Great Works at 10.20am Spring 2015

During the heroic telling of Ramayana, Valmiki writes that Hanuman (a god) has been entrusted with the responsibility to find and possibly retrieve the abducted wife of warrior Prince Rama. In chapters Sundara 2 and the first two paragraphs of Sundara 3 concepts such as personal character, what constitutes good, and the importance of having him seemingly shoulder another man’s responsibility are innovatively exposed. Readers are given a surprisingly clear, concise, and deliberate explanation of what these should be and mean by Valmiki.

Valmiki produces Hanuman to solidify the understanding of what personal character should be in the face of adversary. Hanuman says “I must be very careful, cautious and vigilant” and “therefore I should consider well… all the pros and cons.” He is referenced to be wise, self-reflective, small, alone, and able to control his feelings. As someone who consistently thinks through his thoughts Hanuman can maintain his path and focus with little influence from external parameters. This visual leads to a coherent grasp of what it means to be good. His opponent’s on the other are represented using terms like “armed to the teeth” and “one cannot negotiate with these demons… by peaceful means.” They are identified as large, quick to act, and without reason. Nearly the opposite, readers have an exaggerated but vital contrast of how humans and demons should behave. Here the author highlights the resolve of Hanuman while establishing how one should retain their esteem while under duress. He provides a clear image of how even against formidable odds our resolve should not wane.

In addition, during this part of the story we are also rewarded with a very clean concept of what our overarching moral is throughout this epic; Dharma. Here it is shown that above all we must follow Dharma. To be good is to follow Dharma. To alienate Dharma is to do wrong; but unquestioned pursuit is right. Over and over during this scene we are offered instances where Hanuman faces obstacles but continually finds ways to follow his Dharma. His importance here is to imbed the concept that we are to follow our own Dharmic path what every “It” may be. Hanuman has been almost destined if not guided by his Dharma to take on such as task. He is one of four that can cross the oceans to the island Kingdom Lanka. Furthermore he as a god is gifted with the ability to be very subtle to minimize his presence by becoming meek and small. This coupled with the wisdom and cunning of a stern mind allows him to easily survey the island kingdom undetected. Readers are allowed to only now fully grasp why our main character has been replaced by such a being. Rama (the main protagonist) just could not physically accomplish this task. Rama during this story is trying to regain his path to Dharmic harmony after straying through multiple missteps. Hanuman on the other hand has followed his path granting him the ability to succeed without his obstructions impeding his progress thanks to his faith in Dharma.

Valmiki uses Hanuman to help readers better define what is done as opposed to what is expected. Early in the story it vague abstract notions are left for the readers to latch on to. These resemble typical situations that one may find themselves in. Now as Valmiki turns away from the negative effects of not following Dharma he places Hanuman here to being to open our eyes to what can happen when we do.   Hanuman the first clean example of how we should and should think of troubles and how we respond in terms of our own Dharmic path.