Hanuman

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For the Tamil movie by same name see Anjaneya, Movie

This article is about a Divine Entity in Hinduism. For the monkey named after Hanuman, see Gray langur.

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Hanuman (Sanskrit: हनुमत् Hanumat; nominative singular हनुमान् Hanumān), known also as 'Anjaneya', is one of the most important personalities in the epic, the Ramayana. He is a vanara who aided Lord Rama (an avatar of Vishnu) in rescuing His Consort, Sita, from the Rakshasa king Ravana.

[edit] His Life

[edit] Birth

According to a legend, Hanuman was born in the Treta Yuga on Pournima (full moon day) of Chaitra i.e. the first month of Hindu calendar, as the son of Anjana, a female Vanara. Anjana was actually an apsara or a celestial being, named Punjiksthala, who, due to a curse, was born on the earth as a female vanara. The curse was to be removed upon her giving birth to an incarnation of GOD Shiv. Anjana was the wife of Kesari, a strong vanara who once killed a mighty elephant that was troubling sages and hermits. He therefore got the name "Kesari", meaning lion, and is also called Kunjara Südana, the elephant killer. The combination of Vanara and the celestial give Hanuman strength, divinity and quick wits – his main characteristics.

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 they sought.^[1]

At the time that Anjana was worshipping Lord Shiva, elsewhere, Dasaratha, the king of Ayodhya, was performing the Putrakama Yagna 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 dropped it while flying over the forest where Anjana was engaged in worship. Pavan, 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.^[2]

According to Shiv mahapurana, Shiv was so infatuated by the appearance of lord Vishnu in his form of Mohini that his semen was released on the ground. This semen was established by the Saptarishis in the womb of Anjani, with the permission of Shiv himself. In this way was born the mighty Hanuman. Thus Hanuman got qualities of both Shiv and Vishnu.

Being Anjana's son, Hanuman is also called Anjaneya (pronounced Aanjanèya), which literally means "arising from Anjana".

[edit] Childhood, education and curse

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Hanuman's spiritual father is Vayu (also called Pavan, Marut). So Hanuman is also called Pavan-putra (meaning "son of Pavan") or Maruti. Being divine, Hanuman was born with immense physical strength, the power to fly, and divine levels of endurance.

As a child, assuming the sun to be a ripe fruit, he once took flight to catch hold of it to eat. Indra, the king of devas observed this. He hurled his weapon, the Vajra (thunderbolt) at Hanuman, who fell back down to earth, broke his chin and became unconscious. Upset, Vayu went into seclusion, taking the atmosphere with him. As living beings began to get asphyxiated, to pacify Vayu, Indra withdrew the effect of his thunderbolt, and the devas revived Hanuman and blessed him with multiple boons. However, a permanent mark was left on his chin (hanuhH in Sanskrit).

On ascertaining Surya 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. But 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 travel, Hanuman 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 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. But Hanuman insisted, and it was then that Surya asked him to help his (Surya's) spiritual son Sugriva. 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 realising that Hanuman was but a child, (albeit invincible), the sages placed a mild curse on him. By this curse Hanuman forgot his own prowess, and recollected it only when others reminded him about it. 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, despite the curse. The Curse is highlighted in Kishkindha Kanda and Sundara Kanda when Jambavantha reminds Hanuman of his abilities and encourages him to go and find Sita. Hanuman accomplishes his task.

[edit] Hanuman in the Ramayana war

Sculpture of Hanuman carrying the Dronagiri mountain, sculpted in Terra cotta.

Hanuman as depicted in Yakshagana, popular folk art of Karnataka

The Sundara Kanda, the fifth book in the Ramayana, focuses mainly on the adventures of Hanuman and the story is as follows.

[edit] Meeting Rama

Hanuman is a notable vanara, who meets Rama during Rama's 14-year exile in the forest. With his brother Lakshmana, Rama is searching for his wife Sita who was abducted by the demon emperor, 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 elder brother Vali, the Vanara emperor with whom he had a serious misunderstanding. Refusing to listen to Sugriva's explanation, Vali banishes him from the kingdom while holding Sugriva's wife captive in his (Vali's) own palace.

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 (even the remember of all the 4 vedas) could speak the way the brahmin did. 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 so accomplished as him.^[3]

When Rama introduces himself, Hanuman reveals his own identity and falls prostrate before Rama, who embraces him warmly. Thereafter, Hanuman's life becomes interwoven inextricably with that of Rama. Hanuman then brings about a friendship and alliance between Rama and Sugriva. (Rama helps Sugriva regain his honour and makes him king of Kishkindha (the kingdom of the Vanaras). Sugriva and his Vanaras, most notably Hanuman, helps Rama defeat Ravana and reunite with Sita.

