The region of Mevat is sandwiched between present Haryana and Rajasthan and consists of 1200 villages. Mevat has a rich cultural history, and the inhabitants of Mevat known as Mev, trace their ancestry to heroes from the epics. Traditionally the singing of two great epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata are integral to Mevati life and their identity.
A section of wandering folk singers of Mevat known as Mevati jogis, belong to the Muslim community and are popular for their narration of Ramayana sung in the form of dohas. Their rendition of Rama katha differs in many ways from Valmiki Ramayana. Some of the key characters from Valmiki’s Ramayana are missing in the Mevati-jogi Ramayana. For instance, the character of Shurpanakha the sister of Ravana is missing in Mevati-jogi Ramayana. There are also a number of new narratives branches introduced in this version of Ramaynana. Here is one such example, of Lord Ram’s first meeting with Hanuman.
After Sita’s disappearance, Ram and Lakshman embarked on their search for her. They would spend hours searching through deep jungles calling out her name, but with no result. One day, in the middle of their fruitless search, hungry and tired the brothers sat under a tree planning to look around for some food and water. Lakshaman was particularly worried about Ram who had not eaten properly after Sita’s disappearance. “Sit here brother, I will look around for some water and food” saying thus he climbed a tallest tree to lookout for any water source close by. Instead he saw a large orchard full of ripe fruits close by. It must be somebody’s private orchard as it is well tended and well nurtured, he thought to himself. As he climbed down he asked Ram to give him some money and walked towards the orchard. At the orchard he could not find any one guarding the entrance. He tried calling out to the caretaker but no one answered his call.
He finally climbed a tree and plucked some ripe fruits. After keeping a few coins under the tree, he began walking back to Ram. Just then a huge monkey appeared seemingly out of nowhere and confronted him ” Hey you thief! you are stealing fruits from my master’s garden ” he accused Lakshman. “How dare you steal these fruits while I am guarding this orchard of great Mahadeo” The monkey roared. ” O Monkey, I am not a thief! I tried calling out for the caretaker but no one responded to my calls. So I picked a few fruits for my brother who is hungry and tired. And of course, I have left some money under the tree” he said as he turned around and pointed at the base of the tree.” But the money he had left there was gone! Furious, the monkey rushed at Lakshman saying, ” You are not only a thief but a liar too”. The monkey grabbed Lakshman by the nape, thrust him into his huge mouth and swallowed him.
Meanwhile Ram was getting restless and worried as Lakshman had not returned. “Why he is taking so long ? He wondered, and marched towards the orchard. Ram saw a huge monkey guarding the entrance. “I am sure this huge monkey has harmed my little brother”, the thought crossed Ram’s mind and he aimed his bow and arrow at Hanuman. In response Hanuman leaped at Ram. But Ram in a swift move grabbed and squeezed Hanuman so hard that he screamed in great pain. The scream was was so loud, that Mahadeo and Gauri Parvati who were sitting on Kailash heard it. “I am sure Hanuman’s life is in great danger, my lord. You need to help him as he is in great pain” Gauri Parvati nagged Mahadeo. When Mahadeo arrived at the orchard, he saw Ram crushing Hanuman with his bare hands. Mahadeo challenged Ram” Oh you stranger! why wrestle with a monkey! If you are a man fight with a man like me”. Ram kept his bow down and got ready to wrestle with Mahadeo. As he looked at Mahadeo he saw Mahadeo was suffering from a strange skin disease that had discoloured his skin. Apparently, it was Anjani’s curse that had caused the skin disease of Mahadeo. And only Vishnu could cure it.
As soon as Ram touched Mahadeo’s body in preparation to wrestle, Mahadeo’s his skin decease disappeared. Mahadeo realised the person before him is none other than Lord Vishnu. He bowed deep to Ram and said ” Oh great Vishnu! Forgive me for not recognising you. Why are you angry with my servant Hanuman?” Ram narrated to Mahadev the story of missing Sita and Lakshman. Hanuman immediately brought back Lakshmana from his mouth. Mahadeo then ordered Hanuman to help and support Ram in his search for Sita.
Story collected by Vidya Kamat
Source: “Mevat jogiyonki Ramkatha- lanka chadai ” by Umar Farooq Mevati and Satyendra Singh
Location: Rajasthan
Image Copyright: Vidya Kamat
