Hanuman and Kali

 

Hanuman and Kali

 

The battle was raging on. It started off as a battle of unequal armies. On the one hand, were a huge army of monkeys and bears. On the other side was the disciplined army led by Ravana and his brave and disciplined army.

The army of monkeys had Lord Rama and the mighty Lakshmana as their leader. More importantly they had dharma on their side. Slowly, but surely the tide turned. The army of Ravana started losing. Important generals died and so did many brave soldiers. Ravana’s family, his sons – one by one people bravely fought but they fought an adharmic war. And they lost.

Finally, Ravana sent for his son Mahiravana. Mahiravana, in addition to being a solider was a sorcerer. Mahiravana was a magician who ruled the underworld. (paatala loka). Mahiravana was also a great devotee of Goddess Kali. Mahiravana did great penance and sacrifices to please the Kali. Pleased with his devotion, the Goddess had given him many magical powers.

Mahiravana knew the difference between right and wrong. He knew that his father was committing a sin by keeping Devi Sita in Lanka. He was not too keen to fight against Lord Ram in the war. Ravana was his father and he felt duty bound to protect his country and his father from the invaders Rama and Lakshmana and their armies.

Ravana also told Mahiravana that would appeal to him. He told him “Son, Goddess Kali will grant you great boons if you offer the valorous Rama and Lakshmana as your sacrifice.” Mahiravana was tempted. He finally agreed to help his father.

Mahiravana decided to trick the brothers rather than facing them in battle. In the middle of the night, he entered the camp of Rama. He kidnapped Rama and Lakshmana. He took them with him deep into the paatala loka (under world).

In doing so, he left a dark trail that stretched from the camp to the bowels of the earth. Sugreeva, Jambavan, Angad and the others were concerned that they could not find Rama and Lakshmana. Hanuman noticed the trail going into a tunnel.

He decided to follow the tunnel. After a long travel, Hanuman reached the cave of Mahiravana under the earth. Reaching there, Hanuman hid behind to see what was happening. He found Rama and Lakshmana tied to a post. Their bodies were decorated with flowers, thilak and they were ready to be sacrificed. Mahiravana was busy with his chants and the yagna fire. A sharp and long sacrificial knife was placed at the feet of Goddess Kali.

Hanuman, whose presence of mind was very good, took the form of a bee. He buzzed in Rama’s ear “Lord, now Mahiravana will ask you to place your head on the sacrificial block. Tell him that as royal you have never bowed in front of another. Ask him to demonstrate how to bow one’s head.”

Accordingly Rama told Mahiravana to show him how to bow one’s head. Mahiravana did as told without thinking. When he was in that posture, in the blink of an eye, Hanuman regained his original size. He snatched the sharp blade from the foot of the Goddess and killed the magician asura, Mahiravana. Mahiravana, who had done all the preparatory work for a sacrifice to the Goddess offered himself to her as the sacrifice.

The Goddess, who was silently witnessing the entire act was impressed by Hanuman’s sharp wit and bravery. She told him that she would like him to become the door keeper and guardian of her temples.

Next time you go to any temple of the Mother Goddess, especially Maa Kali, do look if you see Hanuman in the door or near the entrance.