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Bhagwan Ram was seated on his royal throne. DevRishi Narad, Rishi Vishwamitra, Guru Vashishta and many other sages were also present in the court. They were all contemplating some religious issue. DevRishi Narad said, “Scholars, please let me know who is more powerful, God himself or His Name.” After a long debate the question remained unanswered. Then DevRishi Narad himself declared that “His Name” is higher than a person’s name and went to the extent of proving the fact before the royal court. Then Narad Ji called Shri Hanuman Ji and said, “when everyone was about to leave the court, you will bid farewell to every sage but not Vishwamitra because he is a king”. Then he turned to Rishi and said “He does not deserve the same respect and honor as the others present here”.
Hanuman
Ji agreed and obeyed Maha Rishi Narad. RajRishi Vishwamitra was very upset by
Hanuman Ji’s rudeness. As he was trying to compose himself, DevRishi appeared
before him and said, “Did you notice the arrogance of Hanuman? He knows that
you have done a favor for his Lord Shri Ram by giving him knowledge. It was
because of you he could marry Devi Sita. But still Hanuman ignored you and paid
obeisance to all other saints and sages. He has insulted you intentionally!”
Provoked by DevRishi Narad, Rishi Vishwamitra became very angry. He went to King
Rama and said, “Your devotee Hanuman has insulted me publicly, so he should
get the death penalty before sunset tomorrow for his arrogance. Rishi
Vishwamitra was Shri Ram’s Guru and Ram could not disobey his Guru at any
cost, so he had to punish Hanuman Ji for his disrespect shown to the Guru. Shri
Ram was dumbfounded for a moment because Hanuman was his most beloved devotee.
The news of the death penalty for Hanuman by Shri Ram became the talk of the
town, and it spread like a wild fire. Hanuman Ji was very sad two. He repented
for his misdeeds and went to DevRishi Narad and asked for protection from Rishi
Vishwamitra’s wrath and from the arrows of Shri Ram. “I did that because of
your suggestion,” DevRishi Narad replied very calmly. “Do not worry Hanuman
or be dismayed. Do only what you has been advised to do. Get up early in the
morning and take a bath in the
The next day Hanuman Ji did as DevRishi Narad told him. People from all over the kingdom gathered there to see the harvest test of Hanuman’s Devotion and Shri Ram’s strict values and rules (Maryada Purushottam). Then Shri Ram Ji came and stood at a distance from Hanuman’s Ji and started looking at him with kindness, but he is called Maryada Purushottam so against his will he started shooting arrows at Hanuman who was fully engrossed in chanting his name Jai Ram Shri Ram Jai Jai Ram. None of his arrows could touch Hanuman Ji. Shri Ram was exhausted but Hanuman Ji was only looking at his Lord with total surrender, love and devotion. Shri Ram used the most powerful weapons he had never used before but nothing could not harm Hanuman Ji. Then Shri Ram aimed his Brahmastra on him. Hanuman Ji kept chanting Shri Ram Mantra and did not move at all. The crowd of on-lookers was under a spell. They were calling out loudly victory to Shri Ram Bhakta Hanuman repeatedly. When DevRishi Narad noticed the culminating Brahmastra, he went to Rishi Vishwamitra and requested him to stop the unique battle. He said, “Oh great sage, Hanuman Ji was very ignorant about your grace but does that make a difference in your greatness in anyway? However this was a little drama that I directed to show the significance of “Ram Naam”. Do you agree now that Naam is more powerful than Shri Ram himself? Vishwamitra was convinced and ordered Shri Ram to stop. Hanuman Ji came and prostrated himself on the feet of Shri Ram. He expressed his gratitude and apologized to Maharishi Vishwamitra. RajRishi not only forgave him but also blessed him by stating that his devotion toward Ram would serve as a great example in time to come. Thus the greatness of Ram Naam was established.