Hanuman

by Vanamali

  The plane gently landed on the other side of the bridge so that Rama could worship at the shrine of Shiva that he and Hanuman had consecrated before they set out. At that time he had made a vow to the three-eyed Lord that he would return and pay his homage to him along with his wife Sita.

  “Here on this spot, Shiva, the supreme deity, bestowed his grace on me and accepted my worship in the form of Rameshwara (Rama’s Lord). This place where the bridge was constructed will be known as Sethubanda and will be adored in all the worlds. This spot will be held as supremely sacred and will be capable of washing away all major sins. This is the place where Vibhishana made his first appearance.”

  Once again they got into the plane and he pointed out to Sita Sugriva’s fortress Kishkinda. Sita immediately asked for the car to be brought down so that they could take Sugriva’s wives Tara and Rumi, as well as the wives of the other monkey leaders.

  So the chariot landed and the ladies joyfully joined the group. Later Rama pointed out Rishyamukha, where he had met Hanuman for the first time. “There is Lake Pampa, filled with lotuses, where I was reminded of you so painfully and where we met the old lady ascetic Shabari.”

  “O look, Sita!” he said. “There is our ashrama at Panchavati, where you were so cruelly captured. There is the enchanting hut of leaves made for us by Lakshmana close to the holy river Godavari. We abandoned it immediately after you were abducted, for I could not bear to stay there without you.” He remained silent for a few minutes reliving the painful scenes of that time and Sita buried her face on his shoulder and wept.

  “Here is the delightful forest of Chitrakuta where we spent so many happy days together and where Bharata came to meet us. Now we come to Bharadvaja’s ashrama, which lies at the most holy confluence of the divine Ganga with Yamuna and Saraswati.”

  Rama requested the Pushpaka to land. The sage was delighted to see them, and Rama, who was starved for news of his people, was relieved to hear that all was well in Ayodhya. The sage also went over all the hardships he had undergone, including Sita’s capture and his killing of Ravana, for he had known everything by his divine powers. Bharadwaja requested Rama to stay for the day and proceed the next morning, so Rama informed Hanuman.

  “I cannot refuse the request of the sage, so please proceed to Nandigrama and give Bharata all the news and that I am coming tomorrow. If his face shows the slightest disappointment at my return and any desire to keep the kingdom, please return and tell me. I will not stand in his way. Even the best of men may be tempted by riches at some time or other.”

  On his way to Ayodhya, Hanuman stopped at the homestead of Guha, chief of the tribe who had helped Rama to cross the Ganga on his way to the forest, and gave him the happy news. He then flew to Nandigrama and observed Bharata from the air. His hair was bound in matted locks on top of his head and he had a long black beard; he was clad only in bark and the skin of a black antelope and was totally emaciated, for he had been subsisting on fruits and roots alone for fourteen years as his brother must have also done. He had undertaken to guard the kingdom until his brother returned and that he had done to the best of his ability. He ruled the country from the little village of Nandigrama outside Ayodhya. He kept Rama’s wooden sandals on the throne and took his orders from them. Bharata considered himself to be merely a regent. He seemed to be keeping alive only for that purpose. In fact, he looked like a brahmarishi (sage who has integral knowledge of the Supreme Brahman), sitting with eyes half closed, absorbed in deep meditation. His lips were constantly murmuring “Rama, Rama!” Seeing his condition, Maruti was overjoyed. Assuming the guise of a Brahmin, he approached in all humility, for he realized that he was in the presence of a truly superior human being, the very personification of dharma, one who had conquered his senses, one who had no desire for worldly possession and whose only thought was for Rama!

  Hanuman repeated the name of Rama loudly in order to catch Bharata’s attention. He immediately opened his eyes and looked at him in surprise.

  Hanuman said, “O Prince! I bring you tidings of your brother, Rama, for whose sake you have donned this garb and for whose dear sake you have given up all thoughts of a happy, normal life that you could have well enjoyed. He for whose loss you sorrow night and day, the catalogue of whose virtues you are incessantly reciting, the glory of the line of Raghu, the benefactor of the pious, the deliverer of the saints, has arrived safely. After conquering his foes in battle, with the gods to hymn his praises, the Lord is now on his way with Sita and Lakshmana. He has sent me in advance to tell you that he will be arriving here very soon.”

