Narad Muni is a great orchestrator of divine plays. Every divine play he initiates serves to glorify the Lord’s name, His greatness, virtues, and the power of surrender. He is himself a direct manifestation of the Lord.
Once upon a time, there was a mighty king named Sukant. At that time, Lord Shri Ram was seated as the emperor of the world. In one of His royal assemblies, divine sages were present. Outside the assembly, Narad Ji encountered King Sukant. Narad Ji asked him, “Are you going inside to meet the Lord?”
Sukant replied, “Yes.”
Narad Ji said, “Many Brahmarishis are sitting inside. Will you bow to all of them?”
Sukant replied, “Yes, it is customary to bow to saints.”
Narad Ji asked, “Will you bow to Vishwamitra Ji as well?”
Sukant said, “Of course, he is a Brahmarishi.”
Narad Ji said, “Brahmarishi? But he was born in a Kshatriya lineage, in the Kaushik dynasty.”
Sukant replied, “Yes, but he attained the status of a Brahmarishi through intense penance.”
Narad Ji said, “But originally, he is still a Kshatriya, isn’t he?”
Sukant asked, “What are you trying to say?”
Narad Ji responded, “Just greet him casually, don’t bow your head before him. You may bow fully before the other sages, but not him.”
The Insult of Vishwamitra Ji by King Sukant
After that, King Sukant entered the Lord’s court. He bowed to the Lord and placed his head at the feet of all the sages. But when he reached Vishwamitra Ji, he simply joined his hands in greeting without bowing his head. Vishwamitra Ji did not even notice at the time. The assembly concluded.
Later, Narad Ji went and sat near Vishwamitra Ji. Narad Ji asked, “Did you notice something?”
Vishwamitra Ji replied, “What?”
Narad Ji said, “King Sukant?”
Vishwamitra Ji responded, “What about him? I didn’t pay attention.”
Narad Ji said, “He bowed with his head to everyone, but to you, he only offered a casual greeting without bowing.”
Vishwamitra Ji replied, “Yes, he did that… but I didn’t pay much attention. Is there some specific reason for it?”
Narad Ji said, “Yes, he was saying that since you were originally born a Kshatriya, and only later became a Brahmarishi through penance, he didn’t feel it necessary to bow his head to you.”
Hearing this, Vishwamitra Ji became extremely angry. Narad Ji added, “He must be punished. How can someone behave like that with a Brahmarishi like you?” Thus, Narad Ji was the one who both subtly encouraged Sukant to insult Vishwamitra Ji and then reported it to Vishwamitra Ji as well—he had a deeper purpose behind this.
Vishwamitra Ji’s Anger and Lord Ram’s Vow
In a fit of rage, Vishwamitra Ji stood up and declared, “Ram! I have been insulted in your court!” Shri Ram responded, “Lord, what? You have been insulted?” Vishwamitra Ji said, “Before sunset today, Sukant’s head must be at my feet!”
To this, Shri Ram solemnly declared, “Lord, I speak a vow before you—if I do not place his severed head at your feet before sunset, then I am not a Raghuvanshi! Please calm yourself.”
Narad Ji immediately went to King Sukant’s palace. He said to Sukant, “You’re going to be dead by evening! Lord Shri Ram has vowed that He will sever your head and place it at Vishwamitra Ji’s feet.”
Sukant panicked. He said, “My Lord! You have trapped me. I was about to bow down in full prostration. It was you who told me to just greet him with folded hands!”
Narad Ji replied, “How was I to know things would escalate like this? Now it’s a real mess.”
Sukant’s Hope — Taking Refuge in Hanuman Ji
Sukant Ji began to cry. “O Lord! How can I be saved now? Lord Ram has declared, ‘I am not of the Raghu lineage if I do not bring his head to your feet before sunset. And the Lord never speaks a false word. I am surely doomed. Is there any way out, O Lord?”
Narad Ji said, “There’s only one way—Hanuman Ji. He alone can save you.”
Sukant replied, “But how can Hanuman Ji go against Ram Ji’s command? And besides, how can I even reach Hanuman Ji?”
Narad Ji said, “If there is anyone who can command Hanuman Ji other than Ram Ji, it’s his mother, Anjani. Come, I will take you to her.”
Narad Ji took him to Mata Anjani. Sukant Ji bowed down in full prostration and, weeping, said, “Mother! Please protect me!”
Mata Anjani gently asked, “My son, tell me—what’s the matter?”
Mata Anjani Takes a Vow to Protect Sukant
Sukant said, “Mother, in all three worlds, only you can now protect me. A king wants to kill me.”
