Why did Hanuman cover himself with sindhoor?

 

A popular story about why Hanuman’s body is smeared with sindhoor goes like this –

One day in Ayodhya, Hanuman saw Sita applying the red powder on her forehead and asked her what that was and why she was applying it on herself. Sita replied, "Hanuman, this is sindhoor, and I apply it to ensure a long life for my beloved Rama." 

On hearing this, Hanuman too appeared the next day with Sindoor applied on his entire body to ensure Bhagwan Rama's immortality. Rama was overwhelmed by Hanuman's actions and he declared that whoever worships Hanuman with sindhoor would be free from all problems and difficulties.

Since today is Kannada Hanuma Jayanti, what better day to recall my ajja's version of the story. I remember this cute story from my childhood, those unforgettable sessions as he told me stories from the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. On those sultry Udupi afternoons as he spread a mat on the floor on the veranda and settled down for a post-lunch nap, I would lay down next to him and pester him for a story. So here goes...

When Rama, Sita and Lakshmana returned to Ayodhya after vanquishing Ravana in Lanka, Hanuman, Angad, Sugreeva and many others also accompanied him. After a suitable welcome to the victorious party and after a prolonged celebration, Angad, Sugreeva and the others decide to return to their kingdom of Kishkinda, and asked to take their leave. Hanuman though, refused to leave Rama’s side. Rama and Sita sent all their guests off with a tearful farewell, filling their persons and vehicles with loving gifts. Hanuman of course stayed back, never leaving Rama’s side even for a moment.

That evening, after all the guests had left, Rama, Sita, Lakshmana and his wife, Bharata and his wife, Shatrughna and his wife, all sat in the main antahpura chatting about everything that had transpired, and talked late into the night. Of course Hanuman also sat there with all of them, happily sitting by Rama’s feet, listening to everything with a content smile on his face. Finally Lakshmana, Bharata and Shatrughna got up and began to leave with their respective wives, wanting to be with their own wives and also wanting to give Rama and Sita their privacy. Hanuman though just continued to sit by Rama's feet. Bharata signaled to him to get up and leave, but Hanuman did not understand. So Bharata went to him and whispered in his ear, "You must leave now, let your Bhagwan Rama have some alone time with Sita Ma." But Hanuman did not understand. He wished to continue staying beside his Bhagwan and he threw a tantrum, saying, "Why is Sita Ma allowed to stay by his side then?" Upon hearing this Sita Ma laughed and told him, "See Hanuman, I wear the Sindhoor tilak on my forehead to show that I belong to your Bhagwan, and that is why I get to stay with him."

Still not convinced but unable to defy Sita Ma’s request, Hanuman finally left the room.

The next morning several merchants from the city came to the palace complaining about Hanuman and they said, "He is such a menace, he has looted all the Sindhoor from our shops and he is rampaging everywhere!" So Rama called him to the palace. Hanuman came, having smeared himself all over his body with Sindhoor. Rama and Sita were taken aback. 

"What have you done to yourself?" Rama asked him. 

Hanuman said, "My Bhagwan, Sita Ma wears one sindhoor tilak and she gets to stay with you day and night. So I figured if I wore sindhoor all over myself, I can stay with you till the end of time."

Such is Hanuman’s innocence and his devotion and love towards Bhagwan Rama. And that is why his murti is always found with at least a big Sindhoor tilak on his forehead, and in some places his whole body is smeared with sindhoor. No devotee will ever dare to keep him away from his beloved Bhagwan Rama.