The Lord always expounded the inherent qualities of His devotees. On return
from 14 years of exile, coronation of Sri Ram was to be performed. The
city of Ayodhya was decorated and gods rained flowers. Sri Ram was specially
considerate towards the persons who had accompanied Him to Ayodhya viz.
Sugriv, Vibhishan, Angad, Jamvan, Nal, Neel, Hanuman and others. Proper
arrangements were made for their comforts and also for other guests
from far and wide.
Sri Ram called Bhart and with His own hands, combed his hair that had
got matted, since he had not paid any attention to it during the fourteen
years of Sri Ram's exile. The three brothers personally poured holy
water and attended on Bhart while he bathed. Then Sri Ram gave bath
to His other two brothers, Lakshman and Shatrughan. Finally Sri Ram,
after obtaining the permission of His guru, disentangled His own matted
hair and bathed. Having finished His ablutions, the Lord decked Himself
with jewels; the beauty of His person put shame hundreds of cupids.
The queen mothers meanwhile had Sita go through Her bath also. The mothers
carefully combed Her matted hair too, and dressed her in yellow silks;
then made Her wear heavenly robes with rich jewels for every part of
the body. She shined as Jagat Janni Lakshml which no one could describe
and moved where Sri Ram was. She took seat on the left of the Lord.
As sage Vasishth was gazed upon the Lord, his soul was enraptured. He
sent for an Heavenly throne, which was as effulgent as the Sun himself
and defied all descriptions. The auspicious holy waters of four oceans
and other holy places of pilgrimages, were brought by Sri Hanuman in
golden pot. (Hanuman Vahuk 6-15) and Adhyatm Ramayan VI-1535 and Anand
Ramayan 1/12/102). Bowing His head to the brahmans, Sri Ram took His
seat. The host of sages were overjoyed as they looked upon the Lord
of Raghu's along with Janak's daughter. Then the brahmans recited vedic
hymns, while in the heavens above, the gods and the sages shouted "Victory,
Victory"
Sage Vasishth applied first the sacred Tilak (mark) and then the other
brahmans followed the suit. Perceiving the Lord of all the three worlds
seated on the throne of Ayodhya, the gods sounded their kettle drums.
The beauty of the sight, the uniqueness of the assembly and the delight
of the occasion each defied description. Sharda (the goddess of learning),
the Shesh (the thousand headed serpent god) and Veds ever describe them
while their sapor was known
to the great Lord Shiv alone. Bhart, Lakshman and Shatrughan with Vibhishan,
Angad, Hanuman and the rest shunned forth beside the Lord, each holding
the royal umbrella, chauries, fan, bow, sword, shield and spear. With
Lakshmi (Sita) by His side, the Jewel of the solar race shone forth
with the beauty of a myriad cupids. Blessed are those indeed, who behold
such a form of the Lord
Having severally hymned the Lord's praises, the gods returned to their
respective abodes. The Veds in the guise of bards, recited praises and
they vanished (went out of sight). Then came Lord Shiv and made supplication,
prayed for unceasing devotion at the feet of the Lord and returned to
Kailash. Vibhishan came forward with a dazzling necklace of gems,- which
the Lord of the seas had offered to Ravan. Sita ji accepted it. Its
brilliance shone all over-the vast hall and struck every one as a unique
string of gems. But, with the necklace in Her hand, She cast a questioning
glance at the face of Sri Ram. Sri Ram knew what was passing in Her
mind. He said, "Sita ! You can grant it as a gift to any one among
those here who deserves your grace." Sita ji well understood the
wishes of the Lord. The Lord then gave gifts by His own hands to Sugriv,
Vibhishan and others, but did not give anything to His most devoted
servant Sri Hanuman. All were surprised at this sport of the Lord and
Lord Himself knew the hearts of the audience and exploited another lila
to enshrine the glory of Sri Hanuman. Mother Sita also knew the wish
of Her Lord and at once looked at Sri Hanuman. Becoming aware of the
compassion in that look, Sri Hanuman stood before Her in great humility
and bowed his head. Mother Sita put that pearl necklace around the neck
of Sri Hanuman as a special gift. The audience highly praised mother
Sita and the great lot of Sri Hanuman. Sri Hanuman sat down and started
to look into the specialty of the necklace, and the audience noticed
that Sri Hanuman plucked a gem from the necklace, crushed it with his
teeth, carefully examined the broken gem and dropped it away with his
face indicating disappointment. Then he crushed the second and rest
of the gems, one after the other, till all the gems met the same fate
The audience were surprised at this act of Hanuman—a foremost
among the wise. No one dared to condemn openly and they only whispered
amongst themselves : "Why this monkey gave such a treatment to
the gemmed necklace; so lovingly and so compassionately presented to
him by Sita ?" was the question on most lips. Even Vibhishan was
feeling sad that Sri Hanuman had so brazenly insulted the priceless
necklace he had brought as a special gift. At last one vassal ruler
could not restrain. He rose and gave vent to his resentment; "Peerless
Hero! Why did you break the necklace of gems into so many bits ? Was
it right to do so ? Tell us the reason why ? Please give us some explanation
and remove our doubts.
