January 11, 2013 - Amavasai (No moon day) in the Tamil month of Margazhi is an auspicious day, as it marks the birthday of Hanuman - the devoted Rama Bhaktha. Hanuman is an embodiment of prowess, wisdom and humble (prakramam, gyanam and vinayam in Sanskrit). By the thought of Him, we could get inspired and do good things. Valmiki while writing Ramayana, has dedicated a Chapter by his name which is known as "Sundara Kandam". There are many stories and events with profound meaning has been told in that Kandam.
I would like to share one story which I used to remember whenever I am facing hurdles in my actions. Hanuman with His acumen in understanding things has displayed a strong message to us.
"PRELUDE:
The army of Vanaras (monkey warriors) along with the captain Angad, old bear Jambavan, Hanuman was standing on the shore of Rameshwaram, near South TamilNadu. They were almost lost hope in finding Sita and told, "Efforts of Ram, Lakshman, Sabari, Sugriva and Jatayu are all in vain. Jatayu even gave up his life while trying to save Sita from Ravana when he abducted Her. This is very bad and sad!" On hearing this conversation, an old vulture by name Sampati who was sitting nearby asked them, if they were talking about his brother Jatayu. The vanaras told their story in search of Sita and how Jatayu lost his life. Sampati became sad on hearing this and with his sharp eyesight he told that Ravana has kept Sita in the next side of this shore in a place called Lanka.
With this hint, the Vanara sena now decided to send someone to the other part of the shore to search for Sita. Jambavan told that Hanuman has the needed calibre to reach the other part of the shore and carry out the mission of searching Sita. With utmost humility. Hanuman also agreed to this plan. He addressed everyone that He will put all his efforts in searching Sita and with Lord Rama's blessings He will be able to find Sita.
STORY:
He told thus to his fellow warriors and started to fly while paying his obeisance to Lord Rama and other Gods. As He started flying He suddenly saw a mountain growing taller and bigger and therefore obstructing his way. The mountain spoke to him saying, "Hey Hanuman, Pranams (Greetings). My name is Mainaka mountain. I was ordered by the God of this Ocean where I am residing, to offer you some good place to rest. Please relax yourself on my surface and get charged by eating the fruits on it. After a while, you could continue your mission of searching Sita. Kindly accept my offer."
Hearing this Hanuman replied, "Hey parvata (mountain), thanks for your offer. Indeed, it would be great to take rest during my long flight to other part of the shore. But certainly, it would delay my mission to reach Lanka by today night. If I take rest now, I might not have enough time to search Sita in Lanka. As I want to carry out Ram's mission in search of Sita with utmost duty, kindly forgive me to deny your request." Saying so, Hanuman continued flying across the ocean.
As he went some more distance, he saw a female daemon by name Surasa. She was big enough as Hanuman and obstructing His way she yelled as "I have got a boon that all beings passing this place should first pass through my mouth and only then move from here. So get inside my mouth before proceeding." Hanuman replied softly that He is in a mission to search Sita wife of Rama and so, he would enter her mouth once he complete the mission. But Surasa did not pay attention to it. She enlarged her body twice as Hanuman's and standed opposite to His way. Seeing this Hanuman also enlarged His body larger than Surasa, which made Surasa again to become larger than Hanuman. This happened repeatedly till Surasa has grown very large like a big mountain. Taking this as a good chance, Hanuman shrunk His body till the size of a thumb and quickly entered her mouth and came away. Then He told her, that her boon was now fulfilled, therefore He can continue his flight. Saying so, Hanuman continued flying across the ocean.
As He was flying, He suddenly experienced that He was not able to fly fast and He felt that some force is dragging Him down. When He saw on the surface of Ocean, He saw a big female daemon by name Simhika who has the power to stop beings by catching their shadows. Simhika has been pulling Hanuman's shadows and thereby stopped him from flying. Simhika opened her big mouth and yelled that she is going to swallow Hanuman. On seeing this, Hanuman brought all His strength together and gave her a punch in the face, then entered her mouth and came outside by tearing her into pieces.
Thus after killing her, He was able to continue His flight to Lanka.
After over coming these obstacles, Hanuman safely reached Lanka on time during night and started laying out plan to search inside Lanka.
On a careful observation of this story of obstacles and Hanuman's way of dealing with them, it could be seen that he used three main qualities needed to face challenges while we are in a mission.
Firstly, we may encounter few events while setting out to achieve our mission which are not really problems. But those events if satisfied will consume our time, energy and could possibly create a lag in our objectives. Therefore it is important to identify these events which unnecessarily consume our time and energy and which is not beneficial to our mission. This is what Hanuman did with Mainaka mountain and He won such obstacle by carefully avoiding them in a gentle and appropriate manner. Hanuman's vinayam (humble) and skillful talk helped in this occasion.
Secondly, some obstacles demand us to go through the suffering, like Surasa who wanted Hanuman to fulfill her boon. In those cases, we have to use our wisdom and brains to win those obstacles. Hanuman with His astute wisdom won Surasa by enlarging His body and suddenly shrinking it.
Thirdly, some obstacles are got ridden off only by showing our physical valor and strength, like escaping from a beating. Hanuman used His prowess to win over the obstacle of Simhika.
So from Hanuman's reactions to these obstacles, we could understand, that whenever we are faced with some challenges, problems and obstacles, it is important to understand the nature of the obstacle and use appropriate skill (humble, wisdom and prowess) to win over it.
By prostrating under the feet of Ram bhaktha Hanuman, let us pray that He would bestow us with these skills and help us in facing challenges.
Namaskarams.
Source: From Smt. Visaka Hariji's SundaraKandam Hari Katha.
PS: Please share any thoughts you have got on reading this story.
