"The Ramayana of Valmiki" -Hanuman-

If you were the only person in the world that could rescue someone or even do something for another without anything in return. Would you do it?

That seems to be the case with Hanuman in the story of “The Ramayana of Valmiki.” 

In the story it is told that Hanuman is the only one that can rescue Sita from Ravana because of the distance that is required to travel to Lanka. Over 800 miles of pure ocean requires strength and longevity that no human or anyone else can do alone. It is only Hanuman as the book states, “There is no one equal to you in strength or in the ability to cross this ocean, nay, an ocean far wider than this. All others are discouraged; the mission surely depends upon you.” How is possible for this specific “vanara” to accomplish such a task, when others like him can’t do it or is he like the other vanara’s?

The history of Hanuman is that he is the son of the wind-god and his mother is part nymph and vanara, which is half human half monkey. His first gift was recognized as a baby when he sought after the sun, thinking it was a piece of fruit and tried to pluck it out of the sky. However, Indra the god of all gods was so angry with Hanuman for trying to grab the sun that he threw a thunderbolt at him. The thunderbolt was so powerful that it knocked Hanuman down and broke his left chin, yet he didn’t die. The wind-god, Hanumans father, was so mad at Indra for what I call “giving another man’s child a spanking” that out of retaliation for Indra’s behavior he stopped the wind from moving throughout the entire world.  This frightened all of the other Gods. So Brahma (the creator) gave Hanuman the gift of “invincibility in battle.” When Indra found out that Hanuman didn’t die from the thunderbolt he also gifted and confirmed that Hanuman “will die only when he wishes to.”

Because Hanuman is the only one that can rescue Sita, he decides to go. Throughout his journey Hanuman faces many trials. Some of the trials seemed more like tests from the Gods, as if they were testing his character. Once he triumphed over the demoness “the gods applauded this feat and said: ‘He in whom are found (as in you) these four virtues (firmness, vision, wisdom, and dexterity) does not despair in any undertaking.’”

Once Hanuman arrives to Lanka he sees Ravana but not Sita and becomes discouraged. Thoughts run across his mind, “Whether she is lost, or she has perished or has died, how can I inform Rama about it?”   His thoughts become overwhelming because he starts to doubt his ability of finding Sita and the feelings of disappointment start to show because he begins to think about what will happen if he doesn’t follow through with his promise to Rama and the others.  “If I do not find Sita there, I shall with the same speed go to the heaven to search for her. And, if I do not see her even there, I shall get hold of Ravana, bind him and bring him over to the presence of Rama. I shall definitely return with success.”

 (“I shall not yield to despair. For, it has been well said that perseverance alone is the secret of prosperity and great happiness; perseverance a lone keeps all things going, and crowns all activities with success.”)

And so he continues his search for Sita. What is the real drive for his perseverance? Is it honor or something greater?

 “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness” (2 Peter 1:5-7 NIV)

How often do you make a promise to do something and not follow through with it? For example work commitments, plans with friends, or any other obligation. Yet, you may have been too selfish to stop and think about the domino effect it has on everyone else or even yourself. Time and time again I’ve learned the hard way (in my younger years of course) that overall everything I do or say does affect someone.

Although it’s just in the story but you can see the similarities with Hanuman and his promise to Rama.