Ramayana_VOLUME V with index

Ravana
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 p.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,
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