Lord Hanuman is a Hindu mythology deity who stands for bravery, devotion, and selfless service. He is also known as Bajrangbali, Maruti and Anjanaya. Hanuman has been portrayed in the Ramayana as a protector of mankind and a loyal disciple of Lord Rama. He was born to wind-god Vayu and Anjana. Hanuman’s wisdom, courage, and humility is depicted not only in Ramayana, but also in Mahabharata and Puranas.
The Mythological History of Hanuman
In Shaiva tradition, Hanuman is described as the incarnation of Lord Shiva but in Vaishnava tradition, he is the Chiranjeevi. Most people accept the depiction of Ramayana, where he is the supreme devotee of Lord Rama.
Lord Hanuman is called Anjaneya, as his mother was Anjana and his father was a monkey chieftain named Kesari. The wind deity Vayu played a spiritual role in his birth and gave Hanuman tremendous power and speed upon his birth. Because of his spiritual ancestry, he possesses extraordinary talents and was destined to accomplish a bigger cosmic duty.
When Hanuman was younger, his curiosity and excitement had no bounds. He jumped at the sun to demonstrate his unparalleled strength, believing it to be a fruit. The gods gave him blessings, amused and delighted. But because of his evil deeds, the sages cursed him to lose his powers unless reminded.
Hanuman’s true fate was revealed by Lord Rama. Rama was in an attempt to save Sita, and he met Hanuman on his journey. To find Sita, Hanuman played the role of a devoted servant of Rama. He leaped over the sea to Lanka and informed her that Rama would be present. He commanded Rama’s army, helped to build the bridge, and burned Lanka with his fiery tail. Eventually, with the help of Hanuman, Ram succeeded in rescuing Mata Sita after killing Ravana.
Hanuman’s dedication earned him immortality. Hanuman never dies and serves Lord Rama forever. He is worshipped as a representation of bravery, commitment, and humility. Worshipping Hanuman and reciting the Hanuman Chalisa is thought to alleviate problems and concerns. Hanuman’s stories depict the ideal devotee and the triumph of justice, and continue to inspire millions of people.
Role of Hanuman in the Ramayana
According to the Valmiki Ramayana, Hanuman is the devoted warrior and messenger of Lord Rama. When Ravana kidnapped Sita, Hanuman played a crucial role in her rescue. He leaped over the ocean to Lanka with great strength and agility. There, he found Sita in Ashoka Vatika and told her about Rama. He showed courage by allowing himself to become stuck and then burning a section of Lanka with his fire tail. Hanuman played a crucial role in Rama’s fight against evil and the restoration of dharma.
Hanuman represents the ideal devotee throughout the Ramayana. He provided steadfast devotion and selfless service to Rama. In the conflict with Ravana’s army, he led the monkey army (Vanara Sena) with courage and brilliance. His most popular achievement, which demonstrates his extraordinary power and speed, was obtaining the Sanjeevani plant to save Lakshmana’s life. Hanuman’s actions were motivated by true love and devotion rather than self-interest. He was respected for his humility despite his achievements. Throughout Rama’s journey, Hanuman represented justice, strength, and trust at each pivotal point.
Powers and Abilities of Hanuman
Hanuman was blessed by various Gods that gave him immense physical strength, the ability to fly, and incredible speed. He could not be harmed by water, fire, or wind. He can grow from a cat to a mountain since he has the ability to change his size at his will. Hanuman’s unending strength is demonstrated by his jump across the oceans to Lanka. He is unbeatable in battle since he is impervious to wind, fire, and water. By God’s grace, he is also an expert in the Vedas and other types of knowledge.
Hanuman possesses extraordinary spiritual abilities in addition to his physical strength. The goddess Sita bestowed upon him the Nava Nidhis (nine treasures) and Ashta Siddhis (eight supernatural powers). Hanuman is a representation of selflessness and bhakti (devotion) due to his devotion to Lord Rama. His shout may excite gods and frighten devils. Despite his extraordinary powers, Hanuman remains humble and only uses them to advance justice. His commitment, insight, courage, and unwavering spirit have greatly influenced Hinduism.
Worshipping via Hanuman Chalisa
The Hanuman Chalisa is a powerful prayer to Lord Hanuman composed by the saint Tulsidas. Hanuman Chalisa has many spiritual benefits and rewards. Devotees recite it to invoke Lord Hanuman’s might, protection, and to overcome the challenges and fears.
The Hanuman Chalisa’s forty verses praise Lord Hanuman’s power, devotion, and wisdom. Chanting the Hanuman Chalisa is said to be a means of calling upon heavenly assistance during difficult times.
