The Indian Dharma

In the previous episode we had witnessed that Hanuman has started to show his full strength and started to teach Ravana a fitting lesson. He takes a ferocious and a huge form, destroys Ashoka Vana and also some of the Raakshasas who came to fight. Susbequently as more and more Raakshasas started losing lives, Ravana started to have a little bit of fear within his mind. He had sent his minister’s son Jambumaali, five other ministers in the army (Pancha Senaadhipathis’), along with a huge army of people to fight Hanuman, but at the end Hanuman killed all of them quite easily!

“Hathaan mantra sutaan bhudhvaa vaanarena mahaathmanaa!

Sa viroopaaksha yoopaakshau yuddarsham chaiva raakshasau!!”

Thus, as Hanuman started to kill whoever comes in front of him, Ravana started to ponder with more seriousness as to what to do. He decides to send one of his sons Akshakumaara to fight Hanuman. Now as Akshakumaara comes forward to fight Hanuman, he goes to the battlefield with a huge army and prepares himself to face Hanuman’s challenges. Initially he was surprised as to how has one lone monkey managed to kill so many talented Raakshasaas, who otherwise are invincible on any given day! Thus Akshakumaara being a wise person plans a strategy to fight Hanuman. He realizes that Hanuman is not an ordinary monkey who can be killed with just ordinary arrows. Hence he tries using some special and sharper arrows made of steel (It’s interesting to note that the science of using chemical alloys like steel was already known to people of that age! Hence we can note that the science of Chemistry was fairly well developed during that era itself! Valmiki Maharishi gives innumerable accords on this at various instances. I shall narrate them in detail when the Rama-Ravana war begins!)

As Akshakumaara begins his fight, Hanuman too realizes that this boy is not easy to defeat! Hence he is happy that he has got a nice person to fight with! Thus, Hanuman roars in happiness and switches off into the sky and is now floating in the air! Akshakumaara still manages his concentration well and aims innumerable sharp arrows on Hanuman. However with the power of wind (Vaayu), Hanuman manages to escape from all those arrows and he even enters in between those arrows, so as to distract Akshakumaara! Upon seeing this, Akshakumaara is completely taken aback! He did not expect that Hanuman would escape this easily from his pointed arrows! He understood that he was being made to look foolish! Thus, Akshakumaara takes some more pointed arrows and directs them towards Hanuman’s chest and shoulders!

As sharp arrows come towards Hanuman’s shoulders, he lets out a huge roar and takes them on! However, Hanuman is surprised with the amount of talent and precision that Akshakumaara has! He did not have the heart to kill such a talented young boy! However, Hanuman quickly realizes that although Akshakumaara might well be talented, he is his enemy after all! Hence he is to be killed! How can an enemy be let to grow in confidence?

Thus Hanuman thinks how to counter Akshakumaara’s brilliance! He thus looks for the apt moment and first destroys Akshakumaara’s chariot, which in itself was a beautiful paradise on earth! As Hanuman destroys the chariot, Akshakumaara leaps on into the air with his immense power of penance (“Thapo Balam”). As Akshakumaara comes closer, Hanuman looks for the right opportunity to catch him through his legs, lifts him upside down, tosses him a several thousand times in the air with a great speed and throws Akshakumaara on the ground with enormous force! Unable to bear the brunt, Akshakumaara’s body gets fractured on all places and at last passes away!

Thus, Hanuman kills Akshakumaara and fills Ravana’s heart with panic and despair! Ravana has lost one of his sons to a monkey! Upon hearing this news, Ravana becomes agitated and tensed. However, he doesn’t show it out, and thinks of a different strategy to counter this monkey! What was Ravana’s next move? The action continues in the next episode!

 

In the previous episode we had witnessed that Hanuman has finished his conversation with Sita and made her comfortable with his motivating words. In the due course, we had also seen the important qualities and characteristics of a messenger and how he/she should conduct himself/herself in front of others.

As Hanuman finishes his conversation with Sita, he feels agitated and angry on Ravana! He feels furious for what Ravana had done to Sita! Hence Hanuman starts to think the next course of action that needs to be accomplished. He proceeds slightly in the northern direction and contemplates his next agenda. The plan is made – Hanuman decides to teach Ravana a lesson and to show him his place!

“Kaarye karmani nirvruthe yobahunnyapi saadhayeth!

Poorva kaarya abhirodhena sa kaaryam karthum arhasi!!”

Here, Vaalmiki Maharishi beautifully explains another important role of a messenger – He/she should accomplish the important primary tasks of the mission, and also some other allied tasks (that were not instructed to be done) pertaining to the successful completion of that mission.

“Nahyethassaathako hethuhu svalpasyaahetha karmanaa!

Yohyartham bahudhaayeva nasamarthortha saadhane!!”

