Hanumanji’s Pure Devotion
Hanumanji always desired to serve his beloved Lord, Sri Rama. One day, as Sita Mata was entering Rama’s bedroom, Hanumanji followed her. However, Lord Rama told Hanumanji that he could not enter the room.
Hanumanji, with innocent devotion, asked why he couldn’t enter the room if Sita Mata could. To convince Hanumanji, Lord Rama explained that Sita could enter because she had sindhur (vermilion) on her forehead.
Upon hearing this, Hanumanji thought for a moment and concluded that sindhur was the qualification needed to enter Rama’s bedroom. He decided to learn more about sindhur from Sita Mata. The next day, when Sita was at her dressing table applying sindhur, Hanumanji approached her.
Hanumanji Learns About Sindhur
Sita Mata, treating Hanumanji like her son, explained the purpose and value of sindhur. She told him that according to tradition, applying sindhur would elongate the lifespan of her Prabhu, Lord Rama. She mentioned it in such a way that Hanumanji, with his pure love for Rama, felt even more devoted.
Hanumanji immediately ran to the market and found a shop selling sindhur. He bought a small box of sindhur, but he felt it was not enough. He went into the shop, opened all the sacks of sindhur, and poured it all over his body. He even rolled on the ground to cover himself entirely with sindhur, thinking that this would greatly extend Rama’s lifespan.
Rama and Sita’s Reaction
When Hanumanji returned to the palace, Rama saw him and asked what had happened. Sita Mata started laughing, understanding what had transpired. She explained to Rama that Hanumanji, out of his love, thought that if a small amount of sindhur on her forehead could increase Rama’s lifespan, covering his entire body with sindhur would make Rama live eternally. This showed Hanumanji’s pure and selfless love for Rama.
Moral of the Story
Hanumanji knew that Lord Rama was the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Yet, his immense love for Rama made him believe that covering himself with sindhur would prolong Rama’s life. This story illustrates the depth of Hanumanji’s devotion and the innocence of his love for Rama.
Similarly, we sometimes behave like Hanumanji in our devotional practices. For instance, if we are late in offering bhoga (food) to Krishna, we may feel anxious, thinking that Krishna is hungry. This anxiety reflects our growing relationship with the Lord.
Even Devaki, Krishna’s mother, expressed similar sentiments in Srimad Bhagavatam 10.3.29, showing that pure love can sometimes obscure the realization of the Lord’s supreme nature:
janma te mayy asau paapo / maa vidyaan madhusudana samudvije bhavad-dhetoh / kamsaad aham adhira-dhih
“O Madhusudhana, because of your appearance, I am becoming more and more anxious in fear of Kamsa. Therefore, please arrange for that sinful Kamsa to be unable to understand that you have taken birth from my womb.”
This verse highlights Devaki’s pure love for Krishna, making her unable to fully comprehend that no one could harm Krishna.
Hanumanji always identified himself as the servant of Lord Rama, never boasting of his own powers. He lived entirely in the mood of service to Rama. We should remember our eternal position as servants of the Lord, surrender to Krishna, and serve Him with love and devotion.
Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare
PS: I humbly request all devotees to forward and share this moral/instructive story so that everyone can benefit from hearing about Krishna and His dear devotees.
