41. Hanuman’s Test of Devotion: The Sage’s Challenge and Rama’s Grace

One day, while Rama sat in his court surrounded by his brothers, friends, and ministers, the great sage Viswamitra rushed in and proclaimed, “I have been insulted by Yayati, the king of Kashi. You must avenge my humiliation, O Rama, by killing him. This I demand of you.”

Viswamitra left the court in a huff, leaving Rama in a perplexing situation. Yayati was a tributary king under Rama’s reign and held him in great esteem. He had earned Rama’s respect as a good ruler. On the contrary, Viswamitra was Rama’s guru, who had once led Rama and Lakshmana against the demons of the forest, teaching them many secrets of wielding supernatural weapons along the way.

Killing a just king like Yayati would be extremely painful for Rama. Yet, disobeying his guru would be a violation of a higher code of conduct. Caught in a great dilemma, Rama wished Viswamitra had stayed a little longer to help calm him down, but the sage had not given him that chance.

The Decision to Confront Yayati

Rama summoned his minister, Sumantra, into his private conference room and stated, “I am afraid I must punish Yayati. However, I want to avoid any battle between our armies. Let Yayati face me alone. Let him die alone.”

Viswamitra felt humiliated by Yayati’s conduct. One day, several villagers from a nearby area informed King Yayati that herds of elephants were destroying their crops. In his haste to address the villagers’ concerns, Yayati rushed in the direction of the affected fields without acknowledging the sage, which Viswamitra interpreted as disrespect.

Feeling that a king who was arrogant enough to insult a sage was unfit to rule, Viswamitra demanded Yayati be punished with death.

The Shock of the Royal Family

After deciding to confront Yayati, Rama lost all joy and hardly spoke to anyone. His brothers and ministers shared in his sorrow. Yayati, through a messenger, was duly informed of Rama’s decision. He, along with his wife Yasodhara, son Chandrangada, and daughter Chandramukhi, who were ardent devotees of Rama, were naturally shocked at this unfortunate turn of events.

<p“I will go to Ayodhya and surrender myself to Rama. Let him do whatever he likes,” announced Yayati. Accompanied by his family, the king set out for Ayodhya. Halfway there, he encountered the sage Narada.

Narada’s Warning

Narada laughed and warned, “It is futile to think that Rama would spare you if you surrender yourself to him. Rama never wavers once he has made a decision. If you wish to protect yourself, quickly proceed to the Ashram of Anjana. Her son, Hanuman, is on his way to meet her. He alone can save you.” Yayati believed Narada’s words and headed for Anjana’s Ashram.

Anjana had just finished her meditation when she heard Yayati’s cry for protection. Upon seeing the king with folded hands, Anjana replied, “Don’t worry. I shall hand you over to my son. He will ensure your safety.” Soon, Hanuman arrived from Gundhamadan.

Hanuman’s Assurance

Yayati prostrated himself before Anjana and Hanuman, saying, “I am Yayati, the king of Kashi, a devotee of Rama. I seek your protection.” Hanuman lifted Yayati and said, “Rest assured, O King, I will do my best to protect you because you are a devotee of Rama, and my mother has assured you of your safety.”

“Now I must tell you who is coming to kill you. It is Rama himself!” Hanuman listened in shock as Yayati narrated the incident that had angered Viswamitra. Anjana breathed deeply, wondering if she had made a mistake by assuring Yayati’s safety without understanding the full situation.

Understanding his mother’s concern, Hanuman asserted, “It is useless to brood over the commitment we have already made. To protect one who has taken refuge with us is our foremost duty.”

Confrontation with Rama

The news of Hanuman granting protection to Yayati reached Ayodhya. Meanwhile, Queen Yasodhara and her two children appeared before Sita. “Mother! I have come as a beggar to plead for my husband’s life.” Sita welcomed them with affectionate concern. “I know that Hanuman has assured your husband’s safety. There is nothing to fear. You and your children are welcome to stay with me,” she said.

Meanwhile, Rama, armed with his bow, prepared to confront Yayati, followed by his brothers, ministers, and nobles, though nobody except him carried weapons. Hanuman hurried to greet Rama and pleaded, “Please have pity on Yayati. He is innocent. To punish him is unbecoming of your character. I crave your indulgence. Please pardon him.”

Rama responded coldly, “Hanuman, don’t I know my duty well? Is it not unbecoming of you to try to influence me?”

A Test of Devotion

Hanuman replied, “My Lord, once a slab of stone transformed into a woman under the touch of your feet. It is no wonder that I should now feel empowered by the same touch!”

“Do not waste words, Hanuman. Let Yayati come out. I am here to fulfill my guru’s command,” Rama insisted.

“Must you earn the sin of killing an innocent person? Must you obey the guru’s unjust command?” Hanuman challenged. “Then do as you wish. I must uphold the word given by my mother and protect King Yayati from your wrath. You may kill me first,” he declared, expanding his body.

The Final Showdown

Rama smiled ironically and remarked, “So, you think you can make yourself invincible? I was under the impression that no one is strong enough to face me!”

“My Lord, if I have any strength, it is due to your grace. Why should I fear anyone since I have derived my strength from you?” Hanuman retorted.

Rama armed his bow, and Hanuman coiled his tail around himself for protection. Rama shot several arrows, but they could not pierce the protective wall made by Hanuman’s tail. Soon, Viswamitra arrived on the scene as Hanuman enlarged himself to the size of a hill, forcing Rama to lift his bow higher to aim at Hanuman’s breast. “Now you can aim without straining your neck,” Hanuman said with a grin.

Rama prepared a rare arrow, announcing, “This is sure to kill you, O Hanuman. Once you fall, it will be easy to fulfill my mission.”

The Choice of the True Devotee

“Stop, O Rama! I no longer have any grievance against Yayati!” Viswamitra interjected. Rama, facing a dilemma, said, “This arrow cannot be withdrawn. I must obey my earlier instruction.”

Concentrating on Hanuman, Rama proposed, “This arrow can be diverted from you only if you surrender Yayati to me. Otherwise, it will pierce your heart.”

“Let it strike, my Lord. As a devotee of the compassionate Rama, I cannot betray one who has taken refuge in me. I welcome your arrow,” Hanuman replied, and in an astonishing act, he tore into his own heart. To everyone’s amazement, his heart revealed the sweet images of Rama and Sita.

The arrow struck Hanuman’s heart and vanished. Onlookers stood in awe. Rama lowered his bow and exclaimed, “Hanuman! You are indeed invincible. I accept defeat!”

The Power of True Devotion

As Hanuman retracted his hands from his heart, it mended instantly. He prostrated before Rama, exclaiming, “My Lord! Where is the question of victory and defeat? It is you who resides within my heart that rendered the fatal arrow powerless. How do I deserve any credit?”

Viswamitra embraced Hanuman, declaring, “Your courage is without comparison. Who else could have dared to face Rama’s challenge? You are indeed Veer Hanuman!”

Hanuman bowed to the sage, gazing at Rama with unwavering devotion, his heart alight with absolute trust. Rama’s sternness had merely been a test of his loyalty, and Hanuman understood the true nature of his lord as a smile of warmth broke through his earlier resolve. Sita’s face radiated with motherly love.

After the encounter, Hanuman took his leave to proceed to Gundhamadan for tapasya—ascetic practice.