When Bhagavan Shri Ram completes his leela and at the end decides to return to his abode (Vaikunth), he doesn’t go alone, but takes everyone in Ayodhya with him including insects, dogs and other animals. Everyone proceeds with him to the river Saryu to reach his abode when suddenly, someone realised Shri Hanumanji was not with them. The devotee said to God, “Your greatest follower, Shri Hanumanji, cannot be seen and the first person worthy of entry in your abode should be a follower like him.”
One follower turned behind and saw that Hanumanji was standing outside Ayodhya watching everyone leave and bidding farewell to Shri Ramji with tears in his eyes. Shri Ramji summoned Hanumanji who immediately presented in front of Shri Ramji. Shri Ramji said, “Hanuman, come with us. Why are you standing there all alone? I am taking everyone with me and you deserve to be in my abode first.”
Hanumanji replied, “Lord, please answer one question, will I get to hear your katha in your abode?”
Ramji smiled and said, “Oh! I will be present there myself!”
To this Hanumanji said, “Lord, you will definitely be there, but this servant is asking if your katha will be there?”
Ramji responded, “Hanuman! My katha is only available on this earth. I will be present in my abode, but my katha will not be.”
Hanumanji said, “Lord, then you proceed to your abode. Please command this servant of yours to stay here. Until your katha is present on this earth, bestow me with your blessings that I will continue to listen to it.”
To this Ramji said, “so be it!”
Hence, Shri Hanumanji did not proceed to Shri Ramji’s abode due to the longing for Ram Katha.
Prabhu charitra sunibe ko rasiya, Ram Lakhan Sita man basiya
Meaning: You are an ardent listener, always keen to listen to Shri Ram’s katha.
You dwell in the hearts of Shri Ram, Shri Lakshman and Shri Sita.
Shri Hanumanji either listens to Ram Katha or narrates it, and whoever Shri Hanumanji has narrated the Ram Katha to, has indeed attained Shri Ram. For example, Shri Hanumanji narrated Ram Katha to Sugriv and Sugriv met Shri Ram; Shri Vibhishanji acquainted Shri Ram after listening to Ram Katha from Shri Hanumanji as seen in Sunderkand in Shri Ram Charit Manas.
Shri Hanumanji narrated Ram Katha in Ashok Vatika which Maa Sita heard. Hence Maa Sita re-united with Shri Ram:
Ram Chandra goon barne laagaa, sunatahi Sita kar dukh bhaagaa
Meaning: As soon as Shri Hanumanji narrated the Ram katha, Shri Sitaji’s grief disappeared.
Shri Hanumanji is such a great and thoughtful narrator. One who listens to him without doubt, gains darshan of Shri Ram. In addition, he is also a great listener. He listens to Ram Katha with complete affection. It is tradition to invite Shri Hanumanji at the beginning of every Ram Katha, as who can be a better listener than him? And Indeed, Hanumanji does arrive to listen to Ram Katha.
Let us all pray to Shri Hanumanji to bless us all with his grace so that we can affectionately listen to Shri Ram Katha every day.
Jai Jai Shri Bajrangbali!