In their search for Sita, a group of Vanaras reaches the southern seashore. Upon encountering the vast ocean, every vanara begins to lament his inability to jump across the water. Hanuman too is saddened at the possible failure of his mission, until the other vanaras, and especially the wise bear Jambavantha begin to extol his virtues. Hanuman then recollects his own powers, enlarges his body and flies across the ocean. On his way, he encounters a mountain that rises from the sea, proclaims that it owed his father a debt and asks him to rest a while before proceeding. Not wanting to waste any time, Hanuman thanks the mountain and carries on. He then encounters a sea-monster who challenges him to enter her mouth. When Hanuman outwits her, she admits that it was merely a test of his courage. Finally on killing simhika, a shadow eater demon he reached Lanka, he also frightened her when she met him as a lady. This story is written as Hanuman-lankani samvad in Sri Ramcharitmanas.

Hanuman reaches Lanka marvelling at its beauty. He also regrets that it might be destroyed if Rama has to do battle. After he finds Sita sitting sadly in captivity in a garden, Hanuman reveals his identity to her and offers to carry her back to Rama. She refuses his offer, saying it would be an insult to Rama as his honour is at stake. Secondly she thought him as a mere monkey. Hanuman showed his supreme form. After meeting Sita, Hanuman begins to wreak havoc gradually destroying the palaces and properties of Lanka. He killed many demons including Jambumalli and akshaa. To subdue him, Ravana's son Indrajit uses the Brahmastra. Though immune to the astra (weapon), Hanuman, out of respect to Brahma, allows himself be bound by the weapon. Deciding to use the opportunity to meet the renowned ruler of Lanka, and to assess the strength of Ravana's hordes, Hanuman allows the demon warriors to parade him through the streets. When he is produced at Ravana's court, Ravana denies him a seat that was due as a messenger. In response, Hanuman lengthens his own tail and coils it into a seat that rises much higher than the Ravana's throne. He conveys Rama's message of warning to the powerful demon, and demands the safe return of Sita. He also informs Ravana that Rama would be willing to forgive him if he returns Sita properly.

Enraged, Ravana orders Hanuman's execution. However, Ravana's brother Vibheeshana intervenes, pointing out that it is against the rules of engagement to kill a messenger. Ravana then orders that Hanuman's tail be lit instead. As Ravana's forces attempted to wrap cloth around his tail, Hanuman begins to lengthen it. After frustrating them for a while, he allows it, then escapes from his captors, and with his tail on fire he burns down all of Lanka. After extinguishing his flaming tail in the sea, he heads back to Rama.

[edit] Lifting a mountain

During the war, when Lakshmana is severely wounded by Indrajit, Hanuman is sent to fetch the Sanjivani, a powerful life-restoring herb from the Dronagiri mountain range to revive him. Ravana realises that if Lakshmana dies, a distraught Rama would probably give up, and so has his uncle Kalnaimi tempt Hanuman away with luxury. However, Hanuman is tipped off by a crocodile (actually a celestial being under a curse) and kills the Rakshasa. When he is unable to find the specific herb before nightfall, Hanuman again displays his might by lifting the entire Dronagiri mountain and bringing it to the battlefield in Lanka, thus helping others find the herb to revive Lakshmana. An emotional Rama hugs Hanuman, declaring him as dear to him as his own beloved brother Bharata.

A terra cotta sculpture of Panchamukha Hanuman

[edit] The Patala incident

In another incident during the war, (the one that brought about Hanuman's Panchamukha form), Rama and Lakshmana are captured by the demon, Mahiravana (and his brother Ahiravana), a powerful practitioner of black magic and the dark arts, who holds them captive in his palace in Patalpuri or Patala (the nether world). Searching for them, Hanuman reaches Patala whose gates are guarded by a very young creature called Makardhwaja (known also as Makar-Dhwaja or Magar Dhwaja), part fish and part Vanara.

The story of Makardhwaja's birth is that although Hanuman remained celibate all his life, Makadhwaja was his son; when Hanuman had extinguished his burning tail in the ocean, unknown to him, a drop of his sweat had fallen in as well. Swallowing this sweat droplet, a fish then becomes pregnant. This is discovered when the fish is brought to Mahiravana's kitchen for cooking. Mahiravana raises the child, entrusting him to guard Patalpuriis gates. Hanuman is unaware of any of this. Although Makardhwaja knows his father is Hanuman, yet had never seen him. So, when Hanuman introduces himself to Makardhwaja, he seeks Hanuman's blessings but decides to fight him as part of his duty as guardian of the gates. Hanuman subdues him and ties him up before entering Patalpuri to rescue Rama and Lakshmana.

