••• Birth •••
Hanuman was born to Anjana, a female vanara, and Kesari, a male vanara, near
Trimbakeshwar, Maharashtra. His mother was an apsara who was born on Earth
as a female vanara due to a curse. She would be redeemed from this curse on her
giving birth to an incarnation of Lord Shiva, who is also known as Rudra, and endowed
with the Supreme Power of exalted devotion to Bhagwan Hari. Hanuman is endowed
with 28 transcendental divine opulences, with perfection in each.
Anjana, along with her husband Kesari, performed intense prayers to
Lord Shiva to beget Him as her Child. Pleased with their devotion, Shiva
granted them the boon they sought.[5] Hence, Hanuman is also known as
"Maharudra" because he was born of the boon given to Anjana by Shiva.
The Valmiki Ramayana states that Kesari is the son of Brihaspati and that
Kesari also fought on Rama's side in the war against Ravana.
Several different traditions account for Hanuman's birth. One is that at the time
that Anjana was worshipping Lord Shiva, elsewhere, Dasharatha, the king of
Ayodhya, was performing the Putrakama Yagna in order to have children.
As a result, he received some sacred pudding, payasam, to be shared by his
three wives, leading to the births of Rama, Lakshmana, Bharata, and Shatrughna.
By divine ordinance, a kite snatched a fragment of that pudding and dropped it
while flying over the forest 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 a result.
Hanuman, in one interpretation, is the incarnation or reflection of Shiva.
Other interpretations, such as that of Dvaita, consider Hanuman to be
the son of, or a manifestation of, Vayu, god of wind. When Ravana tried
to enter the abode of Shiva, he called Nandishwara "a monkey".
Nandishwara in turn cursed Ravana, that a monkey would burn his Lanka.
Another story of Hanuman's origins is derived from the Vishnu Purana
and Naradeya Purana. Narada, infatuated with a princess, went to his
God Lord Vishnu, to make him look like Sri Vishnu, so that the princess
would garland him at Swayamvara. He asked for a Hari-Mukh. Hari is the name
of Lord Vishnu and Mukh means face. But Vishnu instead bestowed him with
the face of a monkey. Unaware of this, Narada went to the princess, who burst
into laughter at the sight of his monkey face before all the king's court. Narada,
unable to bear the humiliation, cursed Vishnu, that Vishnu would one day be
dependent upon a vanara. Vishnu replied that what he had done was for Narada's
own good, as he would have undermined his own powers if he were to enter
matrimony. Vishnu also noted that Narada's request for Hari has the dual
Sanskrit meaning of vanara. Upon hearing this, Narada repented for cursing
his idol. But Vishnu told him not repent as the curse would act as a boon, for
it would lead to the birth of Hanuman, without whose help Rama (Vishnu's avatar)
could not kill Ravana.
••• Childhood, education, and curse •••
As a child, believing the sun to be a ripe mango, Hanuman pursued
it in order to eat it. Rahu, a Vedic planet corresponding to an eclipse,
was at that time seeking out the sun as well, and he clashed with Hanuman.
In the nature of Rahu, the Tamas Guṇa predominated. To convey a
message to the universe that Satva Guṇa always prevails, Hanuman goes
to take sun in his abode. Indra, king of devas, was approached by Rahu
with disappointment, enraging Indra, who responded by throwing the Vajra
(thunderbolt) at Hanuman, which struck his jaw. He fell back down to the
earth and became unconscious. Upset, Vayu went into seclusion, taking the
atmosphere with him. As living beings began to asphyxiate, Indra withdrew
the effect of his thunderbolt, and the devas revived Hanuman and blessed him
with multiple boons. A permanent mark was left on his chin , explaining his name.
On ascertaining Surya, the Hindu deity of the sun, to be an all-knowing teacher,
Hanuman raised his body into an orbit around the sun and requested that Surya
accept him as a student. Surya refused, claiming that as he always had to be
on the move in his chariot, it would be impossible for Hanuman to learn effectively.
Undeterred by Surya's refusal, Hanuman enlarged his body, placed one leg on
the eastern ranges and the other on the western ranges, and with his face turned
toward the sun made his request again. Pleased by his persistence, Surya accepted.
Hanuman then moved (backwards, to remain facing Surya) continuously with his
teacher, and learned all of the latter's knowledge. When Hanuman then requested
Surya to quote his "guru-dakshina" (teacher's fee), the latter refused, saying
that the pleasure of teaching one as dedicated as him was the fee in itself.
