Echoes of Humility: Hanuman’s Lessons for Modern-Day Leaders

This article explores Hanuman's humble yet effective communication style in ancient scriptures, drawing lessons for modern leadership, governance, and

 

Echoes of Humility: Hanuman’s Lessons for
Modern-Day Leaders

By Prime Point Srinivasan, Managing Editor

This is the Cover Story published in the June 2024 edition of eMagazine PreSense

(This article explores Hanuman's humble yet effective communication style in ancient scriptures, drawing lessons for modern leadership, governance, and diplomacy.)

India's ancient scriptures, including the Vedas, Ithihasas, and Puranas, are not mere spiritual documents but also great textbooks for governance, management, and communication techniques. Rarely do we study in depth the relevance of these techniques in modern-day governance.

While we worship Hanuman and celebrate him as the greatest devotee of Lord Rama, we should also recognise him as the greatest communicator with humility. His strength lays in his humility combined with communication expertise. This helped him build trust and function as a diplomat. In this article, we will briefly study how he communicated when he met Lord Rama, Sita Mata, and Ravan for the first time in different environments. We will also discuss the relevance to modern-day governance.

Hanuman Meeting Lord Ram

When Rama and Lakshman were roaming in Kishkinda forests in search of the kidnapped Sita, Hanuman met Rama in disguise as a Brahmin on Sugriva's instructions. Since this was their first meeting, Hanuman wanted to learn more about Rama and Lakshman. His opening words demonstrated astute diplomacy:

"कौ युवां वृषभस्कन्धौ महाबाहू महाबलौ।

कथं प्राप्तावितं देशं दुर्गं गिरिवनायुतम्॥"

(Kishkindha Kanda, Sarga 3, Shloka 16)

Translation: "Who are you two with shoulders like bulls, mighty-armed and greatly strong? How have you reached this impenetrable region, filled with mountains and forests?"

This opening gambit showcased Hanuman's skill in gathering information while maintaining a respectful tone. He complimented their appearance while subtly questioning their presence, demonstrating tact and intelligence. Hanuman gradually revealed his true identity and purpose as the conversation unfolded, building trust through measured and insightful responses. During the conversation, Hanuman gathered information about Rama and Lakshman and the purpose of their visit and also conveying a message from Sugriva. In this process, Hanuman exhibited a high level of communication skills with diplomacy.

After this conversation, Rama was highly impressed with Hanuman's eloquence and communication skills and praised him in Lakshman's presence.

Rama specifically praises Hanuman in Kishkindha Kanda, Sarga 4, Slokas 33-36. Here, Rama comments on Hanuman's speech, noting its impeccable clarity, brevity, and fluency.

Rama appreciated his brevity, saying, "Neither too short nor too long, neither too elaborate nor too concise has your speech been; no important point has been omitted by you."

Rama further praised, "Your speech is apt and pleasing, clear and well-connected, faultless, letter-perfect, knowledgeable of meanings, and free from envy. What you have not expressed and what you have expressed are both proper."  Rama also appreciates Hanuman’s voice modulation and his use of appropriate words.  Rama describes the conversation as pleasant like music. 

This praise from Rama, coming immediately after their first interaction, set the tone for Hanuman's pivotal role in the epic's events.

First Meeting with Sita

Hanuman's encounter with Sita in Ravana's Ashoka grove garden is a masterclass in empathetic communication. Aware of Sita's vulnerable state, he approached her with utmost caution and respect. First, he sang the glory of Rama and narrated the incidents that happened in the forest in a mild voice, sitting on the tree above Sita. Sita's attention was drawn, but she suspected that this vanara might be Ravana's attempt to deceive her. The shrewd Hanuman started his conversation with Sita to create trust. Hanuman shared details of private conversations between Rama and Sita, as recounted by Rama, to build trust. He presented the ring worn by Rama as a token of identity:

"दूतोऽहं कोसलेन्द्रस्य रामस्याक्लिष्टकर्मणः।

रामनामाङ्कितं चेदं पश्य देवि महीयकम्॥"

(Sundara Kanda, Sarga 35, Shloka 2-3)

Translation: "O noble lady, I am a messenger of Rama, the Lord of Kosala, whose deeds are unblemished. Behold, O Goddess, this signet ring marked with Rama's name."

Hanuman's words were carefully chosen to provide immediate comfort and establish trust. He presented Rama's signet ring as proof of his identity, skillfully using non-verbal communication to support his verbal claims. His gentle approach and gradual revelation of information demonstrated deep emotional intelligence and situational awareness.

