Hanuman Chooses the Smallest Form and Waits for Night
Sundara Kanda, Doha 3
Doha 3 · Movement 3 of 3
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From the mountain Hanuman studies the fortified city and sees guards spread throughout its walls, roads, gates, and shining precincts. Open strength would awaken the whole demon host before Sita could be found.
The servant turns inward and chooses concealment. The body that spanned the sky over the ocean and doubled Surasa's vastness will become exceedingly small.
Night will be his covering. When darkness settles upon the golden ramparts, Hanuman will enter Lanka unseen. Great power pauses at the threshold and submits itself to the exact shape the work requires.
The hero who filled the sky prepares to enter the enemy city in a body almost too small to see.
Read the passage from the Manas
पुर रखवारे देखि बहु कपि मन कीन्ह बिचार। अति लघु रूप धरौं निसि नगर करौं पइसार।।3।।
Seeing the many guards throughout the city, the monkey reflected in his mind: "I shall take a very small form and enter the city under cover of night."