Know our Gods - Hanuman (part 2)

Mean while, during the exile of lord Ram, the abduction of Sita maa by the demon god Ravana made Ram a wandering monk searching everywhere for Sita maa. His search made him meet Sugreev. When Ram approached the mountain where Sugreev is living, Sugreev sent hanuman to find who he is. Hanuman disguised himself as a brahmin and after brief introduction, was amazed that he was talking to Lord Ram. Lord Ram helped Sugreev in killing his brother Vaali and made Sugreev king. Sugreev sent his army in all directions to search Sita. They finally ended up in the shore of a sea without any trace of Sita. There was an eagle at shore who saw Sita sitting in ashoka vana surrounded by rakshasas hundreds of miles away. There was no boat for them and were thinking how to go there when Jhambavan told Hanuman about his powers. Then, in one leap, Hanuman crossed the ocean and reached Lanka (kingdom of demons ruled by Ravana). He changed his form to the smallest and went near sita and praised lord Ram in form of a song. Hearing it, Sita maa gave her message to Hanuman. Hanuman while going, tought of teaching a lesson to these demons and appeared before them and created a havoc in lanka and was finally caught and presented before ravana. Ravana asked Hanuman's tail to be lit by fire. When his tail is lighted, Hanuman flew past the streets there by burning the whole Lanka and returned to Ram to inform him about the safety of mother Sita. Then began the arrangements for the war with ravan. The whole army reached the shore and the ocean god asked them to write the name of Ram on the rocks and they will float. In that way, a bridge is built within days to lanka. Ram gave final chance to Ravan to give back Sita but was ignored. This started the war against demons. Lakshman, the brother of Ram who came with him in the exile was hit with an arrow and was about to die. An ayurvedic told Ram that only 'sanjeevani', a herb in the Himalayas would save Lakshman from dying. Immediately Hanuman went to himalayas to bring the herb. When he reached there, he got confused among the different herbs present at himalayas. He then brought the whole mountain and placed it at the shore thus saving Lakshman. Ram won the battle and after his exile is over, returned to his kingdom Ayodhya. Ram gave gifts to everyone who helped him in his battle and mother Sita gave Hanuman a diamond necklace. Hanuman broke every diamond with his mouth and threw them away. Everyone was surprised at his behavior asked him the reason. Hanuman said that none of the pieces has Ram's name inscribed on them and thus are wasteless. They asked him about himself and Hanuman tore apart his heart and Ram was there!! Seeing it, Ram blessed Hanuman with immortality.

HANUMAN IN MAHABHARATA
An instance of Hanuman can also be seen in Mahabharata. Bheema and Draupadi were going in forest when Draupadi asks him to get a flower present in particular lake. Near the lake was Hanuman sitting with his tail on the way. Bheema asks him to take off his tail, but Hanuman wont let him go into the lake and asks Bheema to take the tail and put it aside by himself. Bheema tries in vain to lift the tail but couldn't even move it a little and then he reliases that the monkey in none other than his own spiritual brother and asks him to aid them in the battle. Hanuman then makes himself on the flag of the Arjuna's chariot protecting him.
Even today, the flag is a remainder of victory.



This is in brief the story of Hanuman. He is immortal and helps everyone in need. The total story of Hanuman himself is as big as the present Ramayana(translated) we get in the markets. The story tells us even of the color of the flower that fell from a tree Hanuman was catching to throw at the demons. Keep repeating Ram's name and you will forever be in the grace of Hanuman.