita and frightened that she might also burnt. He came to Ashoka vatika to find Sita safe and was happy. He took leave from Sita and started his journey back to Rama. Hanuman crossed ocean and met other vanaras waiting for him on the opposite side of ocean. All were happy after hearing from Hanuman what he had done. They went to Rama and explained everything. Hanuman gave Chudamani given by Sita as a token of rememberence to Rama (Refer Hanuman Met Sita). Rama confirmed that it is Sita's Chudamani and everyone prepared to reach Lanka to fight with demons and save Sita.