Hanuman insisted, whereupon Surya asked him to help his (Surya's)
spiritual son Sugriva.[9] 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 in the forests by snatching their personal belongings and
by disturbing their well-arranged articles of worship. Finding his antics
unbearable, but realizing that Hanuman was but a child, (albeit invincible),
the sages placed a mild curse on him by which he became unable to remember
his own ability unless reminded by another person. It is hypothesised that
without this curse, the entire course of the Ramayana war might have been
different, for he demonstrated phenomenal abilities during the war. The curse
is highlighted in Kishkindha Kanda and Sundara Kanda when Jambavantha
reminds (the quietly wondering) Hanuman of his abilities and encourages him
to go and find Sita.
••• Meeting Rama •••
Hanuman meets Rama during the latter's 14-year exile in the forest.
With his brother Lakshmana, Rama is searching for his wife Sita who
had been abducted by Ravana. Their search brings them to the vicinity
of the mountain Rishyamukha, where Sugriva, along with his followers
and friends, are in hiding from his older brother Vali, with whom he had
quarrelled over a mistake.Having seen Rama and Lakshmana, Sugriva
sends Hanuman to ascertain their identities. Hanuman approaches the
two brothers in the guise of a brahmin. His first words to them are such
that Rama says to Lakshmana that none could speak the way the brahmin
did unless he or she had mastered the Vedas. He notes that there is no defect
in the brahmin's countenance, eyes, forehead, brows, or any limb. He points
out to Lakshmana that his accent is captivating, adding that even an enemy
with sword drawn would be moved. He praises the disguised Hanuman further
, saying that sure success awaited the king whose emissaries were as
accomplished as he was
••• Locating Sita •••
Hanuman reaches Lanka and marvels at its beauty. After he finds Sita
in captivity in a garden, Hanuman reveals his identity to her, reassures
her that Rama has been looking for her, and uplifts her spirits. He offers
to carry her back to Rama, but she refuses his offer, saying it would be an
insult to Rama as his honour is at stake. After meeting Sita, Hanuman begins
to wreak havoc, gradually destroying the palaces and properties of Lanka.
He kills many rakshasas, including Jambumali and Aksha Kumar. To subdue
him, Ravana's son Indrajit uses the Brahmastra. Though immune to the
effects of this weapon Hanuman, out of respect to Brahma, allows himself
be bound. Deciding to use the opportunity to meet Ravana, and to assess
the strength of Ravana's hordes, Hanuman allows the rakshasa warriors
to parade him through the streets. He conveys Rama's message of warning
and demands the safe return of Sita. He also informs Ravana that Rama
would be willing to forgive him if he returns Sita honourably.
••• Lifting a mountain •••
When Lakshmana is severely wounded during the war against Ravana, Hanuman
is sent to fetch the Sanjivani, a powerful life-restoring herb, from Dunagiri
mountain in the Himalayas, to revive him. Ravana realises that if Lakshmana
dies, a distraught Rama would probably give up, and so he dispatches the
sorcerer Kalanemi to intercept Hanuman.[11] Kalanemi, in the guise of a sage,
deceives Hanuman, but Hanuman uncovers his plot with the help of an apsara,
whom he rescues from her accursed state as a crocodile.Ravana, upon learning
that Kalanemi has been slain by Hanuman, summons Surya to rise before its
appointed time because the physician Sushena had said that Lakshmana
would perish if untreated by daybreak. Hanuman realizes the danger, however,
and, becoming many times his normal size, detains the Sun God to prevent the
break of day. He then resumes his search for the precious herb, but, when he
finds himself unable to identify which herb it is, he lifts the entire mountain and
delivers it to the battlefield in Lanka. Sushena then identifies and administers
the herb, and Lakshmana is saved. Rama embraces Hanuman, declaring him as
dear to him as his own brother. Hanuman releases Surya from his grip, and asks
forgiveness, as the Sun was also his Guru.Hanuman was also called "langra veer";
langra in Hindi means lame and veer means "bravest of brave". The story behind
Hanuman being called langra is as follows. He was injured when he was crossing
the Ayodhya with the mountain in his hands. As he was crossing over Ayodhya,
Bharat, Rama's young brother, saw him and assumed that some Rakshasa was
taking this mountain to attack Ayodhya. Bharat then shot Hanuman with an arrow,
which was engraved with Rama's name. Hanuman did not stop this arrow as it had
Rama's name written on it, and it injured his leg. Hanuman landed and explained to
Bharat that he was moving the mountain to save his own brother, Lakshmana.
