Shloka 5.53.29
लाङ्गूलदाह-पर्यटनम् (The Burning Tail and the Parade through Laṅkā)
यदि किञ्चिदनुक्रोशस्तस्य मय्यस्ति धीमतः।।5.53.29।।यदि वा भाग्यशेषो मे शीतो भव हनूमतः।
kapīnāṃ kila lāṅgūlam iṣṭaṃ bhavati bhūṣaṇam | tad asya dīpyatāṃ śīghraṃ tena dagdhena gacchatu ||5.53.3||
“A monkey’s tail is said to be dear to him—indeed, it is his ornament. Set his tail alight at once, and let him go with that tail burning.”
"If wise Rama has some compassion for me, if there is any residue of good luck for me, to Hanuman be cool O Fire-god.
The verse highlights the abuse of power and cruelty as a mark of adharma—punishment motivated by humiliation rather than justice.
After capturing Hanumān in Laṅkā, the rākṣasas decide to disgrace him by igniting his tail, then releasing him to spread fear.
By contrast (in the broader episode), Hanumān’s fortitude and mission-focused discipline stand out against the rākṣasas’ vindictiveness.