Upon entering Patala, Hanuman discovers he must extinguish five lamps at once to kill Mahiravana. Hanuman assumes the Panchamukha or five-faced form of Sri Varaha, Sri Narasimha, Sri Garuda, Sri Hayagriva and his own, and blows out the lamps. Thus killing demons, Hanuman rescues Rama and Lakshmana. Afterwards, Rama asks Hanuman to crown Makardhwaja king of Patalpuri.

Hanuman continues to play an indispensable role in the war.

[edit] 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 his exile is over. 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. Once again, Hanuman comes to the rescue – he speeds to Ayodhya to tell Bharata that Rama is on his way back.

[edit] Honours

Shortly after he is crowned Emperor upon his return to Ayodhya, Rama decides to ceremoniously reward all those who had helped him defeat Ravana. At a grand ceremony in his court, all his friends and allies take turns being honoured at the throne. Hanuman too goes up, but without desiring a reward. Seeing Hanuman come up to him, an emotionally 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 asks him to seek a gift. Sita gave him a necklace of precious stones adorning her neck. When he receives it, Hanuman immediately takes it apart, peering into each stone. Taken aback, many of those present demand to know why he is destroying the precious gift. Hanuman answers that he is looking into the stones to make sure that Rama and Sita are in them, if not, the necklace is of no value. At this, a few mock Hanuman, saying his reverence and love for Rama and Sita could not possibly be so deep. At this point, Hanuman tears his chest open, and everyone is stunned to see Rama and Sita literally there, in his heart.

[edit] Hanumad 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 also saw Lord Hanuman's version and became very disappointed. When Hanuman asked him the cause of his sorrow, he 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 took those rocks on one shoulder and Valmiki on the other, and went to the sea. There he threw his own version into the sea, as an offering to Rama. This version, called the Hanumad Ramayana, has been unavailable since then.

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. (It is said^{[attribution needed]} that Saint Tulsidas who composed the Ramcharitmanas was none other than the Maharishi Valmiki reborn 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 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.

[edit] 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 vanaras like Sugriva decided to depart with him. Shunning the heavens, 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 chiranjeevis (immortals) in Hinduism.

[edit] Hanuman in the Mahabharata

During the Pandavas' exile, he appeared disguised as a weak and aged monkey before his (spiritual) half-brother, the Pandava prince Bhima in order to subdue his arrogance and teach him the value of humility.

More significantly, during the great battle of Kurukshetra, Arjuna entered the battlefield with the flag of Hanuman on his chariot. The incident that led to this was an earlier encounter between Hanuman and Arjuna; Hanuman appeared as a small talking monkey before Arjuna at Rameshwaram, where Sri Rama had built the great bridge to cross over to Lanka to rescue Sita. Upon Arjuna's wondering out aloud at Sri Rama's taking the help of "monkeys" rather than building a bridge of arrows, Hanuman (in the form of the little monkey) challenged him to build one capable of bearing him alone, and Arjuna, unaware of the monkey's true identity accepted. Hanuman then proceeded to repeatedly destroy the bridges made by Arjuna who became depressed and suicidal, and decided to take his own life. Vishnu then appeared before them both, chiding Arjuna for his vanity, and Hanuman for making the accomplished warrior Arjuna feel incompetent. As an act of 'penitence', Hanuman decided to help Arjuna by stabilising and strengthening his chariot during the imminent great battle. Legend goes Hanuman is one of the three people to have heard Gita from Sri Krishna himself, the other two being Arjuna and Sanjeya (due to his divine vision)

[edit] Presence of Hanuman

There have been numerous saints who claimed to have seen Hanuman in modern times, notably Madhvacharya (13 Century A.D.), Tulsidas (16th century), Sri Ramdas Swami (17th century), Raghavendra Swami (17th century) and Sri Sathya Sai Baba (20th century).

Others have also asserted 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.

This can be found in many other texts like vinay patrika by Tulsidas, Mahabharta by Ved Vyasa, Anand Ramayan and many others with slight variation in language/Sentence. Even the places where holy function of Ramayanpath is taking place, there is a special puja and space (or asan) reserved for Hanuman.

[edit] Temples for Hanuman

A temple to Hanuman near Nuwara Eliya [1] in Sri Lanka

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.

