The Hanuman Way: Mastering the art of dealing with people.

We need to distinguish between religion and culture, two interrelated yet distinct spheres. There is a problem in assuming that societies ran on the word of religious texts. Religious texts might have progressive aspects within comparatively regressive socio-cultural contexts. As time pass by, we interpret religious texts with a fresh perspective, relating and adding value more with the current socio-cultural backdrop. Mythology, regardless of being true or not, being highly subjective, is very impactful and can influence people’s lives and faith.  I think mythology is beautiful. It can teach us a lot about ourselves and others. We should embrace its symbolism and learn from it. This piece is an extract of my repeated humble attempts at learning and deriving lessons from Sundarkand.

Let’s join Hanuman on his maiden voyage to Lanka, where he meets five different kinds of personalities:

Type 1: Mainak

जलनिधि रघुपति दूत बिचारी। तैं मैनाक होहि श्रम हारी॥

On his way to Lanka, Hanuman first meets Mainak (A golden mountain sent by Samudradev: the lord of oceans at the service of tiresome Hanuman). People like Mainak pretend to be well-wishers who provide us with all the benefits and luxuries to distract us from reaching our primary goals and targets.

हनूमान तेहि परसा कर पुनि कीन्ह प्रनाम।
राम काजु कीन्हें बिनु मोहि कहाँ बिश्राम॥

Hanuman immediately understands that he shouldn’t affront the Mainak’s offer. With complete humility and respect, he touches the mountain and, with folded hands, thank Mainak and says: “oh Mainak, I am on a bigger mission now, and I can’t take rest until I finish the work assigned; by Shri Ramachandra.”

As Hanuman did, we should thank all the good things that come in our lives and proceed towards our goals & target and not let these small luxuries & people influence us.

Type 2: Surasa

After modestly denying the Mainak’s offer, Hanuman meets Surasa, the mother of snakes, on his way forward to Lanka. Goswami Ji Writes:

जात पवनसुत देवन्ह देखा। जानैं कहुँ बल बुद्धि बिसेषा॥
सुरसा नाम अहिन्ह कै माता। पठइन्हि आइ कही तेहिं बाता॥

Some people are like Surasa, who are well equipped with resources and are well behaved. However, due to their environment and ego, they constantly take our tests or intend to harm us.

राम काजु करि फिरि मैं आवौं। सीता कइ सुधि प्रभुहि सुनावौं।।
तब तव बदन पैठिहउँ आई। सत्य कहउँ मोहि जान दे माई।।

Hanuman Identifies Surasa as a hurdle sent by demigods on his way. Hanuman understands that even if Surasa wants to eat him, and it is her habitude. Hanuman requests Surasa to let him go. He says, “oh mother, I am in service of Sri Ram right now; once I return from Lanka with news about maa Sita, I will surrender to you. I tell you the truth; please let me go.” As a result, Surasa lets Hanuman leave for his journey.

As Hanuman did, we should use our intellect and appropriate words to counter the people who are always eager to test us. Sometimes politeness and honesty can help us avoid getting into petty fights and arguments.

Type 3: Sinhika

Goswami Tulsidas Ji introduces Sinhka as a mysterious critter of sea. He writes:

निसिचरि एक सिंधु महुँ रहई। करि माया नभु के खग गहई।।

People who resemble their nature with Sinhika are those whom we cannot identify, whose identity is mysterious, and we are unaware of their intentions. But these people have a constant eye on our success, prestige & grandeur.

सोइ छल हनूमान कहँ कीन्हा। तासु कपटु कपि तुरतहिं चीन्हा।।
ताहि मारि मारुतसुत बीरा। बारिधि पार गयउ मतिधीरा।।

Hanuman decided to give Sinhika a taste of her own medicine. He defeats Sinhika by diving deep into her stomach and killing her by ripping apart her body.

We can identify Sinhika as our psychosis which is very threatening to our code of conduct and success. This incidence of Sundarkand teaches us to identify our negative traits and diminish them with the ‘Bala-Buddhi.’  So that our journey towards success will be free from hurdles and trouble. As Hanuman did, we should make ourselves strong both physically and mentally to tackle the enemy residing within us. Nobody wants to mess with such a man.

Type 4: Lankini

Goswami Tulsidas Ji Introduces Lankini as Gatekeeper of Lanka, who is sharp-Sighted, and her diet is dependent on trespassers.

नाम लंकिनी एक निसिचरी। सो कह चलेसि मोहि निंदरी।।
जानेहि नहीं मरमु सठ मोरा। मोर अहार जहाँ लगि चोरा।।

Some people are like Lankini, who are conferred with great power and advantages (e.g., Politicians, Dictators), which can benefit people. But these people misuse their power to harm others. They closely monitor our actions and try to stop us on our voyage.

मुठिका एक महा कपि हनी। रुधिर बमत धरनीं ढनमनी।।
पुनि संभारि उठि सो लंका। जोरि पानि कर बिनय संसका।।

पुनि संभारि उठि सो लंका। जोरि पानि कर बिनय संसका।।

Hanuman deals Lankini with such a blow of the fist that she stopples down, vomiting blood out of her mouth. Recovering herself, Lankini Joins her palm and apologizes for her misconduct.

As Hanuman did, We should deal with such people chronologically following the ‘sama, dana, dand, bhed sutra,’ i.e., advising, offering help, punishing for wrong deeds, and breaking apart. This should be our last resort when everything is failing.

Type 5: Vibhishan

People like Vibhishan are responsible, modest & courteous and always stand for righteousness & justice in the community. Introducing Vibhishan, Goswami Ji writes:

लंका निसिचर निकर निवासा। इहाँ कहाँ सज्जन कर बासा।।
मन महुँ तरक करै कपि लागा। तेहीं समय बिभीषनु जागा।।

 

After entering Lanka, Hanuman looks closely into the house of Vibhishan to monitor his actions and activities. Realizing the gentle nature of Vibhishan, Hanuman ponders how come a gentleman has a place in the city of demons like Lanka.

एहि सन हठि करिहउँ पहिचानी। साधु ते होइ न कारज हानी।।

करि प्रनाम पूँछी कुसलाई। बिप्र कहहु निज कथा बुझाई।।

Hanuman decides to connect with Vibhishan and get acquainted with him forcibly. It can benefit Hanuman on his errand to find Maa Sita. Because Meeting with a wise man is never harmful, Bowing low, Hanuman enquires after the welfare of Vibhishan: “Tell me about you, Holy Sir.” And in this way, Hanuman befriends Vibhishan.

As Hanuman did, we should never miss out on a chance to connect with noble people. It can benefit us in many ways on our path towards achieving goals.

Learning: We often come across such five types of people in our workplace, and Society. We should utilize our intellect and power to identify them at the earliest possible and learn the art of behaving appropriately from Sri Hanuman. In this way, we can master the art of dealing with people. 

We must understand that mythology is not merely a religious sermon. This blog post was my humble attempt to bring you a new perspective on mythology and how reading from primary texts can help you interpret and form your own opinion and derive learnings out of it.

-Harshvardhan Kabra.

harshvardhan.kabra99@gmail.com

Picture Credits- Sri Ganpathi Sachidananda Swami's Facebook Page & Google. 

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