Hanuman's Music and Narada

Hanuman plays a mischief on Narada

One evening Hanuman and his mother were sitting in their palace garden and discussing something important. As they were speaking to each other, they heard a divine voice singing a song in praise of Lord Vishnu walking past their palace. Hanuman’s mother was so impressed that she wanted to invite the guest who was singing these divine songs in such a melodious voice to their palace.

To fulfil his mother’s wishes, Hanuman quickly went looking for the person who was singing the songs.

 

After following the voice for some time Hanuman reached the forest, where he finds Sage Narada singing the praise of Vishnu while strumming on his veena. Hanuman immediately catches his eye and seeks the blessings of Narada. Narada blesses him and asked “Hanuman, how are you? He also told Hanuman, “I am in a hurry. I will come back and meet you soon.”

Hanuman was reluctant to let the sage go. He again humbly asked him “Sage, you are the son of Brahma and you wander all the three worlds. I seek a boon from you.” Narada is pleased with this request from Bajrangbali. He asks Hanuman “What boon do you desire?”  Hanuman replies “I want to be able to sing like you.” Narada was now truly moved and flattered. He said, “So be it. You will have a melodious voice, knowledge of music and also be able to move many with your divine music.”  Saying this, he blessed Bajrangbali and prepared to leave.

Hanuman did not want him to leave as he wanted to fulfil his promise to his mother of bringing Narada home. He told Narada “Respected Sage, you have given me the knowledge and blessing. As a mark of respect to you and as a gesture of gratitude I want to dedicate my first song to you.” Narada did not want to turn down Hanuman’s desire.

Narada sat down under a tree and put his veena on a stone. Hanuman started singing. His voice flowed like honey. In the silence of the forest and the buzzing of the bees, Hanuman’s voice singing the praise of Rama was wafting through the forest like a pleasant breeze.

Even the leaves and animals seemed to be transfixed hearing this melody. Hanuman continued to sing for a while and Narada sat with his eyes closed and tears flowing from his eyes. He was transformed into the divine world of music.

After completing his first song, Hanuman continued with his next song. He chose the Raag Malkauns that has the capacity to melt a stone. Hanuman did a long alaap and continued with his song. The music was so divine, Narada was completely transformed. He had completely forgotten where he was going and for what.

Once the song was finished, Narada slowly opened his eyes and brought himself back to his environment. He looked around for his veena. He realised he had kept it on the stone. He tried to pick up his veena but it was stuck. At first, he did not understand what was the problem. Then he realised that the power of the Malkauns had made his Veena stick to the stone. While he had heard of the power of that raaga, it was the first time he got to witness this.

Narada Muni had an urgent work that he had forgotten in all this. Now he was getting impatient and wanted to leave. He requested Hanuman to help him retrieve his veena. Hanuman refused mischievously. Hanuman started running towards his palace. Unable to do anything else, Narada was forced to follow.

Hanuman kept running and finally reached his palace. Narada followed him there. Hanuman’s mother Anjana was quite surprised to see her son running towards the palace followed by the sage. She did want to meet Narada and wanted the divine sage to enter their home and bless them. She thought this was a strange way for a visitor to come to her house.

Knowing her son Hanuman, Anjana realised that there must be a reason behind this mischief. Narada entered Anjana’s palace breathless. He complained to Anjana Devi about her son’s pranks. Without reacting to the complaint, Anjana Devi told him, “Sage you are our guest. Please come inside our home and bless us. Please partake some refreshments.”

Without waiting for his response, Anjana Devi went inside and made sure Narada was received with proper / appropriate respect. She requested him to bless her home and offered him some refreshments.

Narada realised that Hauman played this trick primarily to get him into the palace. He gave in and did what Anjana Devi desired. After some time, he requested Anjana Devi to tell her son to retrieve/get his veena. Anjana looked at her son. Hanuman left with a smile and returned with the veena.

Hanuman asked Narada’s forgiveness for pranking/tricking him. He told Narada that he had to fulfil his mother’s wish and since the sage was in a hurry resorted to such a trick. Narada smiled and blessed him and left for his next destination. 

Twist in the tale

There is a variant of this story. In that, on the day of Rama’s coronation, Rama requests Narada to sing. Narada looks around and sees only the vanars (monkeys). He feels that a talented person like him cannot sing in front of monkeys. So, he gives some excuse.

Understanding the reason, Rama asks Hanuman to sing. The rest of the story is similar. When his veena is stuck, Narada asks for forgiveness from Rama and Hanuman.