Ajamila - Hope for even the worst sinner

            An entire wave of conversion nonsense happening in India is due to the Christian proselytization juggernaut. They rely on the weakest emotion of all humans – GUILT. We all do actions for which we regret at some point in time, in another words - SIN. Christianity relies entirely on the concept of our guilt and sin, as its foundations are deep into the idea of PRIMAL SIN of Adam and Eve. We have thoroughly dealt the idea of “Are you a sinner” and “Jehovism Deconstructed” – a detailed Purvapaksha of the holes in the Christian theology. Despite these thorough studies, it is much simpler and easier to get this entire concept from Bhagavatam.

            How do we wash our sins? Is there hope or do we have to succumb to the braindead arguments of the Christian machinery? What does Sanatana Dharma talk as a solution to the worst of the worst sinner who has not even spent even little time in sadvichara – thinking noble thoughts. Is it eternal roasting in hell like the confused Abrahamics concept or an eternal see-saw of janmas due to our karmas? How can I get out of this samsaric cycle? How can I burn all my past bad karmas and still progress towards Paramathma? There are many amongst us who carry their baggage of guilt from the past, reliving the memories as if to wish them away or projecting its impact in future. To these and several other questions, we will dive into the Ocean of Bhagavatam and fish out the pearl of Ajamila’s story in the first three chapters of sixth Skanda.

           

Storytime:

            In the city of Kankyakubja, lived a pious brahmana, Ajamila. Extremely devoted to living based on the scriptures, married to a young woman of great lineage. One day he went to the forest to gather flowers, fruits and other sacrificial materials like firewood and kusa grass. He saw a prostitute in a very amorous condition with her drunken paramour. Smitten by lust, he lost all his memories of his glorious past and makes the prostitute his own and abandons his wife. In time he has ten children with her and to support his family, he resorts to heinous crimes like robbery, cheating, gambling, stealing and cruelty to others. In short he became the epitome of how one must not live. He continued his lifestyle even when he was eighty eight. He was extremely attached to his youngest child, Narayana and was lost in its pranks.

            As his time of death arrived, it brought three Yama kinkaras who had menacing mien and ropes in hand. The old Ajamila struck with fear cried out “Narayana”, thinking of his young child. But invoking the name of Sri Hari brought four Vishnu dhootas (emissaries), who challenged the Yama dhootas. The kinkaras wondered who these beings were and looked like Mahavishnu. The Vishnu dhootas challenged the kinkaras on the essence of Dharma to which they gave an elaborate response.

            Dharma is what is ordained in the Vedas. What is prohibited and not in accordance to Veda is Adharma. Vedas originated from Narayana who creates the Universe out of the three Gunas – Sattva, Rajas and Tamas. Man cannot abstain from work (even doing no work is a form of work, indolence). Man’s actions are witnessed by the five bhootas, sun, moon, the senses, eight quarters, day, night, time and Dharma. Evil actions are meted with punishment. But every action is an admixture of good and evil, hence the fruits of action. The karmic drama can reveal that the Jiva had done dharma and adharma in its past janmas and also will have future births.

            Yama, through his wisdom can read the karmas of all Jivas, decides the next course of action. Cloaked by its ignorance, the Jiva forgets all its past experiences. The Jiva is driven constantly by its Vasanas, when one has not controlled its senses. Driven by the vasanas, the jiva takes a new gross and subtle body, while its real nature is one of linga sarira (subtle body). The inability to exhaust all its past vasanas and the fact it picked up more in its current embodiment, the Jiva is mired to be stuck in this perpetual cycle, samsara. This will come to an end if one develops an intense devotion to the Supreme Lord.

            The Yama dhootas narrate the biography of Ajamila, who lived a sinning, evil, corrupt life that would merit him very harsh punishment. The punishment would give him an option to get purified in the purgatory.

            The Vishnudhootas countered the Yama kinkaras with their responses. The standards of the society are set by leaders. If even they who are aware of what is dharma and adharma falter, what to speak of common men. Ajamila was in a desperate condition and has uttered the name of the Lord (Narayana), which is a sin-destroying power and brings everything good and auspicious. This is akin to Saranagati. Merely uttering Narayana liberates us from all the sins of not just this janma but also all the past lives. Even the worst and most heinous crimes likes murder, violater of Guru’s bed, even the one who has killed a woman, a king, father or a cow or even worser, merely uttering Narayana is the best expiation. Following Vedic rites, one can do prayaschita, but it does not have the purifying effect of uttering the four syllables, Narayana. When one does prayaschita, the mind will still run back to its vasanas, but when one’s mind is fixated on the Lord or extolling HIS attributes, the vasanas get roasted by the purifying name.

