When Valmiki completed his Ramayana, Narada said: :It is good but Hanuman’s is better’. A perplexed Valmiki set out to find Hanuman and reached Kadali Vana, the grove of plantains, where he found Hanuman’s Ramayana inscribed on seven broad leaves of a banana tree. He read it and found it to be perfect. He started to cry. ‘Is it so bad?’ asked Hanuman. No it is so good, that after reading your Ramayana no one will read my Ramayana, replied Valmiki.

Without hesitation, Hanuman simply tore up the seven banana leaves, saying ‘Now no one will ever read Hanuman’s Ramayana’. A stunned Valmiki asked Hanuman why he had destroyed his beautiful work. Hanuman said, ‘You seem to need your Ramayana more than I need mine. You wrote so that the world remembers Valmiki. I wrote so that I remember Ram. Ram is an indelible part of me; he is in my heart, soul body and mind.’

Valmiki’s writing was inspired by ambition whereas Hanuman’s inspiration was his pure devotion and affection for Ram. That’s why Hanuman’s Ramayana read so much better, it was his way of expressing his deep love for Ram.

(By Narayani Ganesh)