these gods being collectively known as the Maruts. In the ordinary course it is only at the time of universal dissolution (´ýÜØ) that all these winds are let loose by the god of destruction. 772 * ÝR” RMACARITAMNASA* Though colossal in size, HanumŒn appeared most nimble-bodied; he ran and sprang from palace to palace. The city was all ablaze and the people were at their wit’s end. Terrible flames burst forth in myriads and piteous cries were heard everywhere: “O father ! Ah, my mother ! Who will save us at this hour? As I said, he is no monkey but some god in the form of a monkey. Such is the result of despising a noble soul: the city is being consumed by fire as though it had no master.” In the twinking of an eye HanumŒn burnt down the whole city barring the solitary house of Vibh¶ƒa˜a. PŒrvat¶, (continues Lord Ýiva,) HanumŒn went unscathed because he was the messenger of Him who created fire itself. He burnt the whole of La˘kŒ from one end to the other and then leapt into the ocean. (1—4)