  Now, in order to test him, Hanuman said, “However, it is my duty to advise you. Why have you deprived yourself of the kingship that your mother got for you with such difficulty? Why do you feel guilty about accepting the throne? This type of renunciation is only for weaklings!”

  Bharata was horrified to hear the Brahmin’s advice. “Go away, you wicked Brahmin! Like my brother, I too am an upholder of dharma. I would rather die than sacrifice it on the altar of ambition!”

  Hanuman was very happy to hear this and revealed his true form to him. He gave him the happy news of Rama’s approach.

  For fourteen years, Bharata had been waiting for this moment, and now when he heard the news, he swooned with happiness. He recovered himself and embraced Hanuman, saying, “I don’t know who you are, but you have brought me the happiest news of my life and thus you are my best friend. Many, many years ago, my beloved brother went away to the forest and all these years I have been waiting only for his return. Tell me how I should reward you.”

  Hanuman’s eyes filled with tears to see such devotion. He had thought that he loved Rama more than anyone else, but now it appeared that there were many who had the same adoration for Rama. “I am the son of the wind god, a monkey, Hanuman by name, a servant of the glorious Raghupati.”

  On hearing this, Bharata rose up and embraced him. Tears were flowing unchecked down his cheeks, and he could not contain his delight.

  “O monkey! Now I remember you are the one who halted here when you were going on your way to get the magic herb to revive Lakshmana. Your very sight has dispelled my sorrows, for today I have embraced a friend of Rama’s. Now tell me of my Lord’s adventures. Did my brother make mention of this poor servant?”

  Hanuman was amazed at Bharata’s humility.

  “My Lord, you are as dear to Rama as his own life. Believe me, this is the truth!” Hanuman now seated himself beside Bharata on the grass mat and told him all the details of Rama’s life after leaving him. At last, he told him that he had reached the ashrama of sage Bharadwaja and would be reaching Ayodhya shortly.

  Bharata called Shatrugna and all the others, and all of them made haste to prepare the city for Rama’s arrival. The city of Ayodhya, which had been like a dead city all these years, suddenly blossomed to life. Once again banners and streamers flew from the battlements of the palace. Musicians restrung their silent vinas (stringed instruments akin to lutes). The trees burst into bloom and the streets were sprinkled with rose water and fried rice and decorated with auspicious signs. Once more the fountains started to play and the streams to run and the sound of laughter and rejoicing floated in the air. The citizens donned their best clothes, which had been locked away in their chests for fourteen years, and thronged the streets. The ladies formed a procession, singing and bearing golden salvers laden with curds, dhruva grass, turmeric paste, fruits, flowers, springs of the holy tulsi plant, and many other auspicious articles. The whole city waited in anticipation for the arrival of her rightful Lord. The king’s highway leading from Nandigrama to the city was decorated with auspicious patterns, traced with colored powder, and sprinkled with rose water. Rama’s sandals were kept on top of a caparisoned, white elephant, with the white umbrella of sovereignty held above it. Bharata and Shatrugna shaved their beards and cut their hair and dressed themselves in princely attire.

  The dowager queens rose up in haste and eagerly questioned Bharata ab
out Rama’s welfare. He assured them that he was arriving soon.

  Everything was ready and everyone was eagerly waiting when the Pushpaka reached the sacred village of Nandigrama, where the flame of devotion had been kept alight for fourteen years by Bharata. Many of the ladies crowded on the rooftops of houses in order to see the chariot as it descended. The chariot hovered for some time in the air so that Rama could point out the various familiar landmarks to the excited monkeys and rakshasas.

  “There is Ayodhya, the city of my fathers and the citadel of the kings of the solar dynasty. This city is even more precious to me than Vaikunta, the abode of Vishnu. The dwellers here are indeed very dear to me. There is the Sarayu River, which holds the land of Kosala in its embrace, and there are my dear brothers, Bharata and Shatrugna, saluting me from below. Those are my mothers, Kausalya, Kaikeyi, and Sumitra, who are standing on the palace ramparts.”

