Nindantu Neetinipunaah Yadi Vaa Sthuvanthu
Lakshmeeh Samaavishathu Gachathu Vaa Yatheshtam
Adhyaiva Maranamasthu Yugaanthare Vaa
Nyaayaatpathah Pravichalanthi Padam Na Dheeraah
Let the experts in the justice system praise me or criticize me.
Let Goddess Lakshmi (the Goddess of wealth) come to me or desert me, as She wishes.
Let death come to me now or after an entire yuga.
I shall never swerve from the path of righteousness.
— Nitishatakam of Bhartrhari, Verse 75
If it being good was easy, everyone would do it.
You need to pay a price to be good. The price could be a life of moderate means. The price could be dissatisfied relatives. The price could be seemingly lost opportunities. The price could be a reputation of a naive person who doesn’t know to prosper. All this for no tangible reward.
Indeed, the rewards are intangible. And they are long-term rewards — which calls for monumental patience in the short term.
The path of righteousness is a test of patience, strength and perseverance.
Comfort is an obstacle.
As Hanuman was flying across the ocean, a mountain appeared out of the blue, blocking Hanuman’s path. Irked at the interruption,
We have multitudes of Mount Mainakas to obstruct our path today — social media, smartphones, addictions, a variety of pleasures …
Our task is to channel Hanuman’s playbook and treat the distractions with disdain and proceed along our path.
Surasa was a demoness who had a boon: Anyone who had to cross her path had to enter her mouth first.
And of course, when her victim entered the mouth, Surasa could simply close her mouth and enjoy her meal.
When Hanuman approached her, She told Hanuman that He had to enter her mouth. When Hanuman protested saying He didn’t have time for this silly game, Surasa obstinately insisted.
Hanuman employed strategy. He increased His size. Surasa, in turn, increased her size. Hanuman further increased His size. Surasa matched Hanuman. Both of them continued this jig for some time until both of them became gigantic.
Hanuman then became very small, entered the massive Surana’s mouth, and exited it quickly.
Pleased with Hanuman’s quick wit, Surasa wished Him luck towards his ongoing journey.
Simhiha did not demonstrate the playful attitude of Surasa — she was a demoness who meant business.
Simhika captured her victims by catching their shadow.
She caught Hanuman’s shadow, and a powerless Hanuman could not escape her stronghold. She swallowed Hanuman. The first round may have gone to Simhika; But Hanuman delivered the knockout punch. He tore open Simhika’s stomach, killing her, and proceeded to continue his journey and find Sita.
When Hanuman entered Lanka, the guardian of Lanka, a demoness named Lankini stopped Him.
Hanuman did not want to strike a lady — he politely asked Lankini to step aside and give Him way. When Lankini refused to do so, Hanuman did what he had to do to tackle the final obstacle in His path: He gave Lankini a fine blow and proceeded to enter Lanka to find Sita.
Think about it — any one of the obstacles would have made anyone else quiver and shiver with fear.
Hanuman’s dictionary does not contain the word ‘fear’. More importantly, His one-pointed focus was to forge ahead in his path to find Sita. This sense of purpose gave him the necessary motivation to tackle the obstacles in His path.
Hanuman’s approach gives us one monumental takeaway:
A worthwhile purpose gives us the necessary motivation to tread the difficult path of righteousness.
Being bad seemingly gives immediate results.
We see this routinely in society. Your coworker sabotaged your work and moved up the corporate ladder. Corruption is rampant at various levels and the corrupt people live an opulent life.
Being a cop out and taking the easy way out is a bad decision for many reasons:
It demands a high price — inner peace.
Guilt becomes a constant companion.
Wrongdoers have to constantly look behind their shoulders — “Am I going to get caught today?”
The obstacles in Hanuman’s path to find Sita is a metaphor illustrating the obstacles in the path of goodness.
We have an opportunity to emulate Hanuman and courageously battle the obstacles and choose to traverse the path of righteousness.
Cultivating devotion to Lord Hanuman is the most beautiful way to lead a meaningful and rich life. He is known as Sankat Mochan or someone who takes away your difficulties. He also bestows devotion to his devotees. Download the free and incredible Vedic Sadhana app to deepen your bond with Lord Hanuman by performing Abhishekam, Hava, Japa, Nitya Pooja, and Sadhana of Lord Hanuman.