Hanuman

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For the monkey named after Hanuman, see Gray langur.

In Hinduism, Hanuman (Sanskrit: हनुमत् hanumat; nominative singular हनुमान् hanumān) is a vanara who aided Lord Rama (an avatar of Vishnu) in rescuing His wife, Sita, from the Rakshasa king Ravana. He symbolizes the pinnacle of bhakti, and is considered to be the eleventh Rudra avatar of Lord Shiva. He is more well-known as the (spiritual) Son of Vayu deva, the Hindu deity of the wind.

He is believed by some scholars to be a source for the Chinese mythological character Sun Wukong.

Hanuman epitomizes virtue, strength, humility, siddhi and courage. While non-Hindus might find it odd to worship "a monkey", for Hindus, the idea is to worship the astoundingly righteous attributes represented by Hanuman that even most humans find hard to practice, such as Brahmacharya and Bhakti (devotion).

He is symbolized in Hinduism for his unwavering dedication to righteousness, unstinting performance of entrusted duties, and unfailing talents in serving his chosen master. His indispensable role in reuniting Rama with Sita is likened to that of a teacher helping an individual soul realize the divine.

Hanuman is the epitome of Knowledge, Bhakti, Valour, Righteousness and Strength. These qualities never mix with one another. Shri Hanuman ais the peaall the good in this Creation. He is easily reachable - Just by chanting the name - 'Ram'.

1 Birth
2 Childhood
3 Hanuman in the Ramayana War
4 After the Ramayana War
5 Presence of Hanuman
6 Hanumad Ramayana
7 Temples for Hanuman
8 Flag of Hanuman
9 Saturn
10 Quotes
11 See also
12 External links

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Birth

Hanuman was born in Treta Yuga as the son of an apsara (a celestial), named Punjikasthala, who by a curse is born as Anjana, a female vanara. (Hence Hanuman is also called Änjanèya, which means 'the son of Anjana'). The curse was to be removed on her giving birth to an incarnation of Lord Shiva. Anjana is the wife of Kesari, a strong vanara who once killed a mighty elephant that was troubling sages and hermits. He therefore got the name of Kesari, meaning a lion, and is also called Kunjara Südana, the elephant killer.

Along with Kesari, Anjana performed intense prayers to Lord Shiva to beget Him as her Child. Pleased with their devotion, Shiva granted them the boon that He would be born to her.

In the meanwhile, elsewhere, Dasaratha, the king of Ayodhya, was performing ritualistic prayers in order to have children. As a result, he received some sacred pudding, to be shared by his three wives, leading to the births of Lord Rama, Lakshmana, Bharata and Shatrughna. By divine ordinance, a kite snatched a fragment of that pudding, and while flying over the forest, dropped it where Anjana was engaged in worship. Vayu, the Hindu deity of the wind, delivered the falling pudding to the outstretched hands of Anjana, who consumed it. Hanuman was born to her as the result.

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Childhood

Maruti (one of Hanuman's names) grew up and inherited his (spiritual) father's qualities of quick flying, forceful travel, and mighty strength. Soon after his birth he saw the sun, thought it to be a ripe fruit and took flight to catch hold of the sun to eat.

Indra, the king of devas and the upholder of universal laws, observed this. He hurled his weapon, the Vajra (thunderbolt), which struck Maruti on his chin. Maruti fell back down to earth and became unconscious. Vayu, the wind god, Maruti's father, was upset by this and went into seclusion. As living beings began to get asphyxiated, to pacify Vayu Deva, Indra withdrew the effect of his thunderbolt, and the devas revived him and blessed him with multiple boons. However, as the vajra had left a mark on Maruti's chin (hanuhH in Sanskrit), he was called Hanuman.

On ascertaining that Surya is an all-knowing teacher, Hanuman raised his body into an orbit around the sun and requested that Surya accept him as a student. But Surya declined to accept him claiming that he always had to be on the move in his chariot. But Hanuman, undeterred by Surya's travel, enlarged his body. He placed one leg on the eastern ranges and the other on the western ranges and with his face turned toward the traveling sun, made his request again. Pleased by his persistance, Surya taught all of his knowledge to Hanuman. Hanuman's choice of Surya as his teacher is said to signify Surya as a Karma Saakshi, an eternal witness of all deeds.

