Leap of Faith - Part 12

Date: 2014-02-21 Author: Sudarshana dasi

Hare Prabhujis and Matajis, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudeva.

This is in continuation of the previous topic, "Leap of Faith" wherein we were meditating on the pastime of Hanumanji leaping over the ocean to find out the whereabouts of . In previous offerings we saw how Hanumanji reached after facing so many challenges on the way. He then met Sita in Ashoka gardens and conveyed her the message of Lord . Now we shall continue to meditate further.

10. As cool as Fire: Hanumanji after receiving Sita's message to Lord Rama took leave from her. Before leaving Lanka, he wanted to cause some havoc in Lanka, so that he can get an opportunity to assess the various places in the city as that would help them in the future attacks. So he started pulling down the trees in Ashoka groves. When Rakshasis saw him, they went and complained to who sent many demons to fight with Hanumanji. But Hanumanji killed everyone including Ravana's son Aksha. Then when shot the , Hanumanji understood that the brahmastra had overpowered him and considered the situation. He had been given a boon by that the brahmastra would only be effective upon him for a short while. He knew he would soon be released. But this was an opportunity for him to be taken before Ravana himself. That would be useful. He could deliver a stern ultimatum to the on Rama behalf and then make his escape.

Hanumanji reduced himself to normal size and allowed the to bind him and take him to Ravana. There he introduced himself as servant of Lord Rama and boldly asked Ravana to restore Sita back to Lord Rama or else he would be destroyed soon along with the whole Rakshasa clan. Annoyed by his words Ravana ordered his soldiers to kill him. But Vibishana, the younger brother of Ravana and a devotee of Lord Ram, intervened and advised Ravana that it is not appropriate to kill a messenger. But if Ravana wants he can consider some other method of punishment. Ravana then asked his soldiers to set fire on Hanumanji's tail. Even in this condition, within his mind Hanumanji thought only of Rama and how he could best serve Him now.

He grew in size and began to attack the demons with his fiery tail. Some of the Rakshasis reported to Sita that was being paraded through the city with his tail alight. Upon hearing this news Sita felt aggrieved. She prayed mentally to the fire-god, , "If I possess any merit from service to My husband and if I am truly devoted to Rama, then please prove cool to Hanuman." At once Hanuman felt the fire on his tail to be cold. He understood that it was due to Rama's power and Mother Sita's mercy. The fire-god would certainly try to please those devoted to Their service. In Srimad Bhagavatam verse 2.10.12 Sri Sukadeva Goswami says,

dravyaṁ karma ca kālaś ca svabhāvo jīva eva ca yad-anugrahataḥ santi na santi yad-upekṣayā

One should definitely know that all material ingredients, activities, time and modes, and the living entities who are meant to enjoy them all, exist by His mercy only, and as soon as He does not care for them, everything becomes nonexistent.

The nature of fire is to burn. But even the innate nature of fire can be changed if Supreme Lord wishes. So here we see that when Supreme Lord Rama and His internal potency saw how Hanumanji was eagerly meditating on how to serve Him, even when his tail was alighted, pleased by his devotion, They made the same fire to behave in an opposite manner. When devotee performs fiery devotional service, even fire becomes cool. Bhakta Hanuman ki Jai! Janaki Vallabha Raja Ram ki Jai! Krishna willing we shall continue to learn more lessons from this pastime in the subsequent offering.

Thank you very much. Yours in service of Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudeva, Sudarshana devi dasi.