Hanuman took in the grandeur of Lanka. The city was perched on a mountain top and was protected on four sides by huge walls guarded by giant rakshasas.

Seeing its fortifications, both natural, due to its location surrounded by ocean, and man-made which was security arrangements done by Ravan, his heart sank.

'Samast Vanar sena yaha tak pahuchegi kaise ? Aur yadi pahuch gayi toh aisi abhedya nagri par vijay kaise praapt karenge. Yaha toh Saam, Daan, Dand, Bhed se bhi kuch na ho.' Hanuman thought.

But then he stopped, this was no time for negativities his job is to find where Devi Sita is and in what condition, hence the rest of the considerations can wait.

He shrank in size so he doesn't alarm the Rakshas guards. Hanuman also waited till sunset to enter the city. He had to conduct the search of Devi Sita surreptitiously.

And when the sun finally set, keenly observing the architecture, fortifications and people. He jumped from one building to another, peeping through doors and windows to see if he could find a lady resembling Devi Sita.

Hanuman had never seen her except for the fleeting glimpse he had when Ravana was carrying her away. He let his intuition guide him.

Hanuman saw a majestic looking multi-storeyed building, that could only belong to the king or someone very important. He went inside even more alert and careful, exploring the various chambers of the palace.

Hanuman was astonished upon seeing the insides of the palace. It was elegant and sumptuous. It seemed to gratify every one of the five senses.

For a moment, he too went into a state of reverie as his eyes fell on a line of golden lamps flickering simultaneously, spreading a golden hue in the room.

He observed that the room was full of women. These were probably the wives and mistresses of Ravan, he deducted. It seemed like an evening of revelry had just concluded.

The women were all decked up in beautiful garments and ornaments but looked drunk and tired. Several had passed out on the floor while many had bent over and fallen asleep on the musical instruments that they might have been playing.

Some had their heads on the bodies of other women while others used their hands as pillows, some had dozed off unaware of their dishevelled clothes.

Some of these women had been lustfully abducted by Ravan, some had given in to him out of their own greed. But now all of them seemed to consider him as their master and were devoted to him, or it appeared to Hanuman as he observed their fam and expressions.

"Shri Ram ki patni inme se koi nahi ho sakti." Hanuman concluded.

He went further in the room, continuing his search. Then on a grand bed he saw a man who exuding the aura of grandeur power even in sleep. He was being fanned by women from all four sides.

"Yeh awashya Lankapati Ravan hai." Hanuman deducted and he was right.

A little further there was another bed on which slept a woman with divine beauty and unmatched splendor. For a moment he thought he had found Devi Sita but was quick to dismiss the thought.

From what he had heard of Devi Sita and judged her from the love and suffering of Shri Ram, he knew her to be better than this.

'Iss devi ka tej atulya hai. Kintu Shri Ram ki Devi Sita, kabhi bhi Ravan ke kaksh mei sona swikar nahi karengi.' Hanuman thought.

And he was correct, as the woman sleeping on the bed was the chief queen of Ravan, Mandodari. But suddenly Hanuman felt guilty for watching these women.

'Kisi anya ki stree ke kaksh mei jana aur unhe sote huye dekhna uchit nahi. Kya mujhse koi paap ho raha hai ? Nahi Nahi ! Maine kisi bhi stree par kabhi kudrishti nahi daali. Ravan ki patniyo ko dekh kar bhi mujh me vaasna ka bhaav ya inhe praapt karne ki iccha nahi. Meri niyat bhi yeh nahi hai. Mera man abhi bhi mere laksh ke prati dridh hai. Waise bhi, ek stree ko streeyo ke madhya nahi dhundhunga toh kaha dhundhunga ?' He reasoned, shrugging off the guilt.

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A/N

Hanuman ji is so wise and intelligent. Not only is he searching for Devi Sita, he is also inspecting the fortifications and people of Lanka which will be helpful in the brewing war.

Indeed he is Buddhimattam Varishtam, supreme among those who possess intellect ✨🙏