The Ramayan was first written and told by Rishi Valmiki. Since then, it has been told, retold in mythology, puranas, folk lore, stories and many more tales. Many stories were added from different sources, linking them to many of the important incidents happening in the Ramayan. Few stories are orally heard, few written down, few told, but the magic and essence of Ramayan is always delightful and devotional. One such tale is that of the childhood friendship of Bhagwan Ram and Shri Hanuman.

Shri Hanuman is one of the incarnations of the Ekadasa Rudra forms of Bhagwan Shiv. Considered the eleventh form from the Ekadasa Rudras, he was ordered by Bhagwan Shiv to assume the form of Vaanar and serve Bhagwan Ram in his task of killing the demon king Raavan. So, Hanuman came to be born as the son of the mighty Kesari and Anjana Devi. However, as his heart was set on Bhagwan Ram, he went to Ayodhya and started watching his swami performing all his Baal lillas with great happiness and devotion.

Meanwhile, in Kailash, Bhagwan Shiv wanted to have a darshan of the little Ramji in Ayodhya during his childhood. So, he takes the form of a Madari (monkey trainer), takes a monkey with him, and visits Bhagwan Ram in Ayodhya. This monkey was none other than Shri Hanuman. Both go to the palace, and Bhagwan Shiv starts playing the damaru, and Shri Hanuman starts to dance to the damaru music.

The little Ramji, who watches this performance is very much happy and asks the monkey for himself as his playmate. He knows that the monkey is none other than the form of Rudra. Maharaj Dasarath who comes to know about this, sends for the Madari and asks him to leave the monkey for how much ever wealth wanted by him. The Madari simply smiles and leaves the monkey and goes away. Nobody understands where he vanishes. Before leaving, Bhagwan Shiv orders Hanumanji never to leave his swami and always be with him.

Shri Hanumanji in the form of the little monkey, now becomes little Ramji’s best friend and never leaves his side. They continued to be together till Rishi Vishwamitr comes to Ayodhya and asks Maharaj Dasarath to send Bhagwan Ram with him for killing the demons Tadaka, Marich, and Subahu. Ramji calls Hanuman and orders him to go to Rishyamuk Parvat, and be with Sugriv till he comes there. He asks Hanuman to coordinate friendship between himself and Sugriv so that Raavan can be killed and the world was free from his evil tyranny.

Shri Hanuman, although feels sad for leaving his swami, he understands his duty to perform and leaves Ayodhya and goes to Sugriv and stays with him waiting for the darshan of his swami again.

Thus, is the beautiful story of two friends who liked each other so much and were inseparable from each other. Yet, for Dharma, they part ways and do their duty needed, giving us an example of how adhering to one’s duty is the most important virtue of all.

(Source- Hanuman Charitra from sources of Shri Valmiki Ramayan and Padma Puran)