            Even if one utters the name ‘Hari’ even casually or even in delirium or death, it saves him from the tortures of the purgatory. Actions like Tapas, Japa, dhana only counter the ill effects of the sins and they do not affect the heart that is still rooted in the vasanas. By turning one’s mind to the lotus feet of Narayana, all the vasanas and karmas get burnt up. Just as a man casually ingesting a powerful medicine, with no understanding to its potency, the same is the case with a mantra – Narayana.

            With powerful, firm, unequivocal arguments, the Vishnu dhootas liberated Ajamila from certain death and they all disappeared. Ajamila not only got a new lease of life, but also heard the subtleties of Dharma and Adharma from the best sources within his reach. His entire life of sins ran in front of his mind. He was able to understand quickly that his entire sense driven life had multiplied his bad karmas and vasanas exponentially. Though guilty of his past, he decided to focus on the benevolence of Narayana. He resolved to remain fixated in chanting the name of the Lord and extolling his attributes and lilas. He immediately abandoned all his worldly attachments and settled in Haridwar. Owing to the grace and power of the name of Narayana, he remained steadfast in his devotion. This is the power of association of few minutes with holy men, ones who have clear understanding of dharma and adharma. Upon his death, the same Vishnudhootas arrived again to take him to Vaikunta.

            The mind is contaminated by Rajas and Tamas, by uttering the name of the Lord, they get replaced by Sattva. Vyasa states that anyone hearing, reciting or reading Ajamila’s story with bhakti and shradda will NEVER go to hell, nor will Yama dhootas have the ability to even look in their direction. Uttering the name of Vishnu assures them a high place in Vaikunta.  If Ajamila who summoned his son by uttering NARAYANA could attain Vaikunta, it is impossible and needless to describe the glorious result of uttering the names of NARAYANA with bhakti and shradda. (Read about how our Indian society has been impacted by one of the avataras – Rama and the impact of his name)

Yama’s insights:

            The Yama dhootas were baffled by this episode. They sought clarity from Yama as they were puzzled by the multiple enforcers of Dharma, which was contrary to their belief that Yama was the sole dispenser of Justice. They also wondered if such multiple enforcers might lead to improper dispensation of Justice. They also pleaded Yama to explain how the great sinner in their clutches could be so easily released by the Vishnudhootas.

            Yama after thinking about Sri Hari’s lotus feet said: Apart from himself (Yama), there exists an overlord for this Universe. From a particle in HIM are born Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesvara. From HIM came the Vedas which guide the common man.  All the devas from Indra, Agni, Varuna and himself, though predominantly Sattvic are still bound by Yogamaya and cannot understanding HIS intentions or HIS lilas. The Vishnudhootas move everywhere offering their protection to anyone who utters the name of Narayana and liberate them from all fears (including death and Yama) and sins. 

            Even great Rishis are not aware of the Bhagavata Dharma. Dharma proclaimed by Narayana is very subtle, esoteric and very difficult to grasp, yet potent enough to confer immortality. (This is not escaping from bodily death). Yama reveals that including himself only eleven others know this Dharma and they include Brahma, Narada, Parameswara, Sanatkumara, Kapila, Svayambhuva Manu, Prahlada, Janaka, Bhishma, Mahabali ad Sri Suka. 

This Dharma in brief – The highest duty of man born in this world is to attain devotion to Narayana by chanting HIS names. By incessant utterance of HIS names, attributes and lilas, one is assured of MUKTI, even if one has numerous births of abhorrent sins. Even without knowledge or devotion mere utterance can result in expiation and what to tell the bliss of doing it with good understanding and bhakti. Developing Premabhakti results not only in the effacement of sins, but also mukti. One needs neither great understanding of Vedas, nor special advice from holy men. The main difference between using the name of Krishna, Narayana, Hari and the ones of atonement (be it prescribed in Vedas itself, then you may question how effective is substitution idea marketed for Jesus) is in the former once a bhakta has tasted the nectar of Bhagwan’s nama the senses and their orientation is totally culled whereas in the latter despite the expiation (prayaschita) the tendencies lurk for revival of papa samskaras.

