Hanuman's Journey

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!! Sri Rama Jayam !!

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VaidEhi-Sahitham sura-dhruma-talE haimE MahAmaNDapE

madhyE-pushpakamAsanE maNimayE veerAsanE SusTitham

agrE vaachayathi prabhanjana-suthE tatthvam munibhya: param

vykhyAntham BharathAdhibhi: parivrutham Ramam bhaje Shyamalam

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Adi Kavi Valmiki composed Srimad Ramayanam in the form of 24,000 verses

(slokams). These slokams are housed in individual cantos (SargAs). The 7

individual cantos (KaaNDams) house the sargAs. Sundara Kaandam is one of the 7

Kaandams and means the beautiful KaaNDam ( the book of Beauty ).

Does this imply that other kandams are not of equivalent beauty ? This is an

interesting aspect of spiritual study.

In a nutshell, Sundarakandam is more of Ramabhaktha Lila, rather than Rama Lila.

Being Maryadapurshothama, unlike Krishna, Rama did not exhibited his vaibhavam

directly, instead he showed most of his prowess through his bhakthas especially

through his dearmost servant Hanuman. Most of us ask a very vital question about

Hanuman avataram - as to why Lord Siva took the form of just an ape to serve his

ishtadeva Rama. Different saints answer this querry in different styles. Among

some of the very renowned answers is the one that Siva explains to Sati - " When

I stand with my master, even a blind man shud be able to identify who is Lord &

who is servant. "

But saint Sri Morari Bapu has a different view altogether. He adds, the ape form

of Hanuman represents the naughtiness of mind (chanchala bhavam). Mind is never

stable. It is like a monkey who jumps from one branch of a tree to another for

absolutely no reason. Nothing pleases a monkey too long. Mind is also very

similar. Therefore, in the Ramasabha, if you see Hanuman sitting on his knee,

understand that it should be our mind which is to be fixed at the Lotus feet of

our dear Lord, with folded hands & joyfilled tears. That shud be our way of

understanding Hanumath charitham.

Great Valmiki writes -

Goshpadhee-kruthavArAsim masakeekrutha raakshasam

RaamAyaNa-mahAmAlA-rathnam vandhE anilAthmajam---(1)

Salutations to the son of Vaayu , AnjanEyaa , who made the ocean look in depth

like the hoof print of a cow ;He pulverized the offending RaakshasAs of

RaavaNA's camp! Our deep anjalis are to that supreme gem in the grand necklace

of RaamAyaNam !

Anjana nandanam veeram Jaanakee sOkanAsanam

Kapeesam AkshahanthAram vandhE lankhA-bhayankaram---(2)

Our salutations to that great hero , who banished the sorrows of Jaanakee Devi !

He is the generator of joy to His mother AnjanA dEvi and is the Lord of all

monkeys . Our salutations to that terror of Lankaa , who killed AkshakumAran ,

the son of Ravana.

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In sundarakandam, lanka yatra of hanuman deserves ultimate importance. Saints

quote this happening as the spiritual journey of a devotee in search of Bhakti

(Sita) & not Bhagavan (Rama). Vanaras having attained the visual grace of Lord

Rama, are still set to attain Bhakti. This may give an impression that Bhagavan

always follow Bhakti & rarely it occurs the other way. Very good examples of

this understanding are the Kauravas who always saw Krishna, but cud never feel

the depth of Krishna Bhakthi.

A big queue of apes & boares under the wise leadership of Jambavan, Angada &

Hanuman, happens to reach the coast of the Ocean. The lifting mass of roaring

ocean water seems to scare & absorb the entire valour of these vanaras. There is

absolute calmness inside the camp. To their surprise, Sampathi, an old vulture

(brother of Rama bhaktha Jatayu) confirms Sita's presence in Ashoka vatika under

Ravana's prison. This gave a new hope to the vanaras. But the very next moment,

the unchallenged ocean dissipated all the enthusiasm. Even, mighty Angada

(Bali's son) pledged to reach Lanka in a single jump, but no assurance of coming

back. Jambavan remembers his past when he made 8 revolutions around dwarf form

of Vishnu (Vamana) when Lord measured the 3 worlds together during the yagya of

Mahabali. But that was not his time now, he consoled himself.

