“The great devotee in the monkey form carried out his duty, giving everything of himself, and the Lord became so grateful that He, the one who gives boons, stood before Hanuman with folded hands asking for a boon.” (Dohavali, 112)

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कियो सुसेवक धरम कपि प्रभु कृतग्य जियँ जानि
जोरि हाथ ठाढ़े भए बरदायक बरदानि

kiyo susevaka dharama kapi prabhu k।rtagya jiya’ jāni
jori hātha ।thā।dhe bhae baradāyaka baradāni

He is the one who gives boons. He is the benefactor of the benefactors. He is the deva of the devas. He is the highest being imaginable. He is the source of everything, covering both material and spiritual. No one can ever defeat Him and He never falls down. His appearances in this world are correctly identified by the word “avatara,” which refers to someone who descends. Goswami Tulsidas remarks that someone who is always on the receiving end of prayers, who is known to give gifts as a reward for pious behavior, actually stands with folded hands before one person. In this one situation, one who gives boons presents Himself like one who asks for boons.

In the following hypothetical situation, you have a task assigned to you. The person assigning the task is in a position of authority. The particulars are not that important for the discussion. This could be one of those fundraisers in school, where you are told to go door-to-door within the neighborhood, selling chocolate candy bars. This is to raise money for an upcoming trip. It might also be a task assigned at work, to see who can top the charts in terms of achievement. There are others involved in this task. That creates a kind of competition, although everyone is still on the same team. There are no winners or losers, but the results are still made public.

There will be a ceremony at the end. Both to acknowledge the completion of the task and to reward the individuals for their hard work. The better the results, the better the prize. For this particular endeavor, you happen to do well. Actually, you think you have done better than anyone else. You are proud of your accomplishment. You put in the effort. You went the extra mile. You followed through due partly to the incentive. The assignment brought out a competitive spirit that you never knew you had.

You carry the highest expectation entering the awards ceremony. You see some of the prizes available. They are on display for everyone to marvel at. You are already making plans for what you will do. You can’t wait to show others what you have won. You can’t wait to be acknowledged in front of your peers for your extraordinary effort. The moment of the big announcement is approaching. The results will be posted on a large screen. The greatest achievement of your life will be on display for everyone to see.

The results get posted in reverse order. This means that the lowest achievers will be known first. They can take a prize commensurate with their performance. As expected, your name is not announced. This is because you think you are at the top. Finally, the presenter reaches the second best. To your surprise, they announce your name. Everyone sees how well you did, in quantifiable terms. They are amazed. They congratulate you, but you can’t help but feel dejected. You feign a smile, but there is shock on the inside. How could you not come in first? You have to settle for the second-best prize.

Of course, the hosts then move on to announcing the winner. The result is posted. The number is astronomical. No one can believe it. How could one person do so well? The panel then makes a special announcement. Since this person performed so well, they can choose whatever they want. They are not limited by what is displayed on the stage. To everyone’s surprise, this person declines. They do not want anything. They are pleased simply to have done a good job. They are not boasting. They are not putting others down. They are not even celebrating. They graciously accept the kind words and move on.

Through this exercise we begin to understand the glories of Shri Hanuman. In my acceptance of the timeless tradition of bhakti-yoga, through the merciful outreach of saintly people and the books they author, I feel I have done well in my sadhana. My dedicated practice might resemble dridha-vrata in an objective analysis. It seems that I have a strong vow, a firm commitment, and a resolve of steel. I chant the holy names on a daily basis: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. I have metrics to support my high standing. I feel that if ever I should meet the Supreme Lord, I could ask something from Him, without feeling embarrassed. I should not feel ashamed since I have done so well in serving Him.

Meanwhile, someone like Hanuman has crossed oceans all by himself and searched through dangerous, foreign territories without any fear. He was never looking for a reward, monetary or otherwise. He received direct validation of His efforts from Shri Rama, who is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Rama was prepared to offer anything to Hanuman. No one can really compare, and so Hanuman could have asked for anything. He desired to remain in this world, to hear the glories of Rama. Who can be better?

In Closing:

Better can there be?
From Hanuman to see.

That greatest sacrifice making,
But no personal reward taking.

Just that in this world to stay,
To witness glories on display.

Of Shri Rama near and dear,
Most pleasing to hear.

Categories: stories

Tags: dailyprompt, hanuman, hare krishna, poem, poems, poetry