Hanuman: Lord Rama Loyal and Loving Devotee

It doesn’t need to be said that religion and spirituality connect the numerous threads of human existence. These superstructures and deities guide lights and moral compasses for human thoughts and beings. As such, a significant portion of human life revolves around them. 

Throughout time and history, the divine and the spiritual have worked together to lead us, complementing and influencing individual and community evolution. 

As a result, the role of specific deities becomes critical here. They become more than life, inculcating legends that last for generations and are the pivot for ideas, spirituality, and knowledge. Such is the case with Lord Rama and Hanuman. Who hasn’t heard of them and their overall importance? 

Underneath, we’ll discuss all the features and significance that Hanuman and Lord Rama inculcate. Let’s start, shall we?  

The Legend of Lord Rama and Hanuman 

The credit for telling the story of Ram and Hanuman primarily goes to The Ramayana.  Written by Valmiki, the script describes Lord Rama's life and exploits as an avatar of Vishnu and his quest to rescue his beloved wife, Sita, from king Ravana. 

Similarly, Hanuman's undying role in this epic is vital and profound, exemplifying the fundamental values of devotion and servitude.

We all know that Lord Ram is depicted as the personification of justice, compassion, and obligation. Due to political intrigue and familial rivalries, he is exiled from his kingdom and separated from his wife, Sita. Hanuman, the monkey god, appears in the story when Rama and his devoted brother, Lakshmana, seek Sita in Dandaka's deep forest. 

Hanuman's first meeting with Lord Rama is part of ancient folklore. He immediately recognizes Rama as divinity and prostrates at Rama's feet, vowing his steadfast and lifelong devotion. Rama reciprocates Hanuman's adoration and exceptional talents. This initial meeting lays the groundwork for their legendary and much-revered love and friendship. 

Their Bond and Friendship 

The overall friendship between Lord Rama and Hanuman has always been founded on mutual respect. Despite his superior and divine status, Rama quickly recognizes Hanuman's celestial origins and the necessity of his mission and overall goals.  

He is also a massive admirer of Hanuman's tenacity and bravery. Retrospectively, Hanuman believes that Lord Rama is his lord and master. Hence, there is commitment and endearment towards each other. 

Throughout his existence, Hanuman believed that serving Lord Rama was his life's purpose and would gladly accept any work that would help Rama's objective. 

His unquestionable service is motivated not only by duty but also by an intense love for his deity. His selflessness is illustrated by setting his tail on fire to demonstrate his devotion to Rama and his determination to save Rama’s partner! 

Moreover, their bond is built on trust, not individualism. Rama always assigns Hanuman vital responsibilities, such as tracking down Sita and delivering his word to her. 

For his part, Hanuman undertakes all these quests with zeal and courage. This sense of self-sacrifice and devotion is the bedrock of the relationship between these two deities. Other  notable features of their relationship include: 

• Trust 

• Courage & Sacrifice 

• Undying Devotion 

• Robustness 

The Religious Symbolism of Hanuman and Lord Rama 

The connection between Ram and Hanuman has always been highly symbolic in Hindu theology and continues to draw widespread popularity.  This bond is widely reminiscent of the link between the mortal and the divine. 

Ram, widely believed to be Lord Vishnu's incarnation, represents the ultimate reality, while Hanuman, as his loyal servant, represents an entity’s constant devotion to God. Their mutual relationship shows commitment and service, which may lead to a profound spiritual connection with the divine. As we understand it, millions follow this idea religiously. 

Additionally, Hanuman's unconditional devotion towards Rama highlights the significance of justice; Hanuman's actions are guided by his unwavering commitment to his duty and the path of righteousness, which has always been a fundamental concept in Hinduism. His story serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to spirituality and devotion in one's daily life.

Lord  Rama and Hanuman’s chemistry perfectly combines the idea of divinity and friendship, and this was most reflected when Hanuman leaped across the ocean to Lanka, conquering all barriers to rescue Sita. 

It’s without a doubt that Hanuman's devotion to Lord Rama acts as an inspiration for everyone. "Jai Shri Ram," the hymn popularised by Hanuman, has become a universal mantra of love and faith that expresses togetherness and harmony. 

Hanuman's commitment and love for Rama encouraged millions to cultivate the same devotion and selflessness in their own lives.

How do they Influence Art? 

In religious art and iconography, Hanuman has always been a significant figure. He is mainly represented as a muscular monkey-faced deity who wields a considerable mace and a mountain containing medicinal herbs in the other. 

His image has been a prominent feature in paintings, sculptures, and statues, and millions of devotees revere it in temples throughout India. 

Additionally, the folklore of Hanuman and Lord Rama has significantly impacted numerous forms of art and culture in India and worldwide. These particular stories have provided a wealth of inspiration for classical Indian dance, music, and theatre. The epic Ramayana, which prominently features Hanuman, has been metamorphosed into several theatre events, literature, and even modern-day animation.

Hanuman's artistic portrayal is significant to festivals commemorating his birth, such as Hanuman Jayanti. During the celebrations, processions carrying huge idols or representations of Hanuman are usually accompanied by music and dance performances, demonstrating the marriage of art and devotion.

Moreover, there’s a massive interest in Hanuman idols for home decor and antique collections. Artifacts like the brass Hanuman statue, Brass Antique Mahabali Hanuman, and the Resin Meditative Human idols are famous for gifts and souvenirs.  

Overall, the artistic role played by Hanuman and Lord Rama is immense and cannot be underestimated. 

Conclusion 

The bond between Lord Rama and Hanuman has stood the test of time and will do so in the future. It is essential that everyone learns from their devotion towards each other and manifests the same emotion in their lives. This can be through art, architecture, religion, or anything else that symbolizes these two great deities.

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