Hanuman – The quintessential communicator
After globalization, the word “management” is heard everywhere and its demand is growing by leaps and bounds. Communication skills, that is, “the power to speak”, is essential to be successful in any “Management” role.
Communication: the divine weapon
Long ago, Mahakavi Kalidasa wrote in ‘Raghu Vamsa’, a great work: ‘Vaagartha Viva Sampruktau; Vaagartha Pratipattaye; Jagatah Pitarau Vande; Parvati Parameswarau ” I greet Parvati and Parameswara, Parents of the Universe, to bless me with expression and meaning, because they are so united. ‘ Therefore, Kalidasa knew that in communication, word and meaning must be closely mixed. It is necessary to say or write exactly what we want to say. The expression of feelings is the only differentiator, which separates human beings from other living beings. Communication is like a divine weapon. If used incorrectly, it can become a destructive weapon in the hands of a fool. There are people who enjoy congratulations with the power of their ‘speech’! There are people who invite wars for lack of proper communication! You can regain your leg slippage and heal, but you can’t reverse your tongue slippage!
Hanuman: the communication expert!
The importance of the power of communication is illustrated in Valmiki’s epic Ramayana. The general public always feels that Hanuman is just a person who always sings Ram bhajan. He is the expert in Vedas, expert in all sciences, a man of action, a noble minister, an efficient ambassador, an eminent leader, and an obedient servant. Whatever position he held, he always followed his dharma as an ideal idol for others.
How is this possible?
His experience in communication allowed him to assume various roles efficiently and effectively. New age managers can learn many things and receive advice from Hanuman, the communication expert, as Lord Rama himself acclaims.
How do I communicate?
Hanuman is an expert in science communication, that is, he always speaks as he should. The way Hanuman speaks is analyzed by Rama in Kishkindha Kaanda as recounted by Valmiki. When Hanuman first met Rama outside Kishkindha as a messenger for Sugreeva, Rama was enchanted by Hanuman’s communication style and art of speaking. He says to his brother Lakshmana: ‘Look how excellently Hanuman has spoken. He did not utter a single word without relevance and meaning. You haven’t wasted a single word. Nor did he omit an appropriate word. He has not taken longer than strictly necessary to express what he wanted to say. Every word he spoke can never be forgotten. That voice promotes general well-being and remains forever in the hearts and minds of generations to come. ” Isn’t it a short statement of the fundamentals and essentials of what speech should be like?
Once again, when Hanuman sees Sita in Ashoka Grove in Lanka of Ravana, the Demon King, he exclaims: “ Finding Sita here is like listening to a person who lacks a culture of words, who tries to say something but actually says something ”. the rest! ‘A mismatch between what you say and what you want to say.
According to Francis T. Bergin, a well-known communication expert, the seven Cs are the essential elements of communication. It should be ‘correct’, ‘clear’, ‘complete’, ‘concise’, ‘concrete’, ‘sincere’ and ‘courteous’. Do they not agree with the advice of Valmiki, who wrote centuries ago in his timeless epic?
Hanuman on how to speak!
Anyone who can practice as Hanuman can achieve success in any field of his choice. To cite one more example from the Ramayana, illustrating Hanuman’s effective communication skills, let’s follow this scene. Hanuman, having found Sita in Ravana’s Asoka Garden, returned with his fellow monkeys, who are eagerly awaiting the news. Seeing their anxious faces, in the presence of Rama, Hanuman shouted ‘Drushta Sita’ and this released not only Rama’s tension but also all the monkeys.
‘Seen Sita!’ – What a suitable communication in the given context! If Hanuman had started his communication about finding Sita with something other than ‘Drushta’, say with a pronouncement like Sita, he could only have aroused the anxieties of the monkeys and Rama to greater heights, by raising countless questions like: ‘Sita, What happened to her? ‘ She is alive? “Could Hanuman see her?” etc., even before Hanuman could complete the rest of his statement. And herein lies Valmiki’s greatness in making Hanuman pay attention to the state of mind of his fellow monkeys and of Rama and convey exactly what they were eagerly waiting to hear.
How and how much to talk?
This is one of the dilemmas that we all face on a day-to-day basis. Moral values, rules and regulations will not enter the depths of the heart, if one says it in single words. To understand the importance of the message, it is convenient to illustrate it with a short story or an interesting anecdote. Hanuman demonstrated in Ramayana on many occasions how and how much to speak.
As emissary and representative
How to talk while chatting with family? How do you speak in the performance of your professional duties? How do you talk when you are in business? How do you speak when you are solving a problem? How do you talk when trying to build relationships? How to speak when you are an intermediary or representative?
Hanuman watched Sita as she attempted suicide. You have to prevent her from making that serious mistake. You have to inform him about the arrival of Rama. First, he has to earn his trust that he is the Emissary of Rama. In order for his task to be successful, he thought carefully and uttered a single sentence: “Dasaratha is the king of Ayodhya.” Then he began to tell the story sitting on the branches of the tree. Sita stopped her efforts to strangle herself to death after hearing the word ‘Dasaratha’ in Lanka, where Rama is only familiar with the demon population. He felt that his closest associates had reached Lanka. Then, Hanuman appeared in front of Sita and explained to her all the happy events that Rama comes to Lanka to free her from the clutches of Ravana to comfort her and give her courage. He did not utter a single word about his adventures while crossing the sea.
Sita has to live until Rama reaches Lanka. What to do to achieve this goal? Just by informing him about Rama’s arrival, He can prevent Sita from sacrificing her life. It is not necessary to narrate your adventures at sea and show off your greatness. That is why Hanuman always speaks what is necessary according to the situation.
How to communicate with friends?
Hanuman, after meeting Sita, burned Lanka, warned Ravana, and returned across the sea to meet his army of monkeys who were anxiously waiting on the other shore. He informed them of Sita’s well-being and comforted them. After hearing this good news from Hanuman, they began to ask him about his adventures at sea. How could you cross the sea of hundreds of miles? How did you get into the incredibly protected Lanka? How could you find Sita in that huge city Lanka? We want to know all about your victorious trip to Lanka. The army of monkeys has posed Hanuman with all enthusiasm and anxiety. Hanuman explained all their trials and turbulence during their trip to Lanka and wowed them with his experiences at sea. They are your friends and also eager to hear your adventures. He narrated his entire trip to Lanka as a travel diary. He told them all about his adventures, but he did not tell them the two words that Sita said to Rama. Those details are for Rama only. They should not be reported to your friends. Those words are for Rama. Friends are friends and the boss is the boss. Personal messages should only be delivered to a particular person.
How to contact Boss and the King
After returning to Kishkindha, the entire army of monkeys dance with joy at having seen Sita. Rama asked those who had seen Sita to come forward, until then Hanuman was humbly retreating. After Rama’s due request, Hanuman explained Sita’s sad situation in Lanka. He said the two words to Rama as Sita said them. Hanuman handed over the ornament that Sita gave to Rama. That’s it! He did not say a single word about his adventures, trials and tribulations during the trip to Lanka.
Rama is the King. Hanuman is a servant. You have to obey your boss and complete the task efficiently. That’s it!
One has to emulate Hanuman’s task-oriented demeanor, proactive nature, and speaking power to be successful in any of the chosen fields.
The Ramayana and the Mahabharata should not be read in the last phase of life (old age), but in the first two phases. Epics must be read during childhood and followed during youth to become a source of pride for the parents and the proud children of the earth.
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