The first meeting of Ram and Hanuman, at the Rishyamukh Parvat, marked the beginning of the strongest bond of friendship and devotion.
Ram: The warrior in search of his wife Sita
Ram, Sita, and Lakshman were living in exile in the Dandak forest. One day the cruel and cunning Ravan distracted Ram and Lakshman and sent them away from their small house. When they went far from home, Ravan forcefully took Sita to Lanka. Ram and Lakshman wandered in search of Sita. As they were looking for her, the wounded bird Jatayu informed them that Ravan had taken Sita towards the South.
Hanuman: The strength of the vaanars
Hanuman grew up to be very powerful and agile, with the divine blessings. He could change his form and size as per his wish. Hanuman was blessed that no weapon shall ever harm him. Despite his extraordinary powers, he remained humble and loyal to his vaanar community. Sugreev, the vaanar King, was under threat of attack by his brother Vali and hence took refuge in the Rishyamukh Parvat. He depended on Hanuman to guard the place and protect him from Vali. Sugreev knew that he was safe if Hanuman was by his side.
Ram and Lakshman at Rishyamukh Parvat
Sugreev learned that two young humans, carrying bows and arrows, were approaching Rishyamukh Parvat. Sugreev feared that Vali may have sent them to attack him. He requested Hanuman’s help, to study and understand the motive of the two humans.
Hanuman used his ability to change his own form and took the guise of a sage, and walked towards the youths.
Ram and Lakshman noticed a sage walking towards them, and hence joined their palms with respect, offering their ‘pranaams’.
Hanuman looked at them carefully – they were well-built and looked like skilled archers. Hanuman asked them, “Who are you? You do not belong to this place, never seen you here before. Where are you from?”
Ram said, “We are sons of King Dashrath, I am Ram and he is my brother Lakshman. We are living in exile and searching for my wife Sita. Will you be able to help us please”?
Rishyamukh Parvat: Birthplace of a new friendship
Ram’s aura was so strong and his eyes only had love, kindness, and hope, as he asked for help. Hanuman could feel the pain in Ram’s voice. He went down on his knees and changed back into his true form. “Forgive me for being disguised as a sage, I am Anjani-suta, Vayuputra Hanuman. I wanted to know who you are, only to guard my friend, vaanar King Sugreev. My Lord, please allow me to serve you. Let me introduce you to Sugreev, we will be glad to help you in your mission.”
Hanuman stood on his feet. Ram and Lakshman looked at the mighty Hanuman as he grew larger than a tree. He bowed down asking Ram and Lakshman to seat themselves on his shoulders. Hanuman flew into the dense forests, where the vaanars would soon play a new role – as Ram’s vaanar sena (army) – as a part of the mission to rescue Sita.
The day Hanuman first met Ram at Rishyamukh Parvat, he pledged to be his ‘Prabhu’ Shri Ram’s ‘sevak’. This humble devotion and loyalty gave Hanuman the wisdom to make the right use of his strength and abilities.
To read more such excerpts of Hanuman ji, kindly click on Hanuman short stories
