Hanumaan is the supreme exemplar of true devotion. At the time of Raama's coronation in
Ayodhya after his return from Lanka, Raama gave presents to all those who had helped him in
the battle against Raavana. When it came to Hanumaan, Raama could not find anything that was
worthy of the unparallelled devotion of Hanumaan. Praising Hanuman's unexcelled services,
Raama said that the only fitting reward for such a devotee was to give himself to Hanumaan. He
embraced Hanumaan most lovingly.
Seetha saw this and felt Hanumaan should not be left
unrewarded for his great services. She took out from her neck the pearl necklace she had
received from her father Janaka at the time of her wedding and gave it to Hanumaan.
Immediately after receiving the necklace, Hanumaan removed one pearl after another from the
necklace, crushed it between his teeth, placed it close to his car and then threw it away.
Surprised
at his strange behaviour, Seetha asked him why he was treating the pearls in that manner.
Hanumaan explained that he had no use for any object that did not chant Raama's name. Seetha
asked him how he could expect to hear Raama's name from an inert object like a pearl.
Hanumaan immediately pulled out a hair from his arm and kept it close to Seetha's ear. The hair
was chanting Raama's name!
True devotion means that even the blood stream should proclaim the Lord's name. Because
Hanumaan was such a devotee he could be the foremost servant of Raama. He was totally free
from egoism, pride and envy. In Lanka, he did not boast of his prowess, but was content to
declare himself a humble servant of Raama. This humility is the true mark of a devotee.
(From the Divine Discourses of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba)
No comments:
Post a Comment