Burning Lanka
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Hanuman has many names, each representing a characteristic he embodies. As a pillar of strength for Hindus, his personality is deeply respected and revered, inspiring many to aspire to his virtues. Often in life, we fall short of executing the grand plans we envision. Most of us are adept at daydreaming and setting lofty goals, yet we struggle to take the necessary steps to realize them fully. When in need of motivation to accomplish our objectives, many Hindus turn to Hanuman. Typically, our inaction stems from fear—whether it’s the fear of losing a loved one, fear of others’ opinions, or doubt in our own abilities. To overcome these fears, we must confront them with courage.
As Mahavira, which translates to “great courage,” Hanuman provides the strength we need to face life’s challenges. This goes beyond ordinary courage. To truly embody Mahavira, one must master four kinds of courage:
Ranveer: Courage to act.
Gyanveer: Courage to live up to his or her convictions in life.
Dayaveer: Courage to express compassion.
Daanveer: Courage to give where required.
Only one who is empowered with these four forms of courage is considered to be Mahavira, and truly ready to take on any challenge in life.
The story depicted in this piece represents Hanuman’s ability to execute his goals with utmost confidence and courage, never faltering, no matter the difficulty of the task.
In Lanka, Hanuman delivered a ring from Rama to Sita, assuring her of Rama’s imminent arrival. When Hanuman offered to carry her back, Sita opted to wait for Rama’s rescue, aiming to restore honor to all those wronged by Ravana. Unable to take Sita with him, Hanuman resolved to leave a lasting message for Ravana instead, making his way to the heart of the enemy’s palace. Upon entering, Hanuman noticed Ravana seated on a towering throne, overshadowing his subordinates. Mahavira immediately made his presence known and confronted the evil king. As he issued his warning, Hanuman coiled his tail beneath himself, rising until he towered over Ravana. Despite being alone and surrounded by Ravana’s army, he maintained a steady gaze at the mighty king. As an emissary of Sri Ram, Hanuman aimed to deliver a strong message to the Demon King for his crimes.
In a burst of anger, Ravana ordered his men to capture Hanuman and set his tail on fire. The Mahavira willingly allowed the soldiers to light his tail, only to use this to his advantage and wreak havoc across the kingdom. He set the entire city of Lanka ablaze as he darted in and out of houses, ultimately escaping back to Rama with vital information about Sita’s whereabouts.
