Hanuman’s guidance – The Hindu

Desire is the one force that a person has to control to overcome temptation in various forms on earth. It calls for tremendous inner strength, moral courage, as exemplified by Hanuman. When Vishnu manifested on earth as Rama, he hugged Hanuman, thereby bestowing a rare honour upon him. Hanuman’s outstanding feature is his devotion to Rama. Revered for his courage, mental fortitude, control over his senses, his problem-solving ability, and above all, beloved of Rama, everyone prays to Hanuman for courage and guidance, said Damal S Ramakrishnan.

Once Hanuman met Him, he had no other interest in the world, except serving Rama, setting an example for all devotees on total surrender to God. As he undertook the task of finding Sita (abducted by Ravana) and flew to Sri Lanka after being tipped by Sampati, Hanuman was like an arrow from Rama’s bow: unerringly finding the target. Wandering around Ravana’s palace, impervious to its wealth or women, and unable to spot Sita, Hanuman chanted Rama namam. Forthwith, he was in Ashoka Vanam (forest) where Sita was held captive; proof that dharma protects those who uphold it.

When Hanuman saw her for the first time, Ravana was just leaving the grove after pressuring Sita to forget Rama and accept him. As Sita stood forlorn, Hanuman showed presence of mind by narrating the Ramayana: a rare occurrence, with Hanuman being the first to discourse upon it and Sita, the first to listen to it. Wary of trusting anyone, Sita is convinced that he is Rama’s messenger. Hanuman proved that placing faith in Rama namam and surrendering to Him completely without getting sidetracked, is the reward for any quest, however difficult the task maybe.

Diplomacy was another of Hanuman’s strong suits, a quality many lament as lacking in Kali Yug. On his return from Lanka, he did not dwell on his problems or the challenges he faced. As Kamban famously states in Kamba Ramayanam, he used merely two words to deliver the news: “Saw Sita”. Hanuman has shown by example how to live in this material world and remain close to God.