Story #25: Hanuman's vermilion

    Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya after completion of vanavasa. Hanuman and others also went with the Lord and were present there during coronation of Lord Rama as king of Ayodhya.

    After the ceremony lord Rama gifted all those that have come with exclusive gifts and sent them back to their own place.  However,  Hanuman stayed back. 

   On a particular Tuesday morning Hanuman felt very hungry. He went to tell Seetha, that he wanted some food. She was about to leave for morning bath. She asked Hanuman to wait until she is back.

   After bath, Seetha applied a vermilion line in the parting of her hair as per normal practice of every married woman. Hanuman saw this and was puzzled by it.  Hanuman like a child asked her the reason for it.

Seetha said that wearing the vermilion mark will increase the lifespan of Lord Rama.  She then gave fruits and cooked food to pacify the hunger of Hanuman. While eating Hanuman kept thinking of this. 

He cursed himself for not thinking about Rama's lifespan,  and not doing anything to increase it.  After thinking for a long time, he applied oil throughout his body and smeared layers and layers of red vermillion from his feet to head profusely.  He then picked up his mace and went to Rama's court. 

    On the way to court and in the court, whoever say him were either taken aback or stayed laughing.  Even Seetha laughed seeing such an appearance. 

   On the other side, Rama was curious.  He asked Hanuman the reason for it, in a very kind voice. 

    Innocently, Hanuman related the incident of Seetha applying vermilion on her head. He said, if mother Seetha applying a small dot in head would increase Rama's lifespan considerably,  then applying vermilion layer after layer on entire body would increase Rama's lifespan enormously.

   Lord Rama was pleased with the simplicity and deep devotional feeling of Hanuman. He embraced Hanuman, became somewhat red with vermilion. He then declared, whoever applies vermilion and oil on Hanuman on Tuesday,  will get all desires fulfilled.

   Even the smallest heartfelt action,  satisfies and makes the gods happy.