Hanuman: Devotee of God

The following is extract from the book "Hanuman: The Devotee of God" by Sri Anantanand Rambachan. We are grateful to him for granting permission to publish this extract. You can find a link to the book and more books by Sri Anantanand Rambachan in Buy Spiritual Products Section. 

Chapter 1: The Gift of Eternal Love

In finding and comforting Sita, in Lanka, Hanuman had rendered an invaluable service to Rama. Out of a deep sense of gratitude, Rama wished to reward him. "What service can I do for you in return?" asked Rama. Rama, in fact, felt that there was no adequate way of compensating Hanuman for what he had done. "In thinking about it, My son," said Rama, "I have concluded that I cannot ever repay you."

When Hanuman heard this expression of gratitude from Rama, and looked at His face, a thrill of joy ran through his body and, overcome with love, he fell at Rama's feet crying, "Save me, save me, my Lord." Rama repeatedly tried to lift him, but Hanuman was so overwhelmed with devotion that he would not rise. Rama then gently rested His hands in an act of blessing on Hanuman's head.

Hanuman was offered a unique opportunity, by God, to realize any unfulfilled desire. The depths of his wisdom and devotion are evident in the request which he made of Rama. 

Be pleased, O Lord, to grant me unceasing devotion to You, which is the source of highest bliss. When the Lord heard the humble request of Hanuman, He answered, 'So be it!'

In asking the Lord for the gift of unceasing devotion, Hanuman revealed himself to be a devotee of the highest order. Such a devotee never demands anything from God except increasing love for Him. 

It is not wrong to turn to God for the fulfillment of a specific desire. A relationship with God, however, in which God is seen only as an effective instrument for accomplishing one's desires cannot be described as the highest expression of love. Such love is desire prompted.

Even at the level of ordinary human relationships, we do not consider love or friendship to be of the most desirable kind when a person is only regarded and utilized as a means of satisfaction of one's personal desires. We will question the genuineness of a relationship if one party only seeks the other at times of financial or other forms of need. Love is put under question if a wife, husband or parent is neglected when she or he is no longer capable of serving one's needs and interests. Today, unfortunately, we see too many examples of selfishness in the guise of love.

Love, as Hanuman realized, and as he exemplified throughout the Ramayana, reaches its highest expression when the other person is loved for his or her sake. This understanding is valid in considering the love of God, the love of a husband for a wife, the love of a child for a parent or the love of two friends. 

(to be continued)