47. The Eternal Protector Across Ages
It happened when the Pandavas were wandering in the forest. One day, while Draupadi was admiring the beauty of the majestic Himalayas, a strange flower fell upon her, blown by the gentle breeze from the interior hills. Its fragrance was astonishingly captivating.
Draupadi was mesmerized and looked around for the source of the flower, but no plant bearing a similar bloom could be seen nearby. Soon, she and the Pandavas realized that it was impossible to find the plant in that region. In fact, it was extremely rare for human beings to catch sight of the flower. It was truly a remarkable chance that had brought the flower to Draupadi.
The Sougandhika Lotus
The flower was a type of lotus known as the Sougandhika. It blossomed in the Jalasarovara, a lake situated near the dwelling of Kuvera, adjacent to the famous Manasarovar.
Only one Sougandhika flower bloomed every morning. Kuvera would pluck it and carry it to Mount Kailash to offer it to Lord Shiva. When he returned, he brought with him the flower he had offered the previous day. The flower Draupadi received was one such old flower, swept away by the breeze from Kuvera’s chariot, the Puspaka.
Bhima’s Quest
Draupadi expressed her desire to have a fresh Sougandhika. Bhima, with his mace slung over his shoulder, set off in search of one. Along his path, he came across a banana grove where Hanuman, appearing old, sat leaning against a tree. With his eyes closed, he was meditating on Rama, and his tail lay stretched across the road.
Bhima hesitated to leap over the tail. Mistaking Hanuman for an ordinary old Vanara, he asked him to remove it. However, his voice sounded like a threat, producing fearful echoes in the hills. Hanuman remained unfazed. After a moment, he faltered, “Look here, young man, I am old and weak. Would you kindly remove my tail yourself and be on your way?”
A Test of Strength
Bhima stooped down, attempting to move the tail with one hand. Failing that, he sat down and applied both hands, but he couldn’t budge it even an inch. “Isn’t it curious that you cannot lift the frail tail of a mere Vanara? How dare you brandish a mace and present yourself as a hero? I trust you aren’t here inspired by some woman’s pleadings!” observed Hanuman with a sarcastic tone.
“Stop your prattling!” commanded Bhima, who was both annoyed and astonished. He raised his mace, intending to intimidate Hanuman.
“You wish to fight me? What sport is there in testing your strength against an old Vanara? I, too, possess a mace, though it has remained unused for a long time,” replied Hanuman, reaching for his mace, but it was just out of his reach.
“Could you please retrieve my mace? That would give me a chance to defend myself!” said Hanuman.
Bhima attempted to lift Hanuman’s mace, but his efforts were futile. Hanuman smiled and noted, “Weapons were indeed larger and heavier in my day; what you use now appear to be mere toys.”
The Fight and the Revelation
Hanuman then stretched himself and grasped his mace, gently touching it to Bhima’s head as if to bless him. However, the pressure caused Bhima to cry out and retaliate with a blow towards Hanuman.
Hanuman leaped up, and soon both were engaged in a fierce wrestling match, their shouts echoing through the region. Suddenly, with a strike from Hanuman, Bhima’s mace slipped from his grasp. Instantly, Hanuman discarded his own mace, and the two resorted to wrestling.
At that moment, a thought crossed Bhima’s mind: ‘Who is this hero, encouraging me to learn the art of fighting rather than simply wishing to defeat me? This stranger behaves more like a mentor than an adversary!’ The next instant, the realization struck him: The stranger could be none other than Hanuman!
The Meeting of Brothers
As soon as this understanding dawned upon Bhima, he fell at Hanuman’s feet and exclaimed, “I know who you are, great soul! You are Hanuman. I, too, am a son of the God of Wind.”
Hanuman lovingly lifted Bhima and declared, “We are brothers!”
With folded hands, Bhima requested, “Kindly reveal your true form for a moment. I would feel truly blessed!”
“My dear brother! It is not possible to fully reveal my true form in this age. However, I shall try to satisfy your request as best as I can,” Hanuman replied, and at once began to enlarge himself. His magnificent stature inspired awe in Bhima, who soon felt overwhelmed and requested Hanuman to revert to his original size.
Advice and the Pursuit
“Now, tell me the reason for your journey into this challenging region,” Hanuman inquired. Bhima recounted Draupadi’s fascination with the rare lotus, Sougandhika.
