Hanumanji's First Arrival in Ayodhya

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Hanumanji's First Arrival in Ayodhya

Young Lord Hanumanji completed his education from Surya Deva and returned to earth.

One day, Lord Mahadeva suddenly appeared before him. 'It is time for you to meet your Swami. Go to Ayodhya and meet your Swami.'

Hanumanji became so excited and happy.

Mahadeva suddenly turned himself into a monkey trainer, like those people who roam around with monkeys and make them dance to entertain people—the street performers. He became someone like that and tied a rope around Hanumanji's neck. They travelled through the sky and landed in a jungle near Ayodhya.

Hanumanji looked very cute, with golden hair all over his body—very unusual. As they entered the streets, children started swarming around them. Elders also came to see the play. The trainer took out his damaru, and Hanumanji started dancing to the beat. It was such a perfect combination.

The news reached the palace. A messenger came and told the monkey trainer that they had been called to the palace to perform in front of the royal family. They both reached the palace. Raja Dasharatha treated them with warmth and kindness. The princes were all young boys. 

Hanumanji went and offered namaskara in front of him, and thereafter before the other dignitaries in the court. But when he saw Sri Ramachandra, his Swami, for the first time, there was no limit to his joy. He went and did a sashtanga pranama to the Lord, surrendering himself to him.

Then the damaru started playing, and the dance began. In between, the Lord got up and went near his father, with Lakshmana, as usual, following him. The Lord whispered something in his father's ear. Once the entertainment was over, Lakshmana came to the trainer and said, 'My elder brother wants this monkey for himself.'

With a smile on his face, the trainer handed over the rope to Lakshmana.

Sage Vasishta was there in the court. The trainer's and the sage’s eyes locked for a moment. They exchanged a glance, acknowledging that it had all started.

Hanumanji went and sat between the Lord’s feet, embracing his right leg with his right hand. King Dasharatha expressed his gratitude to the monkey trainer, who then went away. Hanumanji would not budge an inch, leaving the Lord's feet.

Once, Shatrughna came with a mango and offered it to him. Hanumanji just looked up towards the Lord's face. Shatrughna said, 'It looks like he would take it only if you give him.'

The Lord took it and gave it to him. Still, Hanumanji was not happy.

Shatrughna said, 'It looks like you have to take a bite first and then give it to him.'

The Lord did that, and immediately, Hanumanji accepted the fruit and started relishing it.

In the night, Hanumanji would sleep only under the Lord's bed. It went on like this for a few days.

One day, the Lord called Hanumanji nearby, fondled the hair on his head, and said, 'It is time for you to give your guru dakshina to Surya Bhagwan. His amshavatara, Sugreeva, needs your support. You may go to him now. I will meet you sometime later.'

Hanumanji left Ayodhya. Everybody wondered where the beautiful, golden-haired monkey had disappeared all of a sudden.

Ramaswamy Sastry and Vighnesh Ghanapaathi