(contd. from The Hanuman Chalisa – Part 1)

Chowpais 07 – 08 : An Ideal Karma Yogi

Vidyaavaan gunee ati chaatura,
Raama kaaja karibe ko aatura;
Prabhu charitra sunibe ko rasiyaa,
Raama lakhan seetaa man basiyaa.

You are full of knowledge and virtues, and are highly intelligent. You are ever ready to carry out the work of Lord Rama. You always take delight in listening to the glories of the Lord. Lord Rama, Lakshmana and Mother Sita always reside in your heart.

In these lines the glory of Karma Yoga is highlighted. When Hanuman enters the scene in the Ramayana, he ushers in the most dramatic portions of the epic. Hanuman personifies in himself the great work that Rama was called upon to do in His incarnation. The great task undertaken by Hanuman will always be remembered as the greatest service ever done to the Lord.

People carry an unnecessary doubt: “If I am too good, people take advantage of my nature.” Being good is equated to being a slave, a ‘door-mat’ for others. There is an error in this thinking. It arises from an underlying attitude that says, “Goodness is weakness”, and is generally propagated by exploiters of others. It is not true. Goodness is a great strength, and strength cannot be abused. In the presence of strength, the weak submit themselves automatically.

Hanuman’s great strength is his firm adherence to the Lord’s wishes. He kept the Lord residing firmly in his heart, as Rama, Lakshmana and Seeta – i.e. Wisdom, Strength and Devotion. 

Pujya Gurudev used to say, “The secret of success is that once a work is begun never stop it until it is complete. Stop not till the goal is reached. When it comes to partying, shopping, etc, we have abundant energy, but for good works or to do one’s Sadhana we procrastinate or get easily distracted.”

Chowpais 09 – 10 : Tiniest and Largest

Sookshma roopa dhari siyahin dikhaavaa,
Vikata roopa dhari lanka jaraavaa;
Bheema roopa dhari asura samhaare,
Raamachandra ke kaaja sanvaare.

You assumed a tiny form when you revealed yourself to Mother Sita; and a fierce form to burn down the city of Lanka. Then, assuming a dreadful form to destroy the demons, you accomplished the mission of Rama.

“Form” here stands for “attitude”. Sri Hanuman could take various forms in accordance with the need  situation. Naturally he could not appear to demons as he appeared to Mother Sita. To them he was formidable. When dealing with crooked people, it is not possible to use a small form.

There was the case when Hanuman was challenged by a flying snake. It used to eat humans. Hanuman could not be expected to adopt non-violence with it, but he was very tactful. He said, “If I am supposed to be your food, I will become your food, but right now I have an important task to do for Sri Rama. Let me finish that first.”

The snake refused. So, Hanuman became twice its size. The snake opened its mouth. Hanuman became taller; the snake opened its mouth wider. Then suddenly Hanuman became very tiny, quickly he went into the snake’s mouth, and came out of it just as quickly. The demon-snake had to admit defeat. It gave a smile and blessed Hanuman to continue his journey.

We learn from Hanuman: “Never forget your goal.”

Acharyaji gave the example of a project in Australia where an underground temple was planned. There was an issue between the President and the architect that never got resolved. When ‘prestige’ becomes more important, the goal is forgotten. The project suffers when Ego gets in the way.

Hanuman always focused on ‘doing’ rather than on ‘talking’. The ego can never be satisfied. Acharyaji said, “This world has enough for every man’s need, but insufficient for even one man’s greed!” Mentioning examples from Hanuman’s life, Acharyaji said once, in a Management Course, that he learnt success from a ‘monkey’! The methods used by Hanuman will make perfect material for any management course.

Chowpais 11 – 12 : The Sanjivani Rescue Operation

Laaya sajeevana lakhana jiyaaye,
Shree raghuveera harashi ura laaye;
Raghupati keenhee bahuta badaayee,
Tuma mama priya bharatahi sama bhaayee.

You fetched Sanjivani to revive Lakshmana (who had fainted on the battlefield), which made Lord Rama embrace you with joy. Lord Rama praised you very highly and said, “You are as dear to me as my brother Bharata.”

At one point in the war with Ravana, Lakshmana had a tussle with Ravana’s son, Meghnad (Indrajit). Both of them were mighty warriors. Finally, Indrajit in sheer panic, shot a powerful missile at Lakshmana that put him in a coma. Indrajit came to lift Lakshmana to take him as his “trophy” to Ravana. He could not lift him – Lakshmana was Seshanag’s incarnation, so the earth itself protected him. Only Hanuman could lift him.

Lakshmana could not be revived; Sri Rama was in great grief. He, too, said He would not live if Lakshmana died. An Ayurvedic doctor named Sushena from Lanka was called to the scene by Hanuman, with his clinic! A doctor has to do his duty, regardless of who the patient is. Even this Rakshasa doctor knew that. He suggested that the remedy needed was obtainable only in the Himalayas.

Without hesitation, Hanuman offered to go and get it. He flew and obtained not just the herb needed, but he brought the whole mountain with it! This is how Hanuman served his Master, Sri Rama. He did things promptly and efficiently. Procrastination was unknown to Hanuman. Guruji always advised students to do the same in their studies. If they allowed work to pile up they will never be able to catch up later on.