Bharat, very sorry, offered to fire an arrow to Lanka, which Hanuman could ride
in order to reach his destination more easily. But Hanuman declined the offer,
preferring to fly on his own, and he continued his journey with his injured leg.
••• Patala incident •••
In another incident during the war, Rama and Lakshmana are captured by
the rakshasa Mahiravana (or Ahiravan), brother of Ravana, who held them
captive in their palace in Patala (or Patalpuri)--the netherworld. Mahiravana
keeps them as offerings to his deity. Searching for them, Hanuman reaches
Patala, the gates of which are guarded by a young creature called Makardhwaja
(known also as Makar-Dhwaja or Magar Dhwaja), who is part reptile and part
Vanara.The story of Makardhwaja's birth is said to be that when Hanuman
extinguished his burning tail in the ocean, a drop of his sweat fell into the waters,
eventually becoming Makardhwaja, who perceives Hanuman as his father.
When Hanuman introduces himself to Makardhwaja, the latter asks his blessings,
but fights him to fulfill the task of guarding the gate. Hanuman defeats and
imprisons him to gain entry.Upon entering Patala, Hanuman discovers that to
kill Mahiravana, he must simultaneously extinguish five lamps burning in
different directions. Hanuman assumes the Panchamukha or five-faced form
of Sri Varaha facing north, Sri Narasimha facing south, Sri Garuda facing west,
Sri Hayagriva facing the sky and his own facing the east, and blows out the lamps
. Hanuman then rescues Rama and Lakshmana. Afterwards, Rama asks Hanuman
to crown Makardhwaja king of Patala. Hanuman then instructs Makardhwaja to
rule Patala with justice and wisdom.
••• Bharata's vow •••
When the war ends, Rama's 14-year exile has almost elapsed. Rama then
remembers Bharata's vow to immolate himself if Rama does not return to
rule Ayodhya immediately, on completion of the stipulated period. Realising
that it would be a little later than the last day of the 14 years when he would
reach Ayodhya, Rama is anxious to prevent Bharata from giving up his life.
Hanuman therefore flies to Ayodhya to inform Bharata that Rama is on his
way home.
••• Honours •••
Shortly after he is crowned Emperor upon his return to Ayodhya, Rama decides
to ceremoniously reward all his well-wishers. At a grand ceremony in his court,
all his friends and allies take turns being honoured at the throne. Hanuman
approaches without desiring a reward. Seeing Hanuman come up to him, an e
motionally overwhelmed Rama embraces him warmly, declaring that he could
never adequately honour or repay Hanuman for the help and services he received
from the noble Vanara. Sita, however, insists that Hanuman deserved honour
more than anyone else, and Sita gives him a necklace of precious stones adorning
her neck.
••• Hanuman Ramayana •••
After the victory of Rama over Ravana, Hanuman went to the Himalayas to
continue his worship of the Lord. There he scripted a version of the Ramayana
on the Himalayan mountains using his nails, recording every detail of Rama's
deeds. When Maharishi Valmiki visited him to show him his own version of the
Ramayana, he saw Hanuman's version and became very disappointed.
When Hanuman asked Valmiki the cause of his sorrow, the sage said that
his version, which he had created very laboriously, was no match for the
splendour of Hanuman's, and would therefore go ignored. At this, Hanuman
discarded his own version, which is called the Hanumad Ramayana. Maharishi
Valmiki was so taken aback that he said he would take another birth to sing the
glory of Hanuman which he had understated in his version.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 recognised that it was from the Hanumad Ramayana recorded
by Hanuman in an extinct script, and considered himself very fortunate to see
at least one pada of the stanza.
••• 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, including
Sugriva, decided to depart with him. Hanuman, however, requested to remain
on earth as long as Rama's name was venerated by people. Sita accorded
Hanuman that desire, and granted that his image would be installed at various
public places, so he could listen to people chanting Rama's name. He is one
of the immortals of Hinduism.
••• In the Mahabharata •••
Hanuman is also considered to be the brother of Bhima, on the basis of their
having the same father, Vayu. During the Pandavas' exile, he appears disguised
as a weak and aged monkey to Bhima in order to subdue his arrogance. Bhima
enters a field where Hanuman is lying with his tail blocking the way. Bhima,
unaware of his identity, tells him to remove it. In return, Hanuman tells him
to remove it himself. Bhima tries, but is unable to do it despite his great strength.
Realising he is no ordinary monkey, he inquires as to Hanuman's identity,
which is then revealed. Upon Bhima's request, Hanuman is also said to have
enlarged himself and shown him the same size in which he had crossed the sea
to go to Lanka, looking for Sita.