Hence, Hanuman in this moment decides to wait for some more time to discover who is this Ravana and what are his strengths. He also wants to know who is Indrajith and what is he capable of doing! But how is it possible to understand the answers for the above questions? Hanuman thinks for a while and decides that “Fighting” is the only method to be employed! Hence he decides to wage a lone battle with the Raakshasaas (Demons). Hanuman is extremely confident about his abilities and his determination to kill anybody who comes in front of him. He now prepares himself to give Ravana a taste of his own medicine!

Thinking thus, Hanuman takes a huge heavy stick in his hands and starts destroying all the beautiful trees in that “Ashoka Vana”. Tree after tree falls to the ground and due to the pressure and intensity of Hanuman, a big fire erupts around the place! This fire completely destroys the beautiful forest-like Ravana’s “Anthah-Pura”. However, Hanuman ensures that the tree wherein Sita was sitting under, was untouched!

“Satham pariham aadhaaya jagaama jarjaneecharaath!”

Upon seeing a huge chimpanzee-like monstrous monkey standing in front of them, the demonesses who were sleeping by the side of Sita got scared! They quickly woke up and enquired with Sita on this monkey’s whereabouts!

“Aasa daasaayatham bheemam pariham thoranaashrutham!

Satham parihamaadhaaya jagaama rajaneecharaan!!”

Thus as Sita did not disclose the details of the monkey that is scaring them, they ran to Ravana seeking refuge! Upon hearing about this monstrous monkey, Ravana becomes furious that it had a secret conversation with Sita and is now destroying the beautiful Ashoka-Vana! He sends a huge army full of Raakshasaas to kill this monstrous monkey! As the army approached Hanuman, he took the same stick and killed all of them at a glance! Ravana tried sending more and more arms and ammunition along with “Jambumaali” who is the son of Ravana’s minister, Brihastha. Hanuman put him to death too easily and his entire army of demons was packed off!

“Chukobi baanaabi gathaha raakshasasya mahaa kapihi!

Bhraamayantham thapin drushtvaa saalavruksham mahaabalam!!”

Thus, as the Raakshasaas threw various weapons like the “Gatha”, different types of sharp arrows, Hanuman easily made them look foolish by escaping out of every weapon! He takes up a huge form, roars aloud and uses his maximum power to blow away all the Raakshasaas to death! Some of them get scared by the very appearance of Hanuman! Some of them were deafened by Hanuman’s huge roar! Many of them were killed on the spot! Some of them escaped from there and ran to Ravana’s courtroom to inform about the disastrous monkey!

Thus, Hanuman with his heroic acts, induces some sort of a fear into Ravana’s mind. He makes Ravana think and make a strategy! He now sends his son, “Akshakumaara” to fight with Hanuman and to capture him or put him to death! Is Akshakumaara going to succeed? How is Hanuman going to face the extremely talented Ravana’s son? The action continues in the next episode!

In the previous episode we had witnessed that Hanuman is trying to motivate Sita once more and make her feel happy and comfortable. He resolves the doubt that Sita had in her mind as to how is Rama and Lakshmana going to cross the ocean that mars between the two land masses. Hanuman thus gives a solution to Sita’s question and prepares himself to return back. As Hanuman starts from here, Sita once again says to Hanuman:

“Bhaaspa gadhgadhayaa vaachaa mythileem vaakyam abhraveeth!

Hanuman kushalam bhooyaaha sahithou raama lakshmanau!!

Sugreevancha sahaa maathyam sarvaan vriddhaancha vaanaraan!

Bhooyaashvam vaaranashreshtaha kushalam dharma sannidham!!

Yathaasa cha mahaabaahuhu maathaarayathi raaghavaha!

Tathvayaa hanuman vaarchyam vaachaa dharmamavaapnunihi!!

Jeevantham maam yathaa raamaha sambhaavayathi keerthimaan!!”

Through the above slokas, Sita says to Hanuman, “Oh Hanuman! On my behalf please let Rama, Lakshmana, Sugriva and all the Vaanaras know that I had enquired about them and their well being. Please tell Rama that I prostrated to him seeking complete surrender to his lotus feet! Please convey my regards to Sugriva, Jaambhavaan, Angadha and all the senior members of the army. Please convey my regards to Lakshmana as well! Please ask Lakshmana to take care of Rama properly. Also please put across this important message to all of them that this Sita wouldn’t be alive for more than a month from today. Please convey this important message to Rama and Lakshmana very clearly!”

This is what is the role of a messenger – Here we can see that Rama sends Hanuman to Sita as his trusted messenger. In turn, Hanuman comes and conveys all what Rama has to say to Sita. Now, Sita sends back Hanuman (the messenger) to Rama with her message. However, what is important to note here is that, there is a deeper intent to the entire role of a messenger – The messenger should understand and interpret the thoughts, emotions and feelings of both parties completely, explain each other’s stance and unite both of them.

