Hanumān and the Epic Journey to Śrī Laṅkā Ceylon
The transcendental pastimes of Lord Rāmacandra in the ancient kingdom of Śrī Laṅkā serve as a powerful testament to the triumph of divine devotion over material opulence. Providing deep insights into these historical events, Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the supreme will of the Lord can easily dismantle even the most formidable demonic empires. These epic narratives reveal how pure devotees render impossible service out of pure love.
The Opulence of the Demon King
The island of Laṅkā was historically renowned for its unimaginable wealth and structural magnificence. Describing the extent of this material advancement, Śrīla Prabhupāda points out that Rāvaṇa transformed his entire capital into a city of solid gold. Despite being a great scholar and devotee of Lord Śiva, his aggressive and demonic nature ultimately guaranteed that this vast material opulence could not protect him from the wrath of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
- Ravana was a great personality, a great devotee of Lord Siva also, and materially his kingdom was very much advanced. It is said that Lanka was made of gold. Actually there were many palaces. And he was a very big Vedic scholar also.
- Ravana was very advanced materially, so much so that he turned his kingdom, Lanka, into pure gold, or full material wealth.
- Ravana's brother, he reigned in Brazil. And there was subway from Ceylon to Brazil. We get information from Ramayana. Such powerful demons. Who can make now subway from one country to another country? They can make subway from one city to another, utmost.
- O pleasure of the Raksasa dynasty, because of you (Ravana) the state of Lanka and also we ourselves now have no protector. By your deeds you have made your body fit to be eaten by vultures and your soul fit to go to hell.
The Heroic Devotion of Hanumān
The rescue of Sītādevī required feats of strength that defied all material calculation. Highlighting the supreme dedication of the Lord's greatest servant, Śrīla Prabhupāda marvels at how Hanumān effortlessly leapt across the vast ocean to reach the shores of the enemy kingdom. Utilizing his anger purely for the Lord's service, he single-handedly set the golden city ablaze, demonstrating that any emotion, when directed towards Kṛṣṇa, achieves spiritual perfection.
- It was Hanumanji who jumped over the sea in one leap and reached the shore of Lanka from the shore of Bharata-varsa. When Lord Ramacandra chose to go there, He paved the way with stones, although by His will the stones were able to float on the sea.
- The Personality of Godhead Sri Ramacandra attempted to bridge the Indian Ocean to reach the island of Lanka, but Sri Hanumanji, the unalloyed devotee of the Personality of Godhead, could cross the ocean simply by jumping over it.
- Krodha, anger, cannot be stopped, but it can be applied rightly. It was in anger that Hanuman set fire to Lanka, but he is worshiped as the greatest devotee of Lord Ramacandra. This means that he utilized his anger in the right way.
- Displaying the emotions of Hanuman, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu took up a large tree branch and, mounting the walls of the Lanka fort, began to dismantle it.
Constructing the Miraculous Bridge
To march the massive army of monkey soldiers across the ocean, the Lord ordained the construction of a legendary stone bridge. Emphasizing the miraculous nature of this event, Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that by the mere will of the Supreme Lord, heavy mountain peaks and boulders were made to float upon the water. This bridge stands as an eternal monument to the cooperative service of the Lord's devoted followers.
- After constructing a bridge over the ocean by throwing into the water the peaks of mountains whose trees and other vegetation had been shaken by the hands of great monkeys, Lord Ramacandra went to Lanka to release Sitadevi from the clutches of Ravana.
- Jambavan continued, "This island is now said to be Ceylon. Lord Ramacandra's construction of a bridge over the ocean from Cape Comorin to Ceylon is still well known to everyone."
- The Lord (Ramacandra) built a floating bridge of stones on the Indian Ocean and reached Lanka, the kingdom of Ravana, who had kidnapped Sita. Later on Ravana was killed by Him, and Ravana's brother Vibhisana was installed on the throne of Lanka.
- It is said that here (Dhanus-tirtha), on the request of Ravana’s younger brother Vibhisana, Lord Ramacandra destroyed the bridge to Lanka with His bow while returning to His capital.
The Ultimate Defeat of Demonic Forces
Upon crossing the ocean, the Supreme Lord and His army decimated the powerful ranks of the Rakṣasas. Analyzing the aftermath of this great battle, Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that the city, once a symbol of unconquerable pride, was completely plundered and destroyed. The Lord then established dharma by installing the pious Vibhīṣaṇa on the throne before returning to Ayodhyā in a celestial airplane of flowers.
- With the direction and help of Vibhisana, Ravana's brother, the Lord, along with the monkey soldiers, headed by Sugriva, Nila and Hanuman, entered Ravana's kingdom, Lanka, which had previously been burnt by Hanuman.
- When the city's crossroads, platforms, flags and golden waterpots on its domes were all destroyed, the entire city of Lanka appeared like a river disturbed by a herd of elephants.
- After giving Vibhisana the power to rule the Raksasa population of Lanka for the duration of one kalpa, Lord Ramacandra, the Supreme Personality of Godhead (Bhagavan), placed Sitadevi on an airplane decorated with flowers and then got on the plane Himself.
- They (Krsna and Balarama) learned how to make carriages and airplanes from flowers. It is said in the Ramayana that after defeating Ravana, Ramacandra was carried from Lanka to Bharata-varsa on a plane of flowers, called a puspa-ratha.
Conclusion
The epic events that unfolded in Śrī Laṅkā are eternal testaments to the absolute supremacy of the Lord and the power of pure devotional service. As Śrīla Prabhupāda masterfully explains, material opulence devoid of God consciousness is destined for destruction, while sincere service, like that of Hanumān, is glorified forever. Thus, the Rāmāyaṇa serves as a timeless guide for understanding the true nature of victory and devotion.
Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Sri Lanka - Ceylon. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.