For Lord Rama's Long Life

 One Tuesday morning, Hanumanji the great devotee of Lord Rama, went to mother Sita and said, "Mother! I am extremely hungry. Please give me something to eat."  

Mother Sita replied, "Son! I am going for a bath right now. I will give you some sweetmeat once I return."  

Hanumanji then started chanting Lord Rama's Name, waiting patiently for the mother to return. When She returned, the first thing she did was to apply vermilion (sindoor) in the parting of her hair. Hanumanji was curious, "Mother! Why do you apply vermilion?"  

Mother Janaki replied, "This ensures a long life for one's Swami (husband) i.e. for the Lord."  

Impressed by the fact that the application of vermilion increases the lifespan of the Lord, Hanumanji immediately applied oil and vermilion all over his body and went to the royal court. The whole court laughed at that grotesque form of Hanumanji. Lord Rama asked him with a smile, "Hanuman! Why have you applied vermilion all over your body today?"  

Simple-hearted Hanumanji folded his hands in reverence and replied in all humility, "Lord! When I came to know that a little vermilion applied by mother Sita increases your longevity, I applied vermilion all over my body to bring a massive increase in your life span."  

Lord Sri Rama was deeply moved by the guileless simplicity and innocent affection of Hanumanji and declared, "Today is Tuesday. On this day, any devotee who offers oil and vermilion to (the image of) Hanumaji will propitiate Me, whereupon all his wishes will be fulfilled."