The Crest Jewel – I

The Ramayan has been depicted as a great necklace made up of jewels and pearls, of which the pendant jewel is Sri Hanuman. This sublime scripture sings the glory of Lord Ram, whose grandeur shines brilliantly only when Ramadoota Hanuman enters the picture. The moment he appeared in Kishkindha Kand as Sugreeva's emissary, Sri Ram pointed out to Lakshman that this intelligent, eloquent person of knowledge, character and dignity was not an ordinary brahmachari. Such eloquence was not possible unless he was a knower of the four Vedas and conversant with the depths of grammar.Sri Hanuman’s valour, splendour and beauty shone forth when he ventured to do Ram’s work. The epic leap he took when all the other monkeys despaired and feared for their lives symbolised his undisputed strength. Reminded by Jambavan that he was the son of Pavan, that the purpose of his manifestation was to be ‘ever alert and eager to serve the Lord Ram, he was ready in an instant to destroy the rakshasas and bring Mother Sita back. Accepting Jambavan’s advice and instructions, Sri Hanuman crossed the ocean, making its vastness look just like an insignificant puddle. Here, we begin to see the glory of this exceptional Ram bhakt and appreciate why he was named the crest jewel—mala ratnam.The Ramayan epic is full of mighty personalities, but it is noteworthy that Hanuman outshines them all. The entire journey of Lord Ram, to Lanka and His return with Sita, is full of pearls of wisdom depicting dharma, bhakti or jnana. However, the genuine, outshining jewel is Sri Hanuman.

The Crest Jewel – I

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