Hanuman
 Part
1: The Legend
The Origin
Sri Hanumanji is an incarnation of Lord Siva.
Brihaspati (the
preceptor of the gods) had an attendant by the name of Punjikasthala who was
cursed to assume the body of a female monkey. The curse was to be removed on her
giving birth to an incarnation of Lord Siva. Accordingly, she was born as Anjana
and, together with her husband Kesari (so named on account of his being as brave
as a lion), lived a life of chastity and purity. She performed intense Tapasya
(austerities) for a great many years, during which period she worshipped Lord
Siva who being pleased with her granted her a boon. She asked that He (Lord
Siva) be born to her so that she may be freed from the curse.
When Dasaratha,
the king of Ayodhya was given the sacred payasa (pudding) by Agnideva to share
among his wives so that they may have divine children (Ram, Lakshmana, Bharata
and Shatrughna), by divine ordinance, a bird (kite) snatched a fragment of that
pudding and, whilst flying over the forest, dropped it where Anjana was engaged
in worship. Pavandev (the deity presiding over the wind) delivered that fragment
of pudding to the outstretched hands of Anjana who immediately swallowed it.
With that grace, she, in due course, gave birth to Hanumanji. Thus we find that
Lord Siva incarnated as Hanumanji in the bodily form of a monkey through the
grace and blessings of his god-father Pavandev, with Anjana and Kesari as his
earthly parents.
Childhood
As soon as Hanumanji was born, Anjana was released from the curse and wished
to return to Heaven. Hanumanji asked his mother what his future would be and how
he was to earn his living. She assured him that he would never be destroyed, and
said that fruits as ripe as the rising sun would form his food. Thinking that
the glowing and glittering sun was food to be eaten by him, the baby Hanumanji
being divine in nature, made just one leap for it. He was 1600 miles from the
sun when Rahu, who was exclusively enabled to harass the sun (thus causing
eclipses or obstacles to the sun) complained to Indra (king of the gods in
heaven) of this new threat to his power. Indra struck Hanumanji with his
thunderbolt, wounding his chin and causing him to fall down to earth.
The god-father
Pavandev carried Hanumanji to Patala (the nether regions) and as he departed
from the earth, all life was endangered. Brahma and all the other gods went to
Patala and begged Pavandev to return. In order to appease him they conferred
great boons on the baby Hanumanji. The blessings of all the gods made Hanumanji
invincible and more powerful than any other being, divine or ordinary. Thus
Hanumanji is an embodiment of the powers of all the gods and goddesses.
Education
Hanumanji mentally chose Surya (the Sun-god) as his preceptor. Therefore he
approached Surya with the request to be taught the scriptures so that he may
manifest spiritually in daily life. Surya agreed to have Hanumanji as his
disciple but pointed out that it was not possible for him to stop his journey
across the sky as that would cause chaos in the world. But Hanumanji was so
mighty that he surprised all the gods by facing his Guru, who had to be
constantly moving, thus (Hanumanji) traversing the sky backwards and at the same
time concentrating fully on his lessons.
In this way
Hanumanji enabled Surya to perform his duty and to impart knowledge at the same
time. Within a short period of 60 hours, Hanumanji mastered all the scriptures.
Surya considered the manner in which Hanumanji accomplished his studies as
sufficient dakshina (tuition fees), but Hanumanji pressed him to accept more.
Surya then asked Hanumanji to assist his son Sugriva, who was living in
Kishkindha, by being his minister and constant companion.
In the Service of Sri Rama
Sri Hanumanji met Sri Rama whilst Sri Rama was in banishment. Sri Rama,
together with his brother Lakshamana, was searching for his wife Sita. (Sita was
abducted by the demon Ravana). Their search had taken them to the vicinity of
the Pampa Lake situated at the base of the mountain Risyamukha. Sugriva
(together with his ministers) was hiding in this region. Sugriva was being
persecuted by his brother Bali. Sugriva was suspicious that Rama and Lakshmana
might have been sent by Bali to kill him. Therefore, to ascertain whether they
were friends or foes, Hanumanji approached them in the guise of a Brahmin. His
first words to them were such that Sri Rama immediately said to Lakshmana:
"None can speak thus without mastering the Vedas and their branches. Nor is
there any defect in his countenance, eyes, forehead, brows, or any of his limbs.
His accents are wonderful, auspicious and captivating. Even an enemy who has his
sword uplifted is moved. Indeed, success awaits the monarch whose emissaries are
so accomplished."
