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 Hanuman plays a major role in Ramayana. His first appearance is in Kishkinta Kanda, the fourth book, after almost fifty percent of the story has taken shape. Yet his role in the story has its own importance and value. In fact, the entire fifth book, Sundara Kanda is devoted to him. He is the hero of the entire Canto. The name Sundara (handsome) refers to him. He is a master in the art of communication. He is an able administrator. He is a thoughtful minister. He is a crisis manager. He is a devoted servant. Self-appointed ambassador. Able negotiator. His devotion to Sri Rama needs no emphasis. And, above all, he emerges remarkably as a trusted deputy. I cannot complete this list. It is not possible for anyone to comprehend the multifaceted personality of Hanuman.
Many are the studies and analyses on his personality. But it is a strange fact that not much thought has gone into his role as a trusted deputy. A deputy of Sugriva, who had pinned his entire existence on Hanuman.
A leader in doubt
We know the story of Sugriva and how he was chased from pillar to post by his elder brother Vali. Sugriva, accompanied by his ministers Nila, Nala, Tara and Hanuman was hiding in the Rishyamuka parvata, where Vali could not enter because of a curse.
Rama and Lakshmana were coming in search of Sugriva. When Sugriva saw Rama and Lakshmana from a hilltop, he was seized with fear. The very sight of two persons with bow and arrows shook him to the core. The mind of the poor and desperate vanara king in exile was functioning just in one track. He saw the warriors as mercenaries of his brother. He could not think of anything else. The first thought that occurred in his mind was to seek the help of Hanuman. He assigned the task of collecting information on the two strangers to Hanuman and quickly vanished into his cave, not even pausing to listen to what Hanuman had to say, if any.
 Hanuman's first appearance shows him with an important assignment. He has to find out who these two strange humans were. He did not have any other instruction from his master, Sugriva. He was not given any instruction on what he should do, if he finds them to be enemies. Or what should he do if they were not. Should he collect information and come back or should he take any action? What was he supposed to do in case they turn out to be friends? Is he supposed to give any commitment on his behalf, if these strangers asked for some help?
Well, Sugriva had no time for any of these instructions. His mind was revolving round just one theme. His brother and his incessant efforts to kill him. The fact is that he did not tarry even a second after assigning the task. He had already concluded that these two were agents of Vali. He says,
"Vali eevalin varavinargal". They have been ordered by Vali to fetch me. Find out. Just a one-line instruction and that's that.
How Hanuman dealt with the situation? Did he collect the information on the strangers, as was required? Did he divulge any information about his leader, in the process? When there was no instruction from the leader, how did he manage the situation when he found out those two strangers to be trustworthy and in fact on whom his leader can depend on? When they wanted to meet his leader in person, did he take them to his hiding? Let us see.
(To be continued)
Hari Krishnan
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