Yama confessed neither him, nor Kala nor Devas have an ability to inflict any punishment on Bhagavatas uttering the name of the Lord. He directed to the Kinkaras that Jivas averse to uttering the Lord’s name are perfect candidates for experiencing their karmic debt in Hell. He prays to Narayana to forgive his mistakes in dispensing Justice.

This ancient story has been given to mankind by the kindness of the worshipful sage, Agastya. We are also thankful that Suka narrated this to Parikshit, but most importantly Sage Vyasa who codified it as a part of the Bhagavata Purana.

Satchitananda’s Microscope

• First of a warning to digesters and desperate conversion machinery who are dying to steal anything Hindu: This story will not work if you replace Narayana with Jesus or Father in Heaven. Why? First of it shows how desperate you folks are in stealing, very unimaginative. Exodus 20-15 demands Thou Shalt not Steal. But more importantly, the foundation of Ajamila's change is based on his understanding of Dharma-Adharma. If you try stealing Dharma idea, then you must agree with Karma and reincarnation and then your broken model will have nothing but holes. Instead you can follow Hinduism.

• To the desperate conversion Christian gang – You always threaten how accepting Jesus as God will save you from eternal hell. Contrast that will no eternal hell (or heaven) in Hinduism and its dependant on your karma. Even this can be broken by Bhagwan’s grace. Ponder this from Ajamila, even if you take Bhagwan’s name without even believing, casually, it still works. Still you have the audacity to spread fake ideas of believing in JC will save from hell. Just even say the name of Hari once. It will give you real jnana and mukthi.

• The words like Narayana or Shiva were not coined with an idea. The Rishis who are also called Mantra drashtas (Seers) saw these names and forms during their tapas. Hence substituting with JC or Stone or Black will not yield the same result. Many Gurus who have large non Hindu following try to peddle to their market, the idea of sameness. Their idea of substituting Om Jesus Namaha is pathetic and will not work like Om Namah Shivaya or Om Namo Narayanaya.

• Ajamila's story reveals the power of association with the wise, even if it be for few minutes in death bed. Who are the wise? The one who can understand Dharma and Adharma. One who has evolved spiritually, has attained kaivalya (moksha) or close to it are deemed as wise. Association with such evolved Jivas raises our thoughts to a higher plane without any effort from our side. Just as the sun evaporates the water on earth to form rain clouds, the association with the wise uplifts all Jivas who come in contact. Yoga Vashishta declares emphatically that association with the wise is a guaranteed method to Moksha.

• Ajamila, though very old, full of guilt, once he overheard the conversation between Vishnudhootas and Yamadhootas, had to start a new life, one filled with bhakti and shraddha. Personal effort is vital for the progress of every individual Jiva. Unlike other religions mere acceptance or sign up doesnt yield dividends. One has to sincerely plod in this journey. Sri Krishna in Bhagavad Gita (Verse 6.5) suggests that we have to lift ourselves. 

• Apart from the mere story, what is even more crucial is the actual conversations that occur - the one between Yamadhootas and Vishnudhootas and also the one between Yamadhootas and Yama himself. Many times, the curious person is satisfied with just the story. But the real aspirants thirst for the nectarine wisdom that happens during conversations or discussions with the wise. In fact, most Upanishads are conversations. How tragic will it be if we merely know the story, but not the real wisdom? Then what will be the difference between digesters and us.

• Ajamila’s past little good vasanas came to his rescue that he even named his son as Narayana. If the power of Narayana can work even when there is no belief, imagine the power of thinking his name constantly, even if it is few times a day, sincerely. Instead of letting the guilt of our sin trip us, let us focus our mind on the power of a single utterance of the name of Narayana. Even the universe of sins is not merely cancelled but purified and sanctified by a single utterance of Narayana. 

 

May Bhagwan Sriman Narayana give us the blessing that his naama will always come to our mind, be it in pleasure or pain. Let us consciously cultivate Bhakti by reading, singing, thinking, speaking his naama, his attributes and lilas.

