By Vishal Patel
NHSF (UK) Vice President
25th April 2013 (Chaitra Sud 15 in the Hindu Calendar)
Hanuman Jayanti celebrates the birth of Lord Rama’s most ardent devotee, Hanumanji. It is celebrated every year on the full moon day of Chaitra month.
The Glory of Hanumanji
When we speak or hear of Hanumanji, we are instantly reminiscent of the ideal sevak who epitomises sewa of the Lord at the very core of his being. Throughout the Ramayana, we see that Hanumanji’s obedience towards God was unfathomable and he is seen as an embodiment of devotion and loyalty to Lord Rama. Lord Hanuman is said to be able to assume any form at will. Lord Hanuman represents the five Vayus or winds; these are Prana, Udana, Samana, Vyana and Apana (hence Hanumanji is also called Pavana Putra). Lord Hanuman is known for his unflinching loyalty to the Lord. He is an ideal Karma Yogi (one whose devotion is demonstrated through selfless service humility and devotion).
Pre-birth Story
Once Angira Rishi went to visit Indra (the King of the Gods) in Swarg. Indra welcomed him by arranging a dance by a damsel named Punjiksthala. As soon as she commenced dancing, the Rishi closed his eyes to meditate on Paramatma. When the dance ended, the Rishi remained silent. When he was asked about the dance, he commented:
“We were absorbed in meditation of the Almighty. Such dance does not interest us.” Indra felt ashamed, but the ego-filled damsel sneered, “How can such a fickle Rishi appreciate dancing in Swarg?” Hearing this, Angira cursed her, “You shall degrade to earth from Swarg and be born as a female monkey in the mountain forests.”
The damsel greatly regretted and repented, begging to be forgiven. The merciful Rishi finally forgave her: “A great devotee of Paramatma will be born to you. He will forever serve Paramatma.”
This damsel was born as the daughter of Kunjar, the king of the monkeys. She married Kapiraj Kesari of Mount Sumeru, and unto them, a son, Hanuman, was born.
It is therefore told that Lord Shiva’s reincarnation as Hanumanji to Earth was as a result of five divine factors:
- Angira rishi’s curse and subsequent blessings
- Anjani’s prayers
- Shri Mahadevji’s (Shiva’s) blessings
- Attainment of Shiva’s divine shakti by Vaayu Deva (Wind deity)
- The fruit of a Putreshti Yagna
Glory of Hanumanji
Born to Anjanadevi and Kesari, the King of the Vanaras (monkeys), Hanumanji‘s story is one that is extraordinary from birth. Many tales of his innocence and playful nature are told about his childhood. One such was when Hanumanji felt very hungry and he saw something red in the east. Thinking this red sun (Surya Deva) was a fruit, he flew up to catch it. As he flew closer and closer to the sun, the heat burnt his face, yet he was determined to catch it and continued to fly towards the sun. Fearing the sun may be caught by Hanumanji, Indra struck him with his weapon Vajrayudha. Hanumanji fell to the ground and his cheeks became swollen – this is how he became known as Hanuman (‘Hanu’ means cheek in Sankrit), and –ji is added as a mark of respect.
Hanumanji also obtained boons of victory and immortality from Varuna Deva (water deity) and Yama (deity of death). From Brahma, he obtained the powers of inducing fear in enemies, destroying fear in friends, changing his form at will and travelling wherever he wished. From Mahadevji, he obtained the boons of longevity (chiranjeevi), scriptural wisdom and the ability to cross the ocean.
Having such a supreme formidable form led Hanumanji to become mischievous and he began harassing Rishis. Bhrugu Rishi then cursed him to forget the ability to use such powers, until a divine personality guides him to do so. Shree Rama was later to be that divine personality.
Hanumanji is known for his unwavering service to Bhagwan Shree Rama throughout the epic Ramayana. Working as a servant, assistant and messenger for Sugriva, Hanumanji first met Shree Rama when he was searching for his wife Sitaji. Immediately encapsulated by his presence, Hanumanji knew there was more to Shree Rama than met the eye.