Hanuman was mischievous in his childhood, and sometimes teased the meditating sages by snatching their personal belongings and by disturbing their well-arranged articles of worship. Finding his antics intolerable, but realizing that Hanuman was still a child, yet invincible by the blessings of various celestials, the sages gave him a minor curse. By this curse Hanuman lost the ability to remember his own might, and only recollected it when others reminded him about it at the appropriate time. It is hypothesized that without this curse, the entire course of the Ramayana war might have been different, for he demonstrated phenomenal abilities during the war, despite the curse. Hanuman and Vinayaka are two gods who are not afflicted by Saturn. There is also a myth that all the planets are under control on his tail. Whoever worships Hanuman is granted with fortitude and strength.

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Hanuman in the Ramayana War

Image:Hanuman in Terra Cotta.jpg Sundara Kanda, the fifth book in the Ramayana epic, focuses mainly on the adventures of Hanuman.

Hanuman met Rama when the latter was in exile. He was with His brother Lakshmana, searching for His wife Sita who had been abducted by the rakshasa emperor Ravana. Their search brought them to the vicinity of the mountain Rishyamukha, where Sugriva, along with his followers and friends, was in hiding from his elder brother Vali. (Vali, the vanara emperor had had a serious misunderstanding with Sugriva. Refusing to listen to Sugriva's explanation, he had kicked him out of the kingdom, and held Sugriva's wife captive in his own palace).

Having seen Rama and Lakshmana, Sugriva sent Hanuman to find out who they were. Hanuman approached the two brothers in the guise of a brahmin. His first words to them were such that Rama said to Lakshmana that none could speak the way the brahmin did, without mastering the Vedas and their branches. He noted that there was no defect in the brahmin's countenance, eyes, forehead, brows or any limb. He pointed out to Lakshmana that his accent was captivating, and said that even an enemy with sword drawn would be moved. He appreciated Hanuman (disguised as a brahmin) further, saying that sure success awaited the king whose emissaries were so accomplished.

When Rama revealed His identity, Hanuman fell prostrate before Him and Rama embraced Him warmly. Thereafter, Hanuman's life is interwoven inextricably with that of Lord Rama. Hanuman then brings about a friendship and alliance between Rama and Sugriva. Rama helps Sugriva regain his honor and throne, and Sugriva and his vanaras help Rama in defeating Ravana and reuniting with Sita, with Hanuman playing an indispensable role in it all.

In their serch for Sita, a group of vanaras reached the southern seashore. Upon encountering the vast ocean, every vanara began to plead his inability to jump across the water. Hanuman too was saddened at the possible failure of his mission, until the other vanaras, especially the wise bear Jambavan began to extol His virtues. Hanuman then recollected his own prowess, enlarged his body and flew across the ocean. Hanuman then entered Lanka and found Sita. He revealed his identity to Her, reassured and comforted Her, and lifted Her spirits. He offered to carry Her back to Rama then and there, but She refused, saying it would be an insult to Rama as His honor was at stake.

Hanuman's conveying the message of Rama to Sita is likened to that of a divine teacher, teaching a pupil about the Supreme God.

After meeting Sita, Hanuman began to gradually destroy the palaces and properties of Lanka. To subdue him, Ravana's son Indrajit used the Brahmāstra. Even though Hanuman was immune to the astra, Hanuman, out of respect to Brahma, let Himself be bound by the weapon. Brought before the court of Ravana, Hanuman used the opportunity to assess the strength of Ravana's army.

As a punishment to Hanuman, Ravana ordered his tail to be lit. As the attendants attempted to wrap cloth around his tail, Hanuman began to lengthen his tail. After frustrating Ravana's attendants for a while, Hanuman allowed his tail to be lit, but escaped from his captors while his tail was on fire. He then burnt down much of Lanka before heading back to Rama.

During the war, when Lakshmana, the brother of Rama, is severely wounded by Indrajit, Hanuman was sent to fetch the Sanjivani, a powerful life-restoring herb to revive him. Ravana realised that if Lakshmana died, a distraught Rama would probably give up, and so had his uncle tempt Hanuman with luxury. However, Hanuman was tipped off by a crocodile and killed the evil demon. Unable to find the specific herb before nightfall, Hanuman again displayed his prowess by lifting the entire mountain Dronagiri and bringing it to the battle field, thus helping others find the herb to revive Lakshmana.

