Shri Ram symbolizes the supreme soul or supreme consciousness. Sita symbolizes individual soul. Then what does Hanuman symbolize? Hanuman symbolizes the “Guru“.

Hanuman is the “Guru” – who unites individual soul with supreme soul.  After being kidnapped by Ravana, Sita was held captive in Ashok Vatika, in Ravana‘s kingdom Lanka. While staying in Ashok Vatika, Sita did not fear Ravana, nor was she attracted to Ravana’s wealth or his kingdom. Sita’s mind was always fixated to the thoughts of Shri Ram. This way, when Sita was ready by keeping her thoughts on Shri Ram, Hanuman came to Lanka searching for her. We don’t have to find our Guru, our Guru finds us. All we need to do is – keep our thoughts on God or supreme consciousness.

In His first meeting with Sita, Hanuman took a ‘sookshm‘ (small) form. To prove to Sita that He had come with Shri Ram’s message, Hanuman presented Sita with Shri Ram’s ring. Guru shows us just a glimpse of the supreme soul first — by showing some small miracle or sign. It is generally to silence our ego and to strengthen our faith.  Later, Hanuman took a ‘vikat’ (huge) form and destroyed Lanka. He also ensured that Shri Ram and Sita unite. After showing a small glimpse of God, the Guru takes over everything very fiercely, and ensures that we meet the supreme soul. 

Once our Guru finds us, we need not worry about anything. The Guru does whatever is required to unite us with God/supreme soul. We just need to keep our thoughts on God. With Guru’s grace, the individual soul thus unites with the supreme soul.