Away from all this rush scene, Hanuman stood still observing the ocean gently.

The golden complexion of Hanuman attracted Jambavan's concern. Not too late to

understand, Jambavan realized that real hero is yet to assume all his disabled

strength. Jambavan put his entire wisdom & word power to make Hanuman aware of

his actual strength & capacity,which shud now be generated. Entire vanara clan

joined Jambavan in praising Hanuman. It was not less than any big vibrating

tremor which raised the might & valour of a born superman which the world is

about to witness. In no time Hanuman assumed a himalayan form with

broad-stretched muscle bands & fire-filled eyes. The mace in his hand appeared

not different than the Pinaka of Siva himself. Hanuman in the highest state of

excitement & prowess, asked Jambavan - " Hey Jambavan, the best soul, tell me

what is avoiding us of finding mother Sita. I am born to serve my Lord & it's a

misfortune that the job is so much delayed now. " Terrified Jambavan consoles

Hanuman - " Lord has only ordered us to find the place were Mother Sita is

captivated now. So we need not to do any thing extra. Be careful, now you are

alone to fulfill Lord's job. "

Respecting the words of Old Jambavan, Hanuman set off from a nearby hill. Unable

to bear the impact of Hanuman's leap, the hill penetrated deep into the womb of

earth. The journey had begun. Hanuman placed the " RAMA " nama inscribed ring on

his tongue (as given by Rama to console Sita). Valmiki describes the speed of

Hanuman equivalent to Ramabanam executed from Kodandam with roaring vibrant air

scattering the clouds all the way round. It appeared as if father (VAYU deva) &

his dear son is set for an open competition.

Valmiki describes 3 major obstacles in the Hanuman's Lanka Yatra representing

three modes of Maya.

1] Nagamata Surasa - Understanding that surasa is being sent to test his wisdom,

Hanuman settled Surasa's concern by entering into her mouth & getting out

quickly. Another IMP aspect is that Hanuman assumed a very small size (insect

like) while entering into her mouth. That shows the Nobility of a devotee when

he has decided to accomplish Lord's service. Never shud a devotee raise his/her

pride as a barrier in fulfilling the mission of lord. Therefore, " Surasa "

represents SATWIK obstacle (i.e. - designed by Devas), which works on a higher

level of consciousness. A devotee shud very carefully tackle this type of

obstacles. Hanuman avoided suppressing this obstacle, instead he respected it by

fulfilling her wish. Surasa's happiness implies that she will never ever disturb

Hanuman again in his journey & blessed Hanuman with all might & success.

2] Next comes Simhika - A demoness living in deep ocean water & very much keen

to pull any flying entity merely by catching it's shadow. " Simhika " represents

Tamasik obstacle (greed & envy). She does not prefer any body to rise higher &

fly faster, as she herself finds it impossible to do the same. So, Hanuman had

no other option rather than to kill her.

3] Finally, it's Lankini, the personified form of Lanka protecting her

territory. She is a Rajasik obstacle, perfectly designed in capturing every type

of entities passing her way expected/unexpected. Hanuman put his maximum effort

in avoiding meeting her. But cud not escape her sight. Finding it difficult to

penetrate her territory, Hanuman finally knocks her (but not with any intention

to kill) down. That one shot was enough & more to make Lankini understand the

real purport of Hanuman's visit to Lanka. Never the less, she also revealed the

internal secrets of Lanka's military & geography. This is a real indicator of

how Rajasik obstacle can also be helpful, if wisely handled.

There are still more interpretations to be quoted ahead.

Will try to continue this in future.

Hare Krishna

Hare Rama