  At the very first sight of the aerial chariot, Hanuman shouted, “Here comes Sri Ramachandra!” The citizens took up the cry, and soon the whole air was reverberating to the shouts of “Jai Sri Rama!”

  As soon as the car landed, Rama got out and dropped his bow and arrows and went and fell at the feet of his preceptors, Vasishta and Vamadeva, as well as the other Brahmins.

  Bharata now rushed forward and fell full-length at Rama’s feet. Bharata could hardly speak when Rama asked about his welfare.

  “I was sinking in an ocean of sorrow, but now that I have seen you, all is well with me.”

  The brothers had a tender reunion that brought tears to the eyes of the watching monkeys. Bharata took the sandals, which were the virtual rulers of the state, and placed them lovingly on his brother’s holy feet, saying, “I give you back the kingdom that was given to me to look after. It was a great burden on me, but I have guarded it carefully. Today my mother’s name has been cleared, and I have atoned for her sins. Please allow us to conduct the coronation that should have taken place fourteen years ago.”

  Sugriva and Vibhishana were touched to see this brotherly affection and pained by the thought of their own brothers, Vaali and Ravana, who had treated them so harshly.

  Rama agreed to this and then sent the Pushpaka back to Kubera, who was its rightful owner. The flower-bedecked chariot slowly rose up into the air, circled Rama thrice, and then floated away in a northerly direction. Rama turned to the citizens and personally greeted each and every one of them, much to their delight. He then proceeded to the palace where the mothers were eagerly awaiting him. They embraced him in turn with eyes filled with tears of joy.

  Urmila was Lakshmana’s wife. The goddess of sleep had given her a boon that she would sleep for fourteen years while her husband was away. It is said that during this period Lakshmana did not sleep at all so that he could serve his brother night and day! As soon as Rama and Lakshmana reached the outskirts of Ayodhya, Urmila woke up from her long slumber and bedecked herself in order to meet her husband.

  Rama and Lakshmana shaved off their matted locks and discarded their clothes of bark. The three mothers now gave them a ceremonial bath. They washed away every trace of forest life on their bodies and anointed Rama with oil, sandal, and turmeric paste. They bathed him in milk, curd, butter, and perfumed water and bedecked him in yellow silk and adorned him with fragrant garlands and gem-studded ornaments of gold. Janaki was also lovingly bathed and dressed by Kausalya, Sumitra, and Kaikeyi. She was clad in heavenly attire and every part of her body was adorned with jewels. Kausalya condescended to dress the hair of the wives of the vanaras, much to their delight.

  Sumantra, the charioteer, now brought the royal chariot, and Rama and Sita ascended it and were taken in state to the main palace. Bharata asked Sumantra’s permission and took over the reins of the chariot. Shatrugna held the white umbrella of royalty over Rama’s head while Lakshmana and Vibhishana stood on either side and fanned him with the white-tailed yak fans. Hanuman knelt at his feet. Sugriva came at the back, riding on an elephant. The citizens who were lining the streets went mad with joy and shouted, “Jai (hail) Sri Rama! Jai Sita! Jai Lakshmana!” Thus they arrived in state at the palace that had been occupied by the kings of the Ikshvaku dynasty for centuries. For the first time in fourteen years Rama entered a city. He had deliberately declined from entering any city all these years. He had not seen either Kishkinda or Lanka from the inside.

  Rama then asked Bharata to prepare the best rooms in his own palace for Sugriva and Vibhishana to reside along with their wives. Bharata in turn requested Sugriva to send his people to bring waters from all the holy rivers and oceans of the land for the coronation. Five hundred monkeys sprang to do his bidding and brought water from five hundred different sources! Sage Vasishta was the guru of the solar dynasty, and he was the one in charge of the whole function.

