After Ravana kidnapped Mother Sita, Rama and Lakshmana left to search her in deep forests, where Hanumana Ji lived. Hanumana Ji felt that they were no ordinary beings but living incarnations. He disguised himself as a brahmin and offered his greetings. Rama said to him that he was not a true brahmin but wore a false garment. Hanumana Ji in disguised asked him to prove the notion. Rama said that true brahmins never bowed before Kshatriyas. Hanumana Ji said that if he was not a true brahmin, even they were not true Kshatriyas.
Hanumana Ji has tried to prove equality and irrelevance of superficial casteism. Hanumana Ji is a brahmin, a Kshatriya, a Vaishya, and a Shudra. Let us see.
A Brahmin- Hanumana Ji fixed his mind of the Self. He listens to every word of the Self (Brahman) and obeys it. Even Rama, his Lord, obeys him. The one who fixes his mind on the Self, breathes for the Self and does everything for the Self. Other beings born on the planet suffer their deeds and die. A large proportion of the population believes in Lord, but a tiny fragment obeys the commands of the Lord, and even the tiniest fragment receives obedience from Lord’s part.
A Kshatriya- Kshatriya refers to the arms that combat external forces. Whenever we face physical stress, we use our hands to combat it. Vikat Roop Dhari Lanka Jarave, Bheem Roop Dhari Asur Sahanre… This portion of Hanumana Chalisa. But, he never did a job as Hanumana, but as Rama Doot.
A Vaishya- Vaishya group includes the businessmen community. A businessman earns money, enjoys, gives off some portion to others, and makes some savings. Similarly, Hanumana Ji earned the wealth of Rama’s Name, gave the initiation of Rama’s Name to Vibhishana (tumhare mantra Vibhishan mana), and even Rama was indebted to him. Hanumana Ji accepted every command to Rama. Rama felt obliged for his services and thus owed debts. This means Hanumana Ji was rich and Rama was indebted to him.
A Shudra- Under British rule in undivided India, sanitation facilities were inappropriate. So, a certain group of people collected the excreta and dumped it at disposal sites. They were called Shudra or Harijan. They were not worthless but made society compatible for survival.
According to Indian customs, whenever guests arrived at our place, they removed their footwear and washed their feet before entering the house. This service of feet is called Shudra. There is no specific person like Shudra. Hanumana Ji did every job of a Shudra. He cleaned the place for Rama, served Rama’s feet, and served Rama in all ways.
There is an example to prove the degree of service Hanumana Ji did. One day, Guruji asked his disciple to bring water for taking a shower. The disciple asked him the time when he had to bring it. Guruji asked to bring the water at that moment. Then, the disciple asked him whether he had to fetch the water from the earthen pot or the river or the well. Guruji asked him to bring water from any source worth taking a shower. Another disciple came into the room. Guruji asked him to untie the rope of the cow and bring her into the ashrama as it was raining. The disciple said that he could not free anyone from captivity, only the Divine Guru could.
This means that we can create infinite excuses if we do not want to do a job. Hanumana Ji served Rama even before Rama asked him to do that job. The experience of Oneness made this possible. It is said, “Rama Rasayan Tumhare Pasa, Sada Raho Raghupati Ke Dasa.”