Ravana left after he gave Sita an ultimatum, bearing away her image in his heart. Sita could not bear the situation any longer. She went near a tree to end her life. Just then Hanuman revealed himself and told her that he came from Rama. Gave her a ring of Rama to prove that he was a genuine messenger. Just the sight of the ring changed Sita, she smiled and she wept. She blessed Hanuman, 'If I be one who know not ill, If my heart is pure and conduct right, may my blessings never fail,....live thou for ever and ever. She gave him an ornament she took out from her head to be given to Rama.
Hanuman took leave of Sita and decided to do some damage to let Ravana know what to expect in the near future. He was caught after he had inflicted damage to the Ashokvana and killed many rakshasas. As a punishment his tail was set on fire. While he did not feel the heat as Sita prayed that agni would spare him, he burnt down the city of Lanka and departed.
Rama heard from Hanuman that Sita was alive and how she lived. His wrath aroused he commanded Sugrivas army to cross over to the island. The vanaras built a bridge over the channel and marched towards Lanka. And the great war began.
VR describes the destruction wrought by the fire:
The demons, who were running hither and thither to protect their houses ..Some women crying and carrying their suckling's with their hair dishevelled, fell down from their houses... Hanuma was not wearied in killing any number of demons...
Seeing the city of Lanka blazing,...Hanuma the monkey became thoughtful. A great anxiety entered his mind and there arose in him a feeling of self-contempt... "blessed indeed are those great-souled men of excellence, who in their wisdom, restrain their elevated fury.. For enraged persons, there is neither an improper act nor ever an improper word to be spoken."
"Shame be upon me.....That purpose for which all this effort was taken, has been spoilt. At the time of burning the city, I have not saved Seetha indeed..The entire Lanka has been reduced to ashes. No place is seen unburnt in this City. Therefore, Seetha also must have been surely lost. If this task has been spoiled due to my perverted intelligence, it is appropriate even for me, here and now itself, to give up my life."
If one wonders about Hanuman's wanton destruction, his actions can be loosely called as aerial bombing which was extensively used during the world war II.
Today for it to be legal aerial operations must comply with the principles of humanitarian law: military necessity, distinction, and proportionality: An attack or action must be intended to help in the military defeat of the enemy, it must be an attack on a military objective, and the harm caused to civilians or civilian property must be proportional and not excessive in relation to the concrete and direct military advantage anticipated.
While Hanuman was upset by his actions, done in anger, he was not bound by any legal code. In fact, celestial beings were very happy at the destruction he wrought on the demons. His regret was not because he killed, it is a moot point whether a rakshasa can be called a civilian, but that in his rash act, Sita might have also been lost.
Presently it is the drone attack that hits the headlines. If you thought that these acts were not right, think again. A pubic opinion survey came up with this result, In February 2013, Fairleigh Dickinson University's PublicMind poll conducted a study to measure public opinion on the use of drones. The study was conducted nation-wide, and it asked registered voters whether they "approve or disapprove of the U.S. Military using drones to carry out attacks abroad on people and other targets deemed a threat to the U.S.?" The results showed that three in every four (75%) of voters approved of the U.S. Military using drones to carry out attacks, while (13%) disapproved.
It is apparent that while an individual can be like Sita, ' who know not ill, .. heart is pure and conduct right' , collectively we have a long way to go!
I guess anyone not in the military IS a civilian... :)
Well...Hanuman's reaction was impulsive I suppose. Its like when Tendulkar has his moments...throwing away his wicket, being tentative. How does it matter...He is forgiven. May be thats how Hanuman was too...and he got the benefit of doubt...
Drone attacks cannot be impulsive as you rightly said.
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