Wherever the glories of Bhagavan Ram are recited, it is believed that Hanuman arrives—silent and unseen, yet fully present, to partake in the divine nectar. No wonder he is called “Ram Katha Rasik Hanuman” (the connoisseur of Ram’s glories). Their bond is so pure that it moves mountains, so intense that it transforms the impossible into possible.
Hanuman is one of the eleven Rudra forms of Shankar ji—fierce in strength, yet unmatched in humility and bhakti. He is the mighty force of Mahadev wrapped in the tender heart of a loving sevak. Besides his power, his surrender and simplicity make him awe-inspiring. Let us immerse ourselves in the timeless legacy of Hanuman ji.
The Unbreakable Bond
As the curtain rises on this epic tale, we find ourselves at the foothill of Rishyamuk Parvat. Sugreev (the Vanar King), ousted by his brother Bali, lived in hiding on the hill with his few trusted companions, including Hanuman, the son of Vayudev (wind-god).
One day, two ascetic strangers, Ram and Laxman arrived there. Suspecting they might be Bali's spies, Sugreev tasked Hanuman with uncovering their intentions. Hanuman assumed the guise of a humble Brahmin and approached them, asking:
सो विप्र रूप धारी कपि तहँ गयऊ, माथा नै पूछत असा भयऊ।
को तुम स्यामला गौर सरीरा, क्षत्रिय रूप फिरहु बनवीरा।
"Who are you two, with noble bearing, yet wandering in this wild forest?"
In response, Ram shared His story, not as the Lord of the Universe, but as a grieving husband in search of His beloved wife Sita.
When Ram asked Hanuman who he was, just then, Hanuman’s disguise melted, and he fell at Ram’s feet, overcome with devotion. “Maharaj, you are my Ishtadev. I failed to recognize you because of maya,” he cried, acknowledging their eternal bond.
As they conversed, Hanuman sensed that an alliance between Ram and Sugreev was divinely ordained—Sugreev could aid in the search for Mother Sita, and Ram could help Sugreev reclaim his kingdom from Bali. Eager to unite them, Hanuman offered to escort the brothers to Sugreev. “Sit on my shoulders, my Lord,” he said.
Lakshman was skeptical about his abilities but Hanuman carried both brothers up the hill with ease. Lakshman then recalled Ram's words, describing Hanuman as His dear devotee, “twice as Lakshman.” His doubts dispelled and he recognized Hanuman for who he truly was—an exceptional being, deeply devoted to Lord Ram, akin to Shankar ji Himself!
Ram and Sugreev soon forged their pact. With Ram’s support, Bali was defeated and Sugreev was reinstated as the King of Kishkinda. Sugreev then committed his forces to help Ram in his mission to search Mother Sita.
A Leap of Faith
Shree Ram strategized the search for Mother Sita. Nobody knew her whereabouts. Hence, monkey armies were dispatched in four directions. Hanuman was part of the troop which headed towards the south, eventually reaching the ocean. There, a vulture, Sampati, revealed that Ravan had taken Sita to his kingdom of Lanka which was across the sea. The monkeys were stumped, wondering who could leap across the seemingly endless ocean. While they debated, Hanuman sat quietly.
Jambavan, the old wise bear in their troop, reminded Hanuman of his divine lineage and extraordinary powers. Awakened to his life’s purpose, Hanuman rose and took on his colossal form. With a thundering leap, he exclaimed, “Jai Shree Ram,” and soared into the skies— carried not by wind but by the power of love for his Lord. However, Hanuman's voyage was not devoid of obstacles. The universe rose to test his resolve—Three trials awaited him:
1. Mainak Parvat
As Hanuman flew over the ocean, the golden mountain Mainak offered him to take some rest. Hanuman humbly declined, saying, “In Ramkārya, there is no pause, no rest. The work of the Lord calls for ceaseless dedication.” With gratitude, he touched the mountain and continued his journey, overcoming the temptation of comfort with purpose and focus.
2. Surasa
Next appeared Surasa, the celestial serpent queen, blocking Hanuman's path and declaring, "No one shall pass without entering my mouth. You Vanar, shall be my meal today.” Hanuman outsmarted her by growing in size, prompting Surasa to match him. Then, he suddenly shrunk to a thumb's size, slipped through her mouth, and emerged out safely on the other side. Impressed by his cleverness and devotion, Surasa blessed him and allowed him to pass, illustrating that ego can be conquered with wit and grace.
3. Simhika
Then, appeared Simhika, a shadow-demoness, who preyed upon birds by grabbing their shadows. She seized Hanuman's shadow, pulling him down. Hanuman did not negotiate; instead with a powerful punch, he struck her down. This encounter symbolized facing inner demons—doubts, fears, and negativity—with courage and clarity.
Nothing—not land, nor sky, nor sea—could stand in the way of a servant on Ramkārya. Rather, each hurdle that Hanuman encountered only solidified his spirit. His journey to Lanka became a leap of faith across the ocean, echoing through eternity.
Encounters in Lanka
Upon entering Lanka, Hanuman infiltrated the opulent city. But he was not dazzled. His eyes searched only for Mother Sita.
At the gate stood Lankini, the demoness guard who roared, “Who dares enter uninvited?” Hanuman responded with a single blow that sent her reeling. But instead of striking back, she folded her hands in surrender.
“Brahma’s words have come true,” she said. “When a monkey knocks me down, Lanka’s end begins.” Even the enemies bowed before Ram’s sevak.
At last, Hanuman reached Ashok Vatika, where Sita sat beneath a tree—frail, forlorn, and fading in separation. He wondered how to approach her. From the treetop, he gently dropped the mudrika (ring) that Ram had given and began narrating Ram’s leelas.
“Who speaks such sweet words?” Sita wondered.