Listening the question and noticing the audience in surprising mood,
as if enraged, Sri Hanuman got up and addressed, "Why are you getting
angry; I have been looking towards the importance of the necklace and
the gems. These have great glitter and could be sold for a very heavy
price, and possibly, no one could afford to purchase it either. It also
enhances the beauty of the user; but all these considerations are of
no consequences to me. I have fully examined its worth for myself and
in my opinion, any thing which does not have the picture of the Lord
is of no use to me. I was looking for the vision of the Lord in the
gems, which I did not find and the gems appeared to me dark and therefore
worthless. These have to break one day with lapse of time, so I have
broken them and thrown them away, being of no value to me.
Sri Hanuman's words were mystical, and beyond the comprehension of most
of the mortal. A few understood the secret and were enraptured with
the highest devotion of Sri Hanuman. There were still some who were
unhappy and questioned Hanuman, "Is the portrait of your Lord,
Sri Ram, in your heart? If your reply is in affirmative, please prove.
You should not wear any thing
which does not have the name of Sri Ram: you are carrying it about you.
Prove to us that you have the portrait of Lord in your heart."
Sri Hanuman answered, "Every pore of my skin chants the name of
Sri Ram unceasingly and I have always the portrait of my Lord Sri Ram
imprinted in my heart. To satisfy the Ruler, he pulled out a single
hair off his arm and held it near the Ruler's ear. The latter could
hear the name Sri Ram, Ram, Ram...' reverberating from the plucked strand.
At this the Ruler was overcome with a sense of wonder and fell at the
feet of Sri Hanuman and prayed for pardon. Still to satisfy others in
the audience, Sri Hanuman put his hands on his own breast and tore open
his chest; gleaming inside the cavity was the majestic image of Sri
Ram and Sita ji seated on the royal throne and flanked by the three
brothers. The audience hailed the glory of Sri Hanuman, bowed at his
feet in reverence and sang praises of Maruti.
Sri Ram, alighted from His throne and warmly embraced Sri Hanuman with
His long arms. With the soothing and affectionate divine-touch of Sri
Ram's hand, the split chest got instantly closed and became stronger
than before. Mother Sita smiled and applied sindhur (vermilion) to his
body. Now all came to know the secret sport of Sri Ram for not having
offered any gift to
Maruti along with others in the assembly. Sri Ram then asked Sri Hanuman,
"What can I offer you on this occasion ? 1 have nothing to offer
that can match your devotion to me. Therefore I am offering 'Myself
as my gift to you." Sri Ram then offered His body to be clasped
by Hanuman's arms. Sri Hanuman went in to tarns and embraced the All-Merciful-Lord.
Lord Shiv, witnessing this unique incidence from His abode at Kailash,
also experienced the divine joy imparted to His incarnate Sri Hanuman,
hailed the glory of Sri Ram and begged for His unceasing devotion. The
assembly burst into shouts of Jai Sri Ram— Jai Sri Hanuman' at
this unique gracious act of the Lord. They praised Sri Hanuman and declared
that no one can equal Sri Hanuman's devotion to Sri Ram. Sri Hanuman
aims of life is increasing devotion to Sri Sita Ram
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