Moral Story
How Hanuman Became the Symbol on Arjuna’s Flag
Long ago, before the great Mahabharata war, the mighty warrior Arjuna was traveling across the land. During his journey, he came to Rameswaram, where Lord Rama had once built a great bridge through sea, all the way to Lanka.
Arjuna looked at the bridge and thought deeply. “Hmm,” he said, “why did Lord Rama need the help of monkeys to build this? He was such a powerful warrior! If I were him, I could have built a bridge strong enough using only arrows!”
A wise old scholar nearby heard this and smiled. “Perhaps, Prince Arjuna,” he said gently, “there is more to Lord Rama’s actions than we can see.”
But Arjuna wasn’t convinced. He folded his arms proudly. “A bridge made of arrows would be stronger than any made of stones!”
Just then, a small monkey who had been listening from a tree giggled and jumped down. “Really?” said the monkey. “Do you truly believe your bridge of arrows could hold the weight of even one little monkey like me?”
Arjuna frowned. “Of course it could!”
The monkey grinned. “Let’s find out! If your bridge breaks when I step on it, you must jump into fire for speaking proudly. But if it stays strong, I will be your servant forever!”
Arjuna agreed. With his magic and skill, he created a shining bridge of golden arrows across the river. But as soon as the monkey placed one tiny foot on it—CRASH! The bridge broke apart!
Arjuna couldn’t believe his eyes. He tried again and again, building stronger bridges each time. But no matter what he did, the monkey easily broke them all.
Arjuna sighed. “I have lost,” he said quietly. “I must keep my word.” He gathered wood to light a fire and prepared to jump in.
Just then, a young brahmin boy came running from the river. “Wait!” he called. “You made this bet without a judge. That’s unfair!”
Arjuna, who always stood for truth, hesitated. The boy smiled. “Let’s try again, this time with me as the judge.”
Both parties agreed. Once more, Arjuna built his bridge of arrows. The monkey tried with all his strength to break it—he stomped, he jumped, and then, with a mighty roar, he grew larger and larger until he was as big as a mountain! The earth shook beneath him, and yet… the bridge stood firm!
The monkey was astonished, who in fact was Hanuman. “Impossible!” he cried, bowing before the boy. “Only Lord Rama himself could make such a bridge!”. He closed his eyes and said softly, “Jai Shri Ram!”
At that very moment, Arjuna also bowed before the boy and said, “Jai Shri Krishna! My Lord and friend!”
The boy smiled kindly at them both. His face shone with divine light—it was none other than Lord Vishnu, who had appeared as both Rama and Krishna!
He looked at them and said, “Arjuna, your pride needed to be tested. And Hanuman, your devotion is true. You both serve the same cause.”
Then the divine boy turned to Hanuman. “O mighty one, to bless Arjuna, stay with him always. Sit upon his flag and protect him in battle.”
From that day onward, Hanuman appeared on Arjuna’s chariot flag, protecting him throughout the great Mahabharata war.
And that is how the symbol of Hanuman came to wave on Arjuna’s banner—a reminder that strength is greatest when joined with humility and faith.