Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c9.182

c9.182

Immediately Rākṣasas began to cover Hanūmān's tail with clothes. But, ths tail began growing longer and longer with the result that no quantity of clothings sufficed to completely cover the ever-extending tail. At last the Rākṣasas poured oil over the tail and set fire to it. Then Hanūmān broke loose from captivity and jumped up into the air causing universal disaster by fire in Laṅkā. The fire did not affect the palace of Vibhīṣaṇa and also the platform around the Śiṃśapā tree where Sītā sat. After thus burning down Laṅkā Hanūmān extinguished the fire on his tail by dipping it in the ocean. Taking leave once again of Sītā, Hanūmān crossed the sea and reached Mahendragiri.