Devotion and Duty: Hanuman's Loyalty to Ram and Seeta

Sugreev, Hanuman, and several other monkeys accompanied Ram, Lakshman, and Seeta to Ayodhya. Six months after his coronation, Ram summoned the monkeys and said, "A friend in need is a friend indeed. Ravan's death would have been impossible without your help. You are my true friends. But you have been away from your homes for a long time, and your relatives are probably worried sick about you. So, you should return to your families now." Ram gave them expensive gifts and, with his well wishes and blessings, bade them farewell.

Ram ruled Ayodhya for several years with the help of his wife and brothers. An Ashok Garden near his mansion was even more splendid than the one in Lanka. After completing his royal duties, he would converse with Seeta in this garden. During one such conversation, Seeta informed Ram she was pregnant. She wore an attractive red dress that displayed a slight baby bump. Ram was ecstatic to learn that he would become a father. He asked Seeta if she desired anything and promised her all her wishes would be fulfilled.

"I want to spend some time meditating among great rishis and saints on the Ganga riverbank," said Seeta. "There, I wish to subsist on roots and vegetables."

Ram promised to take her to the Ganga riverbank the next day and look for suitable places to meditate. Meanwhile, Hanuman stayed in Ayodhya, but the other monkeys left. He wished to serve Lord Ram and Mother Seeta for the rest of his life. But Monkey King Sugreev didn't want to be separated from Hanuman. He felt that Hanuman was no longer the staunch servant he was before. When Sugreev expressed these feelings to Hanuman, the latter became agitated.

Hanuman told Sugreev that Ram and Seeta reside in his heart; therefore, he couldn't be away from them. To prove this, he tore open his chest with his nails. Everyone saw that Ram and Seeta were indeed present in Hanuman's heart. Sugreev was astonished and understood what Hanuman was trying to tell him. He freed Hanuman from all his obligations to the kingdom of Kishkindha so he could wholeheartedly serve Ram and Seeta.