Hindu Article-Exemplary devotee

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Exemplary devotee

 

CHENNAI: Among the foremost devotees of the Lord in His incarnation

as Rama, Hanuman has a unique status. He becomes the central figure

in the canto named after him, the Sundara kanda, as the Lord's envoy

to search for the Divine Mother, Sita, in Lanka. His inimitable

traits like his physical prowess for undertaking the arduous journey

to the enemy's land and his acumen for executing the task

successfully came to the fore when he was unanimously chosen for the

mission.

In their discourse, Damal Sri Ramakrishnan and Srimathi Perundevi

said Hanuman's singular qualities of head and heart enabled him to

bring about the union of Rama and Sita. This union is termed as

`marriage of the soul' in the spiritual tradition. Sage Viswamitra

who arrived at Dasaratha's court with the pretext of seeking Rama for

protecting his sacrifice actually desired to bring about the marriage

of Rama and Sita, which he accomplished. This was a marriage brought

about with the intention of upholding Dharma in the world for which

the Lord had incarnated with His consort.

The separation of Sita from Rama signifies the soul getting entrapped

in worldly bondage and the ensuing suffering as a result. When

Hanuman took leave of Rama, the Lord entrusted him with His signet

ring so that Sita would be convinced that he was His messenger. She

acknowledged with tears of joy on beholding it and in return sent Her

`Choodamani', an ornament worn on the head. This exchange of jewels

also has a deeper symbolism highlighting the dynamics of the doctrine

of Self-surrender (Prapatti, Saranagati). The ring being a jewel worn

on the hand symbolises the Lord's promise to offer protection to the

soul in distress when it surrenders to Him. The Choodamani signifies

supplication at the Lord's feet (when the devotee bows down his head

touches His feet); thus two basic conditions for Saranagati to be

effective are highlighted.

As for Hanuman he donned the role of the preceptor who brings about

the union of the soul with the Lord. The Ramayana is thus hailed as a

scriptural authority for the concept of Prapatti in Srivaishnava

theology, Vibhishana's surrender being the paradigmatic instance of

Saranagati. Another exclusivity of this canto is the retelling of the

events in this section within this canto itself by Hanuman to Rama.

 

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