Lord Rama had Promised to Meet Hanumanji at Rishyamukachala

Sugreeva and Hanumanji were at Rishyamukachala.

Upon being chased by Bali, they both went up the Matanga Parvata, which is in Rishyamukachala. Sugreeva was safe there because Bali could not enter Matanga Parvata due to a curse by Matanga Muni.

They both lived there, but Sugreeva still felt very insecure. Even if Bali could not come there, he could send someone strong in their pursuit.

One day, they saw two young men walking through the forest toward their dwelling place. Who could these be? They could not be ordinary people. Rishyamukachala was surrounded on all sides by kingdoms of Rakshasas. Ordinary humans would not be able to walk through them and reach this place; they would have been killed by the Rakshasas.

Sugreeva asked Hanumanji to go and find out who they were. Hanumanji disguised himself and approached them.

They both were wearing the attire of Munis but were also carrying bows in their hands. Very strangely—apparently, apparently—once again, I am highlighting this term here. They did not recognize each other.

Hanumanji’s visit to Ayodhya had been long ago, and his Swami was the prince of Ayodhya. How would he ever expect him to be dressed like a Muni, wandering about this forest? Lord Rama also did not show that he recognized Hanumanji.

Hanumanji politely asked them, ‘Who are you? What are you doing in the middle of this forest?’

The Lord said, ‘I am Rama, prince of Ayodhya, and this here is my younger brother Lakshmana.’

Hanumanji just could not believe it. He fell at the Lord's feet. Now he remembered—the Lord had promised him while sending him away from Ayodhya, ‘I will meet you at Ayodhya,’ and look, he had really come looking for him. What a blessing!

Hanumanji just did not know what to do. With tears rolling down his cheeks, he fell at the Lord's feet. His disguise disappeared on its own, and his original form as a Vanara returned.

The Lord said, ‘Hanuman, didn’t I tell you I would meet you?’

With Hanumanji at his feet, the Lord narrated why they were there—how they had left Ayodhya for 14 years of Vanavasa, and this was the last year. How Janaki Mata had gone missing. They were looking for her.

Hanumanji said that the Vanara king Sugreeva was living in exile in Rishyamukachala and that he was with him. Sugreeva would definitely be happy to help in searching for Mata.

The Lord readily agreed. This is something very peculiar about Lord Rama. He did not know Sugreeva before, nor did he know how trustworthy Sugreeva was. But still, his devotee had recommended him. That was enough for him. He would not look beyond. His devotees were so dear to him—there was no question of ever doubting them, no question of ever disappointing them.

Hanumanji requested Lord Rama and Lakshmana to sit on his shoulders so he could take them up the mountain to Sugreeva. The Lord sat on his right shoulder and Lakshmana on the left shoulder.

Hanumanji felt so happy. Garuda carries only the Lord. Here, now, he was carrying both Mahavishnu and Adishesha at the same time.

Ramaswamy Sastry and Vighnesh Ghanapaathi