By 
No time for reading the story? Give it a listen on Spotify.
In Ayodhya, a group of wise sages and scholars debated the importance of Lord Rama's name versus his actual existence. This story tells how Hanuman's strong faith and devotion revealed a surprising truth during this debate.
Characters in the story:
Lord Ram: Lord Rama is one of the most revered deities in Hinduism and is the seventh avataar of Lord Vishnu. He is known for his virtues of righteousness, courage, and devotion, and is considered a symbol of ideal human behavior and the victory of good over evil.
Hanuman: Hanuman is a revered deity in Hinduism, known for his unwavering devotion to Lord Rama and his incredible strength, symbolizing courage, loyalty, and selflessness.
Narada Muni: Narada Muni is a divine sage and a devotee of Lord Vishnu. He is known for his wisdom, musical talents, and his role as a messenger and mediator between the gods and humans.
Rishi Vishwamitra: Rishi Vishwamitra is a revered sage and seer in Hindu scriptures, known for his ascetic practices, spiritual knowledge, and role in several important events in the epics such as Ramayana and Mahabharata.
Once, a grand assembly of great saints and learned Brahmins convened in Ayodhya for a momentous meeting. Among the distinguished scholars in attendance were Dev Rishi Narada and sages like Vashishta and Vishwamitra. Their primary topic of discussion was whether the name of Lord Rama held more significance than the very existence of Lord Rama himself. Hanuman, the devoted follower of Lord Rama, was also present, though he remained silent throughout the discussion, listening intently to the discourse of the revered sages.
Narada, with unwavering conviction, asserted that Lord Rama’s name held greater power than Lord Rama himself and expressed his determination to prove this assertion. After the discussion concluded, it was time for the saints to depart.
In secret, Narada approached Hanuman with a request to offer his respects to all the sages present, excluding Vishwamitra. The rationale behind this request was that Vishwamitra was not just a sage but also a former king. Hanuman, carrying out Narada’s instructions, greeted each sage individually but deliberately omitted Vishwamitra.
This action incited Vishwamitra’s anger, and he vowed to punish Hanuman with the ultimate penalty for his disrespect.
Vishwamitra instructed Lord Rama to punish Hanuman by taking his life. Although Lord Rama held immense love for Hanuman, Vishwamitra was his guru, and he could not ignore his guru’s command. Consequently, Lord Rama reluctantly decided to punish Hanuman. This turn of events left Hanuman bewildered and disheartened, as he could not fathom why Lord Rama, whom he adored and served wholeheartedly, was now seeking his life.
Narada, seeing Hanuman’s plight, offered him valuable counsel. He advised Hanuman to continuously chant the name of Lord Rama. Following this guidance, Hanuman fervently sat beneath a tree and began chanting “Jai Shri Ram.” His devotion and the power of Lord Rama’s name soon led him into deep meditation.
As Lord Rama approached the scene, he launched arrows in an attempt to strike Hanuman down. However, to everyone’s astonishment, not a single arrow harmed Hanuman, and he remained immersed in the chanting of Lord Rama’s name.
Witnessing his arrows prove ineffective against the devout Hanuman, Lord Rama was perplexed and questioned within himself, “Can anyone harm a devotee who chants my name with such devotion?” Frustrated by his failed attempts, Lord Rama experimented with various weapons, but they too proved futile in the face of Hanuman’s unwavering devotion.
In adherence to his guru’s command, Lord Rama finally resorted to employing the formidable Prayalankari Brahmastra. However, even this potent weapon failed to affect Hanuman as he continued to chant the name of Lord Rama with utmost devotion.
Seeing the dire situation unfolding on Earth, Narada realized the gravity of the situation and promptly sought out Vishwamitra to reveal the truth.
Upon learning the truth, Vishwamitra released Lord Rama from his vow, and Narada successfully demonstrated that the name of Lord Rama held greater power than Lord Rama himself.
In the end, Hanuman’s unwavering devotion and the power of Lord Rama’s name triumphed over all obstacles, affirming the profound significance of faith and devotion in the hearts of true devotees. This remarkable tale remains a timeless testament to the strength of divine devotion.
