---
title: "Lanka in the Ramayana: Ravan's Island City"
canonical: "https://ramayana.com/places/lanka"
lang: "en"
---

# 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.

## Questions

### 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.