The original write-up on Shri Hanuman’s TA Bill comes from the celebrated Hindi author Harishankar Parsai. Finding it delightful, I have attempted a translation. After all, there are not too many stories that lampoon bureaucracy in such a manner.
After the war, Shri Hanuman submitted to the administration of Ayodhya his Travel Allowance Bill (TA Bill) for the expenses incurred in bringing the Sanjeevani herb.
The Audit Department placed the bill before Shri Ram with three objections:
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For this travel, neither the king nor the royal administration had granted prior approval.
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Shri Hanuman, being a second-class officer, was not eligible for flying travel.
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Instead of bringing only the herb, he carried an entire mountain. The government, they argued, could not be held liable for such excess baggage.
Now, Maryada Purushottam Shri Ram—even if he trusted Hanuman implicitly—could not pass the bill in violation of established rules. Bound by procedure, he returned the bill with a note for re-examination.
The Audit’s Proposal
Poor Hanuman, helpless, began making rounds of the Audit Department. Eventually, the auditors themselves offered him a proposal: if he parted with 20% of the bill, they could resolve the matter in the following way:
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Since at that time Bharat was ruling by placing Shri Ram’s sandals upon the throne, the real king was still Shri Ram. Thus, it could be treated as if the journey had Shri Ram’s prior approval.
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Any officer, regardless of class, may be granted permission to fly in an emergency. As this journey took place in wartime, Hanuman, though a second-class officer, could legitimately receive the Flying Allowance.
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If the herb had turned out to be the wrong one, another journey would have been required, leading to even greater expense. Hence, carrying an entire mountain could reasonably be justified.