After Hanuman's return from Lanka, he narrated his experiences in Lanka and his conversation with Sita to Rama. Rama immediately appreciated him effectively:

"न वायुः न अन्तकः न च इन्द्रः न वरुणः न च यमः।

त्वया तुल्यं हि पश्यामि वानर त्वं हि दुर्जयः॥"

(Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 1, Shloka 2-3)

Translation: "Neither Wind (Vayu), nor Death (Antaka), nor Indra, nor Varuna, nor Yama do I see as equal to you, O Vanara. Indeed, you are invincible."

This praise highlighted Hanuman's physical prowess and intellectual and communicative abilities. Rama recognised that Hanuman's success in his mission was as much due to his diplomatic skills as his strength and courage.

Confronting Ravana

Hanuman's encounter with Ravana showcased his ability to adapt his communication style to different audiences. When brought before the demon king, Hanuman spoke with confidence and diplomacy:

"दूतोऽहं कोसलेन्द्रस्य रामस्य विदितात्मनः।

श्रूयतां चैव वचनं मम पथ्यमिदं प्रभो॥"

(Sundara Kanda, Sarga 51, Shloka 11-12)

Translation: "I am an envoy of Rama, the self-controlled Lord of Kosala. O master, listen to my words, for they are meant for your benefit."

Even while delivering a stern message, Hanuman maintained decorum, addressing Ravana with respect, befitting his status as a king. This demonstrated Hanuman's ability to balance assertiveness with diplomacy, a crucial negotiation and conflict resolution skill.

Views of Commentators

Govindaraja, a 12th-century commentator on the Ramayana, noted: "Hanuman's humility is not false modesty, but a genuine recognition of his role as a servant of the divine. This makes his words all the more powerful and trustworthy."

Kamban, in his Tamil version of the Ramayana, portrayed Hanuman as a master of language and diplomacy. In his rendition of Hanuman's meeting with Sita, he wrote (translated from Tamil):

"His words were like nectar to her ears, soothing her grief and dispelling her fears. With eloquence divine and rare, He spoke of Rama's love and care."

Tulsidas, in his Ramcharitmanas, frequently praised Hanuman's communication skills. When describing Hanuman's meeting with Rama, he wrote:

"बोलत बचन नीति अति पावन।

मधुर मनोहर अति सुखदावन॥"

Translation: "He spoke words of supreme and pure wisdom, Sweet, charming, and extremely delightful."

These commentators highlighted various aspects of Hanuman's communication expertise, including his mastery of language, his ability to adapt his style to different audiences, the soothing and persuasive quality of his speech, and his capacity to express profound ideas in simple terms.

Lessons for Modern Governance, Politics and Leadership

Many modern-day leaders and aspirants in politics and corporations lack communication skills. They should emulate the following qualities from Hanuman's communication style:

1.    Humility: Humility combined with communication, despite Hanuman's enormous strength, ability, and knowledge.

2.    Adaptability: Adapting messages to deliver to different audiences.

3.    Emotional Intelligence: Hanuman's interactions are marked by a keen awareness of others' emotional states. He knows when to be forceful and when to be gentle.

4.    Balancing Confidence and Humility: Hanuman demonstrates that one can be both confident in one's abilities and humble in one's demeanour.

5.    Clear and Purposeful Communication: Every word Hanuman speaks serves a purpose. In an era of information overload, the ability to communicate clearly using appropriate words and purposefully is more important than ever.

6.    Building Trust: Through his words and actions, Hanuman quickly establishes trust with those he encounters. In an era of increasing political and corporate cynicism, the ability to build genuine trust is invaluable.

7.    Diplomacy in Adversity: Hanuman's interaction with Ravana demonstrates how to maintain diplomacy even in hostile situations. This skill is crucial in today's often polarised political environment and competitive business world.

In an era of rapid communication and social media, where words can be amplified and misconstrued easily, Hanuman's thoughtful, measured approach is a valuable model.

In a political or corporate landscape, leaders can approach communication with Hanuman's blend of clarity, empathy, and purpose. Such an approach could help bridge ideological divides, foster more productive dialogue, and ultimately lead to more effective governance and business practices.

Moreover, Hanuman's example reminds us that true communication is not just about speaking but also about listening and observing. His success in his mission was as much due to his ability to gather and interpret information as it was to his skill in conveying messages.

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