by Vanamali
As we know, Hanuman had been cursed by the rishis that he would never remember his extraordinary powers and would have to be reminded of his strength by someone before he could put it to use. Hanuman listened intently as Jambavan spoke. “Only in you are found strength, good sense, and valor. In you alone does one find perfect adaptability to the exigencies of place and time. Scholar in ethics, in you alone is there perfect morality.” These are the words that Valmiki makes Jambavan say while he exhorted Maruti to undertake the impossible task of crossing the mighty ocean. Hanuman rose up and with his usual modesty, he bowed to the aged bear and told him that he was prepared to do as commanded.
“Your words give me so much courage that I feel that I can vanquish the entire race of rakshasas single-handed if they will not hand over Rama’s immaculate wife. The span of this ocean seems quite insignificant to me. The grace you have conferred on me and my Lord’s command are like two wings that will carry me across this vast expanse of water with the greatest of ease. I will fly to Lanka as swiftly as the powerful arrow released by Raghava. If I fail to locate Sita in Lanka, with the same speed will I fly to the abode of the devas. If I fail again, I will bind and bring Ravana and hand him over to my Lord.” His supreme confidence in his ability to achieve what he had been told to do came from his total dedication to his Master.
Hearing his vow, the gods extolled him thus, “One in whom undaunted courage, foresight, balance of mind, and skill are found, as in you, will never feel any tediousness in any work that he undertakes.”
Our mind needs to be constantly reminded of its divine potential and of the fact that it can achieve phenomenal heights provided it realizes its divine destiny. It needs to be reminded that nothing can be performed by itself and that everything is done by the divine power operating within us. Thus, Hanuman is symbolic of the perfect mind and embodies the highest potential it can achieve.
Hanuman releases all afflictions of those
Who concentrate on him in thought, word, and deed.
HANUMAN CHALISA BY TULSIDAS
Aum Sri Hanumathe Namaha!
Aum Mahakayaaya Namaha!
12
Sundara
The Book of Beauty
Atulita baladhamam,
Hemashylabha deham,
Bhanujavana Krishanyam,
Jnaninaamagraganyam,
Sakalaguna nidhanam,
Vanaraanaam adhishtam,
Raghupathi priyabhaktam,
Vatajaatam namaami.
I bow to the son of the Wind,
Whose strength is incomparable,
Whose body has a golden sheen,
Like the color of the sun,
Foremost of the wise,
Filled with all noble qualities,
Greatest among simians,
The beloved devotee of Rama.
SRI HANUMATH STOTRAM
Reminded of his powers, Hanuman was suddenly filled with his own strength and expanded himself until his head almost reached the heavens. His face glowed like the rising sun, energy throbbed through his powerful limbs, and his eyes blazed like planets. His breath rumbled like a volcano that was about to erupt. His tail was held above him like the banner of the war god Kartikeya. All those who saw him trembled in fear. Birds squawked and scattered in all directions, wild animals hid in their caves, and even the fish darted to the bottom of the ocean. The monkeys alone were unafraid and watched, spellbound by this feat. They cheered wildly and jumped up and down with joy.
From his gigantic height he spoke to them, “Fear not, O Monkeys! I come from the loins of the wind god who is mighty beyond measure. I can circumambulate the mountain Meru and can overtake the blazing sun. My form as I leap across will resemble that of Lord Vishnu in his incarnation as Trivikrama (the one who measured all the three worlds in three steps). I shall cross the sea in a matter of moments and see Rama’s queen and bring her back if possible. I shall now go to the top of this mountain, which alone will be able to sustain my weight as I jump.”
