“If you sway from the mission, Lakshmana’s exceedingly violent, vehement, ghastly and sharp arrows, travelling very fast and being difficult to even look at, will make you their target for destruction.” (Hanuman speaking to Angada, Valmiki Ramayana, Kishkindha Kand, 54.19)… Read More ›
hanuman sowing dissension
Sleep With One Eye Open
“Bereft of your friends, well-wishers and relatives, you will be terribly afraid at even the movement of a blade of grass.” (Hanuman speaking to Angada, Valmiki Ramayana, Aranya Kand, 54.18) sa tvam hīnaḥ suhṛdbhiḥ ca hita kāmaiḥ ca bandhubhiḥ |… Read More ›
Are You Better Off
“Remembering their sons and wives, always being hungry and in anxiety, lamenting their painful situation these monkeys will turn their backs on you.” (Hanuman speaking to Angada, Valmiki Ramayana, Kishkindha Kand, 54.17) smarantaḥ putra dārāṇām nitya udvignā bubhukṣitāḥ | kheditā… Read More ›
Then It All Crashes Down
“O chastiser of the enemy, as soon as you settle upon this, all the monkeys will decide to abandon you with fixed determination.” (Hanuman speaking to Angada, Valmiki Ramayana, Kishkindha Kand, 54.16) avasthāne yadā eva tvam āsiṣyasi parantapa | tadā… Read More ›
Iron Arrows
“Lakshmana has many naracha arrows [made of iron] that are just like the thunderbolt hurled by Indra and lightning in the potency of their impact, as they can even split mountains.” (Hanuman speaking to Angada, Valmiki Ramayana, Kishkindha Kand, 54.15)… Read More ›
Cutting Through Illusion
“Formerly this cave was slightly damaged by the thunderbolt hurled by Indra [which drove away the demon Maya], but Lakshmana, using his very sharp arrows, can cut it apart like a leaf being removed from its stalk.” (Hanuman speaking to… Read More ›
Indescribably Endeared
“Based on what you have heard [from Tara], you regard this cave as being capable of providing protection, but tearing it apart will be easy work for Lakshmana’s arrows.” (Hanuman speaking to Angada, Valmiki Ramayana, Kishkindha Kand, 54.13) yām ca… Read More ›
Only the Strong Survive
“It is said that it is possible for a stronger party to live if they develop enmity with a weaker party. Therefore a weaker man desiring self-preservation should not develop enmity with one who is stronger.” (Hanuman speaking to Angada,… Read More ›
Strength of Conviction
“I tell you this directly: All these monkeys will never follow you. Just as with this Jambavan, Nila and the great monkey Suhotra, I too along with all these monkeys can never be turned away by you from Sugriva’s mission,… Read More ›
From Weakness to Strength
“Certainly the monkeys are always restless in mind, O best of the monkeys. Being without their sons and wives, they will not abide by your orders.” (Hanuman speaking to Angada, Valmiki Ramayana, Kishkindha Kand, 54.9) nityam asthira cittā hi kapayo… Read More ›