Om Tat Sat

Resources:

Srimad Bhagavatam – The Holy book of God – Swami Tapasyananda translation – Ramakrishna Mutt

Practical lessons from Hanuman's dilemmas in Lanka - Part 2

Continued from Part-1

Hanuman is benefitting the entire mankind through the attitude, alacrity and mental fortitude he displays throughout this search mission. His thoughts, words and actions have a direct bearing in our daily lives as we also undergo similar application moments. We will never even come close to a millionth of the dilemmas Hanuman had to go through, yet the techniques we can learn by a closer svadhyaya of Ramayana can guide our lives in the proper direction. Having searched all over Lanka, a mentally tormented Hanuman, finding no options, lets himself to be aligned to the Cosmic intentions through his prayers. He lets his intuition guide him to the Simshupa tree and wait there for the next turn of events.

Dilemma 9: Hanuman saw a lady (Sita) - emaciated, untidy, torn by worry and tied down by the threats of rakshasis. Though a lot of reasons made him suspect the lady seen in Ashoka Vana was Sita, he was forced to reassess (partly owing to his mistake of thinking Mandodari as Sita). He recalled the jewellery groups Rama had narrated and tallied it with the marks left on her body owing to wearing them for a long time. Since he was the one who got the jewellery bundled with the part of her upper garment, he could see that Sita was wearing the same torn piece of auspicious yellow garment. Also seeing Sita pining for Rama showcasing the epitome of chastity was another sign. Hanuman had to rely on the samudrika description of Sita given by Rama as he had not seen even a picture of her.

Lesson: Do not let excitement or anticipation of success (or worry of failure) overtake the mind. Have a good presence of mind. Use every tool at your disposal to ascertain if the steps taken are in line with your intent. Analyze from multiple angles whenever pondering over any situation. Life is multi-faceted and hence demands such an approach. Thinking the pros and cons gives a distinct edge over knee jerk reaction. If the response is not analyzed then such a response is a mere reaction, whilst any measure done after due analysis and with detachment become an action.

Dilemma 10: The biggest of dilemmas that Hanuman ever confronts is in the form of Sita who is ready to hang herself with her own hair. Lashed by the lust of Ravana's words and threats of the rakshasis, Sita's last ray of hope is also dimmed by her faulty reasoning that Rama Lakshmana must have been killed during the golden deer chase; else it is impossible to keep them from rescuing her.

Hanuman understood that when Rama gave his signet ring, the mission will be incomplete without handing it over to Sita and give her hope. If Hanuman left without consoling Sita, she was bound to give up her life. But there were some insurmountable obstacles - so many rakshasis guarding her, Sita's level of mistrust beginning from the golden deer to Ravana's threats few hours ago. 

Hanuman also wondered if he spoke in Samaskrita, Sita will wonder how a vanara speaks such chase samaskrita. Also a mere look of Hanuman can push Sita to the brink as she is bound to assume this as another of Ravana's tricks. She could scream and catch the attention of the rakshasis and spoil his only chance to communicate with her. They can raise the issue to Ravana who can start a battle. If he gets captured then the entire mission to aid Sita will have gone waste. Or worse still even if Hanuman escapes, the evil minded rakshasas could kill Sita, making Rama's arrival futile. Even more horrible, the fact Sita is concealed in an island, guarded by so many rakshasas will never reach Rama's ears if Hanuman does not return alive. To add to this woe, Ravana has set a time limit of only two months and how can Rama and the vanara sena reach here on time.

If he did not speak up to Janaki, she is on track to end her life out of desperation.

We already saw how Hanuman is a superlative communicator, one whom Rama could hardly stop praising, even at his first meeting. Hanuman starts singing in a sweet voice, the story of Rama up to the current situation. This gave familiarity to Sita for most parts, but also an introduction to the events and characters after she was kidnapped.  It was impossible for Ravana or any other rakshasa to conjure such a trick.

Lesson: Think outside the box. In life many events, relationships and situations are very fragile. Unless one understands how to empathize with others, it becomes impossible to make proper connections. We may fail in this effort many times. But it is imperative to think through the good techniques and also learn new ones and apply them intelligently. Seek first to understand than to be understood. Once we can think in someone else’s shoes, it becomes easier to communicate. For this one must cast aside one’s ego.

Also having a constant idea about the mission helps the mind stay engaged.

Dilemma 11: Overcoming Sita's deep mistrust - Sita feels that early morning she must have been dreaming and seeing a vanara in morning is believed not to be auspicious. She started to pray for Rama and Lakshmana's welfare and her father, Janaka. Then she consoled herself that this is a hallucination on account of her constantly remembering Rama. Very eloquently and cleverly Hanuman asks Sita who seems to be born in a good family with great traits, if she was really Sita, whom he had come in search of. He also shares his reasoning why he believes her to be Sita, Rama's wife.