Hanuman descended, folded his hands, and said, “Ma, I am Ram’s das—Hanuman.”
Cautious, Sita asked, “How can I trust you? Even Ravan used sweet words to deceive.”
Hanuman placed his hand on his heart and spoke with reverence, “I swear at the lotus feet ofKripā Nidhan.”
That name—Kripā Nidhan—pierced her heart. It was a name which only Mother Sita used for Shree Ram. Her eyes welled with tears. This was real. Her Ram had not forgotten her. Overwhelmed, Sita blessed Hanuman with Asht Siddhi (eight divine powers) and Nav Nidhi (nine treasures).
As he stood before Sita, his stomach rumbled with hunger. Sita, amused, gently instructed him to not pluck but eat the fallen fruits. With a playful grin, Hanuman shook the trees for fruits, causing a stir among the demonesses. The commotion drew the attention of Ravan's troops. While Hanuman proved tough for Ravan’s troops and commanders, he eventually allowed himself to be caught so that he could meet Ravan.
In Ravan's court, Hanuman boldly declared, “I am a sevak of Prabhu Ram, who is ever merciful. Surrender to Him, and His forgiveness shall envelop you.”
But Ravan's pride got the better of him, and he ordered Hanuman's tail to be set on fire. As the flames engulfed his tail, Hanuman grew in size, leapt from rooftop to rooftop, and set Lanka ablaze. The people were terrified, and the city was consumed by chaos. At last, Hanuman extinguished his burning tail and returned to Ashok Vatika.
There, Sita handed him her chudamani (a hair ornament), a token only her Beloved could recognize. Teary eyed, she said, “Tell Ram... if he doesn’t come within a month, I will not be alive.” With Sita's message and token in hand, Hanuman took flight once more to deliver her heartfelt plea to Ram.
From Despair to Dawn
When Hanuman returned, the vanar sena rejoiced. Ram's eyes shone with gratitude as he embraced Hanuman. "Your seva is a debt I can never repay, dear Hanuman," he whispered.
But amidst the celebration, Hanuman's words painted a poignant picture of Sita's plight. “Her body withers in sorrow, her heart aflame with longing. Yet, your name stands sentinel, guarding her life. And that is why her soul still clings to her body.”
Ram was overcome with emotion. With a resolute sigh, Ram rallied his army of vanars and bears. They marched towards the ocean, determined to bridge the sea and bring back Sita. The battle that ensued was fiery, with half of Ravan's formidable forces vanquished by dusk on the very first day. The next day, Ravan's son, Indrajit, unleashed his wrath striking down Lakshman and leaving him unconscious. Though Indrajit attempted to carry him away, Lakshman’s divine weight made it impossible, and Indrajit had to retreat. Hanuman rushed to the battlefield, lifting Lakshman effortlessly and bringing him back to Ram. The sight of his beloved brother's grave condition shattered Ram.
In this hour of despair, Hanuman swiftly flew through the night sky, and brought Shushen – the Vaidya (physician) from Lanka. The vaidya’s diagnosis was dire: only the Sanjeevani herb from the Himalayas could save Lakshman, which had to be administered before sunrise.
Time was running out. Ram turned to Hanuman, who said with conviction: "I will not let the sun rise before my return." In the blink of an eye, he soared towards the north. On reaching the fabled mountain, amidst the countless herbs, he could not identify the Sanjeevani. So, he simply lifted the entire mountain and began his return.
Meanwhile, Ram waited in deep sorrow. The vanar army wept with their Lord. But then, hope descended from the sky—Hanuman arrived, mountain in hand. The Sanjeevani worked its miracle. Lakshman opened his eyes; his revival like a monsoon breaking a drought. And thus, the divine saga marched on and eventually Ravan was defeated and Mother Sita was united with Shree Ram.
Sweet Anecdote
The tales of Hanuman's devotion to Ram and Sita are truly heartwarming. One such anecdote showcases his faith and simplicity of heart.
Once, Mother Sita was distributing gifts to everyone. Sita Ji smiled and handed Hanuman a mala (garland) made of precious beads.
Hanuman accepted it with folded hands, but then did something surprising. He took one bead, cracked it open with his teeth, and tossed it away. He did the same with the other beads. The onlookers were stunned.
"Hanuman, why are you disrespecting Sita Mata's sacred gift?" someone asked.
With child-like innocence, Hanuman replied,
“I am looking for the image of my Prabhu Ram inside these beads. If Ram is not in them, what value do they hold for me?”
One of them challenged, “If that is so, Hanuman, do you have Ram and Sita in your heart, otherwise what use is it?”
Hanuman smiled, tore open his chest with his hands—and to everyone’s astonishment, there inside his heart were the images of Shree Ram and Sita Maa.
Conclusion
The essence of Hanuman's journey reveals the depth of his love for Ram and Sita. He soared across oceans, not to boast of his strength, but to illustrate what power in surrender and service looks like.
As we reflect on his legacy, we find a blueprint for spiritual living. We are reminded that no obstacle is insurmountable. May we find the inspiration to leap over our oceans of doubt and arrive in the realm of deep devotion. Let us not simply chant Bajrangbali’s name but strive to embody his spirit—when the Lord’s mission calls, even mountains must bow, oceans must part, and the impossible must kneel.
Resources
● Ram Katha | Sunderkand | Hanuman Jayanti | Ramayan | 2019
● Ram Katha | Ram Bhakt Hanuman | Ramayan |Hanuman Jayanti Special
● STORY of HANUMANJI crossing the ocean to reach Lanka by Swami Mukundananda
Call to Action
Be a part of the upcoming Bhakti Kirtan Retreat with Swami Mukundananda from April 18-20, 2025 at Radha Krishna Temple of Dallas! It is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in soulful kirtans, enlightening discourses, and divine celebrations.