In his exuberance, he jumped from peak to peak and crushed their tops as easily as breaking off the stem of a flower! The other monkeys watched open-mouthed at this display of power. He then jumped to the top of Mount Mahendra, which was the highest spot on the beach, and prepared to make the leap across the sea. Under the force of his weight, the mountain shuddered and released its waters; animals ran around crying in terror. Hanuman composed himself and fixed his mind on Rama and repeated the magic mantra, “Rama, Rama.” He then folded his palms, looked to the east, and received the blessings of his father the wind god. He flexed his muscles and slapped them in the way of wrestlers. He then squatted on the ground with hands on the ground and one foot stretched behind like a racer and gave a mighty roar as he leaped into the sky. Trees and bushes were uprooted by the force of his jump and scattered their flowers on him as if in benediction. His tail, which was curled above him, looked like a banner as he coursed through the sky. Clouds parted to make way for the amazing son of the wind god. Sea creatures rose to the surface to watch in wonder at this astonishing feat. He could touch the sky above and see the glimmering sea below.
Midway between Jambudwipa (India) and Lanka lies the mountain known as Mainaka. Varuna the Lord of the sea saw him passing and thought to himself that he should do something to help the messenger of Rama. So he told the mountain, which was submerged in the ocean, to rise up and offer some rest to Anjaneya. Mainaka did as commanded, and suddenly Hanuman saw the golden peaks of the mountain rising up from the ocean, blocking his passage. The mountain took a human form and begged him to accept his hospitality and that of the king of the ocean and rest awhile before proceeding on his journey.
With his single-pointed devotion to duty, Hanuman refused to accept the mountain’s appeal and told him firmly that the time allotted to him was very short and he was bound to accomplish his purpose and return as fast as possible, so he simply touched the mountain with his hand in acceptance of the welcome offered to him and sped on his way, anxious to reach Lanka before the sun touched the western horizon. The mountain now sank back and renewed its former position in the ocean.
The gods then decided to test Hanuman and told Surasa, the mother of the serpents, to intercept him so that they could ascertain his strength. She promptly took on a huge and hideous form and stood arms akimbo in front of Hanuman as he was skimming across the sea.
“The gods have ordained that no creature can cross the southern sea without entering into my mouth. Today they have given you to me as my food, so I shall eat you up.” This was one of the reasons that no creature ever made its way to Ravana’s stronghold.
So saying, she opened her cavernous mouth and prepared to swallow him. Hanuman spoke sweetly to her and begged her to allow him to pass since he was the messenger of Rama and had urgent business on hand. He promised to return to her after accomplishing his purpose. She was adamant and said that he would have to pass through her mouth before proceeding. Hanuman was angry at her lack of understanding and doubled his size. Surasa promptly opened her mouth even wider and Hanuman again doubled his size, but Surasa kept opening her mouth even wider. The intelligent Hanuman then reduced his size to that of a thumb, entered her mouth, and came out again through her nostrils!
“Now that I have fulfilled your vow that none can pass without entering your mouth, please allow me to pass,” he said.
The gods were happy to see Hanuman’s quick wit and intelligence, and they told Surasa to give him passage. She said, “Move forward, O high-souled Hanuman, foremost of monkeys. Proceed on your way and enable Rama to reunite with Sita!”
Hanuman bowed and coursed along the sky with the speed of wind, trailing clouds of glory behind him.
At this time, another demoness known as Simhika, who lived in the sea and was able to catch her prey by catching their shadow on the water, saw Hanuman flying and thought to herself that the gods had blessed her with a good dinner that day. She seized his shadow, and Hanuman felt himself being drag
ged down. He was wondering what had happened to him when the creature rose up from the water and prepared to devour him. Hanuman instantly grew to enormous proportions, but the creature also widened her mouth and flew at him. He immediately reduced his size, fell into her mouth, and tore out her vital parts with his sharp nails. He then expanded himself and split her apart so that she fell dead in the ocean. The fish rushed up to eat her carcass.
As Hanuman soared into the sky once again, all the gods and divine beings extolled him. “You have indeed performed a most meritorious deed in having killed this terrible creature. He in whom firmness, true vision, understanding, and skill exist, can never fail in any undertaking. May you accomplish your purpose and return soon, O Son of Vayu!”
