Hanuman, the mighty son of the Wind, stood atop the mountain peak, his heart restless with purpose. “Until I know whether Vaidehi is alive or not,” he thought, “I will remain here, for I must see Janaka’s daughter with my own eyes.” Pausing for a moment, the great monkey pondered deeply upon Rama’s success and the task before him. He realized, “With my present form, I cannot enter the city of the rakshasas, fiercely guarded by cruel and powerful demons. All these mighty rakshasas, brimming with energy, must be deceived if I am to search for Janaki. I must become both visible and invisible, and at night, enter Lanka at the right moment to accomplish this great mission.” Hanuman gazed at the formidable city, unconquerable even by gods or demons, and sighed again and again. “How can I see Maithili, Janaka’s daughter, without being seen by Ravana, the wicked king of the rakshasas? How can Rama’s purpose, for which I have come, not be lost? Alone, I must find Janaka’s daughter, and in secret.” He reflected, “A mission fails when place and time are not respected, especially if the messenger is timid—just as darkness vanishes at sunrise. Even wise decisions, if they ruin the intended purpose, come to nothing; messengers who think themselves clever often bring matters to ruin. How can this task not be lost? How can I avoid faint-heartedness? How can my crossing of the ocean not become futile?” Hanuman’s mind raced. “If the demons see me, the mission becomes useless—both for Ravana, who seeks harm, and for Rama, who knows his own self. It is impossible to remain undetected among the demons, even disguised as one of them—how much less in any other form! Here, even the wind could not pass unnoticed; nothing escapes these demons of terrible deeds. If I remain here, hidden in my own form, I will be destroyed and my master’s purpose will be lost.” Resolving firmly, Hanuman declared to himself, “Therefore, I will enter Lanka at night, having assumed a small form, for the accomplishment of Raghava’s purpose. Entering Ravana’s city at night, which is so difficult to approach, I will search every palace and see the daughter of Janaka.” Having made up his mind, Hanuman, filled with eagerness to see Vaidehi, waited for the sun to set. As darkness fell and night spread across the sky, the son of the Wind contracted his mighty form until he was no bigger than a cat—a wondrous sight to behold. At twilight, brimming with vigor, Hanuman leapt quickly and entered the beautiful city, whose broad roads were clearly laid out. Lanka dazzled his eyes: rows of palaces with golden pillars and latticed windows shining like refined gold, the city resembling the fabled realm of the Gandharvas. He saw grand buildings with seven and eight stories, their floors inlaid with crystal and decorated with gold, mansions adorned with patterns of beryl gems and strings of pearls, all gleaming in myriad ways. The golden gateways of the rakshasas illuminated Lanka on every side, resplendent in their adornment. Beholding Lanka’s inconceivable and marvelous form, Hanuman felt both despondent and delighted, his heart longing to see Vaidehi. He saw the city adorned with white-towered palaces, golden gateways, famed and well-guarded by Ravana’s powerful arms and by night-wandering demons of dreadful strength. Even the moon, rising among the stars, seemed to be Lanka’s companion, spreading its thousand rays and veiling the worlds in gentle light. Hanuman gazed at the moon, radiant as a conch, white as milk or lotus fiber, rising in the sky like a swan lifting itself from a lake. Now, the wise son of the Wind, having taken on a subtle form, stood atop a lofty peak, tall as a hanging raincloud, ready for his secret mission. At night, Hanuman entered Lanka—a city ruled by Ravana, rich with lovely groves and waters. He saw the city, well-defended and prosperous, adorned with leafy trees, beautiful gateways, and pale-white doors and arches. Guarded and splendid like the city of the serpents, filled with winding paths, it was shrouded in clouds flashing lightning and attended by hosts of stars. The roar of fierce winds echoed through Lanka, which was encircled by a great wall of shining gold, resplendent with banners and the jingling of tiny bells. Delighted, Hanuman swiftly approached and leapt over the rampart. His heart filled with wonder as he gazed around at the golden doors and platforms made of cat’s-eye gems. The floors were decorated with diamonds, crystal, and pearls, with corridors of refined gold and shining, pure silver. There were stairways of cat’s-eye gems, dusted with crystal, and beautiful, swift-moving walkways that seemed to rise into the sky. The city echoed with the calls of cranes and peacocks, graced by royal swans, and filled with the sounds of music and ornaments. Beholding that city, rivaling the wealth of the gods, Hanuman rejoiced, seeing Lanka as if it had risen into the very heavens.