This is extremely popular in today’s management setup, which we call as “Third-Party Negotiation”. Of course as per our modern day organizational psychology, we have three ways in which third-party negotiations can be carried out – Through a “Mediator” or an “Arbitrator” or a “Conciliator”. Here we can see that Hanuman is playing the role of a “Conciliator” wherein he understands and interprets Rama’s thoughts, emotions, sufferings and feelings to Sita, and in turn he also understands and interprets Sita’s thoughts, emotions, sufferings and feelings to Rama! This phenomenon in Sanskrit literature is called as “Ghataka-Thrithyam”.

It is thus really interesting to see how the Ramayana is closely linked to our modern day management concepts and here is one such example!

However all said and done about the messenger’s roles, there is one important quality that a messenger should have – He/she should never have an ego or the “I” or “Me” attitude in them. Thus, the messenger should only be interested in solving the issue between the two people and selfishness should never be part of the messenger’s agenda. Here we can see that in Hanuman – He is solely interested in the welfare of Rama and Sita, and not himself. This is the reason why Hanuman as a messenger is successful. Just like Hanuman is known for his shrewdness, smartness, etc. he is also known for his “Selfless service” to Sita and Rama!

Thus, as Hanuman prepares to leave, Sita again conveys her wishes to Rama, Lakshmana, Sugriva, etc. and as Hanuman sees an emotional Sita, he gets agitated internally (Although he doesn’t show it out in front of Mother Sita). He gets angry on Ravana for the amount of tormentation he has inflicted on Mother Sita! So he wants to teach Ravana a lesson! What does Hanuman do? The action continues in the next episode! 🙂

In the previous episode we had witnessed that Sita has gained complete trust on Hanuman that he had been sent by Lord Rama as a messenger to her. Upon seeing Rama’s ring, Sita is overwhelmed with happiness and her joy knew no bounds! This makes her recollect some of her most intimate and happy moments that she has had with her beloved Rama in the past! She shares a couple of such instances with Hanuman and asks him to narrate them to Rama while he explains his trip to Lanka. We had witnessed both the instances in the last and one of the previous episodes.

As Sita narrates these instances to Hanuman, she again becomes emotional and starts to weep. She says to Hanuman, “Oh Vaanara-Sreshta! (Best amongst all monkeys) Look at this immense pain and suffering I’m undergoing at the moment! I don’t know when is this going to end! I’m completely in dark! Now of course you’ve come and motivated me a little bit and given me some ray of hope! But this wicked Ravana is still torturing me every minute, which I’m unable to bare anymore! My health is also deteriorating every minute!”

Sita continues, “However, Hanuman! I have a major doubt in my mind – That is, this Lanka city is surrounded on all sides by huge masses of oceans! How is Rama and Lakshmana going to cross the ocean and come here? Of course I know that you are capable of handling Ravana and his group of demons singlehandedly and take me from here. That might give you lot of fame and appreciation. However, this mission would be fulfilled properly only if Rama comes, invades Lanka, defeats/kills Ravana and take me to Ayodhya. It is because I’m Rama’s wife, that Rama is the person who is to execute this mission completely. How is he going to come here, given the huge ocean in the middle? What kind of a solution do you have in mind for this?”

Upon hearing this, Hanuman replies: Here we can see the significance of “Motivation” once more in the Ramayana. We can see how much of emphasis Valmiki Maharishi has laid on motivation, to explain Hanuman’s immense success. Hanuman says, “Oh Mother Sita! Sugriva, the king of all the Vaanaras is a totally invincible person by every means. He has unique powers that none in this world would possess! All the Vaanaras under Sugriva are either more talented than me, or atleast equal to what I am! Please be assured that there is nobody in Sugriva’s chamber who is lesser talented and powerful than this Hanuman standing in front of you! Do you think a king would send his powerful people as messengers? Only ordinary people would be messengers, isn’t it? Hence, mother Sita – Please do not worry. All the Vaanaras are waiting for an opportunity to jump and leap across this mighty ocean to enter Lanka within minutes! If I’m able to come this far, what is going to prevent them from coming here? Moreover, I shall ensure that Rama and Lakshmana are transported safely into Lanka. I shall carry both of them in my back as I cross over the ocean once again within a few days time! Hence Mother Sita! Please be sure – Rama and Lakshmana are the people who are going to finish off this mission in style! We are all with them to help them in whatever way we can. So, my request to you at the moment is that, please relax yourself and do not worry about anything. Please be assured that Rama is going to gain victory. It’s just a matter of time now that Ravana is going to be destroyed! The world is going to shower praises on Rama that he has won over the “Adharma”! Hence I request you to be a little more patient till I go and come back!”

Upon hearing these powerful and motivating words from Hanuman, Sita is even more overwhelmed and her happiness started brimming on her face! She is smiling and with all her mercy, blesses Hanuman for the rest of the mission to be successfully completed! As Hanuman prepares himself to leave, Sita looks around to check if she can give something as a token of identification to Rama (Just has Rama had given his ring as a token of identification to her). She now takes out her “Crest Gem” (Chuudaamani) from her dress and gives it to Hanuman! Hanuman gets it from her, keeps it safely within himself and prepares to leave!