Some famous Hanuman (Anjaneya) Temples are

Shri Krishna Matha (Krishna Temple) , Udupi
Krishnapura Matha , Krishnapura near Surathkal
Ragigudda Anjaneya temple , Jayanagar , Bangalore
Hanumangarhi, Ayodhya
Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple (Varanasi)
Hanuman Temple, near Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka
Salasar Balaji District Churu Rajasthan
Mehandipur Balaji Temple ,Rajasthan
Ada Balaji, in Sariska Wild life Sanctury, Alwar Rajasthan
11 Maruthi temples in Maharashtra.
Shri Hanuman temple in Connaught Place, New Delhi.
Prasanna Veeranjaneya Swami Temple, in Mahalakshmi Layout, Bangalore, [Karnatak].

[edit] Panchamukha Hanuman

Image:9990093997317.jpg

The Panchamukhi Hanuman[2] (Varaha, Garuda, Anjaneya, Narasimha and Hayagreeva). Hanuman appearing to Raghavendra Swami when practicing yoga

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-foot Karya Siddhi Hanuman murthi was installed at Carapichaima-Trinidad and Tobago, by Avadhoota Dattapeetham Pontiff Sri Ganapathi SachchidanandaSwamiji. (Tallest in the Western hemisphere and second tallest in the world)

[edit] Lord Hanuman and Lord Shani (Saturn)

In the Hindu faith, Hanuman and Vinayaka are two aspects of God not afflicted by Shani. There is also a belief that all the planets are under the control of Hanuman's tail. Whoever worships Hanuman is granted fortitude and strength.

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 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.

Another version of the encounter between Lord Hanuman and Shani Bhagavan is that the latter once climbed on to Lord Hanuman's shoulder, implying 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 Hanuman to release him, promising that if a person prayed to Hanuman, he (Shani) would moderate the malefic effects of his influence on that person; following this, Hanuman released Shani.

There is a spiritual interpretation of the relation between Lord Hanuman and Lord Shani. The former is said to be a symbol of selflessness, while the latter is symbolic of ego and pride. Thus, to counter the karma borne out of selfish action, one must be humble like Lord Hanuman. This is particularly true for those who are said to be experiencing the evil effects of Sade Sati - a period of about seven and half years when Saturn (Lord Shani) is supposed to afflict the sign in which "planet," the moon is placed in the natal chart of a person.

Alternatively, it is also considered that one who prays to Vishnu is protected from Saturn as he is said by some to be a great devotee of Vishnu.^{[attribution needed]}

[edit] Beliefs about Hanuman

He symbolises the pinnacle of bhakti, and Hindus consider him 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 respected by Hindus, Shaivas and Vaishnavas.

Hanuman is the epitome of wisdom, brahmacharya, bhakti (devotion/faith), valour, righteousness and strength. His indispensable role in reuniting Rama with Sita is likened by some^{[attribution needed]} to that of a teacher helping an individual soul realise the divine.

There is no blessing that he cannot bestow—according to the Hanuman Chalisa, Sita granted him the power to bestow the eight siddhis and nine types of wealth on others. However, the greatest boon one can ask of Hanuman is the uplifting spiritual qualities that he himself is known for.

He is easily reachable — just by chanting the name 'Ram'. Conversely, it is also held that the easiest way to attain Lord Rama is to worship Hanuman — verse 33 of the Hanuman Chalisa begins, "Tumharae bhajan Ram ko paavae", which means "by singing hymns about You, we reach Rama".

[edit] See also

Hanuman, his mouth open and resembling an angry baboon, was controversially included as Monster in My Pocket #99. After protests by local Hindu groups, he was removed from the line in the United Kingdom, but continued to be included in other countries.
Hanuman (film) - a 2005 animated movie by Percept Pictures, Sahara and Silvertoons
Valmiki
Shri Madhvacharya
Sun Wukong - a popular classical Chinese fictional character known as the Monkey King possibly influenced by Hanuman.

[edit] Notes

^ Sri Ramakrishna Math (1985) "Hanuman Chalisa" pp. 5
^ Sri Ramakrishna Math (1985) "Hanuman Chalisa" pp. 5-6
^ Sri Ramakrishna Math (1985) "Hanuman Chalisa" pp. 8

[edit] References

Sri Ramakrishna Math (1985). Hanuman Chalisa. Sri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai, India. ISBN 81-7120-086-9
Mahabharata (1992).Gitapress, Gorakhpur,India.
Anand Ramayan (1999).Rashtriya Sanskriti Sansthan, Bareily,India

[edit] Further reading

Hanuman Puja. Swami Satyananda Sarawati, Devi Mandir. (ISBN 1-887472-91-6)

[edit] External links

The Rāmāyaņa by Valmiki
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