Acharyaji added as a joke: “The pulp that was left after extracting the Sanjivani juice, was thrown into the ground by Dr Sushena. There was still some juice in it. It grew on that island as the famous Ceylon Tea, and brought worldwide fame to the small island! The world-famous tea, having come from that very Sanjivani pulp, still revives people’s spirits at tea-time the world over!”

Chowpais 13 – 15 : More Praises Heaped on Hanuman

Sahasa badana tumharo jasa gaavain,
Asa kahi shree pati kantha lagaavain;
Sanakaadika brahmaadi muneesaa,
Naarada saarada sahita aheesaa.
Jama kubera digapaala jahaan te,
Kabi kobida kahi sake kahaan te;

Embracing him, Lord Rama said, “Even Sesha, the thousand headed serpent, sings your glory.” The great sages like Sanaka, Narada and others; and gods like Brahma, Sesha (the king of the serpents) and Goddess Sharada; Yama, the God of Death, Kubera the God of Wealth, the eight guardians of the Directions, poets and scholars – all of them have not been able to praise you adequately.

There are certain debts that simply cannot be paid back. For instance, our debt to our mother – it can never be paid. In the same way, Sri Rama felt overjoyed by this service of Hanuman, but He knew that he could not repay His debt to Hanuman. Others received great positions in society through their service (see next verse), but to Hanuman Rama could not give him any item – except His divine embrace!

Choked with emotion, Sri Rama said to Hanuman, “You are as dear to Me as Bharata.” This was the highest praise from Rama. It also shows how much Sri Rama loved Bharata. Bharata served Rama even when the latter was away for fourteen years. He lived in a simple dwelling in Nandigram outside Ayodhya and ruled from there. He never allowed his ego to get the better of him. Placing Rama’s sandals on the throne, he ruled only as an instrument of Sri Rama.

Greatness: In the world, greatness is flung upon average, ordinary people, many of them who do not have the qualities of greatness. The genuinely great do not aspire for greatness. They are recognized by really great ones. The Devatas recognized the greatness of Hanuman. Yama and Kubera (the Lords of Death and Wealth) heaped praises upon Hanuman. They had good reason, for in a way, Hanuman made their work a little lighter. In a world where people are gripped with fear of Death and desire for  limitless Wealth, it would certainly relieve those Deities if people followed the example of Hanuman and lived as masters over death and wealth.

Chowpais 16 – 17 : How Hanuman Helped Others

Tuma upakaara sugreevahin keenhaa,
Raama milaaya raja pada deenhaa.
Tumharo mantra vibheeshana maanaa,
Lankeswara bhaye saba jaga jaanaa;

You helped Sugriva in regaining his kingdom, by making him meet Lord Rama. Vibhishana heeded your advice; the entire world knows that he became the king of Lanka. Sugriva’s brother was Bali. He was the king of the monkeys. However, he was granted a boon that half the strength of his enemy would come to him.

That made him virtually invincible – and naturally very proud. He had once gone into a cave to fight a demoness. He told Sugriva to stand at the entrance for him. If he did not come out, then Sugriva was instructed to seal the entrance so that the demoness could not come out. After a long fight, blood started coming out of the cave. It indicated that Bali was killed. Actually that was the trick of the demoness – she used her supernatural powers to deceive Sugriva.

Sugriva sealed the entrance as instructed. He returned and ran the kingdom. Bali returned after a very long battle with the demoness in which he won. Seeing Sugriva on the throne he became furious and exiled him to the Rishyamukha mountain. Lord Rama then came and struck an alliance with Sugriva. He killed Bali by controversial means, and restored the kingdom to Sugriva. In return Sugriva promised to help Him to find Sita.

Similarly, Vibhishana had a righteous difference with Ravana – it was Sattwa versus Rajas. Ravana exiled Vibhishana from the running of the state since Vibhishana supported Rama. When Ravana was defeated, Vibhishana was installed by Rama as the King of Lanka.

The principle being taught here is that Hanuman, being rooted in righteousness, always helped others who supported the cause of righteousness. Sri Rama’s purpose was to establish Dharma and oppose Adharma.

Chowpais 18 – 20 : His Superhuman Deeds

Yuga sahasra yojana para bhaanu,
Leelyo taahi madhura phala jaanoo.
Prabhu mudrikaa meli mukha maaheen,
Jaladhi laandhi gaye acharaja naaheen;
Durgama kaaja jagata ke jete,
Sugama anugraha tumhare tete.

You leapt quite easily at the Sun, who is thousands of miles away, thinking it to be a sweet fruit. Holding Lord Rama’s ring in your mouth, you flew over the ocean, which is no wonder – (as you are capable of any achievement).

By your grace even the most difficult of tasks in the world become easy to accomplish. In the performance of deeds we use our hands and legs, eyes and ears, etc. All these are decorated with ornaments to enhance their appearance and thereby their importance.

However, one organ is left undecorated – the tongue. In Sri Hanuman, even the tongue was decorated with the Name of Sri Rama! That was the secret of his superhuman deeds. His whole mind was devoted to Sri Rama.

Great deeds are possible only when done with selflessness and dedication to the Lord. The Lord’s Grace and blessings are the only necessary ingredients. With these, the most difficult tasks become very simple. This is seen in Hanuman’s life.

To be continued…The Hanuman Chalisa – Part 3

Reference: https://www.chinfo.org/images/userupload/Reflections/24_Hanuman_Chalisa.pdf