Udaipur: The ongoing Apnon Se Apni Baat spiritual discourse, being conducted under the guidance of Narayan Seva Sansthan President Prashant Agrawal, featured inspiring episodes from the life of Lord Hanuman on Tuesday. Through these stories, devotees were encouraged to embrace the values of selfless service, sacrifice, dedication and a strong sense of duty.

Prashant Agrawal said that the true value of charity and service lies in performing them without seeking publicity or recognition. If a person expects their name to be highlighted while making a donation, the spirit of service remains incomplete. The life of Lord Hanuman teaches that true devotion lies in putting oneself aside and giving priority to the service of the Lord.

He narrated the traditional episode in which Lord Hanuman is said to have written the story of Lord Rama on stones in the Himalayas using his nails. When Hanuman realised that his version could diminish the significance of Valmiki’s Ramayana, he humbly chose to cast the stones carrying his own writings into the sea. The episode highlights the importance of respecting another person’s efforts above one’s own recognition. Such selflessness, he said, is what gives service its true greatness.

Agrawal then narrated the episode of Makardhwaja. According to the traditional account, Makardhwaja was born after a drop of Hanuman’s sweat fell into the sea following the burning of Lanka. He later became the gatekeeper of the underworld under Ahiravana.

When Ahiravana took Lord Rama and Lakshmana to the underworld, Hanuman arrived to rescue them. At the entrance, Makardhwaja recognised Hanuman but refused to abandon his duty. He firmly stated that Hanuman would have to defeat him before entering. Hanuman subdued and bound Makardhwaja and entered the underworld. Assuming his Panchmukhi form, he extinguished the five lamps and defeated Ahiravana, thereby rescuing Rama and Lakshmana. Impressed by Makardhwaja’s commitment to duty, Lord Rama appointed him as the ruler of the underworld.

Concluding the discourse, Agrawal said that devotion to Lord Hanuman should not remain limited to rituals and worship but should be reflected in helping the needy, vulnerable and persons with disabilities. According to him, service performed without expectations of recognition or honour is the true expression of devotion.

During the programme, the experiences of persons with disabilities who had benefited from the institution’s services were also heard through direct interaction.