Now Hanuman is also extremely happy that his mission has finally tasted some success! Finally after so much of struggles, he was able to find Sita, managed to talk with her, console her and got the message from her to be delivered to Rama! Now what did Hanuman do? Did Hanuman straightaway leave for Kishkinta from Lanka? Or, did he do something else before he left Lanka? What is Hanuman’s next move? Let’s wait till the next episode to find out! 🙂

n the previous episode we had witnessed that Hanuman tries to console Sita, who is in a sea of sadness. She knows no end to all her miseries. At this point, Hanuman tries to motivate her step by step. He initially starts by narrating the aftermath of her abduction by Ravana – How did Rama come a long way to meet Sugriva and the Vaanaras, how Rama nurtured friendship with Sugriva and killed Vaali, how Sugriva has reciprocated Rama’s help by sending innumerable Vaanaras on the search mission for Sita and how did Hanuman cross the ocean, searched Lanka and finally found Sita in Ravana’s “Ashoka Vana”. As Sita listens to the whole story, she becomes a little more firm that her miseries are going to come to an end finally! To increase the confidence within Sita, as step 2, Hanuman hands over Rama’s ring as identification to her. Upon seeing the ring, Sita is totally convinced of the fact that Rama is on his way! Her happiness knows no bounds! She appreciates and blesses Hanuman for all what he has done single-handedly for both Sita and Rama!

As we move on, Sita now remembers all the beautiful past memories of her golden time spend with Rama. I shall quickly narrate one such memory that Sita shares with Hanuman – Once upon a time, Sita and Rama were sitting happily on the banks of River Mandaahini at Chitrakoota (We’ve already discussed about the geography of this place in our earlier episodes). As they were living at Chitrakoota, both of them used to go to the riverbank together hand in hand for taking bath. We can worship this place even today in the present day Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. Everytime when they used to spend some intimate moments together, Sita and Rama used to sit on the banks and lie down on each other’s lap. As this protocol was continuing, one fine day, it was Rama’s turn to lie on Sita’s lap and sleep for a while. Sita was awake and admiring the beauty of nature around. At that moment, there was a crow that came suddenly near Sita and poked her chest with its sharp beak! This crow was none other than Jayantha (Lord Indra’s son). Strictly speaking, it was this Jayantha who had done a much greater mistake than even Ravana had done! Because, Ravana had just abducted Sita and further did nothing bad to her physically. It was Jayantha who had actually physically abused Sita! At that moment when the crow poked her, Sita thought that this crow has come to eat some flesh. Hence she picked up a stone and try to chase it away. However, this crow was not going away! It was repeatedly coming again and again and poking Sita! As she cried in pain, Rama immediately woke up! As Sita narrates this to Hanuman, she says, “Oh Hanuman! As Rama was sleeping on my lap, he was so handsome and I was carried away by his appearance! I didn’t have the heart to wake him up. However, what else can I do? I had to wake him up at that moment!”

As Sita wakes Rama up from his sleep, he immediately understood that there was trouble around! He looked around and found the crow, sitting on a nearby tree with blood all around its beak. Sita’s chest was dripping with blood too! Rama understood what had happened! He decided what is to be done! He immediately searched for his bow and arrows around, but couldn’t find them (Since he was with Sita, Rama never took his bow and arrows along with him). However, the plan was made – Rama pulled out a small thread from the mat on which he was sitting, chants the “Brahmaasthra Manthra” and throws it towards the crow. Immediately Jayantha understood the danger that was approaching. He now had to flee away!

Now the crow starts to fly and fly for safety! However to its dismay, the “Brahmaasthra” from Rama was following it wherever it went! Jayantha went to his father, mother, friends, other Devas, Celestial Beings, etc. and nobody entertained him because of Rama’s Brahmasthra. Finally Jayantha had to come back to Rama and seek refuge! At this point, Rama should have ideally killed Jayantha for his wrongdoing. However, since Rama is an embodiment of mercy and forgiving attitude, he lets Jayantha off! Of course, Mother Sita was with Rama too! Hence, even if Rama had wanted to kill Jayantha, Mother Sita would not have permitted him to do so! Hence, Jayantha was let off and he realized his wrongdoing as well. He seeks forgiveness to Sita and Rama and thereafter left that place!

Sita explains this to Hanuman with tears in her eyes and asks him, “Oh Hanuman! Just like Rama was so merciful towards this crow, why can’t he show the same mercy to his beloved wife? What wrong did I do to him? I’ve always been a true wife to him and I’ve always followed him at every moment of his happiness and sadness! Yet, why am I made to suffer like this? Perhaps I would have committed some sins in my previous births and that’s the reason for my suffering! I do not know when this misery is going to end in my life!”

