The Guardian Angel of the City stopped him

Lankini was a powerful demoness from the ancient Hindu epic ''

Ramayana The ''Ramayana'' (; ), also known as ''Valmiki Ramayana'', as traditionally attributed to Valmiki, is a smriti text (also described as a Sanskrit literature, Sanskrit Indian epic poetry, epic) from ancient India, one of the two important epics ...

''. Her name literally means "The woman of Lanka" as she was the female personification of the city itself and was the guardian to the doors of Lanka.

Brahma's curse

According to the

, Lankini was once the guardian of the abode of

Brahma Brahma (, ) is a Hindu god, referred to as "the Creator" within the Trimurti, the triple deity, trinity of Para Brahman, supreme divinity that includes Vishnu and Shiva.Jan Gonda (1969)The Hindu Trinity, Anthropos, Bd 63/64, H 1/2, pp. 212– ...

. As she guarded the home of the creator, Brahma, she became arrogant and prideful about her position. She treated others in the palace with contempt due to which she was cursed by Brahma to guard the city of demons forever. Lankini realised her mistake and begged for forgiveness. However, it was not possible for Brahma to take back the curse, and instead gave her a boon that she would be freed of the curse only when a

vanara In Hinduism, Vanara () are either monkeys, apes, or a race of forest-dwelling people. In the epic the ''Ramayana'', the Vanaras help Rama defeat Ravana. They are generally depicted as humanoid apes, or human-like beings. Etymology There ...

defeated her in combat, and thus bring to end the age of the demons.

Encounter with Hanuman

In the ''

Hanuman Hanuman (; , ), also known as Maruti, Bajrangabali, and Anjaneya, is a deity in Hinduism, revered as a divine ''vanara'', and a devoted companion of the deity Rama. Central to the ''Ramayana'', Hanuman is celebrated for his unwavering devotio ...

encounters Lankini at the gates of Lanka when he was appointed the task of searching for

Sita Sita (; ), also known as Siya, Jānaki and Maithili, is a Hindu goddess and the female protagonist of the Hindu epic ''Ramayana''. Sita is the consort of Rama, the avatar of god Vishnu, and is regarded as an avatar of goddess Lakshmi. She is t ...

. When accosted by Lankini and asked about his identity and purpose of visit,

not wanting to reveal his mission, cleverly replies that he has come from the forest desiring to see the famed city of Lanka and its beauty. However, Lankini realises that he is an intruder and attacks him. Mindful of the fact that she is a woman,

softly strikes her back just enough to make her fall and bleed. A dazed and confused Lankini immediately realises her opponent was no mere monkey and asks for forgiveness, knowing that Brahma's prophecy has come true. Hanuman forgives her as he prepares to continue his quest into Lanka, leaving Lankini behind, who is now free of the curse.

References

{{Hindu Culture and Epics Hindu goddesses Rakshasa in the Ramayana