Storytelling Week 5: Mainaka and Hanuman

The mountain Mainaka has been hiding for years underneath the waves of the ocean. Mainaka is the last remaining mountain with wings since Indra had been removing the wings of all the mountains. Mainaka knows that if it shows itself for too long it Indra will come and remove its wings. However, Mainaka has something that is more important than its wings to worry about: Mainaka cares more about helping Hnauman, great friend of Sita's love Rama, in search of Sita.

Everyone in the land seems to have Sita, soon to be queen, as their interest. Everybody is more than willing to help Hanuman not only find Sita but come up with a way to injure Ravana, the ruler of Lanka, and his power. Mainaka rises to the world and shows itself as it comes out of the sea, not worried about what Indra thinks but to give Hanuman a rest on his journey. He is on the great journey to save Sita and return her to her love Rama who is deeply concerned about her well-being. Hanuman, on his journey, settles before the great Mainaka. Mainaka informs Hanuman of the great task he has before him to find Sita and defeat Ravana. Mainaka tells Hanuman, "This is very brave of you but incredibly dangerous to challenge Ravana. You will need as much help as possible and I can be of great assistance if you will trust me." After a long conversation, with Mainaka explaining how much it would like to bring down Ravana due to the years of torture he has put the people through, they together devise a plan to save Sita and permanently injure Ravana and bring terror down on Lanka. 

Hanuman then takes his form as a cat and ventures into the village of Lanka. Hanuman spends many days in the village learning great things about Ravana and clues to where Sita is being held.  Hanuman is operating as a great spy would in a foreign land, and he was figuring out exactly what he could do to terrorize the lands of Lanka and give any advantages to Rama, Ravana's great enemy. 

Hanuman, before informing Sita that he was there to save her, returned to the shores to relay all of the information he had gathered over the past days to Mainaka. He then prepped Mainaka on what he was going to do on his return journey into the city of Lanka to find Sita. Mainaka agreed with his plan and immediately put the plan into action.

The next day both parties moved into place. Hanuman would head to Lanka to find Sita as Mainaka would move into position and then wait for Hanuman to send the signal that he retrieved Sita. Hanuman went into the city and knew exactly where Sita was located. He timed his moves precisely and attacked right when he knew no guards would be paying attention to Sita. Sita was shocked to see Hanuman, as she was not expecting anyone to come for her, but she knew he would explain later and that she should go with him now. They left quickly and quietly. However, as soon as they were out of reach, Hanuman began setting fire to the many trees around Lanka. Sita was very confused why this was happening but Hanuman informed her that this was a signal for the great mountain Mainaka.

Meanwhile, Mainaka was waiting to see the flames that Hanuman had told Mainaka he would send as soon as he had Sita. Mainaka saw the flames and moved into position. Mainaka knew that Hanuman would have not sent the signal without allowing himself time to get out of the city with Sita. Mainaka was correct. Hanuman and Sita headed straight for the shores and they turned back to the city. When they turned around everything in the city began rising, but the ground was crumbling as it rose. Then emerging from below the city was the great Mainaka forming a mountain from underneath Lanka. As Mainaka rose, the city was destroyed and the cultivated lands were ruined forever. Hanuman had emerged with Sita and left the lands of Lanka destroyed and ablaze.

Mainaka has helped Hanuman free Sita from the grasp of Ravana. Mainaka felt this mission was a test for him and he wanted to prove he could use his wings for good. Mainaka's intentions were good  and he did all of this knowing he would show himself to Indra and potentially would lose his wings. After the mission was completed, Indra paid a visit to Mainaka and informed Mainaka he would be able to keep his wings as long as he continued to use them for good and not for evil. If he did use them for evil, Indra would return to clip the wings off of Mainaka. 

Hanuman leaving Lanka ablaze 

Source: Wikipedia

Author’s Note: I have been focusing a lot of my stories on Rama and Ravana. As much as I have enjoyed developing that relationship and rivalry, I felt like doing something new. As important as Rama and Ravana are I wanted to really focus on a character who puts in good efforts throughout the story. That is why I focused on Hanuman who we learn a lot about from Buck during his journey to find Sita. With Mainaka, I just felt that the character of a mountain allowed for me to get very creative. That is why I chose to go with the idea of Mainaka leaving the land in shambles as Mainaka went from resting under the seas to resting under Lanka. Mainaka would still be able to hide from Indra but was forced to sacrifice its lifestyle to help Rama, Sita, and Hanuman. The idea of everyone coming together in favor of providing help to Rama as they form a coalition to combat Ravana is an important aspect of the rivalry between Ravana and Rama. 

Source:

• Buck, William (1976). Ramayana: King Rama's Way.