Extract taken from (Ramayana: A Divine Drama, Actors in the Divine Play as scripted by Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba Vol.5)
Is this country called severally today as Ceylon, Simhalam and Shri Lanka the same, which was ruled by Ravana in Treta Yuga? No, No, Lanka (mentioned in the Ramayana) was hundred Yojanas to the south of Kanyakumari (Cape Comorin), along the equator.
(Lanka, the golden abode of King Ravana)
Is this land which we now call Lanka the same as the one which existed in the Treta Yuga as the land ruled by Ravana at the time of Rama rajya? No, this is not so. At that time, Lanka was hundred miles away from the tip of India and at that time, it was at the equator. As time went on and as we moved from the Treta Yuga to the Kali Yuga, this particular land which was on the equator drifted hundreds of miles northwards. When we look at this island which we now call Lanka, we find that it has shifted to north of equator. It was recorded in the Greek history that this island which we now call Lanka was completely submerged under water when the oceanic catastrophe called the Atlantis occurred. The Greeks were no ordinary people. They were very advanced in sciences and were knowledgeable in many fields. They were describing the fact that Lanka was submerged in the ocean and drifted away and this phenomenon was being accepted by them. (SSB 1976, p. 86)
Unique features of Lanka
Here the unique features of Lanka may be noted. Its ruler was the ten-headed Ravana. Although he was endowed with all powers, he was perpetually immersed in Moha (infatuation for women). He had the appellation "Dasagriva"---the one with ten heads. In Ayodhya, Dasharatha was the ruler and in Lanka it was Dasagriva. Dasharatha had ten indriyas (sense organs) as his chariot. Ravana was the one who was enjoying the ten senses as a sensualist. Whatever one s scholarship or wealth or strength, if he has no control over his senses, he descends to the depths of degradation. Without control over his senses, a person who may have conquered the three worlds will be a slave of his impulses. The bad traits of Ravana were shared by all the people of Lanka. As is the ruler, so are the subjects, says the adage. When the ruler indulges in sensual pleasures, the subjects also do likewise. Lanka was thus immersed in carnal pleasures. The people were not aware of human virtues, much less of divine qualities. Pleasures of the flesh were their sole preoccupation. But at the same time, they carried on ritualistic practices like Yagas and yajnas (sacrificial rites and rituals). (SSS Vol.20, pp. 50-51)
Ravana was one who was endowed with all wealth and prosperity. He lacked nothing in terms of comforts and luxuries. He had mastered the 64 categories of knowledge. His capital, Lanka, rivalled Swarga (heaven) itself in its grandeur (SSS Vol.24, p. 205)
The entire Lanka used to reverberate with the chanting of Vedas. Many demons were well versed in Vedas and used to recite them. But these people did not practice even an iota of what they repeated. (SSB 1996, p. 79)
How Hanuman saw Lanka
Splendid in the sunlight, he (Hanuman) found many gardens and parks as well as pleasure centres which made Hanuman forget where he was. He was amazed at the variety of multi-coloured birds that fluttered to and fro in clusters within the parks. Seeing the unique grand houses, the long wide streets, the attractive gardens, etc., in that City, Hanuman was moved with wonder and doubt—doubt whether it was a replica of Heaven itself. Wherever one cast his eye, one saw well-built Rakshasa soldiers parading streets, Rakshasa women, famed for their skill and powers to assume whatever form they wanted were found by Hanuman indulging in licentious sports. Devas, Naga, Gandharva and human damsels enslaved by Ravana were pining in the palaces, awaiting the day of release.
Hanuman entered many mansions to find out whether she (Sita) was anywhere therein. He saw bevies of women, fallen on their beds, intoxicated by drink and dance and floored by the banalities of luxury (RKRV Part II, pp. 122-123, 129)
Witnessing the grandeur and beauty of Lanka with its huge mansions and beautiful gardens---and seeing the sacrificial fires burning in every home, Hanuman at first wondered whether the ruler of such a paradise on earth could commit the heinous crime of abducting Sita. Later Hanuman realised that Lanka was like the fig fruit, which is very attractive on the outside but is full of worms inside. In spite of all its external beauty and grandeur, Lanka contained within it, forces of evil and wickedness. The conversion of such an abode of evil into a kingdom of righteousness by the installation of Vibhishana is the climax of the Ramayana story. (SSS Vol.20, p. 51)
War In Lanka
With much enthusiasm and vigour, the Vanara army comprising experienced heroes like Sugriva, Hanuman, Jambavantha and others soon reached the shores of Lanka. The entire city was panic-stricken. The Vanara army was all over the countryside around Lanka. They were on the hills, on the treetops, on the plains and everywhere! The monkeys were strangers to the Lankans till they saw Hanuman. The memory of the destruction that Hanuman caused during his previous visit was all too fresh in their minds. They were wondering among themselves.
‘Oh! Wherefrom has this terrible monkey come?
Who has sent this messenger of destruction to Lanka?
Ours house are in ruin, our families are homeless
All the houses are on fire, Oh! Where are we to take shelter?
We hear he is Rama’s messenger come to see Sita
He is contented with the cooling vision of Sita
But his anger has heated up our Lanka!
Oh! What destruction! What a calamity!
Our city lies in ruins, thanks to the monkey!
Oh! Wherefrom has this terrible monkey come?
Ravana will face certain ruin
He has abducted chaste and pious Sita,
If the messenger be so strong
Oh! What can one say of the master!’ (Telugu Song)
In this way, the citizens of Lanka were terror stricken. The monkey, which had caused tremendous destruction earlier, had now reappeared with more of its kind! Ravana’s ministers, courtiers and allies were at a loss as to what do. How did the Vanara army cross the ocean? The mighty Hanuman could do it, but what about the entire army? Rama propitiated the God of Ocean with an arrow. The deity responded and facilitated the crossing. (SSB 2002, pp. 122-123)
Lanka was enveloped in great sorrow as the warriors started killing the demons. Even the people who did not commit any wrong became victims of this war. The sinner may be one, but punishment falls on all those around him. Goes the roaring fire in a forest burn only the neem trees and spare the mango trees since they are sweet? The forest consumes every tree that comes in the way. The Jasmine in a forest wafts its fragrance to all those around it. Similarly, war kills the good as well as the bad people. (SSB 1996, p. 67)