Lanka in the Ramayana: Ravan's Island City
Lanka is Ravan's island city across the southern sea, where Mata Sita is held after Her abduction. In Goswami Tulsidas's Ramcharitmanas, Hanumanji reaches Lanka in search of Her, meets Vibhishan and burns the city. Lanka later becomes the scene of the war in which Shri Ram defeats Ravan and Vibhishan receives the kingdom.
Hanumanji finds devotion in Lanka
Even in Ravan's city, devotion to Shri Ram has a dwelling. In Sunderkand, Doha 6, Hanumanji wonders how a pious person can live among so many demons. Then he hears Vibhishan repeating Shri Ram's Name. His delight teaches us to recognise goodness wherever it appears. A person's surroundings do not tell us everything about the heart.
Hanumanji's search leads him to Mata Sita in the Ashok Vatika, where he gives Her Shri Ram's ring. Later, in Sunderkand, Doha 26, he moves from palace to palace as Lanka burns. Vibhishan's house alone is spared. Goswami Tulsidas connects the city's suffering with contempt for a noble soul. Lanka's splendour cannot protect it from the consequences of such conduct.
Ravan's pride closes the door to counsel
Ravan's strength is accompanied by a refusal to recognise danger. In Sunderkand, Doha 53, he mocks Vibhishan for leaving Lanka and speaks with contempt of Shri Ram's army. He treats the sea as sufficient protection and his opponents as powerless.
In Lanka Kand, Doha 13b, Vibhishan explains that what appears to be a storm above Lanka is Ravan's royal umbrella, jewels and music. Shri Ram perceives his arrogance. Yet counsel still has its place. In Lanka Kand, Doha 17b, Shri Ram consults His advisers and sends Angad as an envoy. Later, in Lanka Kand, Doha 48b, the aged Malyavan reminds Ravan of the ill omens since Mata Sita's abduction. The teaching is plain: advice can help us only when we are willing to receive it.
Vibhishan receives the kingdom
Lanka's story continues beyond Ravan's defeat. In Lanka Kand, Doha 106, Shri Ram tells His companions that their strength has brought victory and that Vibhishan has received the kingdom. The Lord honours those who have served Him. Their labour finds a place in His praise.
In Lanka Kand, Doha 107, Shri Ram sends Hanumanji into Lanka to tell Mata Sita what has happened and bring back news of Her welfare. The city's inhabitants welcome him and lead him to Her. Hanumanji bows from a respectful distance and reports Shri Ram's victory and Vibhishan's kingship. After the battle, his task is again service to Shri Ram and Mata Sita. Follow this example by attending faithfully to the duty before us.
Verses
लंका निसिचर निकर निवासा। इहाँ कहाँ सज्जन कर बासा॥ मन महुँ तरक करैं कपि लागा। तेहीं समय बिभीषनु जागा॥१॥
‘Laṅkā is the abode of multitudes of demons; how could a pious man take up his residence here?’ While Hanumān was thus reasoning within himself, Vibhīṣaṇa (Rāvaṇa’s youngest brother) woke up. (1)
Sunderkand, Doha 6देह बिसाल परम हरुआई। मंदिर तें मंदिर चढ़ धाई॥ जरइ नगर भा लोग बिहाला। झपट लपट बहु कोटि कराला॥१॥
Though colossal in size, Hanumān appeared most nimble-bodied; he ran and sprang from palace to palace. The city was all ablaze and the people were at their wit’s end. Terrible flames burst forth in myriads. (1)
Sunderkand, Doha 26किए सुखी कहि बानी सुधा सम बल तुम्हारें रिपु हयो। पायो बिभीषन राज तिहुँ पुर जसु तुम्हारो नित नयो॥ मोहि सहित सुभ कीरति तुम्हारी परम प्रीति जो गाइहैं। संसार सिंधु अपार पार प्रयास बिनु नर पाइहैं॥
The Lord cheered them by speaking to them words sweet as nectar: “It is by your might that the enemy has been killed and Vibhīṣaṇa has got the kingdom (of Laṅkā); while your glory will remain ever fresh in all the three spheres. Men who sing your glory alongwith Mine shall easily cross the boundless ocean of mundane existence.”
Lanka Kand, Doha 106पुनि प्रभु बोलि लियउ हनुमाना। लंका जाहु कहेउ भगवाना॥ समाचार जानकिहि सुनावहु। तासु कुसल लै तुम्ह चलि आवहु॥१॥
The Lord then called Hanumān. “Go to Laṅkā”, said the Almighty, “and telling Jānakī all that has happened, return with the news of her welfare.” (1)
Lanka Kand, Doha 107
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Where is Lanka in the Ramayana?
Lanka in the scripture is Ravan's island city across the southern sea. Hanumanji crosses the ocean to reach it while searching for Mata Sita. Uttar Kand, Doha 67b, recalls his crossing, his meeting with Mata Sita, the burning of Ravan's capital and his return across the sea.
Why did Hanumanji burn Lanka?
Sunderkand, Doha 26, presents Lanka's burning as a consequence of despising a noble soul. Hanumanji moves from palace to palace, and the city burns while Vibhishan's house is spared. The passage also explains that Hanumanji remains unharmed because he serves Shri Ram, the Lord who created fire itself.
Who ruled Lanka after Ravan?
Vibhishan receives Lanka's kingdom after Shri Ram defeats Ravan. In Lanka Kand, Doha 106, Shri Ram acknowledges His companions' contribution to the victory and Vibhishan's kingship. In Lanka Kand, Doha 107, Hanumanji carries this news to Mata Sita when Shri Ram sends him to enquire about Her welfare.