Simhika
As I soared forward I noticed a shadowy figure in the depths ahead. A ravaged looking demon appeared to be splashing about in the water as if waiting for something. As I got closer I could hear her; she was dancing and singing of a great feast she would soon have. Once she caught sight of my presence she cooed to me:
Where are you going, my deliciously large and plump ape friend?
You showed no respect to my sister and should've met your end.
Now you've arrived on time for my next meal without the need to seek ya...
I shall make sure you learn your place, in my stomach, for I am the real deal, I am Simhika.
You must not know that Surasa was simply prompting a mere test.
That once I had passed, she did my person bless.
But if you will not listen to reason I shall have no choice.
I'll defeat you where you stand; no longer shall you rejoice.
Bahahaha, silly monkey you know not of who I am.
Or the countless gods who have died by my hand.
But do not worry— you shall soon find out too.
Your quest ends here; you may bid your Sita Mata adieu.
She lunged forward but I stood firm and began to outgrow her. Looking as if I had the upper hand I went to strike but in that moment she appeared as tall as any mountain matching my own size. She caught my fist midair and sent me tumbling back as she cackled. Again she lunged and I thought to outdo her as I did Surasa, so I decided to contract. In the blink of an eye I was the size of a needle and raced toward her mouth. She swallowed me as planned and laughed. "Emerging from my nose will grant you no blessings from me, little monkey." But that was not my plan and just a moment later I was ripping out her heart. I pierced through the center of her stomach and the great Simhika fell. She crashed into the ocean and sent a mighty wave hurtling in all directions. This battle with Simhika was over and I was truly exhausted. I began my flight again to Lanka when I felt my body shake. I looked up to the bright blue sky and it began to grow dark around my vision's edges. I felt the rush of air below me as if I was falling and then my world grew black...
Now a Note from David:
So Hanuman and I have had a lot of fun remembering his tales and trying to get them written down again. As you may know Hanuman wrote the first rendition of the Ramayana but destroyed it so that Valmiki's Ramayana could be the most popular one. Seeing as Hanuman did not care about the fame that would come of it he was content to see someone else happy and successful. Hanuman now at least wants to have some of his greatest stories told correctly so that is why we are doing some retellings about his greatest accomplishment: (according to him) saving Sita! Simhika was his toughest foe yet even though he battled her quickly Hanuman uses a ton of energy to grow and shrink so many times while trying to get to Sita with great speed. Hanuman told me in that moment post battle he felt as if the last ounce of energy fell from him like a rain drop towards the oceans surface as he lost consciousness and began falling out of the sky. He believes Valmiki left this out to make Hanuman seem invincible at all times. Hanuman told me that he is great and so very blessed but even he has limits. Hope you enjoy Hanuman's writings and don't forget to visit my blog! Comment Wall!
Bibliography:
Valmiki. “Sundara Kanda.” Valmiki Ramayana - Sundara Kanda, July 2006, Valmiki Ramayana .
Image 1: Hanuman's leap
Image 2: Hanuman fights three demons on the way to Lanka
Image 3: In the mouth os Simhika