Hanuman, the devoted devotee of Sri Rama, used his immense power to create a protective dome with his tail, enveloping both Rama and Lakshmana to shield them from the evil Mahiravana, the son of Ravana. As night progressed, Vibhishana, an ally of Rama and brother to Ravana, approached Hanuman with a crucial directive. "Do not allow anyone to enter the enclosure," Vibhishana warned. "Not even if your father, the Wind God, appears."
Determined to abduct Rama and Lakshmana, Mahiravana sought a
way to breach Hanuman's defenses. He encountered Vibhishana outside the fort
and devised a cunning plan to gain entry.
Disguising himself as Dasharatha, Rama's father, Mahiravana
approached Hanuman. "My sons are inside your enclosure," he implored.
"Please, let me see them."
Hanuman, ever cautious, replied, "Please wait.
Vibhishana will be here soon. We should follow his guidance."
Just as Vibhishana arrived, Mahiravana fled, evading
detection. Hanuman relayed the encounter, saying, "Dasharatha had come to
see his sons." Vibhishana reiterated his strict instruction, "No one
should be allowed inside."
Undeterred, Mahiravana adopted the guise of Bharata, Rama's
brother. He pleaded with Hanuman to see his siblings. Once again, Hanuman
insisted he wait for Vibhishana. Mahiravana, frustrated, departed without
achieving his goal.
When Vibhishana arrived again, Hanuman reported the
incident. Vibhishana reinforced his earlier command, "Do not allow anyone
inside," before resuming his patrols.
Mahiravana then transformed into Kaushalya, Rama's mother,
pleading to see her sons. Hanuman, adhering to his orders, asked her to wait,
causing Mahiravana to vanish in frustration.
Not giving up, Mahiravana appeared as Janaka, Sita's father,
with the same request. Hanuman's response remained consistent: "Please
wait." Disheartened, Mahiravana disappeared once more.
Finally, Mahiravana adopted the most deceptive form yet:
Vibhishana himself. "You just left a moment ago," Hanuman observed.
"Why have you returned so soon?"
Feigning concern, the false Vibhishana replied, "I came
back to warn you about Mahiravana's magic. I have two talismans that will
ensure Rama and Lakshmana's safety. Let me tie them on."
Believing this was Vibhishana, Hanuman allowed him entry.
Once inside, Mahiravana cast a powerful spell, putting everyone to sleep. He
then seized the slumbering Rama and Lakshmana and escaped through a tunnel,
carrying them to netherworld and imprisoning them in a hidden room where they
remained unconscious.
When the real Vibhishana returned on his rounds, Hanuman was
puzzled. "You went inside to tie talismans on Rama and Lakshmana. When did
you come out?"
A heated argument ensued until Vibhishana convinced Hanuman
of his true identity. Realizing the deception, Vibhishana exclaimed, "Let
us check if Rama and Lakshmana are safe."
Hanuman led Vibhishana inside, only to find the brothers
missing and everyone else in a deep slumber. The tunnel in the ground revealed
the grim truth: Mahiravana had succeeded in his treacherous plot.
This story is part of the Bengali Krittibasi Ramayana.