The Great War had ended.

Ravana, who terrorized the world, was destroyed along with his family. There was peace everywhere under the leadership of Kaushaladhish Ram.

Ram was coronated. King Ram bid farewell to all his monkey and demon friends respectfully.

Ram cried while bidding farewell to Angad.

Even Shri Ram did not have the power to bid farewell to Hanuman.

Mother Sita also considered him as her son.

Hanuman remained in Ayodhya.

Ram remained busy in the court and administration throughout the day. When Sandhya got relief from government work, he came to his room to inquire about the well-being of his guru and mothers. Hanuman was following him. All his younger brothers were present in Ram’s private room along with their respective wives.This was the first time after exile, war and endless formalities when the entire family was present together. Not only to Ram, Sita and Lakshman, perhaps to other brides it seemed inappropriate for an outsider, i.e. Hanuman, to be there.

Since Shatrughan was the youngest, it was he who, in order to fulfill the wishes of his sisters-in-law and his wife, was asking Hanuman to leave the room. But surprisingly, even a knowledgeable person like Hanuman was unable to understand this simple sign.

So, in his presence the whole family talked to their heart’s content for a long time. Then Bharat realized that brother and sister-in-law should also get privacy. Seeing Urmila he was filled with excitement.

This devotion to husband also needs the company of her husband. So he took permission from Ram, and advised everyone to go and take rest. Everyone got up and touched the feet of Ram-Janaki and were about to leave.

But Hanuman remained sitting there. Seeing him, everyone else started waiting for him to get up so that they all came out together.

Ram smiled and said to Hanuman, “Why Veer, you too go. Take some rest.”

Hanuman said, “Lord, you are in front of me, can there be anything more relaxing than this? “I’m not going to leave you.”

Shatrughan said with a little anger, “But brother needs rest, Kapishwar! They need solitude.”

“Yes then who am I to disturb the rest of the Lord? I am sitting here at the foot.”

“You probably didn’t hear. Brother needs solitude.”

“But Mother Sita is here. She too is not going. Then why do you want to expel me?”

“Sister-in-law has the right to be with brother even when he is alone. Don’t you see the vermilion on his forehead?

Hanuman was surprised. The Lord said to Shri Ram, “Lord, does applying this vermilion give someone the right to be near you?”

Ram said smilingly, “Of course. This is the eternal tradition Hanuman.”

Hearing this, Hanuman got up feeling slightly dejected and went out after paying obeisance to Ram-Janaki.

King Ram’s court was held in the morning. Ordinary formal functions were being carried out when the renowned businessmen of the city appeared in the court demanding justice. It was learned that Hanuman had been creating havoc all over Ayodhya by destroying the stores of traders throughout the night.

Rama heard all this and ordered the soldiers to present Hanuman in the royal court. The soldiers had not even set out to obey Rama’s orders when Hanuman, dressed in saffron, appeared in the gathering with his wide smile and walking with the graceful gait of an elephant. His entire body was covered with vermillion.

 

With each step taken, one pound of vermillion would fall from his body on the ground. The vermilion kept flying backwards with the wind along with his movement.

He came near Ram and saluted him. The gathering, which was watching in silence till now, suddenly started laughing loudly.

Suppressing his laughter, Soumitra Lakshman said, “What did you do, Kapisheshtra? Why this bath with vermilion? Is this a custom of you monkeys?”

Hanuman said in a cheerful voice, “Oh no brother. This is the tradition of the Aryans. Just yesterday I came to know that if you apply a pinch of vermilion, you get the right to be near Lord Ram.” So I applied vermillion all over Ayodhya. Why Lord, now no one will be able to take me away from you, right?”

The whole gathering was laughing. And Bharat was shedding tears with folded hands. Seeing this, Shatrughan said, “Brother, everyone is laughing and you are crying? What happened?”

Bharat controlled himself and said, “Anuj, you are not looking! An excellent leader of the monkeys, the most learned minister of the Monkey King, perhaps the best hero of the entire human race, possessor of all accomplishments, all wealth, well-versed in the Vedas, well-versed in the scriptures, how does this Kapishrestha forget all his pride and all his knowledge and is absorbed in the devotion of Ram. What an eager desire to get close to Ram, that he has forgotten himself.

Perhaps even Brahma may not be able to give the blessing of such devotion to anyone. Someone may remember me Bharat as Ram’s younger brother, but the world will never forget this devotee Shiromani Hanuman. Salutations to Hanuman again and again.”

Jai Shri Ram Jai Jai Siyaram🙏 ❤️🙏