It is no secret that there are more temples dedicated to Hanumanji, the world’s most famous bhakta, devotee of Rama, than there are to Rama.
Hanuman is immensely inspiring in his unswerving devotion to Rama, his sense of duty, humility and sincerity of purpose. An interesting story in the Ramayana reveals how the one (Rama) invoked was as devoted to his worshipper as was the worshipper to him.
After the coronation of Rama as king of Ayodhya, on the conclusion of the Lanka war, at last, peace prevailed in the kingdom.
Hanuman continued to stay by Rama’s side, performing loving service. This left the others with practically nothing to do, to serve Rama. Sitaji thought about it often and one day, decided to do something about it. She asked Rama to relieve Hanuman of his duties. Rama was pained to know that the others did not understand the sublime spirit that was Hanuman. “I am indebted to him for all that he has done; I should also be allowed to serve,” he said.
Nevertheless, Sita, Bharata and Shatrughana divided all the duties amongst themselves and relieved Hanuman of all work. His raison d’etre in danger, Hanuman reasoned that one important task was still left unassigned. When Rama, the divine avatar of Vishnu, yawns, who would click fingers? For, it is believed that if one doesn’t click or snap one’s fingers (chutki bajaana) while yawning, it shortens one’s lifespan!
Hanuman’s clever thinking brought about another beautiful change. Serving the lord with his head bowed, Hanuman had always looked at Rama’s feet, Now, however, with the new duty he had assigned himself, he had the wonderful opportunity to behold Rama’s face in all its glory.
The entire day passed with their being together. Night fell. Still, Hanumanji showed no signs of budging from his master’s side. Sita requested him to leave. “But Ma, who can know when the lord will yawn? Hence, it is imperative that I stay here.” Sita stood her ground and insisted that he should leave.
Lest he failed in his duty, Hanuman decided to do the chutki bajaana ritual all through the night. Who knows when the lord would yawn? Ramachandraji on his part thought that it was improper for him to sleep while his parambhakta —his prime devotee — stayed awake. He thought of a way to respect his devotee’s sense of duty. He started yawning, again and again and again! This got Sita worried. Why was her beloved husband unusually quiet? She ran to Kaushalya saying that perhaps a rakshasa had evil designs to finish off Rama. Guru Vasistha was invited to come over. He could sense that Rama was unhappy because his devotee had been dishonoured. He was led to Hanuman who was sitting outside Rama’s enclosure, immersed in chanting the Rama Nama, all the while clicking his fingers. Sage Vasistha requested Hanuman to please discontinue what he was doing — for if he continued to click his fingers, that would lead Rama to yawning again and again. He told Hanuman, “Sansar Ram ke aadhin hai aur Ram apke aadhin!” — “The world bows before Rama, who, in turn bows before you.”
From a deeper perspective, we could infer that Rama and Hanuman are not different entities; they are one. Japa and loving service lead the bhakta to have the same divine qualities as the god he dotes on. A true bhakta is a living ideal of his bhagwan.
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