Hanuman with his sweet words and excellent skills wins Sita's trust and begins the process of bringing some hope to her heart. Hanuman stepped forward to have a conversation and this reactivated Sita's fears. She accuses him of Ravana in guise. She is tormented between her fears and her desire to see Hanuman as Ramadhoota. She started questioning her own sanity and chose silence.

Hanuman started to describe Rama's characteristics and repeats his connection with Rama. He kept reassuring that Rama will be there shortly to rescue her from Ravana. Encouraged Sita asked Hanuman to narrate all the events after her capture, which Hanuman obliges. Hanuman takes extra effort to explain the pitiable state of Rama in the absence of Sita and his lamentations. Hanuman knew the aggreived heart of Sita needed to hear how much Rama missed her. He also informed her of Vaali vadha and Sugriva's friendship. He tied the knots of Jatayu and Sampati, as Sita knew only the former. One must read Sundara Kanda in original and listen to numerous commentaries to enjoy the nectar of Hanuman-Sita samvada.

To win her trust, he offers Rama's signet ring and answers her questions and doubts repeatedly to console her troubled heart.

Lesson: Win the trust of the people in your life. Unless one sees the trust, their commitment to us or the mission will always be in question. To earn that trust, cultivate trustworthiness and being straight forward. Take the mind off the selfish goals and try to serve. Hanuman forgot all about his mission and was solely engaged in winning Janaki’s trust. A trust deficit in any team is bound to result in a catastrophe. Servitude is the best way to earn trust, by meeting others at their needs.

Dilemma 12: Hanuman proposes to take Sita on his back and restore her to Rama. He could not see the trouble she was going through. She wonders how the small Hanuman could carry her and Hanuman shows her enlarged form. After responding to various objections of Sita for his plan, he finally understood that Sita's desire was to have her rescued by Rama. She could not tolerate a thought that will dent Rama's valor.

Hanuman pleads Sita to give a token of her remembrance to show Rama as a proof. She narrates Kakasura incident (Saranagati) and gives Hanuman (in his smaller form) Chudamani, the crest jewel. 

Lesson: Go the extra mile in resolving the problems. Hanuman did not merely spot Sita and console her. He went the extra mile of proposing to extricate her.

Reapply the past lessons. Having seen the trouble of providing proof for Sita, he wanted to cover his bases on his return trip. Unless the past lessons are applied, we are bound to repeat the same lesson forever.

Dilemma 13: Sita pleads Hanuman to stay for a day, so she can hear more about Rama. She wonders who else could cross the ocean but for Garuda, Vayu and Hanuman. (Hanuman is having the same doubts on the strategy). He mentions that in the army of Sugriva, there are many superior to him or equal, but none inferior. He tells usually scouting missions are left to the inferiors as superiors focus on strategy.

Sita sets a new demand that she will hold her life for only one month and not the two months given by Ravana.

Lesson: Do not lose sight of the big picture even when cornered by strong emotional requests. Sita’s requests were very realistic and practical, yet Hanuman had to constantly keep in mind the ticking clock of all the lives at stake in case of a failed mission to rescue Sita. Sometimes we tend to be too close to the trees that we forget the forest.  Stay detached else we get entangled unnecessarily in the turn of events by the force of errors in our judgment.             

Always be humble and edify others on the team. Do not burden others in doubt or desperation with your own confusion. Let your actions give hope to others, not mere words. At the same time, choose words carefully so as to lend credence.

Dilemma 14: Hanuman was not satisfied with the level of success he had achieved by spotting and conversing with Sita. He pondered on the next steps. He decided that rakshasas do not qualify for Sama-Dana-Bheda methods and only deserve Danda. Open assault. Again let us make use of Valmiki’s actual words to capture the essence without any distortions. Hanuman’s internal dialogue is captured here below:

कार्ये कर्मणि निर्दिष्टः यो बहूनि अपि साधयेत् |

पूर्व कार्य विरोधेन स कार्यम् कर्तुम् अर्हति || ५-४१-५

"He alone can accomplish his purpose, who implements many (secondary) tasks even after the initial task has been carried through, without impairing the previous achievement."

न हि एकः साधको हेतुः स्वल्पस्य अपि इह कर्मणः |

यो हि अर्थम् बहुधा वेद स समर्थो अर्थ साधने || ५-४१-६

"There is indeed no single exclusive method to accomplish a purpose however small a task may be. On the other hand, whoever knows to do a task in many ways, he alone is capable of achieving that task."

