Sinhika and Lankini – what do they signify?

The second obstacle came from the ocean – the demon Sinhika. Sinhika would catch the shadow of the object flying above the ocean, stop it and then feed on it. As soon as Sinhika caught Hanumanji’s shadow, he fell. Immediately, he attacked her and killed her.

Sinhika symbolises jealousy. Be cautious of jealousy in the path of spirituality. She lives even within the ocean who is very big-hearted.

When one is at our level or standards, this is fine. But when one succeeds more than us, jealousy will try to bring the other person down by revealing the other’s weak points to the society. Destroy such jealousy like Hanumanji did.

Finally, Hanumanji crossed 100 yojan of the ocean and arrived at Lanka. Lanka is beautiful:

Bana bāga upabana bāṭikā sara kūpa bāpī sohahī… forests, gardens, wells, ponds; nara nāga sura gaṅdharba kanyā rūpa muni mana mohahī… humans, snakes, demi-gods, beautiful women of celestial musicians are everywhere; kahῠ māla deha bisāla saila samāna atibala garjahĭ… warriors as powerful as huge mountains were roaring; nānā akhārenha bhirahĭ bahu bidhi eka ekanha tarjahĭ… wrestlers are challenging one another in different courts.

Lanka is made of gold. There are guards everywhere. Wherever there is more wealth and gold, more guards are required due to the worry of its protection.

Pura rakhavāre dekhi bahu kapi mana kīnha bicāra, ati laghu rūpa dharaῠ nisi nagara karaῠ paisāra.

Masaka samāna rūpa kapi dharī, laṅkahi caleu sumiri naraharī

Seeing the guards, Hanumanji decided to take a tiny form to enter the city. He hid behind a tree until night fell then took a tiny form like a mosquito. Hanumanji possesses all these powers of taking whichever form he desires.

Hanumanji saw that there seem to be many temples of Lord Nrusinh in Lanka. Thus, he chanted Lord Nrusinh’s name as he stepped inside Lanka. Remember, never change your mantra, murti (idol) and mala. Hanumanji changed his idol to Lord Nrusinh and an obstacle arrived from earth:

Nāma laṅkinī eka nisicarī, so kaha calesi mohi nindarī,
Janehi nahī maramu saṭha morā, mora ahāra jahā lagi corā,
Muṭhikā eka mahā kapi hanī, rudhira bamata dharanī ḍhanamanī;

Lankini, who was guarding Lanka, shouted, “ You monkey! Where are you going? Don’ t you know, I eat thieves like you?”

Lankini symbolises discrimination. A devotee must also be cautious of discrimination.

A devotee faces three obstacles when seeking devotion (Maa Sita), working in the service of God and praying under the service of a Sadguru: desires, jealousy and dualism. One most overcome these and this can be achieved by leaving off pride and chanting God’s name with humility.

Hanumanji said, “If you eat thieves, then the biggest thief is in your Lanka who has kidnapped my mother. Why don’t you eat him? You talk big but you are a discriminator.” Hence,

Muṭhikā eka mahā kapi hanī, rudhira bamata dharanī ḍhanamanī

Hanumanji punched Lankini who spitted blood and fell on the ground. Lankini stood up again and said,

Tāta mora ati punya bahūtā, dekheῠ nayana rāma kara dūtā.

“I must have some good deeds”.

Now why would someone who has just been punched say this?

See, Lanka is a city created by Maydanav who is illusory. Our activities represent Lanka. Our mind is Maydanav. Our mind is always thinking, I will do this and that etc. Lanka was first ruled by demi-gods (good virtues), then servants of Kuber (quality of being active) and now demons (virtue of darkness). We possess all three qualities and one dominates over another at different times.

Lankini says, “ When Brahma gave a boon to Ravan and the kingdom was ruled by Ravan and demons, I was worried that the quality of darkness and inertia will rule. I thus asked Lord Brahma how long this quality will be in power. Brahmaji told me that when the punch of a messenger of Lord Ram weakens your limb, know that demons will be destroyed, the effect of darkness will reduce and the quality of goodness will spread. I consider myself virtuous that I am seeing the messenger of Lord ram today.”

Tāta svarga apabarga sukha dharia tulā ek anga, tūla na tāhi sakala mili jo sukha lava satasanga.

“On a weighing scale, when you place all the happiness of heaven, emancipation etc. on one side and satsang (communion of saints) on the other side, then satsang is seen to have much more weight. Today, I have received your company.”

This means that discrimination is removed by the punch of strong detachment. In return, detachment to worldly pleasures is attained through satsang.

Prabisi nagara kīje saba kājā, hṛdayă rākhi kosalapura rājā.

“Hold Shri Ram in your heart (i.e. do not change your idol), enter into Lanka and perform all your tasks.