Shadow Boxing - Valmiki Vs Hanuman

Shadow Boxing - Valmiki vs Hanuman

When Valmiki completed his Ramayana, Narada wasn't impressed. 'It is good, but Hanuman's is better', he said.
'Hanuman has written the Ramayana too!' Excalimed Valmiki!
He didn't like this at all, and wondered whose Ramayana "The BEST".

NARATHA nonchalantly disappeared.

So Valmiki set out to find Hanuman. In a thick atop mountain forest , grove of plantains, he found Ramayana inscribed on seven broad leaves of a banana tree.

He read it and found it to be perfect in all respect.
He found choice of grammar and vocabulary, metre and melody everything was perfect.

He couldn't help himself. He started to cry. Watching this, Hanuman cleared out of camouflage from canopy of a tall green tree got down and asked Crying Valmiki
'Is it so bad ?'.
'No, it is so good', said Valmiki.
'Then why are you crying?'

'Because after reading your Ramayana no one would read mine,' replied Valmiki.

Hearing this Hanuman, in a show of response - simply tore up those seven banana leaves and said softly but firmly, "Now no one will ever read Hanuman's Ramayana".

Valmiki was shocked to see this action of Hanuman and asked him why he did this!
Hanuman said, 'You need your Ramayana more than I need mine. You wrote your Ramayana so that the world remembers Valmiki whereas I wrote Ramayana so that I remember Ram.'

At that moment, he realized how he had been consumed by the desire for validation through his work.

He had not used the work to liberate himself from the fear of invalidation.
He had not appreciated the essence of Ram's tale to unknot his mind. His Ramayana was a product of ambition; but Hanuman's Ramayana was a product of pure devotion & affection.

That's why Hanuman's Ramayana sounded so much better.
That is when Valmiki realized that "Greater than Ram...is the name of Ram!"
(राम से बड़ा राम का नाम).

There are people like Hanuman who don't want to be famous. They just do their job and fulfill their purpose.

There are many unsung "Hanumans" in our life too, our spouse, mom, dad, kith & kin - let us remember all of them and be ever remain grateful to them all.

In this world, where everyone is highlighting his work and seeking validation, let just do our karma because he who matters - The Omnipotent - God, knows without telling him and ultimately, it is actually just he who matters to all of us.