  He had Rama sit on the jeweled throne of the Ikshvakus with Sita beside him. From golden pitchers, all the great sages poured the consecrated waters, brought from all the sacred rivers and seas of the land, over Rama’s head, to the accompaniment of sacred Vedic chants. Shatrugna held the white umbrella of sovereignty over his head. Lakshmana and Bharata stood on both sides, and Sugriva and Vibhishana waved the royal yak tail fans. Hanuman sat at his feet and offered his paws as a footstool. Vasishta now crowned him with a crown studded with precious stones and fashioned by Brahma himself.

  The wind god came and presented Rama with a golden garland that was made of one hundred golden lotuses, as well as a beautiful necklace of pearls. The gods and celestials stood in the sky watching the wonderful scene.

  Rama now gifted a hundred thousand cows and horses to deserving Brahmins. To Sugriva he presented a golden garland studded with jewels and to Angada, the son of Vaali, a pair of lovely armlets made of diamonds and other precious stones. He then gave Sita the pearl necklace given to him by Varuna, the god of the ocean, which had the luster of moonbeams, as well as many splendid garments and jewels. All the vanaras and rakshasas were also given many exotic gifts. However, he didn’t give anything to Hanuman.

  Sita now looked at Hanuman with great love and glanced inquiringly at her husband. Rama knew what was passing through her mind and told her, “O Janaki, you are free to bestow the pearl necklace on the one with whom you are most pleased. Gift it to one who has all the qualities that you think a great hero should have, such as fidelity, truth, skill, courtesy, foresight, prowess, and good intellect.”

  Sita took out the precious necklace of pearls that Rama had given her and without a moment’s hesitation, she put it around the neck of the son of the wind god. Hanuman bowed respectfully and returned to his seat.

  He took out the necklace and started to examine it carefully. He smelled it and scratched it and put it to his nose and his ears as if listening to something. He then took each precious bead, cracked it with his teeth, and peered into the shiny fragments before throwing it off as being worthless! Everyone was horrified at this terrible behavior. “What an insult to the queen,” said some. “What can you expect from a monkey?” asked another.

  Sita couldn’t bear to see such monkeylike behavior on the part of one whom she loved so much and who had done so much for her. She asked him to explain himself.

  Hanuman looked surprised and replied, “To me, the only thing worthy of respect is the name of Rama. Anything that does not have it is worthless. I examined the beads to see if they had his name written anywhere, then I smelled it to see if his perfume was there, and bit it to see if it contained anything of Rama inside, but there was nothing. This is only an ordinary pearl necklace, and what use is such a thing for a monkey like me? My Lady! I am of course proud that you have chosen me as a fitting recipient for this signal honor, but please forgive me for not wearing it.”

  The spectators were astonished by this statement and Sita asked him, “O Hanuman! What about your body? Is it not made up of the five elements? What does it have of Rama?”

  Hanuman now asked Sugriva to put his ear to his chest, and to Sugriva’s amazement, he heard the conti
nuous chanting of “Rama, Rama,” coming from Hanuman’s heart.

  Then, as if to put an end to further dispute, it is said that this great devotee of Rama split his chest open with his nails, and to the astonishment of all, there was Rama enshrined within with Sita beside him! A great gasp of wonder rose up in the assembly and everyone shouted, “Jai Sri Rama! Jai Hanuman!”

  Rama came down from his throne, embraced him warmly, and placed his blessed hands on the wound, which healed miraculously at his touch. He then asked him to choose whatever gift he would like.

  Hanuman replied, “My Lord! May my supreme affection for you live forever. May my devotion to you be constant. Let my love not be diverted to anything else. May life remain in my body as long as your story remains on the face of the earth. Let me imbibe the nectar of your stories so that I shall be able to ally my longing to see you in front of me. Let me be present whenever and wherever your name is chanted and your songs are sung. This is the only gift that I want.” Rama placed his hands on Anjaneya’s head and blessed him with all the boons he had requested.

  “So shall it be, O Prince of Monkeys! There is no doubt that your fame will endure and life too will continue in your body as long as this story remains current in this world. My stories will abide as long as the world lasts. When I think of all the services you have rendered to me and Sita and Lakshmana, I should be prepared to give up my life for you here and now. But I prefer to remain in your debt forever, O monkey! I pray that I will never get an occasion to repay you for all that you have done, since normally one wants to be repaid only when one is in trouble!”