Sundarakānda - Canto 50

Commanded by Rāvana, Prahasta inquires of Hanumån as to who he was as also his motive in devastating the royal pleasance and killing the ogres. In reply Hanumān says that he destroyed the grove in order that he might be taken captive and dragged to the presence of Rāvana, whom he was eager to see, and was compelled in self-defence to kill those who stood in his way. In the end he declares himself to be a messenger of Śrī Rāma and adds that, though protected against the missile presided over by Brahmā, he submitted to its influence only in order to be able to see Rāvana.