Shri Hanuman’s life is one of total dedication. He knew that the very purpose of his existence was to do Lord Rama’s work. Due to the power of his steadfast and fearless dedication, nothing was impossible for him. Celebrated for his phenomenal powers, he has been described as atulita bala dhama - an abode of incomparable strength. This refers to not only his physical strength, but also his mental discipline, determination, will power and stamina.

Mental Strength

How did Hanumanji reach this exalted stature? Shri Krishna has disclosed the secret in the Bhagavad Gita. He says, “I am the strength in the strong….” A ‘strong’ person is one who is free of lust and attachment. Lust is a strong, obsessive desire for anything. Arising from selfishness and greed, both lust and attachment, weaken a person. The Lord declares that He is strength in a selfless person; He is the strength of a person who lives a life of dharma and does his duty without wavering.

It requires a tremendous amount of discipline to live a life of dharma. Even when we know what is right, we are unable to stop ourselves from doing wrong. In the Mahabharata, there is the revealing example of Duryodhana who admitted that he knew right and wrong, but could not prevent himself from committing unrighteous actions, and was powerless to do what was moral and just. We may have the knowledge and ability to discriminate, but in order to conquer our weaknesses and live a life of dharma, we require a lot of fortitude. This is achieved by sublimation – not by suppression. There is a vast difference between the two.

All of us have desires which may, at times, be bad or harmful. We have been given the discrimination to make the right choices in life. Yet when a desire arises, in spite of our principles and sincerity, we end up committing wrong or unethical actions. This is because our intellect and mind are not in harmony with each other.

How do we integrate them? We waver from our aims because of the inconsistencies of the mind, but the same mind is quick and willing to sacrifice anything for love. Love unites; love integrates. When the high ideals of the intellect discover an altar of devotion and dedication, the mind is ready to surrender everything to reach that goal. Dedication is born of devotion. When one’s ideals, principles and knowledge obtain the strength of love and devotion, even the most ‘impossible’ goals can be achieved.

Identify with the Higher

Lord Hanuman became an ‘abode of incomparable strength’ because he was always conscious of his status as Rama Duta – a messenger of the Lord.

We too can be like him. First of all, establish your identity. All your duties will become immediately clear, once you create a superior identity for yourself. For example, if you resolve that you are here to do the Lord’s work, your chief role in life will be very clear, irrespective of your social identity. Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda succinctly pointed out, “Higher and nobler the goal, greater will be the achievement.”

The higher the altar of devotion, the greater will be our dedication; greater the dedication, greater will be the surrender of ego; greater the surrender of the ego, mightier will be the powers that manifest in you. There is no other technique or mantra or meditation for this. Create a higher identity. Keep your goals lofty. Dedicate yourself to them. Where there is devotion, there will be no compromises.

Thus, when you honestly dedicate yourself to the highest goal, potent powers and abilities will arise in you. Shri Hanuman was already an achiever. But, the moment he realized that his master was the supreme Lord and his goal was the Supreme, incredible capabilities arose in him. Everything he did was for Lord Rama. When a person does everything for God’s sake, the Lord’s grace and power flow through him. He becomes an instrument of the Divine.

The Author is the Global Head of Chinmaya Mission