When Lord Rama
revealed his identity, Hanumanji fell prostrate before Him and Lord Rama picked
him up and clasped him to His bosom. Sri Rama reveals His identity as the son of
Dasaratha and prince of Ayodhya, but Hanumanji perceives Him to be the Lord of
the universe and prostrates.
Thereafter the
story of Hanumanji is inextricably interwoven with that of Lord Rama, and is
exhaustively dealt with in the Ramayana of Valmiki and the Ramacharitamanasa of
Goswami Tulasidas.
To summarize in
a few words: Hanumanji introduces Lord Rama to Sugriva; goes off in search of
Sita; discovers and consoles Sita in Lanka; Burns the city of Lanka and kills
many demons; brings together Vibhishana and Lord Rama; returns to Lanka with
Lord Rama, and features very prominently in the battle that ensues between Lord
Rama and Ravana; saves the life of Lakshmana by bringing the Sanjivani (life
giving herb) from the Himalayas; and served Lord Rama for as long as He lived a
human life on earth.
Service to the Pandavas
Hanumanji met Bhima in the forest and recognized him as his spiritual
brother. (They were both born with the blessings of Pavandev). Hanumanji
promised to aid the Pandavas in the battle of Kurukshetra. There Hanumanji
positions himself on the flag of Arjuna’s chariot, thus stabilizing and
protecting it. Hanumanji’s flag signifies sense control and mind control that
gives victory to the higher nature over the lower nature. Wherever the servant
of Lord Rama is, there, victory is secured.
General
Hanumanji is said to be Chiranjivi (immortal) and is present in the world
even today. He is the link between the devotees and God, for, as instructed by
the Lord, he serves, protects and inspires the servants of God. Saints like
Tulasidas had the darshan (divine vision) of the Lord through the grace of
Hanumanji.
In the epics of
no other country is there a character so powerful, learned and philosophic as
Hanumanji.
May we always
proclaim, "Bajrangbally Ki Jai", victory to Hanumanji who has the
strength of the thunderbolt.
Part
2: Hanuman - The servant of the Lord
Generally, all
the gods and goddesses are pleased when their praises are sung. As far as Sri
Hanuman is concerned, he is more delighted to hear the sacred name of Sri Rama
sung than his own name being invoked. Even the most valuable article is rejected
by him if it has not the sacred stamp of Ram on it.
There is
unlimited power enclosed within us. When all that energy is directed towards the
worship of God, it is called Bhakti or Devotion. This is exemplified by Sri
Hanuman. If that energy is utilized for our selfish interests, it can result in
downfall and destruction, as exemplified by Ravana. If we treat our
potentialities with indifference they fritter away in all directions and are
completely wasted. This is represented by common people all over the world who
are not making any effort to advance along the spiritual path.
Hanuman`s
devotion is centered in Sri Ram and his devotion forms the very basis of all his
other qualities. One of the nine types of devotion is that of Master and
servant- known as DASYABHAVA attitude and Sri Hanuman has adopted this from of
devotion to become the most perfect example of it. Hanuman is always seen seated
near the lotus feet of Sri Ram.
Hanuman`s
devotion to Sri Ram had developed in him a total lack of ill will or hostility
towards any one. In spite if possessing super human strength we do not find him
making misuse of his powers anywhere. When Ravan asks, "Why did you kill
the demons?" Hanuman gives a simple reply, "I killed those who
attacked me".
In the Geeta,
Lord Krishna describes the qualities of a bhakta or a devotee:
"He who
acts for Me, who is engrossed in Me, who is My devotee, who is free from
attachment, he reaches Me!"
The very first
quality is "He who acts for Me". The very birth of Hanuman is to
accomplish Sri Ram`s tasks as says Jambvan: "You are born to work for Sri
Ram."
He has such a
devotion to his task that he forgets all physical fatigue.
When on being
pleased with Hanuman`s achievements, Sri Ram embraces him; in return Hanuman
begs only that he may remain Sri Ram`s steadfast devotee.
"O Lord,
bless me with undying devotion for you, for you are a source of great bliss for
me. May I have everlasting love for You!"
This alone was
the desire of Hanuman.
Hanuman`s
greatness lies in his complete surrender to the Lord and he merges his own
existence in the Lord.. From whatever point of view we see, we find that Sri
Hanuman`s bhakti or devotion was so perfect that it culminated in advaitic God
realization.
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