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SRI HANUMAN is worshipped all over India�either alone or together with Sri
Rama. Every temple of Sri Rama has the murti or idol of Sri Hanuman.
Hanuman was the Avatara of Lord Siva. He was born of the Wind-God and Anjani
Devi. He is also called by the names Pavanasuta, Marutsuta, Mahavira,
Bajrangabali and Pavankumar.
When Lord Siva learnt that Vishnu had
taken birth upon the earth as Sri Rama he desired to participate in the divine
drama which was to unfold. Therefore as the eleventh incarnation of Rudra, as
one who takes away the tears, he manifested as Sri Hanuman. Punjikasthala, an
attendant of Brihaspathi, the teacher of the demigods, was once cursed to become
a monkey and the curse was to be removed when she gave birth to an incarnation
of Lord Siva. She was born in the vanara race as Anjana who married Kesari.
The vanaras were an intelligent race
of monkeys. Pleased with her devotion, Lord Siva granted a boon that he would be
born to her. Meanwhile King Dasaratha of Ayodhya performed the Puthrakameshti
Yagam to have progeny. The sacred pudding which he got from the ritual was to be
shared among his three wives. By divine ordinance, a kite snatched a portion of
the pudding and dropped it where Anjana Devi was in worship.
Vayu Dev, the deity of wind,delivered the sacred pudding to the outstretched hands of Anjana Devi, who
swallowed it immediately. Anjaneya was thus born to Anjana Devi. Since Vayu Dev
delivered the sacred pudding to her Anjaneya is considered to be his progeny and
is called Pavana Thanaya. Since he was brought up by Kesari, Anjaneya is also
called Kesari Nandan. Since he is born of Anjana Devi he is called Anjenaya. He
leapt many miles towards the Sun mistaking it for a sweet fruit. Rahu, who alone
has the power to eclipse the Sun, cautioned Indra, the king of gods. Indra
struck Him with thunderbolt wounding His chin. Anjaneya fell down and Vayu Dev
carried Him to the neither regions. Absence of Vayu Dev threatened annihilation
of life on the earth and the gods started appeasing Vayu Dev by showering boons
after boons on Anjaneya. Varuna Dev, the deity of the sea, blessed Him with
immortality. Yama Dev, the deity of death, blessed Him that He would not be
affected by Yamadand, his weapon.Kubera, the deity of wealth, blessed Him that
mace would not inflict Him. Lord Brahma blessed that the powerful Brahmadand or
Brahmaastra would not affect him. Lord Siva blessed Him that he would not face
any threat from the invincible trisul or the Paasupathastram. Brihaspathi, the
teacher of the demigods, blessed Him that no weapon would affect Him. These
boons rendered Anjaneya invincible. It is also believed that praying to Hanuman
relives one from the wrath of planet Saturn (sani).
Hanuman was the living embodiment of the power of Ram-Nam. He was an ideal
selfless worker, a true Karma Yogi who worked desirelessly. He was a great
devotee and an exceptional Brahmachari or celibate. He served Sri Rama with pure
love and devotion, without expecting any fruit in return. He lived only to serve
Sri Rama. He was humble, brave and wise. He possessed all the divine virtues. He
did what others could not do�crossing the ocean simply by uttering Ram-Nam,
burning the demon-king's city of Lanka, and bringing the sanjeevini herb
to restore the life of Lakshmana. He brought Sri Rama and Lakshmana from the
nether world after killing Ahiravana.
Hanuman possessed devotion, knowledge, spirit of selfless service, power of
celibacy, and desirelessness. He never boasted of his bravery and
intelligence.
He said to Ravana, "I am a humble messenger of Sri Rama. I have come here to
serve Sri Rama, to do His work. By the command of Sri Rama, I have come here. I
am fearless by the Grace of Sri Rama. I am not afraid of death. I welcome it if
it comes while serving Sri Rama."
See how humble Hanuman was! How deep was his devotion to Sri Rama! He never
said, "I am the brave Hanuman. I can do anything and everything."
Sri Rama Himself said to Hanuman, "I am greatly indebted to you, O mighty
hero. You did marvellous, superhuman deeds. You do not want anything in return.
Sugriva has his kingdom restored to him. Angada has been made the crown prince.
Vibhishana has become king of Lanka. But you have not asked for anything at any
time. You threw away the precious garland of pearls given to you by Sita. How
can I repay My debt of gratitude to you? I will always remain deeply indebted to
you. I give you the boon of everlasting life. All will honour and worship you
like Myself. Your idol will be placed at the door of My temple and you will be
worshipped and honoured first. Whenever My stories are recited or glories sung,
your glory will be sung before Mine. You will be able to do anything, even that
which I will not be able to!"
Thus did Sri Rama praise Hanuman when the latter returned to Him after
finding Sita in Lanka. Hanuman was not a bit elated. He fell in prostration at
the holy feet of Sri Rama.
Sri Rama asked him, "O mighty hero, how did you cross the ocean?"
Hanuman humbly replied, "By the power and glory of Thy Name, my Lord."
Again Sri Rama asked, "How did you burn Lanka? How did you save
yourself?"
And Hanuman replied, "By Thy Grace, my Lord."
What profound humility Hanuman embodied in himself!
There are many who want wealth in return for their services. Some do not want
wealth, but they cannot resist name and fame. Others do not want any of these,
but they want approbation. Still others want nothing, but they boast of their
deeds. Hanuman was above all these. That is why he is recognised as an ideal
Karma Yogi and an unsurpassed adept in Bhakti. His life is full of object
lessons. Everyone should try his best to follow the noble example of
Hanuman.
On this holy day worship Sri Hanuman. Fast on this day. Read the click
here for Sri Hanuman Chalisa. Spend the whole day in the Japa of Ram-Nam. Hanuman will be
highly pleased and will bless you with success in all your undertakings.
Glory to Hanuman! Glory to his Lord, Sri Rama!
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