31. The Infiltration of Patala Lanka

The Infiltration of Patala Lanka

Veer Hanuman, assuming a diminutive form, crossed the portals of the demons’ fort in Patala Lanka. Soon he could hear a hullabaloo and proceeded in the direction from which the noise came.

He crossed several gaudily decorated apartments, adorned with precious stones and gold.

The Demon Festivities

Before long, he stood in front of a huge cave that had been sculpted to resemble a sanctuary. Jewels of different hues were set on the pillars at its entrance, and demons were busy heaping a variety of food items as offerings for their goddess, Kali. They were in a jovial mood, with many engrossed in singing and dancing.

Hanuman understood that the demons were preparing for a festive worship of their goddess. Excitement filled the air.

Discovering the Dark Chamber

The cave had a lower chamber which was kept shut. However, Hanuman soon found a small hole and sneaked into the dark chamber. There, he saw the huge and fearsome image of the goddess of the demons.

Hanuman stood before the image and demanded, “Tell me, O Goddess, do you really wish for Rama and Lakshmana to be sacrificed to you?”

The answer came in a solemn tone, “Know this, Hanuman, that Mahiravana is approaching his last hour. Do not worry. Your mission will be crowned with success!”

Joy filled Hanuman’s heart. He then hid behind the image, waiting to see what the demons would do next.

The Preparations for Sacrifice

The entire fort was in a festive mood, with preparations underway for sacrificing Rama and Lakshmana as well as for Mahiravana’s marriage with Chandrasena. A demoness named Kantaki, who had been appointed as Chandrasena’s custodian, was adorning her with ornaments while teasing her and narrating the glorious deeds of Mahiravana.

Chandrasena endured great agony. Although helpless, she held on to the faith that God would come to her rescue. Despite the humiliation heaped upon her by the ugly and cruel Kantaki, she remained silent, never responding to the demoness’s provocations.

The Unfolding Events

Soon, Rama and Lakshmana were seen being led towards the temple. They stood like statues, bound to poles and carried on a cart drawn by snake-monsters. The demons, dancing and shouting, paraded behind the cart.

Upon hearing the noise, Chandrasena guessed what was happening. She pulled herself away from Kantaki’s grasp and ran toward the street. Kantaki failed to stop her.

When Chandrasena saw how Rama and Lakshmana were adorned as sacrificial offerings, she shrieked and fainted.

The furious Kantaki began to whip Chandrasena even as she lay unconscious, then dragged her into a secure chamber within the fort.

The Ritual of Sacrifice

Kantaki, being the chief priestess in the cave of Kali, could not wait for Chandrasena to regain consciousness. She hurried to the cave, as it was her duty to offer wine to Kali, which would later be consumed by Mahiravana and other demons.

As soon as Kantaki arrived in the cave, the ritual began. The demons, under her direction, poured wine into the lower chamber through the hole. Hanuman felt disgusted by the flow of wine. In a thunderous voice, he declared, “Listen, you demons, stop pouring wine. Instead, pour some milk!”

The demons in the upper chamber froze in stunned silence, baffled by the goddess’s unusual preference for milk. Those eagerly waiting to drink the wine were undoubtedly disappointed.

Rama and Lakshmana also heard the voice rising from Kali’s cave. Rama smiled at Lakshmana, but Mahiravana was surprised. He asked Ahiravana, “Why does the goddess want to drink milk?”
<p“Well, it is simple! Rama and Lakshmana being holy beings, wine would not go well with them. Hence Kali’s choice of milk,” replied Ahiravana. “Great is your wisdom, my brother. Who else could have given me such a satisfactory explanation?” Mahiravana ordered the demons to fetch milk.

The Plan Unfolds

In a few minutes, jarfuls of milk were brought and poured down through the hole. Below, Hanuman raised his mouth and drank the sweet milk to his heart’s content, feeling a new vigor in his muscles, ready for action.

Shortly after, Mahiravana stood at the entrance and asked, “Mother Kali, can I now come in for your worship?”
<p“Have patience, child,” said Hanuman, “let your elder brother come in first!”

Mahiravana hastened to Ahiravana and said, “My brother, you are lucky. The goddess is pleased to receive you first!”

The Capture of Ahiravana

Ahiravana, delighted, entered the lower chamber carrying a huge golden dish filled with flowers, fruits, and honey. Hanuman stood alert at the door. As soon as Ahiravana pushed open the door and stepped in, Hanuman shut the door, catching him by the neck from behind. Before the demon could cry out, Hanuman’s iron grip silenced him forever.

Hanuman then sat down and made proper use of the fruits and honey the demon had brought. Feeling even stronger, he kicked Ahiravana’s lifeless body away to a dark nook.
<p“Mahiravana! Do not waste time. Send Rama and Lakshmana to my presence. My favorite devotee, Ahiravana, will have the privilege of offering them to me. You may enter afterward, followed by others, to sacrifice them.”

The Escape

Hanuman opened the door cautiously, keeping himself hidden. Mahiravana ushered Rama and Lakshmana inside. Hanuman slipped into the darkness behind the image of Kali and said in a weird tone, “O Princes of Ayodhya! Do not forget to close the door behind you!”

Lakshmana looked puzzled, while Rama smiled and instructed him, “First, lock the door.” Lakshmana complied. Then he heard a strange voice calling from behind the image.

They followed the direction and saw Hanuman bowing before them. “Lakshmana! The moment I heard the goddess was demanding milk instead of wine, I knew our Hanuman had taken on the guise of the goddess!”

Hanuman showed them the bows and arrows the demons had left before the image to seek the goddess’s blessing. Rama and Lakshmana picked up the bows and as many arrows as they could carry, while Hanuman gathered the rest.

A Battle for Freedom

Outside the chamber, the demons grew restless, eager to witness the sacrificial rite. They wondered why Ahiravana had not yet opened the door.

Kantaki was the first to entertain doubts, peering down through the hole only to find the absence of milk. She let out a shriek.
<p“What is the matter, Kantaki? Why are you shrieking like a trumpet? Did the deity express a desire to have you as a sacrifice?” asked Mahiravana.
<p“You fools! I suspect someone has invaded the deity’s chamber. It must be Chandrasena aiding the enemy’s infiltration into this secure fort. I must hurry and make her confess through torture,” shouted Kantaki as she ran away.

The other demons exchanged worried glances, unsure of what to do. They could hardly believe that an enemy had entered the deity’s cave, yet it was strange that Ahiravana had not answered their inquiries.

The Clash

At last, a horde of bold demons charged toward the chamber. Just then, Hanuman kicked open the door, emerging with Rama and Lakshmana on his shoulders, roaring, “The enemy is here!” The demons shouted in alarm.

Rama and Lakshmana began shooting arrows at them as Mahiravana, standing a few yards away, was taken aback. He readied his bow and rushed at Hanuman, leading to a fierce exchange of arrows.

Soon, an unusual phenomenon unfolded. With each drop of Mahiravana’s blood that spilled, a new demon sprang to life, looking exactly like him, creating a multitude of Mahiravanas for Rama and Lakshmana to battle.
<p“This is an intriguing situation. Shedding Mahiravana’s blood creates new demons. But how do we defeat him without spilling blood?” Rama asked Hanuman.

Suddenly, Hanuman remembered what Suvarchala Devi had told him: Chandrasena knew the secret to Mahiravana’s life and death. He flew to a mountain peak, leaving Rama and Lakshmana to fend off the horde of emerging Mahiravanas.