••• Panchamukha Hanuman •••
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 (12 m) 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.
••• Relation with Shani (Saturn) •••
In the Ramayana, Hanuman is said to have rescued Shani, the planet Saturn,
from the clutches of Ravana.[22] In gratitude, Shani promised Hanuman
that those who prayed him (Hanuman) would be rescued from the painful
effects of Saturn, which in Hindu astrology, is said to produce malefic effects
on one's life when one is afflicted "negatively" with Saturn...
••• Shri Hanuman Chalisa •••
••• Doha •••
Shri guru charan saraj raj, Nij manu mukur sudhare |
Barnau raghubar bimal jasu, Jo dhayak phal chare ||
Budhihien tanu jaanke, Sumerao pavan-kumar |
Bal budhi vidhya dehu mohe, Harhu kales bikar ||
••• Chopai •••
Jai hanuman gyan gun sagar |
Jai kapise tehu lok ujagar ||
Ram dut atulit bal dhama |
Anjani putra pavan sut nama ||
Mahabir bikram bajragee |
Kumati nivas sumati ke sangi ||
Kanchan baran biraj subesa |
Kann kundal kunchit kesa ||
Haat vajar ao dheja biraje |
Kandhe muj janeu sajee ||
Sankar suvan kesrinandan |
Tej pratap maha jag bandhan ||
Vidhyavan gune aati chatur |
Ram kaaj kaibe ko aatur ||
Prabhu charit sunibe ko rasiya |
Ram lakhan sita maan basiya ||
Susham roop dhari siyahi dhikhava |
Bikat roop dhari lank jarava ||
Bhim roop dhari asur sahare |
Ramchandra ke kaaj savare ||
Laye sanjeevan lakhan jiyaye |
Shriraghuvir harsha ure laye ||
Raghupati kinhe bahut badai |
Tum mam preye bharat sam bhai ||
Sahart badan tumarhu jas gavey |
Aas kahi shripati kant lagavey ||
Sankadeek bhramadhi munisa |
Narad sarad sahit ahisa ||
Jam kuber digpal jaha thi |
Kavi kovid kahi sake kaha thi ||
Tum upkar sughuv kehina |
Ram milaye raj pad denha ||
Tumraho mantra vibhekshan mana |
Lankeshvar bhaye sab jag jaan ||
Jug sahes jojan per bhanu |
Linyo tahi madhur phal janu ||
Prabhu mudrika meli mukh mahi |
Jaldhi ladhi gaye acraj nahi ||
Durgam kaaj jagat ke jete |
Sugam anugrah tumre tete ||
Ram duaare tum rakhvare |
Hoot na aagya binu pasare ||
Sab sukh lahai tumhre sarna |
Tum rchak kahu ko daarna ||
Aapan tej samharo aape |
Teno lok hakte kape ||
Bhut pesach nikat nahi aaveh |
Mahavir jab naam sunaveh ||
Nase rog hare sab peera |
Japat nirantar hanumat bal bira ||
Sankat se hanuman chudave |
Maan kam bachan dayan jo lavey ||
Sab per ram tapasvi raja |
Tin ke kaaj sakal tum saja ||
Aur manorat jo kayi lave |
Tasuye amit jeevan phal pavey ||
Charo guj pratap tumarah |
Hai prasidh jagat ujeyara ||
Sadhu sant ke tum rakhvare |
Asur nikandan ram dulare ||
Ashat sidhi navnidhi ke data |
As var deen jaanki mata ||
Ram rasayan tumhre pasa |
Sada raho raghupati ke dasa ||
Tumreh bhajan ram ko bhavey |
Janam janam ke dukh bisravey ||
Ant kaal raghubar pur jaie |
Jaha janam hari bhagat kahaei ||
Aur devta chitna dhareyo |
Hanumat seye sarav sukh karaei ||
Sankat kate mite sab pera |
Jo sumere hanumat balbira ||
Jai jai jai hanuman gusai |
Kripa karo guru dev ke naai ||
Jo sat bar pat kar koi |
Chutehi bandhi maha sukh hoai ||
Jo yahe pade hanuman chalisa |
Hoye sidhi sa ke goresa ||
Tulsidas sada hari chera |
Kijeye nath hridaye maha dera ||
••• Doha •••
Pavantnaye sankat haran, Mangal murti roop |
Ram lakhan sita sahet, Hridaye basau sur bhup ||
