Hanuman Falls at the Feet of the Servant Whom Rama Himself Praises
Uttara Kanda, Chhand 1
Doha 3 · Movement 2 of 3
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Bharata asks whether the ornament of Raghu's line ever remembers him as a servant. Fourteen years of fidelity have not produced a claim upon Rama, only wonder that his name might still arise in the beloved heart.
Hanuman hears the question and falls at Bharata's feet, his body thrilled. He knows what Bharata cannot imagine claiming: Rama himself speaks the prince's virtues from his own mouth.
Tulsidas turns humility into revelation. How could one praised by Raghuvira be anything other than supremely humble, utterly pure, and an ocean of noble qualities? Bharata's inability to see his stature is itself part of that stature. Hanuman, embodiment of service, bows before another form of service whose throne has been a kusha mat and whose crown has been matted hair.
Bharata asks whether Rama remembers him, and Hanuman answers first by placing his whole body at Bharata's feet.
Read the passage from the Manas
निज दास ज्यों रघुबंसभूषन कबहुँ मम सुमिरन कर् यो। सुनि भरत बचन बिनीत अति कपि पुलकित तन चरनन्हि पर् यो।। रघुबीर निज मुख जासु गुन गन कहत अग जग नाथ जो। काहे न होइ बिनीत परम पुनीत सदगुन सिंधु सो।।
'Does the Ornament of the Raghu dynasty, my Master, ever remember this servant of His?' Hearing Bharat's humble words, Hanuman's body thrilled with emotion, and he fell at Bharat's feet. He whose virtues Raghuvira Himself recounts from His own lips, He who is Lord of all that moves and does not move: why should such a one not be supremely humble, supremely pure, an ocean of noble qualities?