Very soon after that Hanuman spied the island of Lanka, looking like a jewel set in the heart of the ocean. He observed the forests, rivers, cascades, and flower gardens with which it was surrounded. The city was built on a level place just below the highest summit of the three-peaked hill known as Trikuta and looked as if it rested on clouds. Actually, this peak was a piece of the fabled Mount Meru. Once upon a time, it is said that Vaasuki, the holy serpent on which Vishnu reclined, had a contest with Vayu, the god of wind. In order to prove his prowess, the snake curled himself round Mount Meru and refused to budge. Vayu was furious and blew with all his might, with the result that the whole world was thrown into chaos. The gods ran to Vishnu and begged him to intercede. Vishnu ordered Vaasuki to release his hold on the Mount. The snake uncoiled one of its twists and immediately Vayu tore off a piece of the Mount that was exposed and blew it far off into the ocean. He dropped it in the southern sea and in course of time, it came to be called Trikuta. Soon after this incident Kubera, the son of the sage Vishravas, wanted to build himself a city. His father told Vishvakarma, the architect of the gods, to build him a city on top of the peak of Trikuta. It was a beautiful city and was called Lanka. Ravana was another son of Vishravas. He gained many boons from Brahma and became puffed up with pride. Just as Sampati had said, he waged war against his brother Kubera, drove him out of the island, and grabbed it for his own.
Hanuman descended on the summit of a hill and beheld the stunning city of Lanka with its rooftops gilded with gold by the setting sun. The splendor of Ravana’s city left him breathless. If it was so beautiful from the outside, how splendid would it be from inside, he wondered. He noticed that the city was fully protected by the sea, which girt it on all sides. It had four gates facing the four directions, and the walls surrounding it were made of gold. Lanka was strongly fortified and surrounded by moats and trenches crawling with poisonous serpents. The hillside was covered with trees and flowering bushes and the mansions were glittering in the evening light. He could also see the clean, white roads bordered by green, luscious-looking grass. Situated as it was on top of the hill, Lanka looked as if it was floating on air, as there were so many clouds surrounding it. The warm wind playing over his face smelled of pepper, cloves, and fragrant spices.
Maruti nimbly jumped from rock to rock as he made his way toward the northern gate. The moat that ran round the walls was filled with man-eating fish.
Elephants stood under the stone gate arch and fierce-looking rakshasa bowmen looked out from the roofs and turrets. Hanuman wondered if it would be possible for Rama to breach the ramparts of this city, even if he managed to cross the sea with his army of monkeys. “Even my father, the god of wind, would find it difficult to enter this city undetected,” he thought to himself. However, he decided that his immediate job was only to find out the whereabouts of Sita and give a full report to his master. He realized that he could never enter Lanka in his present form, guarded as it was by fierce rakshasas. He pondered awhile as to how he was to accomplish his purpose of finding the princess of Videha, Sita. He waited for darkness, which fell like a mantle over the city. A pale moon floated across the sky accompanied by her attendant stars, and Lanka loomed above him like a dream. He reduced his form so that he became as small as a cat and tried to creep through the northern gate. “A cat can go anywhere it wants to in the night,” he thought to himself.
Lankini was a warrior maiden who had once guarded the abode of Brahma. He had cursed her for her arrogance and told her that she would have to leave his celestial realm and guard the city of the demons until a monkey defeated her and released her from his curse. She kept a vigilant watch outside the gates of Lanka while all others slept soundly inside. She stood with arms akimbo before Maruti and obstructed his passage.
“Who are you, O denizen of the forest?” she asked. “These portals are protected by the forces of Ravana and guarded on all sides, and none may enter them without my permission.”
Hanuman countered with another question. “Who are you, O gentle goddess? Why are you so anxious to stop me?”
She was not pacified by his humble demeanor or his disguise and retorted, “I am the personification of the city of Lanka, O monkey, and it is my duty to guard it from all intrusion. Prepare to die, for I will kill you now.”
Unruffled by this declaration, Hanuman said meekly, “I have merely come to view this city of which I have heard many splendid accounts.”
