Hanuman Ji’s First Entry into Lanka – Surasa, Simhika, Lankani & Meeting Vibhishan Ji
When Hanuman Ji first entered Lanka, he faced three powerful Rakshasis who guarded the entry of the kingdom. Without their permission, no one could enter Lanka. They possessed extreme powers, and Hanuman Ji had to encounter them before reaching the doors of Lanka.
The very first Rakshasi was Surasa. She had the power to make her body enormously huge. At first, she opened her mouth 8 miles (about 15 km) wide to swallow Hanuman Ji. Hanuman Ji said, “I don’t have time, I need to meet Mata Janki. I will fight you later, so please move away from my path.”
But Surasa refused and expanded her mouth further, making it 28 km wide. Hanuman Ji also expanded his body to match her. Then she made her mouth even larger—32 km, then 62 km wide. Hanuman Ji, who held the eight Siddhis (mystic powers), realized that it was foolish to waste time with her. Using his strategy, he suddenly shrank his body to a very small size, entered Surasa’s mouth, and immediately came out.
Hanuman Ji then said, “Now I have fulfilled your wish. You wanted to eat me, so I entered your mouth and came out. Your demand is satisfied. Let me go further inside Lanka now.”
Next, Hanuman Ji faced Simhika, a Rakshasi who had the power to catch anyone through their shadow. She tried to stop Hanuman Ji while he was flying by holding onto his shadow on the ground. Hanuman Ji fought her with his strength and eventually killed her.
The third was Lankani, the guardian of Lanka’s gates. Hanuman Ji struck her with a powerful punch, and she fell far away. To his surprise, she immediately opened the gates to Lanka instead of continuing to fight.
Hanuman Ji asked her, “Why did you stop fighting after just one punch? My inner feeling says you are very powerful. How could you be defeated so easily?”
Lankani replied, “When Ravana received the boon of immortality from Brahma Ji, Brahma Ji told me that the day a Vanar punches you and you faint, it will mark the beginning of Ravana’s downfall. Today, I realize that Ravana’s end is near. That is why I will not fight you anymore.”
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After this, Hanuman Ji entered Lanka and soon heard someone chanting “Ram-Ram” with deep devotion. He was astonished—how could anyone chant the holy name of Lord Ram inside Lanka? Following the voice, Hanuman Ji discovered Vibhishan Ji, who was chanting the divine name of Lord Ram from his heart.
When they met, both rejoiced and engaged in satsang (holy conversation) about Lord Ram. Vibhishan Ji touched Hanuman Ji’s feet and said, “By meeting a saint like you today, I know that very soon I will meet the Almighty God Himself.”
(When a person meets a true saint, the next stage for the soul is receiving the divine sight of God.)
Hanuman Ji in Lanka – Facing Kaal and Warning Ravana
In Lanka, when Ravana tied Hanuman Ji, he proudly declared, “See, I have tied you, and with my power I have commanded Kaal (Death) to stand before you. Your end is near.”
Hanuman Ji calmly replied, “Ravana, you are a Brahmagyani and well-versed in the Vedas. I suggest you increase your wisdom by surrendering at the feet of my Lord Ram. He alone holds the supreme power.”
Angered, Ravana tied Hanuman Ji even tighter, saying, “How dare you lecture me! Here in my Lanka, whoever commands me is punished with death. Look—your death stands before you.”
Hanuman Ji only smiled. Ravana roared, “Vanar! You are smiling? Don’t you fear death? I can kill you within seconds.”
Hanuman Ji replied, “Ravana, you are foolish. You see Hanuman tied, but not the servant of Lord Ram. My Lord Ram holds such supreme power that within seconds He could make you fall on your deathbed. Lord Ram is the master of the three loks and the entire universe.
This Kaal you see is not standing for me—it is waiting for you. Kaal is only asking my permission to destroy you, but I remain quiet because I have promised my Lord Ram that your end will come only at His hands. Servants of Lord Ram hold undefeatable power. I have already defeated your mighty son, and remember—you too shall be destroyed.”
Hanuman Ji Accepting Surya Dev as Guru – The Origin of Gurumukh Pratha
When Hanuman Ji grew older, people advised him to accept a Guru, the supreme guide. Hanuman Ji thought, “Who can be greater than Surya Dev, the Sun himself?”
He approached Surya Dev and said, “O Surya Dev, please accept me as your disciple. You are the greatest and most powerful; I want you to become my Guru.”
Surya Dev hesitated, recalling how Hanuman Ji, as a child, had once leapt up and swallowed the Sun, thinking it was a fruit. Tulsi Das Ji even wrote that when Indra attacked Hanuman Ji with his weapon, it barely scratched Hanuman’s chin, but Indra himself was shaken by the force. Such was Hanuman’s might. Surya Dev wondered if Hanuman Ji’s request was genuine or another trick and said, “I cannot be your Guru, for I am always in motion. If I move forward, you will fall behind me. If you walk in front, your back will face me. How will you learn?”
Hanuman Ji humbly said, “I regret the mistake of my childhood, but today I sincerely seek your guidance. If you move forward, I will walk backward, keeping my face towards you.”
Surya Dev asked in surprise, “You will walk backwards?”
Hanuman Ji replied, “No, not backward. My face will always remain towards my Guru. This is called Gurumukh.”
From this began the Gurumukh Pratha—the sacred tradition that a disciple must always keep his face and devotion towards his Guru, never turning his back. Thus, the foundation of Guru–Shishya Parampara was established.
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