Upon hearing this emotional accord from Sita, Hanuman tries to console her again. He tries to motivate her even more. What did Hanuman say next? Let’s wait to find out in the next episode!

In the previous episode we had witnessed that Hanuman has handed over Rama’s ring to Sita. Upon seeing the ring in her hand but in the absence of Rama, Sita is both happy as well as sad at the same time. As a result, she laughs and cries at the same time! Hanuman couldn’t understand what is going on really in Sita’s mind, and after a few minutes he asks Sita for the reason of this peculiar expression.

As Sita starts to talk to Hanuman, her eyes are full of tears and her voice shows the amount of emotions that run in her! She says, “Oh Hanuman! I’ve never seen another person in this world who can be as smart and brilliant as you! How on earth would I be able to describe your unique intelligence? You had come all the way to Lanka and moreover, searched this heavily guarded city without being noticed by anybody! This is highly impossible for any other person except you! With you in front of me, I’m feeling safe and secured. You’ve brought back a smile in my face after almost ten months! I’m just waiting to see Rama’s face with all my eagerness and desperation. It is Rama who has to come and take me out of this immense suffering! I cannot withstand this torture from Ravana any more. When you go back to Rama, please tell him all that I’m undergoing here. Make him motivated to come over to Lanka, fight Ravana, kill him and take me to Ayodhya!”

Upon listening to this from Sita, Hanuman replies back, “Oh Mother Sita! You know what? Without seeing you, Rama and Lakshmana are extremely sad and weeping all the time. However, both the brothers are undertaking all the preparations to invade Lanka. It is just a matter of time now. Anyway, I’ve seen and spotted you now. So from this point, please realize that all your sufferings have come to an end. You are going to see Rama very soon. You are going to see all the Vaanaras (headed by Sugriva) and the two brothers in Lanka city, invading Lanka and killing Ravana. Oh Mother! Please do not cry! The world cannot tolerate the tears coming from your eyes! Please have some more patience till I go back to meet Rama and explain all the happenings here to him!”

Hearing this from Hanuman, Sita looks at him with all her merciful and beauty in her eyes! She blesses Hanuman with all the success in completing his mission successfully. However, she wasn’t able to let Hanuman start off from that place. She didn’t have the heart to let Hanuman go! She again says, “Oh Hanuman! If you are feeling tired, you may stay here for a day or two. You may look for a place, which might not be accessible for anybody to find you and stay there. Until I saw you, I was experiencing immense troubles. However, after seeing you for all these minutes, I had forgotten all of them. Now if you leave, all those troubles and tortures would start tormenting me again! What will I do? Why am I experiencing so much of ordeals in my life?” Saying thus, Sita begins to cry bitterly.

Upon seeing Sita cry, Hanuman too couldn’t hold back his tears. However, he once again consoles Mother Sita by saying, “Oh Mother of the universe! It is with your grace that the world is functioning smoothly! If you start shedding tears like this, the world cannot withstand. Your troubles have come to an end by this minute. Please trust me! We are all with you. Rama and Lakshmana are with you! Can there be a person in this world who is as good as Rama? Show me one person on this world who can equal Lakshmana in terms of his sacrifice and valor! Both the invincible brothers are on their way to see you. Oh Mother! Please do not shed tears! For the sake of your beloved son Hanuman, please have the confidence. You are not going to be in Lanka for long. Please trust me. Now tell me what should I convey to Rama and Lakshmana when I see them? What do you want me to tell them?”

Hearing this from Hanuman, Sita shares some intimate instances that happened between Rama and herself. She asks Hanuman to narrate these instances to Rama when he meets him. She says to Hanuman that these instances would make Rama cry and long for me even more.

Saying thus, Sita starts her narration. What are those instances that Sita is going to narrate? Let’s wait till the next episode to witness them!

In the previous episode we had witnessed an important event wherein Hanuman shows and hands over the ring to Sita, that Rama had given him to show her as a token of identification, love and support.

“Bhoosha yeva mahaathejaaha hanuman pavanaathmajaha!

Abhraveeth prashrutham vaakyam seethaa prathyaya kaaranaath!!

Vaanaroham mahaabhaage bhootho raamasya dheemathaha!

Raama naamaankitham chetham pashyathe vyanguleeyatham!!”

Thus from the above slokas, Valmiki Maharishi narrates how Hanuman hands over Rama’s ring to Sita. Hanuman requests Sita to take the ring in her hands and bless the ring with all her grace!

Upon seeing the ring and upon hearing Hanuman’s soothing words, Sita’s face expressions change completely – She is now extremely happy! What were tears of sorrow till a few minutes back, transform into tears of joy!

“Gruheethvaa prekshamaanaasaa bharthuhkara vibhooshanam!

Bharthaaramiva sampraarthaa jaanakeem udithaa bhavath!!”