Upon building bonds with Shree Rama, Hanumanji went off in search of Sitaji, eventually finding her in Lanka.As well as consoling Sitaji, Hanumanji was able to gauge the strength of Ravana’s army and succeeded in burning down half of Lanka before he left. Furthermore, aside from featuring prominently in the ensuing battle between Shree Rama and Ravana, Hanumanji was able to save the life of Shree Rama’s brother Lakshman by bringing Sanjivani (a life giving herb) from the Himalayas. The representation of Prem (unconditional love), Bhakt (devotion), Satya (truth) Karuna (compassion) and Sewa (Selflessness) are ever present in all of Hanumanji’s leelas (narratives).
Hindu’s around the world worship Shree Hanumanji for his unparalleled qualities of integrity, valour, intelligence, strength, patience, wisdom, virtue, humility and courage. Above all, Hanuman Jayanti provides us with an opportunity to take inspiration from the boundless devotion shown by Hanumanji and seek to apply this in our own lives. Indeed, this selfless sacrifice is aptly summarised in the following shloka:
Yatra yatra raghunatha kirtanam;
Tatra tatra kritha masthakanjalim;
Bhaspavaari paripurna lochanam;
Maarutim namata raakshasanthakam
We bow to Shree Hanuman who stands with his palms folded above his forehead, with a torrent of tears flowing down his eyes wherever the names of Shree Rama are sung.
Rituals
Hanumanji is the symbol of strength and energy. On the day of Hanuman Jayanti, devotees flock to Hanuman mandirs across the world to sing his praises. Upon entering the Mandir, devotees will apply a sindhur tilak on their forehead.
As the story goes, Sitaji once was applying sindhur to her head. Hanumanji questioned why she done this. She replied that this would ensure a long life for her husband, Shree Rama. Hanumanji then smeared his entire body with sindhur, in an effort to ensure Shree Rama’s immortality.
Recitations of the Hanuman Chalisa (composed by Sage Tulsidasji) take place frequently, and prasad is offered to all. One such verse of the Hanuman Chalisa depicts the greatness of Hanumanji:
Sub sukh lahai tumhari sarna
Tum rakshak kahu ko darna
All comforts of the world lie at your feet. The devotees enjoy all divine pleasures and feel fearless under your benign protection.
Auspicious Day
April 25th 2013 – Chaitra Sud Punam Hanuman Jayanti
Celebrated: Across India and different parts of the world.
Origins: Pragatya Din (The day Hanumanji appeared on earth)
Fact file:
| · Who was Hanumanji’s Mother ? | Anjana Mata |
| · Who was Hanumanji’s Father ? | Vaayu Dev (Wind God) |
| · Who did Hanumanji eat as a child mistaking them for a Mango ? | Surya Dev (Sun God) |
| · How is the glory of Hanumanji often recited ? | Through the Hanuman Chalisa |
| · Who wrote the ‘pads’ (prayers ) in the Hanuman Chalisa ? | Shri Goswami Tulsidasji |
| · According to Surya Sanhita, what day was Hanumanji born on? | Saturday |
| · Hanumanji is often referred to as the 11th incarnation of ? | Lord Shiva |
| · How many laddoos does Hanumanji consume everyday? | 108 |
| · Which American president is known to keep a Murti of Hanumanji in his pocket? | Barack Obama |
| · In which city is there the tallest Hanumanji Murti standing at approximately 108 Feet ? | Delhi |
Let us all pray and ensure on this auspicious day we each take some time out to offer our devotion to Hanumanji, and may we pray that through our actions and deeds we imbibe virtues such as his to ensure that we continue on our paths.
Don’t tell Hanuman how big your PROBLEMS are, Tell your problems how big your HANUMAN is! Shubh Hanuman Jayanti from NHSF (UK)