In another incident during the war, Rama and Lakshmana are captured by Mahiravana (also called Ahiravana), a powerful practitioner of black magic and the dark arts, and are held captive in his palace in Patalpuri or Patala (the nether world). In search of them, Hanuman entered Patala. The gates to Patalpuri were guarded by a very young boy called Makardhwaja or Makar Dhwaja or Magar Dhwaja. The story of Makardhwaja is interesting – Although Hanuman remained celibate all his life, he had a son called Makardhwaja. Makardhwaja was half fish and half monkey - when Hanuman was in Lanka trying to extinguish his burning tail in the ocean, unknown to him, a drop of his sweat fell into the ocean which was swallowed by a fish which became pregnant. This was discovered when the fish was brought to Ahiravana's kitchen to be cooked. Ahiravana brought him up and entrusted Makardhwaja with the job of guarding the gates of Patalpuri. Hanuman was, all the while unaware of this son of his. Although Makardhwaja knew that his father was Hanuman, he didn't recognise Hanuman since he had never seen him. When Hanuman introduced himself to Makardhwaja, he sought Hanuman's blessings but decided to fight his father since it was his duty to guard the gates of Patalpuri. Hanuman subdued him and tied him up before entering Patalpuri to rescue Rama and Lakshmana.

After entering Patala, Hanuman discovered that he had to extinguish five lamps at once to kill Mahiravana. Hanuman took the Panchamukha (Pancha - five, mukha - faced) form with faces of Varaha, Narasimha, Garuda, Hayagriva, and his own, and blew out the lamps. Thus killing Mahiravana, Hanuman rescued Rama and Lakshmana. After Mahiravana was vanquished, Rama asked Hanuman to crown Makardhwaja the king of Patalpuri.

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After the Ramayana War

After the war, and after reigning for several years, the time arrived for Rama to depart to his heavenly abode. Many of Rama's entourage, decided to depart with him including vanaras like Sugriva. However, shunning the heavens, Hanuman requested to remain on earth for as long as Rama's name is venerated by people. Sita accorded Hanuman that wish, and granted that his image will be installed at various public places, so he could listen to people chanting Rama's name. He is thus one of the chiranjeevis (immortals) in Hinduism.

Thus Hanuman is considered to be alive even today. This is also reflected in the Mahabharata, when Bhima, who believed himself to be the strongest, encounters an old monkey whose tail he attempts to lift in vain. This incident is considered an effort by Hanuman to control the ego of Bhima, who is a younger brother to him, being also sired by Vayu.

Eager to be of service to another avatar of Lord Vishnu, Hanuman attached himself to the flag of Arjuna's chariot, whose charioteer in the Mahabharatha war was Krishna. He thus had the fortune of hearing the Gita as recited by Sri Krishna himself, the only other people having the opportunity being Arjuna, Sanjaya and Dhritarashtra.

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Presence of Hanuman

There have been numerous saints who have seen Hanuman in modern times, notably Tulsidas (16th century), Sri Ramdas Swami (17th century), and Raghavendra Swami (17th century).

Others have also testified to his presence wherever the Ramayana is read: (in Sanskrit, not transliterated)

यत्र यत्र रघुनाथ कीर्तनम् तत्र तत्र क्रित मस्तक अन्जलिं बष्पावरी परीपूर्ण लोचनम् मारुतिं नमश्च राक्षस अंतकम्।

Yatra Yatra Raghunath Kirtanam Tatra Tatra Krita Mastaka anjalim Bashpawari Pari purna lochanam Marutim nammascha rakshas antakam

Which means:

That wherever the deeds of Sri Rama are sung, At all such places does Hanuman cry tears of devotion and joy, At all such places does his presence remove the fear of demons.

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Hanumad Ramayana

It is considered that after the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana, Hanumanji went to the Himalayas for continuing His worship of the lord. There He originally scripted a version of the Ramayana on Himalayan mountains by his nails, recording every detail of Rama's deeds. When Maharishi Valmiki visited Him to show Him his version of the Ramayana, he also saw the Lord's version. So the saint was depressed. When the Hanuman asked him the cause of his sorrow, he said that nobody would see his version which he had created so laboriusly. At this, Hanuman took those rocks on one shoulder and Maharishi on the other shoulder and went to the sea. There He threw His version into the sea , offering them to Lord Rama. It is this version that is called the Hanumad Ramayana and is unavailable since then.