Here, Valmiki Maharishi explains with the above important sloka, the reaction of Sita upon seeing the ring – She hugs the ring with her chest and her eyes are full of tears of joy! Sita feels as if her beloved husband is standing in front of her, in the form of the ring! Hence she imagines as if she is hugging Rama with her! She is able to see Rama’s fingers, Rama’s hands – She is completely in bliss that Rama is right in front of her! What an emotional and a happy moment for Sita at last! Sita looks at Hanuman so dearly! She has no words to thank his great help! Her respect towards Hanuman increases manifold! She is now fully convinced that Hanuman is none other than the wellwisher of both Sita and Rama!

As Sita is having the ring in her hand, Hanuman observed something very interesting – At one moment, Sita is laughing, and at another moment, she cries! Hanuman couldn’t understand why is Sita laughing and crying at the same time! There is a “flashback” story that is presently running within Sita’s mind – When Rama and Sita were happily living together once upon a time, it was this same ring that had solved the anger in between both of them. How? Once when Sita and Rama were sitting together, playfully Rama takes off the “Sindhoor” from Sita’s forehead. Sita didn’t like that from Rama. Hence she decided not to talk with Rama. One day went by.. Two days passed by.. She wasn’t ready to relent from her stand of not talking! On the other side, Rama was thinking, “Oh! I’m her husband and I have every right to play in this fashion. Even if that is wrong, why should she get this much of anger on me?” Thinking thus, Rama decided not to talk with Sita too! Sita, at the same time was thinking, “How can Rama play with my ‘Sindhoor’? Isn’t it a symbol of my purity? I shouldn’t talk with him!” Thinking thus, three days passed by! As time flies, both of their anger came down. Now Rama thinks, “Oh yes! It’s my mistake. I shouldn’t have hurt Sita by that way!” Similarly Sita thinks too, “Oh poor Rama! After all he is my beloved husband! I shouldn’t have made this a big issue!” However, both of them didn’t know how to break the ice! Who would talk first to whom? It is at this time when Rama was sitting in the swing, he did a comical act – He secretly removes and drops this ring (This same ring that Hanuman is showing Sita now) from his finger on the floor and says, “Oh! I’m searching for one ring that I had on my finger and it seems to be lost for the past three days! If someone finds it, they can give it back to me!” As Rama “secretly” removed the ring and put it on the floor, Sita was watching that with the corner of her eyes – She knows very well that it was Rama who purposefully removed the ring and put it on the floor! 🙂 Immediately when the ring falls on the floor and as Rama says the above words, Sita bends down, takes the ring and puts it back in his finger! After that, their issue is solved! The ice has been broken! Now, Sita and Rama started to talk with each other again, as before!

It is this flashback that Sita is remembering right now, upon seeing the ring! She thinks at the back of her mind – “Oh! It was this ring that humorously re-united both of us! Now I’m able to see only the ring, but not the person who is supposed to be wearing this ring! What a difficult situation in my life! I miss Rama so much!” Hence, the moment Sita thinks about this story, she laughs! The next moment, she sees the ring and once the feeling of missing Rama comes to her mind, she starts crying!

It is after this, Sita shares with Hanuman, some of her intimate moments that she cherished with her beloved Rama. What are they? What happened next? Did Sita have something to reciprocate to what Rama had given her? Let’s witness the next action in the next episode! 🙂

In the previous episode we had witnessed that Sita is slowly getting convinced that Hanuman is none other than the trusted messenger sent by her beloved husband, Rama, to find out her whereabouts and to further plan the ways to recover her from Lanka. As Hanuman presents himselves to Sita, she initially doubts him, but in due course as she listens to Hanuman’s narration and also by looking at his charisma, Sita gets convinced. Eventually Sita introduces herself to Hanuman formally and narrates how she was happily living with Rama in the palace for the first twelve years post their marriage, and subsequently their exile period for the past thirteen years. She also explains to Hanuman as to how she was abducted by this wicked Ravana and the sufferings that she is undergoing post that.

Upon explaining all this to Hanuman, Sita gets emotional and says to him that if Rama doesn’t come and take her away from Lanka within the next two months, it is going to be impossible for him to see her alive after that! While saying this, Sita is in tears and is weeping bitterly. She is also asking Hanuman to explain how Rama feels and enquires about his well-being and his safety. Now it is upto Hanuman to calm and pacify her down!

As Hanuman listens to every word from Sita, he prepares his answer to her. He now starts talking and explains how Rama had made friendship with Sugriva, who is an extremely powerful king of the Vaanaras at Kishkinta. As he explains this, he starts to narrate the unique characteristics of Lord Rama. Valmiki Maharishi captures the physical beauty of Lord Rama so nicely in the form of six to seven slokas. He explains Rama’s long hands, arms, elbows, broad shoulders, handsome face, beautiful eyes, smiling lips and his charming appearance.

“Raamaha kamala pathraakshaha sarva sathva manoharaha!”

