Did Sita pray to Agni not to burn hanuman's tail when ravana's people set it on fire?

Question

I remember this as folklore - but is it present in any major Ramayana version?

Answer 1

The Valmiki Ramayana, Sundara Kanda, Sarga 53 narrates the incident of Sita praying to Agni to not burn Hanuman.

When the Rakshasis hear of Ravana setting Hanuman's tail on fire, they inform Sita Devi of this incident.

yaḥ tvayā kṛta samvādaḥ sīte tāmra mukhaḥ kapiḥ ||
lāngūlena pradīptena sa eṣa pariṇīyate |
"Oh Sita! The red-faced monkey who you were talking to is being taken around the city with a burning tail". (VR 5.53.25b-26a)

When she hears of this, Sita prays to the Deity of Fire in four verses.

yadi asti pati śuśrūṣā yadi asti caritam tapaḥ ||
yadi ca asti eka patnītvam śīto bhava hanūmataḥ |
yadi kaścit anukrośaḥ tasya mayi asti dhīmataḥ ||
yadi vā bhāgya śeṣam me śīto bhava hanūmataḥ |
yadi mām vṛtta sampannām tat samāgama lālasām ||
sa vijānāti dharma ātmā śīto bhava hanūmataḥ |
yadi mām tārayati āryaḥ sugrīvaḥ satya samgaraḥ ||
asmāt duhkhān mahābāhuḥ śīto bhava hanūmataḥ |

"If I have performed service to my husband, if I have undergone penance, if I am a faithful wife, be cool towards Hanuman.
If the wise Rama has some mercy towards me, if I have any good fortune remaining, be cool towards Hanuman.
If that paragon of Dharma understands me to be steadfast in virtue and awaiting his arrival, be cool towards Hanuman.
If the valorous and noble Sugriva is (spending his efforts towards) rescuing me from this sorrow, be cool towards Hanuman." (VR 5.53.28b-32a)

Accepting this prayer (or rather, command) of Sita Devi, Agni became cool like ice towards Hanuman and didn't burn his tail.

tataḥ tīkṣṇa arciḥ avyagraḥ pradakṣiṇa śikho analaḥ ||
jajvāla mṛga śāva akṣyāḥ śaṃsann iva śivam kapeḥ |
hanumajjanakaścāpi pucchānalayuto.anilaḥ ||
vavau svāsthyakaro devyāḥ prāleyānilaśītalaḥ |

"Then the fire, burning around Hanuman, shone with bright flames as if assuring the doe-eyed Sita of the well-being of Hanuman.
Hanuman's father Vayu too aided Agni's efforts on Hanuman's tail by blowing cool breeze, and providing solace to the Goddess (Sita)." (VR 5.53.32b-34a).