Maharishi was so much taken aback at the incident that he said he would take another birth to sing the glory of Hanuman which he had then understated in his version. Later it is said that Saint Tulsidas who composed Ramcharit Manas was no other than the Maharishi Valmiki who came back to fulfill his desire.

Later one tablet is said to have floated ashore, during the period of Mahakavi Kalidasa, and hung at a public place to be deciphered by scholars. Kalidasa is said to have deciphered it and recognized that it was from the Hanumad Ramayana recorded by Hanuman in an extinct script, and considered himself fortunate enough to see at least one foot (or pada) of the stanza.

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Temples for Hanuman

Image:Hanuman20a.jpg

There are numerous temples for Hanuman, and his images are usually installed at all temples where images of avataras of Vishnu are installed. Hanuman temples can be found in many places for the reason that the area and the surroundings are free from 'Rakhshasas' and 'evils'. This was a presentational 'Varam' to him by Rama and Sita. We can find Hanuman idols in ghat roads because it is believed that he protects people from accidents.

Sri Panchamukha Anjaneya Swami was the main deity of Sri Raghavendra Swami. The place where he meditated on this five-faced form of Hanuman is now known as Panchamukhi, wherein a temple for him has been built. There is also a shrine for Panchamukha Anjaneya Swami at Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu, India. A 40 feet tall monolithic green granite murti of Sri Panchamukha Hanuman has been installed in Thiruvallur, also in Tamil Nadu. This place was known as Rudravanam in olden times when many saints and seers had blessed this place with their presence. The Panchamukha Hanuman Ashram itself was established by a saint called Venkatesa Battar.

Every Face of Sri Panchamukha Hanuman has significance —

Sri Hanuman faces east. He grants purity of mind and success.
The Narasimha faces south. He grants victory and fearlessness.
The west facing Garuda removes black magic and poisons.
The north facing Varaha, showers prosperity, wealth.
The Hayagriva mukha faces the Sky. But since we cannot see it, it is usually tilted and shown above Hanuman's face. Hayagriva gives Knowledge and good children.

- - An 85 feet Karya Siddhi Hanuman murthi was installed at Carapichaima- Trinidad and Tobago, by Avadhoota Dattapeetham Pontiff Sri Ganapathi Sachchidananda Swamiji. (Tallest in the Western Hemisphere, second tallest in the world)

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Flag of Hanuman

In the epic Mahabharata, Arjuna enters the main battle with the flag of Hanuman on his chariot. Many worshippers of Krishna (who drove Arjuna's chariot) still keep flags of Hanuman today as a mark of respect to his great devotion.

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Saturn

In the Ramayana, Hanuman is said to have rescued Shani, that is, the planet Saturn, from the clutches of Ravana. In gratitude, Shani promised Hanuman that those who prayed to Him (Hanuman) would be rescued from the evil effects of Saturn, which in Hindu astrology, is said to produce malefic effects on one's life when one is afflicted negatively with Saturn.

Another version of the effects of prayer to Lord Hanuman on the influence of Shani Bhagavan is that once Shani Bhagavan climbed on to Lord Hanuman's shoulder, inplying that He (Hanuman) was coming under the effects of the influence of Shani. At this, Hanuman assumed a large size, and Shani was caught painfully between Hanuman's shoulders and the ceiling of the room they were in. As the pain was unbearable, Shani requested Lord Hanuman to release him, promising that if a person prayed to Lord Hanuman, he (Shani) would moderate the malefic effects of his influence on that person; following this, Lord Hanuman released Shani.

Alternatively, one who prays to Vishnu is protected from Saturn as he is said by some to be a great devotee of Vishnu.

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Quotes

Swaminarayan, founder of the Hindu Swaminarayan sect, according to this site, [2], said in verse 85 of the scripture, Shikshapatri, that "and if disturbance from ghostly spirits is ever experienced, chant the Narayana Kavacha (invoking Narayana or God's protection) or Hanuman's mantra, but one should not chant the stotra or mantra of any low deity."

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