However, when Hanuman starts to describe Rama’s beauty (as mentioned above), he was unable to open his mouth and start talking – Hanuman was totally immersed in “Raama – Bhakthi” that he couldn’t find words to describe his Lord! He says to Sita, “Oh Sita Devi! If you had asked me to talk about the intricacies of Sanskrit Grammar (“Nava-Vyaakarnas”), I would have spoken with ease! If you had asked me to sing good music, I would have even done that! If you would ask me to talk about anything else in this world, I would still give a try! However, you are asking me to talk about that thing, which my tongue finds it the most difficult thing to do ever! How can I ever do this?” Hanuman replies thus with a trembling voice and starts describing Rama’s beauty!

As Sita listens to Hanuman’s beautiful narration about Rama’s beauty, she is totally moved and at the same time, she feels immensely happy that she is getting to hear about her beloved husband after so many months! Moreover, apart from everything else, Sita looks at Hanuman with immense respect for the amount of “Bhakthi” he has got for Rama and thus Sita blesses Hanuman with all her love and affection!

Moving on, Hanuman explains to Sita as to how Rama and Lakshmana searched their way through and reached Kishkinta. He also explains how Rama and Lakshmana made friendship with Sugriva and how Rama killed the great and invincible Vaali. He goes on to explain that Sugriva has sent all his army men in different directions to search for Sita. Thus he formally introduces himself once more to her, by saying that he had managed to cross the ocean and searched all over Lanka and finally spotted her in the “Ashoka Vana” of Ravana!

Upon giving this detailed explanation, Hanuman wants to boost more confidence into Sita’s mind. He now quickly remembers that Rama had given him a ring to show it as an identification mark. (We’ve already seen this in one of our previous episodes!) Hence, Hanuman chooses this moment as the apt time to show the ring to Sita. He takes the ring from his dress and gives it to Sita saying, “Oh Mother Sita! Please see this ring! Please bless this ring! Your beloved Rama has given this ring to me, so as to induce the faith that he is on his way to Lanka! Oh Mother! Please do not cry! Please wipe off your tears! We are all there for you and you are not alone from this moment! All of your sorrows have come to an end with this minute! Please get ready to welcome Rama!”

Upon seeing the ring and upon hearing Hanuman’s soothing words, Sita’s face expressions change completely – She is now extremely happy! What were tears of sorrow till a few minutes back, transform into tears of joy! Her respect towards Hanuman increases manifold! She is now fully convinced that Hanuman is none other than the well wisher of both Sita and Rama! Now Sita confidently talks with Hanuman. What did Sita reply after seeing the ring? What was Sita’s wish? How does the planning to invade Lanka take place? Let’s wait to find out in the next episode! 🙂

In the previous episode we had witnessed that Hanuman uses the opportunity (while the Raakshasis were fast asleep) to strike a conversation with Sita. With this, Hanuman proves to all our modern day leaders that he is an epitome of smartness and sharpness in decision making and executing the decisions that are taken. Eventually, we witnessed that Hanuman narrates the entire story of Rama and how he met Sugriva, made friendship with him and the Vaanaraas (Monkeys), how Rama defeated Vaali and how the Sita-search mission is going on! In the midst of his introductory note, Hanuman makes sure that he introduces himself too to Sita and the amount of devotion he has for his Lord Rama.

This detailed but crisp explanation makes Sita astounded and baffled! She didn’t expect anybody to talk about Rama – that too in Lanka, which is full of evil and wicked people! As Sita started to think a little bit, again, Hanuman uses this split of a second to come in front of Sita and exhibit his form. Of course Sita has her doubt if Ravana has come in that form to try and impress her in some way. However, due to the charismatic appearance of Hanuman and the way he structured his short and crisp talk, made Sita re-think her doubt. She wants to listen more from Hanuman. She wants to listen more about her beloved Rama. Just like how a person feeling thirsty would crave for more and more water, Sita was craving to listening more about her Rama! So she musters up her courage and gives a reply to Hanuman:

Sita says,

“Prithivyaam raja simhaanaam mukyasya vihithaathmanaha!

Snushaa dasharathasyaaham shathru sainyah prathaapinaha!!

Vihithaa janaksyaaham vaidehasya mahaathmanaha!”

Thus through the above slokas, Sita musters up her courage and replies Hanuman: “You are asking me so many questions! I’ll give you my answers to all of them!” Ideally Sita should have begun by introducing herself as the wife of Rama. But she doesn’t! She starts by saying that she is the daughter-in-law of the great king Dasharata! (“Snushaa dasharathasyaaham”) Sita goes on to explain that, King Dasharata was a person who was invincible in nature and no enemy could ever stand in front of him for a minute (“Snushaa dasharathasyaaham shathru sainyah prathaapinaha”). She also indirectly says at this context that if my father-in-law was alive today, he would have never let me down to this situation what I’m currently in – Which means, that she is indirectly blaming Rama for this bad situation that she is in currently! 🙂 Thus, Sita introduces herself first as King Dasharata’s daughter-in-law, King Janaka’s daughter and finally as Rama’s wife!

