Five People Hanuman Could Have Blamed For His Troubles In Lanka

“How can I ensure that the purpose of my task does not get destroyed? How shall I avoid mental disparity, and how do I ensure that my crossing of the ocean does not go for naught?” (Hanuman, Valmiki Ramayana, Sundara Kand, 2.41)

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न विनश्येत्कथं कार्यं वैक्लब्यं न कथं भवेत् |
लङ्घनं च समुद्रस्य कथं नु न वृथा भवेत् ||

na vinaśyetkathaṃ kāryaṃ vaiklabyaṃ na kathaṃ bhavet |
laṅghanaṃ ca samudrasya kathaṃ nu na vṛthā bhavet ||

1. Sugriva

“Why did he pick me? Why did he put all of the pressure on me? I am not made for this. I do everything else that he asks for. I was the one who descended Mount Rishyamukha in order to intercept those two warriors, who were foreign to the area.

“Do you understand how dangerous that is? That meeting could have triggered a military conflict. I was the one who brokered the subsequent meeting between Shri Rama and Sugriva. Now that same leader of the Vanaras is putting more on my plate. Why? it is not fair.”

2. Lakshmana

“I cannot believe I am in this mess. In a foreign land. In hostile territory. Viewed as an enemy by the inhabitants. I have to take on a disguise just to protect myself. Trust me, I am much larger in stature than a cat. I am looking for someone who doesn’t know who I am. It is not like delivering a package, where I can look up the address and validate the proper destination.

“If you ask me, this is all Lakshmana’s fault. He had one job to do. Watch Sita Devi. This was the directive from Shri Rama, as He went after a beautiful, golden deer. I have no idea why Lakshmana would abandon his post. Now I have to suffer for that careless mistake.”

3. Rama

“Why would you go after the deer? Just tell your wife that it is not a good idea. What did you think was going to happen? Did you not recall how many princes had previously assembled in Janakpur to try to win Sita’s hand in marriage? Did you think they would simply give up now that you were her husband?

“Because you messed up, everyone else has to suffer. We don’t know if Sita is alive. Everyone is worried sick. I am stuck in this dangerous situation, with no outside help. It seems that the people most eager to serve Rama are the ones who suffer the most.”

4. The other Vanaras

“Sugriva has so many other Vanaras in his army. Why can’t one of them cross the ocean and reach Lanka? Why am I here by myself? Why is the burden placed upon me? It is the heaviest burden imaginable. I have done so much already, and I don’t want that effort to go to waste. Otherwise, the accomplishments are meaningless.”

5. Destiny

“I did everything right. I followed along. I was patient. I was resilient. I was determined. Where did that get me? I still haven’t found her. Rama is still awaiting news of her whereabouts. What am I to do? Why did this happen to me? What did I do to deserve this anxiety caused by uncertainty? I am ready to end it all.”

…

In life we come across actual leaders and also those who are only pretending. The pretenders like to boast about their eagerness to step up during times of difficulty. They are ready to make an attempt at finding a solution to difficult problems, you see.

The difference between the actual leader and the pretender is seen in the response to adversity. The pretender will begin to blame everyone else but themselves. They will exploit the shortcomings in others. They will seek honor and recognition for a job half-complete, for giving it an effort but still failing.

Someone like Shri Hanuman has every justification for blaming others, but he does not. His only objective is pleasing Shri Rama; nothing else. Whether he receives honor and fame for that service or ridicule and mockery makes no difference.

Not even the stigma of failure matters as much as the disappointment in not following through on what was asked of him. It is for these reasons and more that Hanuman is so dear to both Sita and Rama. He works through difficulty, both physical and mental, both in external obstruction and the dwindling time, to reunite Sita with Rama.

In Closing:

True leadership to get,
When adversity met.

Whether others to blame,
Or proceeding the same.

Shri Hanuman just see,
Alone in Lanka to be.

Always on objective considering,
How success delivering.