Hanuman who went in search of Mata Sita in Lanka finds her
and in the process also burns Lanka giving an indication to Demon King Ravana
what is in store in future. Mata Sita returns the ring of Sri Ram that Hanuman
had carried with him as a proof. Mata Sita also gives Hanuman her hair band as a
proof that they met.
When Hanuman was about to return from Lanka, all the gods
appeared in the sky to bless Hanuman. Hanuman was happy and proud about what he
had achieved.
On reaching the mainland from Lanka, Hanuman felt thirsty
and landed at an ashram. A Saint was meditating there. Hanuman kept the ring
and the hair band near the Saint and went to drink water.
Suddenly a monkey appeared and took the ring and put in the
pitcher (Kamandalu) before the Saint.
On returning Hanuman found the ring missing and asked the
Saint what happened to it. The Saint narrated what had happened.
Hanuman put his hands in the Kamandalu but to his surprise
there were thousands of rings. Hanuman asked the Saint which one was Sri Ram’s
ring.
The Saint replied that all of them were of Sri Ram.
Hanuman started counting them but lost count of them. There
were innumerable rings.
The Saint said that he is merely a witness, every Treta Yuga
a Hanuman comes and keeps the ring down and goes in search of water. A monkey
comes and puts it in the Kamandalu.
Hanuman always returns without carrying the ring as Sri Ram
is not bothered about it.
Later one day Hanuman narrates this wonderful incident to
Sri Ram. Hanuman also finds the ring on Sri Ram’s hands.
This wonderful story narrates about the
thousands of yugas that had happened. As per Hindu teachings the cycle of
creation continues forever. No one knows how many yugas have passed and how
many will come in future.