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Source: The Hindu (http://www.the-hindu.com)

 

Anjaneya's role in saving Divine Mother

 

CHENNAI, APRIL 12. That God has never failed to respond to the

sincere appeal for help and protection made by men who had pinned

their faith and hopes in His mercy is illustrated in the

scriptural texts. He gets Himself ``bound'' by their devotion and

lavishes His grace on them. For the sake of a child who firmly

declared that God resides everywhere, He emerged from a pillar,

waiting ready to answer the challenge due to be thrown by his

father. Unmindful of innumerable hazards, another child resorted

to a penance in a forest and to him, God gave His glorious

vision. An elephant (a king under a curse) cried aloud for relief

from the pain caused by a crocodile gnawing its feet. God came in

person. There are many such instances to prove and convince

posterity of His compassionate qualities. All these devotees,

however, have not been deified. But in the case of one, to whom

God ``transferred'' all His merits by His affectionate ``hug'',

He gave a very high and enviable status and he is worshipped in

temples independently or in shrines dedicated to the Lord in the

main edifices. He is Anjaneya.

 

Apart from his various exploits when assigned to trace the

abducted Sita, Anjaneya's finest role was that of a saviour when

the Divine Mother, kept captive in a lonely park surrounded by

women guards, was about to end Her life, out of frustration. He

brought Her cheers, giving an assurance that Her Lord would come

to Her rescue soon. Later, when She learnt that he was caught in

flames, She prayed to God of Fire not to cause any harm to him

because of which he returned safely to report to Rama about his

successful mission. His wisdom, valour, considered opinion when

sought, bravery in the midst of tragedy and his act of reuniting

the Divine Couple surpass one's imagination. No wonder both

showered their praise on him.

 

In his Harikatha, Sri S. Janakirama Bhagavatar said, Anjaneya's

exhortation to Ravana to send back Sita to Rama is astounding:

``You should not destroy the fruits of virtue gained by the

practice of austerities which has won for you this long lease of

life.'' Later, Vibhishana tendered a counsel of amity to his

brother Ravana not to antagonise God in human form. ``Give up

anger that is destructive of happiness, follow the righteous

course that brings joy and fame. Ever since Sita was brought to

this city, we have been seeing portents that augur ill for us.''

Vibhishana warned him that he was being encouraged by friends in

name only. But sane advice will never be palatable and when

Ravana called him as a disgrace to the family, he sought Rama's

friendship.

 

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