A week ago I was listening to a Hanuman-Bhajan, it so beautifully dissolved in me that ever since I have been listening to it every morning. There is a small incident narrated in it that I have shared with my comates and friends, and I have passed that bhajan to people ahead for their enlightenment as well.
Anyways, let me begin by introducing you to Shree Hanuman. A die-heart devotee and also a servant by choice of the all mighty Lord Rama, and a reincarnation of Lord Shiv, Hanuman ji has the blessings to linger in a living form on this earth till the existence of humankind. He is all powerful and reasonable, intelligent and dutiful. He became a part of Shri Ram's army to fight against the devil king Ravana and free maa Sita back from his kingdom.
The bhajan narrates an incident when after defeating Ravana, Lord Ram had returned back home and called in a big conference of all kings from the nearby places. Numerous kings came to be a part of Shree Ram's conference, and seeing the heavy footfall Devrishi Naradmuni also came to that place.
A cunning observer by nature and a man of amusements, Naradmuni, he planned something for the day. He stopped a king and asked him where he was going. The king told him about the conference that Shee Ram had called in, to which Naradmuni said that he would like to give him some advice before he went inside. The king readily agreed and asked him to share his piece of wisdom.
"First give your obligations to Shree Ram, then to all sages, but do not bow ahead of Vishwamitra," he said.
"But why should I not offer my respect to Vishwamitra? I have no grudges with him," the king retorted.
Cleverly Naradmuni manipulated him by saying that, "Don't be foolish, don't you know that Sage Vishwamitra too was once a king. What respect would be left of you if being a king yourself you bowed before another king?"
The king ageed to his point, went inside and did exactly as told. Seeing this Vishwamitra got furious and asked Shree Ram, if he had been called to the conference to be insulted? His face raged with anger and he commanded Shree Ram to punish the arrogant king by killing him. Shree Ram gave Vishwamitra a promise to do as he was told, and took his permission to leave.
The king dashed to Naradmuni and asked him what sin had he made him do. Naradmuni smiled at him peacefully and told him to seek the house of Hanuman and meet his mother. The king reached Lord Hanuman's house and pleaded to the Lord's mother to help save his life. She asked him not to worry and said that very soon Hanuman would come and he will surely help you upon my request.
As Hanuman came, his mother asked him if he would do her a favor, to which he readily said a yes. Her mother than introduced lord Hanuman to the frightened king. Hanuman assured him that there was nothing to worry and that he would kill the person even before he could attempt to kill him.
While all of this was planned and thought of, Hanuman never knew that he had unknowingly chosen to face Lord Ram in the battlefield. As he came to the king's guard next day and saw Shree Ram coming with a bow and arrow, he was moved and shocked. It was impossible to decide for him as if what to do. Being a devotee of Shree Ram he could not dare to stand against him in a war like situation, neither could he back off from his promise and leave the king there. After a moment's thought he told the king to peacefuly hum "Jai Shree Ram-Jai Shree Ram."
The king did as he was told and when Shree Ram stood opposite him with his bow stretched, he was all confused as to how could he himself kill a man who was devotedly praying to him. He left back for his palace without killing the King.
Seeing this Vishwamitra got even more furious and asked Ram, what sort of a king was he if he could not keep his words. He reminded him of the practice of Raghukul, saying-
"रघुकुल रीत सदा चली आई, प्राण जाए पर वचन न जाए।"
With an even firm determination Shree Ram went off once again and took the Pralay-baan with him. Seeing him come again Hanuman told the king to hum, "Jai Siya-Ram" repeatedly. As Shree Ram heard him hum him and maa Sita so respectfully, he again got into a conflict of thoughts. Surrendered to his devotion he lowered his bow and went back in slow fearful steps.
Vishwamitra urged him to go one more time and kill him, but to Shree Ram's amazement, this time Hanuman himself stood infront of the king guarding him. This put an even bigger question on Shree Ram's mind. There was no chance that he could even possibly think to aim at Hanuman, so he returned back once again.
Seeing him return empty handed Vishwamitra again got furious and stood up saying that he would himself go and kill the king. As he walked in long strides, with red raging eyes, the king saw his end nearing and there was perhaps nothing possibly left of Hanuman to help or guard against Vishwamitra.
Seeing the complexity of situations Naradmuni decended down and approached Vishwamitra and explained to him the entire story. He added that by it he meant to teach the king about not getting into other's talks and show him how pure and divine was the relation of Lord Shree Ram and Hanuman.
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