Boundless Compassion

After the battle between Lord Rama and the demon king Ravana was over, Hanuman went to the Ashoka grove, where Mother Sita was kept by Ravana after abducting her.

He bowed in the holy feet of the mother and happily conveyed the news that Lord Rama has killed Ravana and has thus won the war. Mother Sita was overjoyed to hear the news and, out of her happiness, she said to Hanuman to ask for any boon he desired.

At that moment, Hanuman, who was in great pain on seeing Mother Sita be ing kept amongst the demonesses by Ravana, said, “O holy Mother! These demonesses have caused you immense trouble while you were here. They must suffer the punishment for their heinous deeds. If you wish to bestow on me a boon, then, kindly give me the permission to kill all of them. It will give a great relief to my ailing heart.”

The holy Mother smiled and said, “Hanuman, I respect your deep concern and feelings for me. However, these demonesses were only carrying out the orders of their demon-king Ravana. Therefore, they should not be punished.” Saying thus, Mother Sita narrated a beautiful tale to Hanuman–

There was a hunter, who had gone in the forest for hunting a lion. He had spotted a lion and was targeting him, when, accidently, he tripped. When he fell down, his weapon slipped from his hands and rolled down, getting lost in the leaves that covered the ground. By then, the lion was already seen running in his direction.