When Hanuman begins his search for Sita in Lanka with the determination that the rakshasas should surely be destroyed, he enters with his left foot forward, for that means defeat for the enemy. Valmiki describes Hanuman’s state of mind and spirit that is controlled by dharma, as he explores every nook and corner of Lanka and its people, said Sri N. Rama Dikshitar in a lecture.
He sees many sleeping women but Sita is not among them. He sees Ravana’s palace that bespeaks opulence, beauty and heavenly bliss. It is here that he sees a beautiful woman who seems to radiate divinity and in whom the marks of chastity are unmistakable. Surmising her to be Sita he even gives in to a moment of happiness, which he expresses as a monkey by jumping up and down and lashing his tail in joy. The next instant he reproaches himself for his foolish guess. How could Sita be sleeping in a stranger’s chamber and also be decked with jewellery? He then wonders why he has not seen Sita yet. Is there a lapse in his conduct because he has seen the wives of others? He tells himself he can search for Sita only in the women’s quarters. Hanuman also realises that there is no trace of any wrong reaction in his perception and that his mind is unaffected even though he has seen many women sleeping in disarray. The mind is the seat for the good and bad deeds a man does. The mind prompts the senses into action. But buddhi or intellect has the power to direct the mind and prevent one from committing mistakes.
