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Inspirational devotion

CHENNAI: The Puranas and the Itihasas reveal the greatness of the Supreme Being in His relationship to His devotees and clearly emphasise that devotion is the surest way to attain God. A person who has realised God will be able to recount God’s auspicious qualities in a very authentic manner from a personal and honest angle. There will be no other agenda in his eulogy except acknowledging God’s greatness. In the Ramayana, Hanuman plays a crucial role and exemplifies the essence of true and humble devotion, said Sri Muralidhara Sarma in a lecture. Because he has realised that Lord Rama is the Supreme Being incarnate, Hanuman’s Bhakti is inspirational as much as his integrity, courage, presence of mind, and skill in speech. He proves equal to the occasion when Lord Rama entrusted Hanuman with the sensitive task of a messenger to both Sita and Ravana.

Hanuman encounters many hurdles during his flight over the ocean to Lanka. Hanuman’s humility is such that he never imagines himself as accomplishing any great feat even while crossing the ocean at one breath, or when confronting hurdles in his path when on his mission. He believes sincerely that he is actually Lord Rama’s arrow. His determination takes root in this belief. Moreover he thinks he is not taking Lord Rama’s ring with him but that it is the Lord’s ring that is taking him and this assures him of success in his endeavours.

When the ocean king sent the mountain Mainaka to be of service when he crossed the ocean, Hanuman accepted the hospitality but declined to halt as he wanted to reach Lanka without taking a break. He displayed resourcefulness when the celestials tested his capabilities by sending Surasa, the mother of the serpents and easily outwitted the challenge she posed.

With greater presence of mind he described Lord Rama’s qualities and other personal details known only to the divine couple to win Sita’s confidence. Sita was no stranger to the wily ways of the demons who could assume different forms according to their desire to deceive people, and Hanuman had to be very wary and assure Sita of Lord Rama’s promise to bring relief to her suffering.

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