Lankini had blazing eyes and mighty arms bearing every type of weapon. She was not impressed by his sweet words and laughed in derision. “Without overcoming me, you will not accomplish your purpose, O monkey!” With these words she boxed him on his cheeks.
Hanuman was incensed by this and without saying a word he closed his left fist and gave her a glancing blow that felled her to the ground.
Stunned by the blow as much as by the loss of her dignity, Lankini spoke.
“Spare me, O jewel among monkeys! I shall leave this place and allow you to enter. The creator Brahma spoke the following words to me when he kept me here: ‘One day you will be felled by a blow of a mere monkey. When that time comes, know that the fate of the city is doomed as well as that of Ravana’s!’ I see now that the time foretold by Brahma has come. You may enter the city and go about your business. You will surely find the virtuous daughter of King Janaka.” Saying this, Lankini left Lanka for good.
There is another story about the guardians of Lanka. Ravana was such a great devotee of Shiva that both he and Parvati had come to live in Lanka, thus making the island invulnerable. When the gods, headed by Indra, complained to Brahma about Ravana’s tyranny, he went to Lanka and begged the divine pair to withdraw their protection. Shiva agreed to take birth as a monkey who would be instrumental in bringing about Ravana’s destruction, and Parvati took the form of Kaali and was installed in a temple at the gate. When Hanuman entered Lanka, he saw the temple of the three-eyed goddess holding divine weapons and flanked by eight yoginis. She challenged him and revealed herself as the cosmic mother in all her terrible manifestations. Hanuman responded by manifesting his own cosmic form, which contained the energies of all the gods. She recognized him as the son of her own Lord Shiva and bowed to him. Maruti begged her to leave the island, for no one would be able to conquer it as long as she protected it. The goddess agreed to leave and asked him to see to it that the nine nights of her worship (Navaratri), which usually occurred in autumn, would also be performed in spring. Hanuman agreed to do this, and she left the island for good.
What a wonder that you kept the signet ring of the Lord in your mouth,
And leaped across the sea.
HANUMAN CHALISA BY TULSIDAS
Aum Sri Hanumathe Namaha!
Aum Kapishwaraaya Namaha!
13
Pavana Putra
Search for Sita
Ullankhya sindho, salilam, salilam,
Ya shokavahnim janakatmajaaya,
Adaaya tenaiva dadaha Lankaam,
Namaami tam pranjalir-anjaneyam.
I bow to Anjaneya,
Who leaped over the waters of the sea,
And removed the sorrow of Janaka’s daughter [Sita],
And burned the city of Lanka.
SRI HANUMATH STOTRAM
&n
bsp; Having got rid of the guardian of the city, Hanuman leaped easily to the top of the ramparts and surveyed the sleeping city spread like a carpet beneath him. The town was planned with meticulous care and neatly laid out streets, flanked by superb mansions from which floated peals of laughter and sounds of various musical instruments. The latticed windows were studded with diamonds and shone in the moonlight. Palaces gleamed in the silvery sheen of the moon. Hanuman glided unnoticed along the well-swept roads scattered with rose petals and sprinkled with sandalwood oil and flanked on either side with magnificent buildings of various shapes and sizes. It was the last full moon of autumn and the moon rose in all its glory. Midnight is the time when the night wanderers go out to eat the flesh and drink the blood of their victims. In Lanka, it was the time of enjoyment and revelry, the time to drink and make love and be merry. Hanuman heard the sounds of every type of indulgence, the music of lutes and horns and the low beat of drums, with chattering voices and ogres clapping time. Along with this were the deep melodic chants from the Vedas by the Brahmins who were kept especially for this purpose. On the streets carrying lighted torches, he saw the night patrols of rakshasa warriors. Some were clad in rich and regal heraldry, some in feathers and quills, and some were rotting, with raw skins, while others walked naked with shaven heads. They were armed with studded bludgeons and knives and spears and javelins. These were the warriors who had conquered the heavens and the netherworlds along with Ravana’s son Indrajit.