Hanuman wanted to test the strength of Ravana's army in battle. He destroys the Ashoka vana. Hanuman terrorizes the Rakshasis by taking a gigantic form. The Rakshasis smelling a connection between Sita and the vanara, inquire her. Sita said she too is terrrified and said he must be one of them. They still suspect her as destruction is all around Sita but never closer to her. Enraged by their report, Ravana sent 80,000 strong Kinkaras and Hanuman despatches them to Yama's abode. Shortly it was Jambumali, minister Prahasta's son to take the same southerly direction. Enraged the seven sons of Prahasta enter the battle with Ravana's blessing to meet the same fate. 

Ravana summons his five topmost generals - Virupaksha, Yupaksha, Durdhara, Praghasa and Bhasakarna. Hanuman despatches them to Yama duly. Ravana now turns to his son, Aksha who also gets sacrified to Ravana's decision. Ravana sends Indrajit to confront Hanuman. After a wonderous battle, Indrajit figures out that it was not possible for him to kill Hanuman, but perhaps take him as a prisoner.  Hanuman also was puzzled at the excellence of Indrajit's archery and thought this may open the door to meeting Ravana. Hence when Indrajit invoked Brahmastra, though it had no effect on him, he pretended to be bound by its influence. To add insult to injury, the rakshasas also bound him with ropes which nullified Brahmastra's effect. (Something Indrajit was quite aware)

On meeting Ravana, Hanuman launches into an eloquent discourse, advising him to choose the path of self preservation and avoid catastrophe by sending back Sita. Ravana's orders Hanuman to be killed only to be met with strong counters from Vibhishana. As a compromise, they set the tail on fire. 

Thinking of humiliating Hanuman, they parade him through the streets with fire on his tail. Sita gets informed by the guarding rakshasis about the burning tail. Sita prays to Agni fervently to protect Hanuman’s tail and be cool to him.

Hanuman found that fire was raging all around but had no impact on him. He could not figure the reason behind the coolness - was it the grace of Rama or Sita or his father Vayu or his new friend Mainaka. He sought to take advantage and took a huge form to sever from his tethers. He leapt from building to building to set fire all over Lanka. He makes sure he spares Vibhishana's abode, but ensures that all the main buildings are set on fire.

Lesson: Go the extra mile and beyond the call of duty. Create opportunities. Open every door and window by hard work. Meeting Ravana was possible only through a series of battles. Though Rama never instructed Hanuman to go and meet Ravana, Hanuman assumes the responsibility on account of completely aligned with Rama’s mind. (Re-read Hanuman’s words above)

Dilemma 15: As Hanuman's excitement turned to reflection, he started condemning himself for getting carried away in the spur of the moment. He had not pondered about Sita and he worried if he had set her also on fire. He started worrying about the impact of Sita's news on everyone like before and started condemning his unpardonable act.

Despite his confusion, his mind was reading the auspicious omens. He reasoned that the fire was cool on his tail only due to Sita's grace and how will fire even touch her. He overheard the charanas praise of Hanuman's deed and assured himself that Sita must be safe.

Only personal verification could soothe Hanuman, so he headed straight to Asoka vana. He met Sita and consoled her with the promise to return soon with Rama and liberate her. This way he also ensured that Sita is fully aware of his well being, else this could cause another point of confusion.

A triumphant Hanuman returned to the southern shores of Bharata. 

Lesson: This is the second mistake Hanuman makes in excitement. Take stock of your situation and take the next steps without brooding over it. Never leave anything to chance. Trust, but always verify. Try to keep the communication channels open and avoid any possibilities of confusion.

A simple cursory insight from walking in Hanuman’s shoes not only reveals the pattern of human thinking, but also the methods of rising above. Hanuman’s dilemmas and his powerful buddhi and Rama bhakti has given us all these practical pointers to a successful life. What if we ponder about Rama and Hanuman constantly?

May this Veera Maruti guide our thoughts, words and actions to remain steadfast in Dharma. May his mere thought stiffen our spine in the defense of Dharma. May Hanuman's superlative example be a daily remainder in every activity of our life. Let our minds be rejuvenated by constantly thinking of not only Hanuman’s exploits and Rama Bhakti, but also by reflecting and applying the techniques Hanuman lived by.

Om Tat Sat