Sita goes on to narrate that King Dasharata was brimming with sorrow and anger when we had commenced our journey to the forest. However, he didn’t have much of an option but to send us off! “Thus, I’m the daughter of the king of Mithilapuri and my name is Sita or Mythili. Myself, Rama and Lakshmana spent around twelve years in the forest. We visited various forest areas before coming to Panchavati. We were spending our time happily together, when Ravana made his wicked plans to separate me from Rama. He stole me from our hamlet at Panchavati and here I am, suffering at Ravana’s Lanka! I have been here for the past ten months. I still have a deadline of two months that Ravana had given me to obey his request. I would rather finish myself, than obeying Ravana’s words! Hence if Rama doesn’t come and relieve me from here within two months, he cannot see me alive!”

“Heedhrusham tasya samsthaanam roopam raamasya keedhrusham!”

Then Sita goes on to ask Hanuman to describe in detail about the features of Rama and subsequently the events that happened after she was abducted by Ravana. Thus, Sita is slowly getting the faith and belief that Hanuman is none other than a messenger sent to her by her beloved husband!

As Sita asks these questions, Hanuman prepares himself to give his reply. What did Hanuman reply? Was Sita convinced with Hanuman’s answers? How did Sita react after that? Let’s wait and witness in the next episode! 🙂

In the previous episode we had witnessed one of the most important and emotional moments in the entire Ramayana, wherein Hanuman narrates the “Raama-Charithra” (Story of Rama) to Sita, who is longing to see him. Upon hearing some words spoken about Rama, Sita gets baffled and looks here and there to find out the direction from which these words are coming from. Finally she spots Hanuman, who is sitting amidst the branches of the tree and talking all these.

As Sita spots Hanuman, he uses this opportunity to make an impact on her, by stopping her proceeding forward in committing a suicide. Hanuman thus makes Sita think and re-think of proceeding forward. Sita starts thinking within herself. Innumerable questions prop up in her mind: “Oh my goodness! If a person is alive in this world, we can get to know that through some source or the other! What a miracle! What is going on here? How can someone in Lanka city, talk about Rama? Is it a dream that I’m experiencing? Or is it reality? Who is this monkey? From where has he come from? What is he doing here? For what purpose did he come here? How did he manage to escape all of Ravana’s security and still come and talk with me about Rama? If such is the case, he must be an extremely intelligent and a smart person! Since he has saved my life, I’m sure, Rama should also be well and alive! If this is the case, he must be somewhere related to ‘Vaayu Bhagawan’ (Lord of the Wind)!”

As Sita is thinking upon all these questions, Hanuman uses this opportunity to come in front of Sita. He stands in front of her with his head bowed down and folded arms. His respect for Mother Sita is completely reflected in the way he is standing in front of her. At that moment when Hanuman gets down from the tree, Sita looks at him with all her merciful and beautiful, tear-filled eyes. She internally blesses Hanuman as he comes near her and stands.

However at the same time, Sita couldn’t believe what is happening! “Is it all a dream?” This is the first question that comes to her mind! “Or, is it Ravana who has come in this form to tempt me by talking about Rama? Is he trying to fool me again? He has already done this at Panchavati, by taking the form of a saint, isn’t it? Hence it is not new for him to do all this! But wait…. Whoever it might me – Even if it is Ravana – Whoever narrates the story of my beloved husband Rama, let him get all the comforts in this world! Whoever chants the name of Rama, let him get the infinite blessings of Lord Rama, although he is an enemy!”

Thus, Sita is utterly confused at this stage – At one moment she is happy to hear the story of Rama from this monkey. At another moment she is scared if Ravana is trying to lay a trap to corner her! It is at this point when Sita started to think, Hanuman uses this opportunity to talk further – An important lesson for modern day leaders – We should be smart enough to grab opportunities to attain success, rather than waiting for the opportunity to knock our doors!

Now Hanuman talks to Sita, “Oh mother! Who are you? Why are you so lean and full of sadness written all over your face?”

“Dhrumasya chaakaam aalambhya thishtasi!

Kimarthanthvama nethraabhyaam vaarif pravathi shokha cha!!”

Hanuman continues further, “Why are your eyes full of tears? Don’t you think that the sorrow that your eyes show is too much for anybody to handle? From seeing you, I feel that the world would not tolerate if your eyes are filled with tears! But mother! Why are tears rolling down your eyes like this? Please let me know the reason for your tears? If I’m lucky enough and blessed, are you Mother Sita, who is the beloved wife of Rama, the prince of Ayodhya? Please tell me! I’m eager to know about you!”

Upon these appealing and caring words of Hanuman, Sita makes up her mind to answer his questions. What does Sita reply? Let’s wait till the next episode to find out!