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Here is the Hanuman Chalisa:
॥ Hanuman Chalisa ॥
Shri Guru Charan Saroj Raj, Nij manu mukuru sudhaari।
Barnaun Raghubar bimal jasu, jo daayaku phal chaari॥
Buddhi heen tanu jaanike, sumirau Pavan-Kumar।
Bal buddhi vidya dehu mohi, harahu kalesh vikaar॥
॥ Doha ॥
Jai Hanuman gyaan gun saagar।
Jai Kapees tihun lok ujaagar॥
Ramdoot atulit bal dhaamaa।
Anjani putra Pavan sut naamaa॥
Mahabeer Bikram Bajrangi।
Kumati nivar sumati ke sangi॥
Kanchan varan viraaj subesa।
Kaanan kundal kunchit kesha॥
Haath vajra aur dhvaja biraaje।
Kandhe moonj janeu saaje॥
Sankar suvan Kesri nandan।
Tej pratap maha jag vandan॥
Vidyaavaan guni ati chaatur।
Ram kaaj karibe ko aatur॥
Prabhu charitra sunibe ko rasiya।
Ram Lakhan Sita man basiya॥
Sookshma roop dhari Siyahi dikhava।
Vikat roop dhari Lanka jalava॥
Bheem roop dhari asur sanhare।
Ramchandra ke kaaj sanvare॥
Laaye Sanjeevan Lakhan jiyaye।
Shri Raghuveer harashi ur laaye॥
Raghupati keenhi bahut badaai।
Tum mama priya Bharat-hi sam bhai॥
Sahas badan tumharo yash gaave।
Asa kahi Shripati kanth lagaave॥
Sankadik Brahmadi Muneesa।
Narad Sarad sahit Aheesa॥
Yam Kuber Digpal jahaan te।
Kavi kovid kahi sake kahaan te॥
Tum upkar Sugreevahin keenha।
Ram milaye rajpad deenha॥
Tumharo mantra Vibheeshan maana।
Lankeshwar bhae sab jag jaana॥
Yug sahasra yojan par Bhaanu।
Leelyo taahi madhur phal jaanu॥
Prabhu mudrika meli mukh maahi।
Jaladhi langhi gaye achraj naahi॥
Durgam kaaj jagat ke jete।
Sugam anugrah tumhare tete॥
Ram dware tum rakhvare।
Hot na aagya binu paisare॥
Sab sukh lahe tumhari sharna।
Tum rakshak kaahu ko darna॥
Aapan tej samharo aapai।
Teenon lok haank te kaanpai॥
Bhoot pishaach nikat nahi aavai।
Mahabeer jab naam sunavai॥
Naasai rog harai sab peera।
Japat nirantar Hanumat beera॥
Sankat se Hanuman chudavai।
Man, karma, vachan dhyan jo lavai॥
Sab par Ram tapasvee raaja।
Tin ke kaaj sakal Tum saaja॥
Aur manorath jo koi lavai।
Soi amit jeevan phal paavai॥
Charon yug pratap tumhara।
Hai parasiddha jagat ujiyara॥
Sadhu sant ke tum rakhvare।
Asur nikandan Ram dulare॥
Ashta siddhi nau nidhi ke daata।
Asa bar deen Janki maata॥
Ram rasayan tumhare paasa।
Sada raho Raghupati ke daasa॥
Tumhare bhajan Ram ko paavai।
Janam janam ke dukh bisraavai॥
Ant kaal Raghuvar pur jaayi।
Jahan janam Hari bhakt kahaayi॥
Aur devta chitt na dharai।
Hanumat sei sarva sukh karai॥
Sankat kate mite sab peera।
Jo sumirai Hanumat balbeera॥
Jai Jai Jai Hanuman Gosai।
Kripa karo Gurudev ki naai॥
Jo sat baar paath kar koi।
Chhootahi bandi maha sukh hoyi॥
Jo yah padhe Hanuman Chalisa।
Hoy siddhi Saakhi Gaureesa॥
Tulsidas sada Hari chera।
Keejai Naath hriday mein dera॥
॥ Doha ॥
Pavan Tanay Sankat Haran, Mangal Murati Roop।
Ram Lakhan Sita sahit, Hriday basahu sur bhoop॥
Who wrote Hanuman Chalisa?
The Hanuman Chalisa was written by the 16th-century Indian poet and saint Tulsidas. He is a great devotee of Lord Rama.
Is Hanuman still alive?
Yes, Hanuman is believed to be still alive. Mythology says, Hanuman is immortal (a Chiranjivi) and is said to still be alive in the hills of Gandhamadan Parvat and in the places where Lord Rama’s name is chanted.
What are the 12 names of Hanuman?
The 12 names of Lord Hanuman are:
- Anjani Suta
- Vayu Putra
- Mahabal
- Raamesht
- Phalgun Sakh
- Pingaksh
- Amit Vikram
- Uddhikraman
- Sita Shok Vinashan
- Laxman Praan Daata
- Dasgreev Darpha
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