The Power of the Lord’s Name
After Lord Rama returned to his kingdom from exile, a group of sages began to argue about the superiority of the Lord’s Name over the Lord Himself. Unable to come to a conclusion, they approached Sage Narada for clarity. Sage Narada, requesting a few days to find an answer, decided to seek Lord Hanuman’s help.
Seeking Hanuman’s Help
Sage Narada asked Hanuman to create some mischief that would enrage Lord Rama’s Guru, Vishvamitra, prompting him to order Lord Rama to punish Hanuman. Hanuman agreed and soon carried out the plan. As expected, Vishvamitra became very angry and instructed Lord Rama to punish Hanuman in front of all the sages and townspeople the next morning.
The Punishment
Though surprised by Hanuman’s behavior, Lord Rama obeyed His Guru’s instructions. Meanwhile, Sage Narada advised Hanuman to chant Lord Rama’s Name when the arrows were aimed at him.
The Day of Reckoning
The next morning, a crowd gathered by the river to witness the punishment. With a heavy heart, Lord Rama aimed his first arrow at Hanuman. However, the arrow, instead of hitting Hanuman, changed direction and fell to the ground. Hanuman, with his eyes closed, was deeply chanting Lord Rama’s Name. Every arrow Lord Rama aimed at Hanuman missed and fell in different directions.
The Divine Intervention
When Lord Rama’s arrows were exhausted, Vishvamitra ordered him to use the Brahmaastra, a divine weapon that never misses its target. At that moment, Sage Narada intervened and convinced the Guru to forgive Hanuman, highlighting the example of a loving and compassionate Guru. Vishvamitra listened to Narada’s advice and forgave Hanuman.
The Conclusion
The incident provided the sages with the answer they sought. They unanimously agreed on the power of the Lord’s Name through the demonstration of Hanuman’s unwavering devotion and the efficacy of chanting the holy name.
Moral of the Story
This story illustrates the immense power of God’s Name and Hanuman’s devotion to Lord Rama. Chanting the all-powerful Name of God with devotion can provide complete protection, as it did for Hanuman.
Supporting Scriptures
Srimad Bhagavatam: āpannaḥ saḿsṛtiḿ ghorāḿ
yan-nāma vivaśo gṛṇan
tataḥ sadyo vimucyeta
yad bibheti svayaḿ bhayam
“Living beings entangled in the complicated meshes of birth and death can be freed immediately by even unconsciously chanting the holy name of Kṛṣṇa, which is feared by fear personified.”
Sri Siksastakam – Text 2: namnam akari bahudha nija-sarva-shaktis
tatrarpita niyamitah smarane na kalah
etadrishi tava kripa bhagavan mamapi
durdaivam idrisham ihajani nanuragaha
“O my Lord, Your holy name alone can render all benediction to living beings, and thus You have hundreds and millions of names like Krishna and Govinda. In these transcendental names, You have invested all Your transcendental energies. There are not even hard and fast rules for chanting these names. O my Lord, out of kindness You enable us to easily approach You by Your holy names, but I am so unfortunate that I have no attraction for them.”
