This chapter is on a character that talks like a human and perhaps behaves like one too, but has the body of a monkey. Guessed already? :-).. I hope I would be right when I say, “Your guess is right. It is Hanuman.” 🙂

Hanuman, is in the camp of Sugreeva (who is also a monkey. He has had a fall out with his brother VAli and is hiding out from him in a forest. Hanuman has taken the side of Sugreeva). Rama and Lakshmana were suggested to take the help of Sugreeva, to find Sita (who was abducted by Ravana). When Rama and Lakshmana come in search of Sugreeva, he sees them coming and has a suspicion that they have been sent by his brother. He sends Hanuman to find out why they are in the forest. Hanuman who has the power to take any form he wants to, disguises himself in the form of a traveler and reaches Rama and Lakshmana. He praises their looks, their weaponry and says that they look as though they are the protectors of the world. He then goes on to explain about Sugreeva and the reason he is in the forest. He then goes on to explain his relationship to Sugreeva and that he is the envoy to seek their friendship. He also tells them of his power to take any form that he wishes to.

Hanuman also had the power to go to any place he wishes to and had the boon of winning over others (in a battle). Knowing all these powers, he played pranks in all the prayers offered by the rishis, during his childhood. The rishis losing their patience with all his pranks, cursed him and said that he will forget his strength and his powers; and that he will know of it ONLY WHEN he is told by someone. Hence though he was smart, intelligent, strong, politically savvy, patient and had knowledge of the sAstrAs, he will not interfere in any of the fights between Sugreeva and vAli.

Sugreeva seeks Rama and Lakshmana’s help to fight vAli and in return he offers to help Rama in finding Sita. Once vAli is killed by Rama and Sugreeva is enthroned, he forgets all the commitments he has made to Rama, as he is wrapped in the pleasures of being a king.

Hanuman steps in to tell Sugreeva that now he has become the king and become famous.. of how the commitment he had given to Rama had not yet been fulfilled and this is to be done in a timely manner.. and the benefits of helping people who are in need, especially those from whom one has already received help. He then goes on to mention to Sugreeva that it is time to search for Sita, and how it was unusual for him to have misplaced the commitment, given to Rama (of searching for Sita).

Sugreeva chooses Hanuman as the person to go in search of Sita, given his strength, intelligence, ability to take a timely decision and determination. Hanuman accepts the responsibility given to him and accompanied by a few others in the monkey camp, goes in search of Sita. When the decision of who will cross the seas towards Lanka to search for Sita comes up, Jambavan, one of the senior leaders in the monkey camp looks towards Hanuman, who was sitting in the corner listening to discussion that was happening. As Jambavan speaks to Hanuman about his intelligence, courage, compassion, fearlessness and determination, Hanuman’s feels the sense of power growing over him (Pls recall what the saints cursed Hanuman with and what will make him redeem from his curse, stated a couple of paras before). His physical form also grew in length. He flies towards Lanka and reaches the palace of Ravana. He loses hope when he is not able to find Sita in the places he searched in. NOT LOSING heart, he continued his search. Thinking of the implications of NOT finding her, he thinks that losing his life in the waters would be better. He then thinks of the benefit that he would bring if he continues to live and finds Sita. He decides that losing his life is hence not worth the effort.  He finally finds her and when he meets her (ensuring that the rakshasis who are guarding Sita, don’t see them talking) , he says, “I am the envoy of Rama. He is fine and so is Lakshmana and both of them are concerned about you.” He that Rama will arrive at Lanka and save Sita. He speaks to her of his strength and then goes on to grow in length and shows her the power that he has.

I have heard about Hanuman’ and of his articulation skills, but reading on it gives a different feel altogether. It makes me just sit up and look at the being that he is, with admiration. In the beginning of this blog post, I have referred to Hanuman as a character but as I read about him and his articulation skills, I am unable to refer to him as a character. I hence have chosen to refer to him as a ‘being’ as he has laid down the steps on ‘how to be’ by just ‘being’ the person that he is..

– Trust and Accept the confidence others have in you, which is why they give you responsibilities

– Avoid denying the ability you have, to execute it

– Think of the implications of the decisions you may take, when you are executing the responsibilities

– Believe in the capacity and the capability you have

– Articulate

  • what needs to be done RATHER THAN what has not been done
  • the benefits of doing what needs to be done
  • in such a way that it addresses the concern of the listener
  • your abilities when you need to 
  • hope to the person who needs it, in the way it has to be given
  • your opening sentence in a crucial conversation, in a way, that it grabs the attention of the listener

I am sure there may be a blog post or two more about Hanuman. I feel a surge of power within me as I read on him.. this is accompanied by a sense of flying and a feeling of lightness which envelop me now, as I come to the end of this blog post.. 

 

 

 

 

 

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 – Avoid mentioning what one has failed to do, as that is perceived to be as pointing fingers at the person

 – State the benefits of doing something AND NOT the implications of not doing it