Happy Hanuman Jayanthi to all
This is a story of Hanuman which shows the real meaning of 'nirmama' and 'nirahamkara' ( transcending the sense of 'mine' and 'I')
When Maharishi Valmiki had finished writing his version of Ramayanam, known as Valmiki Ramayanam, he had taken it to Hanuman for his approval. Hanuman went through it, and appreciated it. In return, he showed Valmiki the Ramayanam he had written.
As Hanuman is considered to be the greatest bhaktha of both Lord Rama and Seetha Devi, his version of Ramayanam, was naturally, the best!
When Valmiki read this version, he felt bad realising that nobody would care to read his Ramayanam anymore..
When he mentioned this to Hanuman, Hanuman immediately tore what he had written to pieces! He assured Valmiki that the world would appreciate only the Valmiki Ramayanam.
When the shocked Valmiki had asked him why he had done such a thing, Hanuman smiled and answered that he did not need to prove his devotion to the Lord by giving the world his version of the Ramayanam. His devotion was proved by the fact that both Lord Rama and Seetha Devi always resided in his heart!!
Hanuman's only aim was that the whole world should hear and recite the story of Rama. It did not matter to him whether he was the author or somebody else.
I was telling my daughter about a discussion yesterday on the need for claiming credit, versus the need to surrender the action, refuse credit and move on.
She told me that after Valmiki wrote the Ramayana, he saw that Hanuman had also written a Ramayana. That was far superior, and he told Hanuman, "Your Ramayana is infinitely superior. You have lived with Rama and Sita. No one who can read this will ever read my Ramayana." And at that, without a second thought, Hanuman tore up his manuscript.
I asked her where she had read this. She said it was in the original Valmiki Ramayanam, as a valid commentary by an ancient scholar
So the bar rises higher. Not only giving up name and credit, but giving up the entire work itself sometimes ... aparigraha, non-possession.
Another Source ...
When Valmiki completed his Ramayana, Narada said 'It's good, but Hanuman's is better'.
Valmiki didn't like that. He found Hanuman's Ramayana inscribed on seven broad leaves of a banana tree. He read it and found it to be perfect. The most exquisite choice of grammar and vocabulary, metre and melody.
He started to cry. 'Is it so bad?' asked Hanuman 'No, it is so good', said Valmiki 'Then why are you crying?' asked Hanuman. 'Because after reading your Ramayana no one will read mine,' replied Valmiki.
Hearing this Hanuman tore up the banana leaves stating “Now no one will ever read Hanuman's Ramayana” “But why?” asked Valmiki. Hanuman said, 'You need your Ramayana more than I need mine. You wrote your Ramayana so that the world remembers Valmiki; I wrote my Ramayana so that I remember Ram.'
Valmiki realized how he had been consumed by the desire for validation. His Ramayana was a product of ambition; but Hanuman's Ramayana was a product of devotion. That's why Hanuman's Ramayana sounded so much better.
No comments:
Post a Comment