HANUMAN- A role Model for all Ages

By  K. Vinod Cartic

(Vinod completed his B.Tech from IIT Madras and did his MBA from Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, PuttaparthiHe is currently working as an independent consultant while he spends most of his free time carrying forward Swami’s directions of starting an orphanage.)

The Indian epics are treasure houses of values and character which they illustrated through the lives of noble characters.

Among all these characters, Lord Hanuman occupies a special place in the hearts of all children. The aspirations of a child of eating that fiery apple in the sky or the superhuman abilities of flight, changing one’s size, invincibility and unassuming innocence - all add to the matchless aura of Lord Hanuman.

Hanuman writing Rama's name on stones to make them float

The discussion on whether Hanuman lived in reality or is the hero of a fiction is an unending debate. Some treat him as an epic writer’s figment of imagination; to others like me, He is a historic exemplar of devotion. Nevertheless, this debate on the veracity of history is far less important than the virtues that Hanuman epitomizes and this article is dedicated to my understanding of some of these special virtues which are worthy of emulation.

Unassuming humility: Isaac Newton once remarked that he had merely touched the edge of science and the vast ocean of knowledge lay in front of him, unexplored. The more one knows, the more he realizes what a small fraction it is of the whole. The dawn of this realization can only simultaneously usher in a feeling of complete humility. Hanuman was the master of the eight siddhis (attainments). Yet, with His mastery over innumerable sciences every action of his reflected modesty.

Love and Dedication to Lord Rama in action: We all live in a techno era and even feelings have become artificial and digital. Our sense of love and devotion remains confined to the precincts of the temple or the joy of our dreams and visions. One of the easiest things for us to do is to sing “Humko tumse Pyaar Kitna , Sai Tumhi Jaante” and then lead life with little semblance to what we poured out to Swami in Sai Kulwant hall. Devotion too has been commoditized and our love too is mostly the outburst of impulse. We all love talking about Swami, hearing experiences, patting each other on the back for a well written experience and so on. However, in my opinion, the hallmark of a champion is consistency irrespective of the field of endeavour. It may be sports or music or education or devotion- the test of genuine greatness is steadiness. Indeed Sai hi Jaanta hai ( Sai alone knows) whether we do love Him for it often remains so obscure that it barely finds expression in any avenues other than a shrine. Hanuman stands as a stark contrast to this trend. Remembrance of God and the performance of His work were simultaneous and continuous. He awaited the slightest opportunity to fulfill the Lord’s command and persevered with a passion for excellence. Swami says: Love inevitably expresses itself in Seva. The love that finds no expression in the form of action arouses doubts on the very existence of that love. For how could we be lax about something very dear to us? The most convenient line of thought that we tend to apply in Swami’s work is that Swami will definitely grace us and we have to wait for His time. However, this spirit of surrender is commendable only if we apply it to all aspects of our life ranging from food to medical emergencies. In personal matters, we leave no stone unturned to achieve our limited ends…..then why this selective faith and surrender in only His given tasks. Planning, implementation and closure of the task should actually necessitate greater detail and care if it is His work. Swami always insisted on doing one’s very best and then leaving the result in God’s hand.

Setting Lanka on fire with his tail

Courage/Fearlessness: Swami Vivekananda remarked –“The first sign of spirituality is fearlessness”. Fear and spirituality are as opposed to each other as darkness and light. When sent as an emissary of peace to Ravana’s court, Hanuman tried his level best to make Ravana see sense. At the same time when Ravana refused to heed his words of wisdom and kindness, Hanuman decided to show him the courage and valour that only truth can demonstrate. When Ravana set fire to his tail, Hanuman used the same fire to set Lanka ablaze. It was not a matter of vengeance but a mere demonstration of fearlessness and a final bid to show Ravana the damage that Lord Rama could do in war, when his mere servant was able to set Lanka aflame. Many of us are faced with similar situations when the world confronts us with challenges when corruption and greed seem to be the only way out. At such times, are we able to stand upright and fearlessly face the obstacles? Do we succumb to the tests as ‘Yuga dharma’ ( the way the world runs today) or do we courageously stand up for what is right? Undoubtedly, the latter path implies delays, further obstacles and possibilities of displeasing the powerful and greedy—but isn’t that exactly what Hanuman did?

Wise Counsel and Patience: Hanuman is often viewed as a powerful person but few have appreciation for the enormous patience that he exhibited.  Hanuman was invincible in war and on numerous occasions, he could have fought with Vali ( the monkey king) who exiled Sugreeva ( Hanuman’s friend and Vali’s brother). Vali had also ill treated the family of Sugreeva. However, Hanuman tried patience and making Vali see good sense. Vali was unwilling to relent though Hanuman impressed on him the need for patience and willingness to understand. Vali kept on harbouring his misunderstandings and finally Hanuman was forced to leave Vali. At the end, Vali- earlier a valiant hero- had to meet with infamy and sudden death at the hands of Lord Rama. A person who could have been a precious instrument in the Lord’s hand let his ego, false understanding and arrogance destroy him. Vidura too was faced with such a predicament in Mahabharatha wherein he was forced to leave the Kauravas when they did not heed his wise counsel. Vibhishana had to leave Ravana when the latter failed to understand the genuine concern in Vibhishana’s wise words. Life often places such situations before us, where people decide that they will not understand even the best intentions of those around them. As if inviting their own doom, they doubt, misread and disrespect the goodness of others. It takes enormous patience to deal with someone who has pre-decided to misinterpret the goodness of others, more so, when the other is dear to oneself and yet unwilling to relent. The life of Hanuman goes to show how to deal with such situations. Be patient and when the situation does not improve despite all one’s efforts, one must leave the place praying that the concerned people may see good sense. In such cases, leaving the person is not a sign of deserting them, but the only alternative when one sees impending doom – a final desperate hope that it may make the person in question see the light.

In all these cases, Hanuman lived the statement: Follow the master, face the devil, fight to the end, and finish the game. The combination of invincible power and ability made him a natural leader in the Vanara army and yet He was subservient to the wishes of the voice of the conscience represented by Lord Rama.

Even as every child looks at the sun and wonders whether the sun in the vast skies is an apple that it could eat, it is a reminder of the Hanuman in each of us. Let’s stay awake to the wisdom and inner strength and attain our true potential as Divine beings.