Follow Hanuman (Part 6) – Sri Rāma’s Appreciation of Hanumān

By Prof. Dr. Nadiminty Sree Rāmachandra Śāstry

The First Meeting: When He meets Rāma and Lakşmaņa near Ŗşyamūka Mountain in the guise of a Brahmin, Hanumān speaks to them thus:

“I, a monkey, Hanumān by name, have sought you at the behest of the pious, high-minded Sugrīva, king of the leaders of monkeys, who seeks your friendship. Know me to be his minister. I am a monkey that sprung from the loins of the Wind-god and arrived here from Ŗşyamūka in order to heed to Sugrīva’s command disguised as a Brāhmin, capable of going wherever I please and acting as I please.”

Note Hanumān’s praising words for His king, giving His own background and stating the purpose clearly. Hanumān was sure of the true meaning of words used and having realised that the same was adequate in expression, spoke nothing more. Hearing the speech of Hanumān, wearing the most cheerful countenance, Rāma said to his brother Lakşmaņa as follows (Kishkinda Kānda: 3 – 28 to 35).

“O Lakşmaņa! He (Hanumān )who has come here in my presence is a minister of Sugrīva, the high-minded chief of monkeys, whom (Sugrīva) only I was looking for. The said monkey (Hanumān), speaking in sweet words with affection, knows how to speak and is a true tamer of foes.

It is not possible to speak in the way he did for any one who has not studied and understood well the Ŗgvēda, who has not committed to memory the Yajurvēda and who has no knowledge of Sāmavēda. The very fact that nothing has been wrongly worded or made confusing by him even though speaking a good deal,

He has surely studied the entire range of Sanskrit grammar in many ways. No fault of expression was noticed anywhere in his face or even in his eyes, or again in his forehead or in his eyebrows or in any one of his body parts.

Emanating from His bosom and articulated by his throat, His speech is apt with no prolixity, is unfaltering and unambiguous, and is not harsh on one’s ears, as it is uttered in a modulated tone. He makes a distinct, wholesome, and remarkable speech that is grammatically correct, fluent and delightful to the mind.

Whose mind will not be rendered favourable by this wonderful speech, as it emanates from the three articulating organs, viz. the bosom, throat and head? The mind of even an enemy about to strike with an  uplifted sword will be made friendly by his speech. O! Sinless brother! How can the affairs of a king in whose service no such envoy exists actually meet with success?

All the aspects of a sovereign in whose service there happen to be agents adorned with lots of such virtues are certainly accomplished by the very pleading of an envoy like this.”

Now if Hanumān had returned back satisfying himself that there was no fear from Rāma and Lakşmaņa to Sugrīva, the further story of Rāmāyana would have been any body’s guess. But Hanumān spoke to bring Rāma and Sugrīva together.

This act of Hanumān here gave the first ray of hope to Rāma, who was almost in inconsolable grief for the separation with Sītā. Rāma could find in Hanumān an exceptionally wise and knowledgeable Being and at the same time very capable.