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This is a touching scene from the Vaalmiki Ramaayanam. The enemies are vanquished, Seetaa is brought back to Ayodhyaa and the coronation of Seetaa and Raam is just complete, the source of all wealth anywhere Lakshmee standing there as the empress of Ayodhyaa. Raam honored all the guests like Vibheeshan, Sugreev, Angad and others with costly presents. With a lot of affection and gratitude for the one unnamed benefactor the Divine Mother just took out a garland worn by her and looked at Her Lord Raam, as if taking permission to honor the unique person. The Lord could read Devee's mind and tells her - "My beloved Seetaa, you are the source of all wealth and fortune. You please present this garland to the person in whom the virtues (1) splendor (2) sharpest intellect (3) blemish free fame (4) discretion (5) efficiency (6) humility ( 7) efficient diplomacy (8) intrepid manliness (9) valor and (10) wide knowledge are all presant at their highest level. Without a second thought the Divine Mother presented that Garland to Aanjaneya. Wearing that garland the Great Hanumaan shone forth like a mountain adorned with a white cloud which was emitting luster with the help of the crescent Moon being partially covered by it.

How strange. The Lord honored every important person Himself, but left it to Seetaa to honor the greatest person present there. One may even be persuaded to think that in the presence of the unselfish Devotee like Aanjaneya, even the Divine couple is receded to the background. For a lady, be it the queen herself to present a garland worn by her to someone other than her husband would look amiss in this world. But Aanjaneya is just Her son. When it comes to the love for a son even the husband gets obliterated. The Lord was not an ignoramus. He declared the qualities to be possessed by a person to deserve such an honor fully knowing that there is only one person who will fit into the definition and that was doubtlessly Aanjaneya (incarnation of Shiv).

By getting such a present form the Goddess of Wealth and welfare incarnate as Seetaa, the glory of Hanumaan might have got enhanced. But is it correct to say so? The primordial couple Naaraayan and Lakshmee standing there incarnated as Raam and Seetaa honored themselves by decorating Shambhoo standing there as Hanumaan.

This is a great incident in Raamaayan which should be read and appreciated by everyone who worship even the epic itself as a godhead. It may please be noted that the entire Raamaayan is written in Anushtup Chhand in couplets but Vaalmeeki describes the presentation ceremony in matter of fact way in a single line which is numbered as a Shlok. The greatness of that incident would not permit addition of any other material, it simply says "the daughter of Janak simply handed over that garland to the son of Vaayu" - What a Hero, What a donor and What a glory.. no comparisons.

[In fact all three - Shiv, Raam (Vishnu), Seetaa (Lakshmee), have a very strong relationship with each other --
(1) Raam (Vishnu) worships Shiv - He established a Shiv Ling at Raamewshwaram before going to Lankaa. Otherwise also, once Vishnu tried to propitiate Shiv with Shiv Sahastra Naam and 1,000 lotus flowers. When He was about to start his offerings, He found that there were only 999 flowers. He knew that His eyes were like lotus flowers, so he decided to offer His one eye to offer him. As He was doing that, Shiv appeared before Him, blessed Him and gave Him a Sudarshan Chakra to kill enemies.
(2) Lakshmee (Seetaa) also worships Shiv. She used to worship Shiv daily. Once She decided to worship him with 100 lotus flowers. But when She counted them there were only 88 flowers. Now what to do? She thought that once Vishnu told Her that Her breasts were like lotus flowers, so She thought to offer Her breasts to Shiv. As She cut Her one breast and offered to Shiv, he appeared before Her and blessed Her. Her cut breast was converted to Bel fruit which is very dear to Shiv.
(3) On the other hand Shiv always does Jaap of Raam Naam. One cannot forget the incident of the cause of Satee's immolation in her father Daksh's Yagya. Read this story in Tulasee's Maanas, Maanas, 1/3.

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