In the previous episode we had witnessed that Hanuman comes in front of Rama and Lakshmana to understand the whereabouts of the two handsome young princes. However, as Hanuman sees Lord Rama in front of him for the first time, due to his “Brahma-Gnyaana” (Knowledge of the supreme), he was able to realize that he was standing in front of Rama, who is none other than the Lord of the Universe! The moment Hanuman realizes this truth, he is in tears of joy and his love for Rama started to flow like a fast-flowing river! The ravishing beauty of Lord Rama captured his heart once and for all!
As Hanuman is so impressed with the appearance of Rama and Lakshmana, he formally introduces himself to them and tells the story of Sugriva and the related happenings in a jist. As Hanuman was talking on for fifteen minutes, Rama and Lakshmana admire the way Hanuman is talking with them and wait patiently till he completes his accord.
Once Hanuman finishes his talk, Rama takes a deep breath and looks at Lakshmana who’s at his side and says the following:
“Eva muktvaa tu hanumaanstou veerau raamalakshmanau!
Vaakyagnau vaakya kushalaha punarnovaacha kinchana!!
Ethachruthva vachastasya raamo lakshmanamabraveeth!
Prahrushta vadanashreemaan bhraatharam paarshvathassthitham!!”
Rama looks at Lakshmana with a smiling and a beaming face due to the admiration of the speech given by Hanuman. He’s overwhelmed with the way Hanuman spoke, and now he says to Lakshmana the following:
“Thamabhya baasha saumithri sugriva sachivam kapim!
Vaakyagnau madhurair vaakyayihi snehamutthamarindhamau!!”
By the above verse Rama says to Lakshmana, “Oh Saumithri!! (Another name of Lakshmana that means the son of Sumithra Devi) This person by name Hanuman has come in front of us, introducing himself as the minister of the Vanara King Sugriva. Hence, you address him by introducing us and by explaining to him as to why we’re here!”
Here comes an important clarification: Why is Rama asking Lakshmana to speak to Hanuman? Why doesn’t he talk? To answer this question, it is to be understood that there’s a “Raaja Dharma” (The righteous duty of a king) that clearly mentions who should talk with whom. In other words, there is a rule that only a king should address another king and a minister should address the minister of another king. This implies that a king should not directly address the minister of another king. Rama continues, “Had Sugriva come in person, then I would have spoken to him. But Hanuman has come here, and he has introduced himself to be Sugriva’s minister. In this dense forest where will I go in search of a minister for myself? So my dear Lakshmana, you’re my minister, my father and my brother – You’re everything for me. Hence, you’ll be the right person to talk to Hanuman!” We can witness this “Dharma” in the modern day aspects of efficient Leadership. As a leader, one should know whom and how to address.
After hearing this from his brother, Lakshmana prepares himself to address Hanuman. At that moment when Lakshmana is about to begin his reply, Rama stops him again and says, “Oh Lakshmana! Please wait!” Lakshmana gets puzzled as to why is his brother stopping him from proceeding further. We shall also wait till the next episode to find out the reason!!
The Indian Dharma 