Mata Anjani replied, “My son is the mighty Hanuman. If I command him, he will never disobey me. Go now—I take a vow to protect you.” Narad Ji, watching silently, rejoiced inwardly, thinking, “It’s all working out! Now the glory of the Lord’s Name will be revealed!”
Mata Anjani told Hanuman Ji, “Son, I have taken a vow to protect this man.” Hanuman Ji immediately said, “Your command is everything to me! There has never been and never will be anyone in all three worlds who can harm someone you’ve vowed to protect. Who is the king that wants to kill him?” Sukant, folding his hands, softly said, “Lord Shri Ram.”
Hanuman Ji was stunned. “What! My Lord? Mother, you’ve taken a vow to protect someone from Him! He is my Master. How can I stand against Him?” Mata Anjani firmly replied, “Son, I have given my word. Now it must be fulfilled.”
Sukant’s Protection: The Armour of the Lord’s Name
Hanuman Ji said, “Come, let’s go to a secluded place.” He took Sukant away to a quiet spot. It was nearly evening—sunset was approaching. Hanuman Ji said, “There is only one way now—you must chant the name of Lord Ram with every single breath. If even for a moment you stop, the Lord’s arrow will strike and end you. But if Ram’s name continues unbroken in every breath, you will survive. Keep chanting Sitaram continuously. Do not let it break, even for a moment. If there’s the slightest gap, the Lord’s infallible arrow will cut you down.”
“Don’t worry now. Sit and begin chanting.” Sukant sat down and began to chant, “Sitaram”. Hanuman Ji raised his cymbals and also began to chant the Lord’s Name, dancing around Sukant with great devotion.
The Power of Chanting The Holy Name
Meanwhile, Lord Shri Ram readied his infallible arrow. It was released and sped forth with great force… but as it reached the place where Hanuman Ji and Sukant were chanting the holy name, it halted. It circled around the two and then turned back!
Lord Shri Ram was astonished. “This has never happened before! How did my infallible arrow return without piercing its target?” He exclaimed in surprise, “Who in the three worlds has the power to deflect my arrow?” He then said to Lakshman, “Go at once to where Sukant is. Find out what has happened that my arrow failed to cut his throat.”
Lakshman arrived there and witnessed an incredible sight — Hanuman Ji’s eyes were filled with tears, and he was lost in divine love, circling around and singing the Lord’s holy name. Sukant, too, was absorbed in deep meditation. Lakshman’s heart melted at the scene. He sat down and began clapping along, chanting the lord’s name.
Meanwhile, Lord Shri Ram reflected, “The arrow has returned… and now even Lakshman has not come back, nor is there any message from him… Something extraordinary must be happening there…”
Lord Shri Ram Himself Arrives to Kill Sukant
Sage Vishwamitra said, “You had taken a vow — that before sunset, you would return with his severed head.” Lord Shri Ram humbly responded, “Gurudev, please be patient. I will go myself.” Upon hearing this, Vishwamitra replied, “Then I shall accompany you. I want to see what decision you make.” Along with them came all the Brahmarshis and Dev Rishi Narad Ji with his veena.
Lord Shri Ram reached the spot, and what He saw was astonishing. Sukant was chanting the name of Shri Ram. Hanuman Ji was playing cymbals and singing: ‘Sitaram’. Lakshman, too, was immersed in the divine chanting. Compassion welled up in Lord Shri Ram’s eyes. He softly said, “Now I understand — a throat that continuously chants my name, even my infallible arrow cannot pierce it.”
Lord’s Name Is More Powerful Than Even the Lord Himself
Shri Ram turned to Sage Vishwamitra and said, “Gurudev, you had commanded that I must bring his head — but you never said I must bring it after severing it.” He then addressed Sukant, “Place your head at the feet of Sage Vishwamitra.”
Vishwamitra was pleased. Narad Ji smiled and said, “O Lord! Neither Sukant nor Vishwamitra Ji was at fault. I did all this to reveal that your name is even more powerful than your infallible arrow. Where Ram’s name echoes constantly, even the mighty Sudarshan Chakra becomes powerless.”
Start Chanting the Holy Name Today
The one who chants the holy name becomes filled with unfailing power. Begin chanting the holy name today. If, after a few days of chanting, hardships begin to appear in your life, do not give up. It might be the settling of your past karmic debts. This is a battle. Sometimes, an arrow from the enemy may wound the warrior, but a true hero does not turn his back and flee. No matter how many challenges come your way, do not stop chanting the holy name. These hardships will have no effect on you. With the remembrance of the Lord, all difficulties are dispelled.
Guidance By: Pujya Shri Hit Premanand Govind Sharan Ji Maharaj
