Once Lord Rama asked
Hanuman, “How do you contemplate on Me?” “At the physical level, You are my
Master and I am Your servant. At the mental level, I am a spark of thy Divine
Self. At the Atmic level, You and I are one”, said Hanuman. Pleased with Hanuman’s
reply, Lord Rama presented him with a pearl necklace, which was given to mother
Sita by her father, king Janaka, at the time of her marriage. Hanuman held this
very valuable necklace in his hand, began to remove all the pearls one by one
from the necklace, and kept it near his ear for some time and then after biting
each one of them, threw them away. Sita was surprised to see Hanuman behaving
thus. She thought that Hanuman had not given up his monkey traits. Rama knew
the intention behind this act of Hanuman. But in order to make Sita understand
this, He asked, “Hanuman, why are you biting and throwing away such precious
pearls?” “O Lord, I am examining whether I could listen to Your name in the
pearls. Since I couldn’t hear, I am throwing them away. The pearl is no better
than a stone if there is no Rama Nama in it. I want only You.” Listening to
this statement of Hanuman, Rama offered Himself by embracing Hanuman. The inner
meaning of this is Rama is where Hanuman is and vice-versa. Hanuman is one who
realised the unity of the individual and God. Consequently, Hanuman was always
in a state of bliss. Hanuman is given various appellations such as Santhudu,
Gunavanthudu, Balavanthudu (one of peace, virtues and strength). He derived his
strength from the Divine name of Lord Rama. Many people confine the Divine Name
only to the lips but Hanuman chanted the name of Rama from the depth of his
heart.
Poison will remain poison
even if it is put in a precious vessel studded with diamonds, pearls, emeralds,
etc. The divine ambrosia will not lose its taste even if it is put in a brass
vessel. Likewise, it is the purity of heart, not the external appearance that
matters. Purity of heart is the purpose behind chanting God’s name. Chanting of
God’s name should originate from the heart, not from the lips.
