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 As we have seen earlier, Hanuman plays the most important role in the epic. We have been studying various facets of his character when we took leave of him for a while to examine a couple of the wonderful qualities of the dazzling hero of the epic, Sri Rama. We will now go back to Maruti, whom we saw as a trusted deputy and a crisis manager.
Anjaneya is known for his communication skills. We saw Rama conferring upon him the title Sollin Selvan (Child of eloquent tongue) even at the very first meeting. There are several instances in the story where his communication skills turn the rudder in the right direction, enabling a smooth sail in rough waters.
Not for nothing that Rama developed his trust in him. He singled out Hanuman and gave him his ring when the vanara army - 70 vahinis of them (by the way, vahini is a number that is many more times greater than
akshauhini) - was being briefed by Sugriva, prior to its search for Sita.
Rama took Hanuman aside and gave him a description of Sita, her appearance and qualities. He even confided in him several intimate moments that the couple had, to enable him to convey them to Sita, when she was found, to establish the genuineness of Hanuman and to gain her confidence. Now, that is quite unusual. The normal practice would be to inform the entire army of the identification details of Sita and give them a message from Rama, so that anyone who is able to locate her can convey the message. No. Rama was convinced beyond doubt that it was Hanuman and Hanuman alone who would find his Sita.
Hanuman was the only one privileged to be taken into confidence by Sri Rama, from a sea of an army that was headed by veterans like Jambavan, Neela, Nala etc. We will be able understand the significance, if we recollect that Jambavan is supposed to be the most experienced and knowledgeable of the lot. We even tend to use his name, as a synonym for any of our colleague whom we consider is supreme in his area of work. 'Ah, he is a Jambavan,' we remark. But, the fact that Rama chose only Hanuman and not anyone else is noteworthy.
Please remember that Hanuman is still a deputy of Sugriva and has not yet become the devotee of Rama. He respects him beyond anything else in the world. He loves him. He has all the signs of a devotee. But he is still a deputy of Sugriva and looks to him for authority. We are going to see a change - and a diagonally opposite change - in Hanuman a few cantos later, after the search party headed by Angada (that included Hanuman) met Sampati, the elder brother of the vulture king Jatayu. He would no longer wait for a word or nod of approval from Sugriva, in the service of Sri Rama.
 It is therefore apparent that Sri Rama saw this gem in the proper light and entrusted him with all the details of Sita, including his kanayazhi, the ring, to be shown to Sita when she was found.
A winner is seen by his communication skills. Nothing is impossible for the one who is well versed in the art of communication. It is a difficult art, which if not carefully handled, can cause misery. Valluvar ordained therefore
Prosperity and ruin are in the power of the tongue; guard thou therefore against imprudence of speech. (Kural 642)
He also said:
Weigh each circumstance aright and then speak the speech that is fit; for the increase of righteousness and profit there is no other thing of more worth to thee than it.
(Kural 644)
Well, Maruti, the child of the eloquent tongue, lived up to the expectations of the Lord. We have invaluable lessons from his shining example. Let us see him in action, again.
Hari Krishnan
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