Stories That Will Change Your Life

The Book of Lord Ram

Once a devotee of Lord Ram wanted to know: Will he remember Lord Ram at the time of his death or not? (Lord Ram in His avatar as Lord Krishna says this in Bhagavad gita 8.6-7: Whatever state of being one remembers when one quits one's body, that state one will attain without fail. Therefore, Arjuna, you should always think of Me.)

To know it from the Lord Himself, he went to Lord Ram and asked with both palms joined. "I want to know if I will think about You at the time of my death or not."

Lord Ram smiled and said, "I have a book, there are names of My devotees who will think about Me at the time of their death."

The Lord gave him that book, and that man started eagerly searching out for his name in it. A little later, he found out his name somewhere between the pages. Excitement charged his body, and he was so elated that he started jumping on the ground.

Then he took a leave from the Lord and headed back to his home. While going home, Hanuman came across his way. Certainly Hanuman asked him the reason behind his ecstasy. Jubilant to the bone, he told the whole story to Hanuman.

Now even Hanuman wanted to see if his name is in the book of Lord Ram or not. Hanuman swiftly went and asked the Lord to show that book. The Lord gave him the book, smilingly.

Hanuman curiously began searching out for his name. His eyes went through every page of the book, but didn't find out his name. How it is possible? How come Hanuman's name is nowhere in the book? His name should be on the top of the list because the whole world knows what a great devotee he is, and of course, those incredible services that he rendered to his Lord Rama.

How can Lord Ram forget that beautiful pastime of Hanuman lifting mountain in his hand to bring Sangeevani herb for fatally wounded Lakshmana, the younger brother of Lord Ram? How can Ramachandra forget Hanuman's leap to Lanka and locate Sita which was even difficult than finding a needle in a haystack?

There are innumerable services he has rendered to his Lord, but how can Lord Ram simply forget all those incredible services?

Hanuman was morose, but this really didn't discourage his devotion to his Lord. He thought that maybe there are many devotees who must be greater than him, and he was happy for them.

As always, next day he came to serve Lord Ram. That's how pure devotees are, even if the Lord doesn't give them a significant position in His life, still they don't stop serving Him. Most of the time, worship is simply based on give and take policy. However, that's not the case with the pure devotees of the Lord.

While massaging the Lord's feet, Lord Ram— being supersoul in every living entity— understood Hanuman's inner emotions. "Why are you so upset, dear Hanuman?"

Hanuman did try to hide his emotions, but since his Lord asked him something, therefore, he couldn't stop himself from speaking the truth. "My Lord, I'm upset because I don't have my name in Your book."

Lord Ram smiled and showed him a small book. Hanuman quickly protested, "My Lord, this is not that book. That book was very thick and large."

"I know, but just check out this book," the Lord said, smilingly.

Hanuman turned to the first page and his name was on the top. Hanuman became very happy, his eyes filled with tears and it kept on flowing, he tried to ask the Lord about this book.

But Lord Rama spoke up before His dear devotee could speak. "These devotees don't have to worry thinking about Me at the time of their death because I will think about them."

Moral: They say one who wants to see God are not that advanced in devotion. One should serve God in such a way that God will come to see you. We should serve the Lord, according to spiritual master's guidance and scriptures, then definitely it will be the Lord who will think about us.