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In Srimad Ramayanam, Hanuman discovered the location of Sita and informed to Sri Rama and the the Lord was overjoyed. Rama could not find the right thanksgiving and embraced him tight. Then Rama offered to grant any boon that Hanuman would request for. Hanuman replied, "If I were to ask for a boon, oh! Rama, you should proudly proclaim to everyone that you are verily the God."

Rama replied, "I shall never do that in this avatar of mine. Ask for another boon.", for which Hanuman pleaded, "Alright! Then at least say 'Aham Brahmãsmi'! The Upanishads say that every one has the nature of Brahman. Any one can say this. Let me feel happy hearing at least this from your lips."

Rama suggested, "Hanuman! I cannot do as you say. But I can understand your desire. You do this -in my next avatãr, from the moment I will be born, I shall proclaim, "I am the Lord" every second. You can hear that and enjoy!"

Waiting for this moment, Hanuman came to Gokula during Krishnãvatãr. One may wonder as to when Hanuman came during Krishnãvatãr. The answer lies in 'Dãmodara Lila'. Sri Suka says in Srimad Bhãgavatam, "After suckling Krishna, Yasoda let Him down to go and remove the boiling milk off the fire. Angered, Krishna broke all the curd pots with the churning rod and with artificial tears, went to a secretive place, sat over a mortar to eat the butter. He also fed it to a monkey nearby."

This monkey was verily Hanuman. Krishna did not stop with feeding butter to the monkey. He also spread it all over its body. That is probably the reason why we still apply 'vennai kãppu' (covering the whole idol with butter) to Hanuman.

Now comes the question, 'when did Hanuman hear Krishna proudly proclaim that he was the God?' He heard it in Kurukshetra, sitting on Arjuna's chariot flag. Thus along with Arjuna, even Hanuman blissfully heard the Bhagavad Gita, where Krishna openly proclaims that He is the God and asks everyone to surrender unto Him. Because Krishna knew that Hanuman loved music, He sang it for Hanuman's sake, and that is why it is called Bhagavad 'Gita'. Thus Krishna fulfilled Hanuman's desire.

- Brahmasri V. Swaminatha Athreya

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