The demon (Kalanemi) was already sitting there in disguise, keen on deluding the messenger of the Lord of delusion. When the Sun of the Wind went and bowed his head before him, the demon in his turn began to sing Rama’s praises:

‘The battle swells fierce between Rama and Ravana, but Rama will assuredly win the day; though I have not moved from here, my brother, I can see it all, for my great strength lies in my spiritual insight.’

On Hanuman’s asking for water, the demon gave him his water-pot, but Hanuman said that a small quantity of water was not enough to satisfy his thirst. ‘Go then and bathe in the lake,’ said the demon, and come back straightway; and I will then grant you initiation, so that you may attain to spiritual insight.’

No sooner had Hanuman stepped into the lake than a female crocodile seized his foot in great alarm, whereupon he killed her. She then assumed a divine form and, mounting an aerial car, soared into the heavens.

‘The sight of you, O monkey,’ she said, ‘has cleansed me of my sins and, friend, the sage’s curse has come to an end. This, monkey, is no hermit but a dreadful demon: doubt not the truth of my words.’

As soon as the heavenly nymph had said this and gone her way, Hanuman returned to the demon and said, ‘First, O sage, receive the offering that is due to a guru, then afterwards tell me the charm.’

Hanuman then twisted his tail round his head and knocked him down. At the moment of his death, Kalanemi reassumed his proper (demoniac) form, and with a cry of ‘Rama! Rama!” breathed his last. On hearing his cry, Hanuman went on his way rejoicing.