<p“Bhima! The Jalasarovara is guarded by a Yakshini named Keshini. She is formidable and can easily mislead and trap you with her sorcery. I shall sit here and meditate on Rama, praying for your safety. That alone will ensure your protection,” Hanuman cautioned.
He then gave Bhima a lock of his hair and instructed him to throw one of them on the ground as soon as Keshini approached. “A symbol of Shiva will arise from the hair. As a devoted follower of Shiva, Keshini cannot pursue you without first paying her respects to the symbol.”
Bhima advanced towards the lake, and Keshini noticed him from afar. She immediately transformed into a beautiful damsel and began dancing. For a fleeting moment, Bhima forgot his quest, but Hanuman’s voice, whispering Rama’s name, echoed in his ears and brought him back to his senses.
The Confrontation
When Keshini realized her attempt to entice Bhima with false beauty had failed, she revealed her true, terrifying form and pursued him. At that moment, Bhima threw down the lock of Hanuman’s hair, and a symbol of Shiva appeared on the ground. Keshini prostrated herself before the symbol, reciting sacred hymns. Seizing the moment, Bhima dashed to the lake, plucked the lotus, and began his journey back with no time to lose.
Keshini pursued him once again, but Bhima halted her by tossing another lock of Hanuman’s hair onto the ground. Soon, he was back at Hanuman’s grove.
The Blessings of Victory
“O great soul, my mission has been accomplished through your blessings,” Bhima stated. “I have one more request on behalf of all the Pandavas. During the impending battle between the Kauravas and the Pandavas, you must support us,” he urged.
Hanuman replied, “I must not partake in battle during this age. However, since you ask for my aid, I promise to reside in the flag on Arjuna’s chariot and protect you. Your victory is assured. Now go and grant Draupadi her wish by giving her the lotus. But please tell her that such desires and curiosity should be avoided. It was Sita’s desire for the golden deer that led her into deep trouble. Furthermore, advise her to place the lotus in her hair while uttering Shiva’s name; this will ensure its lasting freshness. You, the Pandavas, should worship Shiva. This will benefit you and enrich you with Kuvera’s wealth.”
Bhima bid farewell to Hanuman and returned to the camp. Draupadi worshipped Shiva with the lotus, just as Hanuman had instructed.
The Aftermath
When Bhima shared Hanuman’s warning against curiosity and desire with Draupadi, she blushed. With a smile, she remarked, “Is it not due to my desire for the lotus that we received the great blessings of Hanuman?”
“That is indeed true!” the others agreed. The Pandavas were elated by their encounter with Hanuman.
At the end of their exile, the Pandavas sent Krishna to the Kaurava camp, proposing peace. However, Duryodhana rejected Krishna’s advice, and the battle could not be avoided.
Krishna became Arjuna’s charioteer, while Hanuman’s presence resided in the flag on Arjuna’s chariot. Arjuna fought with unparalleled courage, his chariot scattering the enemy.
During the battle, Duryodhana’s cruel brother, Duhshasana, dragged Draupadi by the hair into the royal court. Bhima vowed to wash Draupadi’s hair with Duhshasana’s blood one day, a promise he fulfilled by defeating Duhshasana and allowing Draupadi to dip her hair in his blood. With her hair thus washed, Draupadi placed the Sougandhika lotus in her hair and bowed to the flag infused with Hanuman’s presence.
Bhima also vowed to crush Duryodhana’s thigh, which he accomplished with his mace. The Kauravas were defeated, and the Pandavas emerged victorious.
A Tribute to Hanuman
Krishna congratulated Hanuman, saying, “O mighty hero! You stood with Rama in the past. Your presence in the flag protected the Pandavas this time. Hail to you!”
Hanuman emerged from the flag and replied, “My lord, could the Pandavas lose while you were their guide? Your presence has been the cause of their victory; I have merely been a symbol.”
“Remain forever the symbol of victory. Let your name live on in the flag that symbolizes victory throughout the ages,” Krishna blessed Hanuman.
The Pandavas bowed to Hanuman, and after offering his respects, Hanuman returned to Mount Gandhamadan, where he soon fell into deep meditation on Rama.
(to be continued)