by Vanamali
In the famous Krishna temple of Udupi, devotees always have darshan of Anjaneya before proceeding to the main temple of Krishna.
In some of the temples in Gujarat, Hanuman is depicted as a stout figure with a handlebar mustache. In Sourashtra, several figures of Maruti are found alongside the one thousand and five hundred steps going up the sacred Girnar Mountain.
Many books contain a list of famous Anjaneya shrines. The list above is far from being complete. It is doubtful that anyone can take an account of the number of shrines and idols dedicated to this amazing being, many of which are said to have miraculous properties. There are speaking and shaking Hanumans and subterranean and submerged Hanumans and those that emerge from boulders and farm furrows like Sita. For those who want to make a pilgrimage to the Hanuman shrines, one safe way is to follow Rama’s path in the Ramayana from Ayodhya to Lanka. All along this route are found many of Anjaneya’s most important shrines.
As we know, power and devotion, or shakti and bhakti, are his dual characteristics. As such, Hanuman murtis are divided into these two types. Those that denote bhakti are known as having dasa bhava, and those with a virile mood are known as having vira bhava. The former murtis should be worshipped with sattvika, or pure types of offerings like fruits and nuts, while the other types can be worshipped with rajasic (passionate) offerings that might even include alcohol. The latter figures are supposed to denote his form as Rudra, or the incarnation of the eleventh Rudra, and are often just a stone smeared with sindoor. It is commonly noticed that if the right foot is placed to the front, it depicts his mild devotional aspect while the demon-slaying aspect is stressed if the left foot is kept forward. As an embodiment of shakti, Hanuman is closely associated with control of the elements and the destructive aspects of creation that are the characteristics of Shiva and his consort Shakti. As an example of bhakti, or self-effacing love, he drowns himself in the river of Rama’s love.
Hanuman is said to be the pratyaksha devata, or most efficient deity of the present age of Kali, since he is still alive. He alone is purported to be capable of bestowing all the four aims of life (dharma, artha, kama, and moksha), and that is the reason that in this Kali Yuga, more and more temples are being built for him.
High in the Himalayas (abode of snow), on the way to the Hindu holy town of Badrinath near the Tibet border, where sits the famous shrine to Lord Vishnu, one passes through a small village called Pandukeshwara. Above it is the mountain known as Hemakuta (golden mountain). This is the beautiful place where Lakshmana is thought to have done tapasya to atone for the sin of having killed Indrajit. Here the Sikhs have built a huge temple by a glacial lake. The area is inaccessible all but four months of the year, when snows melt and wildflowers bloom wildly. The temple, which is called Hemkunt Sahib, is the highest in India. And above even that place, in the towering heights of the golden mountain, is the abode of the Kimpurushas. Here Hanuman still resides and many yogis claim to have seen him there.
Son of the Wind, banisher of affliction,
Embodiment of auspiciousness,
Dwell in my heart, king of gods,
Together with Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita.
HANUMAN CHALISA BY TULSIDAS
Aum Sri Hanumathe Namaha!
A P P E N D I X O N E
Poems on Hanuman
Verses Composed by Vanamali
Hail to Thee O Son of Wind!
Messenger of Rama!
Harbinger of light and life!
Light to Sita,
Life to Lakshmana,
You flew into my heart,
Like a tender bud,
And made it blossom into a full blown lotus.
What did I know about bhakti,
Until you came and took residence in my heart.
What did I know of shakti,
Until you empowered my limbs,
Ah! precious harbinger of hope and love,
Show me your form when you crept into Lanka,
Sweet and small like a baby cat,
The form that enticed Sita,
As you parted the leaves and gazed at her.
As you chanted the tales of her beloved,
Filling her with rapture.
I shudder to think of your enormous frame,
Reducing Lanka to cinders.
O gentle one!
People say you are mighty and impossible to control,
But I see thee kneeling at Rama’s feet....
Vanamali’s feet that I cherish in my heart.
O Lordly One!
Terrify me not with thy brooding looks,
And horrific grimaces scattering the demons in fear,
Let me drown in thy amber eyes,
Piercing me to the depths of my soul,
Filled with compassion,
For this hapless soul,
Floundering in the sea of samsara.
Give me the eyes to perceive thee,
Take me to thy abode.
In the heart of the golden peak,
To the land of the Kimpurushas
Half wild, half-human,
Waft me away in thy arms to the mystic mountain,
Surrounded by celestial beings.
I shall turn my face to thy father,
And feel his caressing tendrils on my face,
I shall lie near thee on the lap of nature,
And gaze upon the face of god,
For you will be where Rama is,
And Rama is none but my beloved,
Vanamali!
Therefore O Vanara!
Take me to Vanamali!
I have searched for him far and wide,
In thee I have found the perfect vehicle,
My sweet Maruti,
Deny me not this request,
For I am thy eternal servant,
Sent by him to me,
For now I know that thou and he,
Are never two but always one.
Who came first, god or bhakta?
None can tell, for they are united in eternity.
I gaze at the monkeys that flock in my garden,
And wonder if you could be among them,
They destroy the garden like you did,
They eat up the fruits and despoil the pools,
Am I to tolerate their inequities?
They belong to your race.
Tell me, O Divine Vanara!
Why the violence and worry?
Can you not protect me from this?
Am I your servent for nothing?
Teach them to curb their nature,
As indeed you did.
And then I shall love you even more.
My noble Hanuman, help me to understand,
The vagaries of the monkey mind,
Help me to control mine,
Direct me to the source divine,
From which alone your inspiration comes.
Hold me aloft in your hand like the herb mountain,
Waft me to Vaikunda, the abode of Vanamali,
O Vanara! Be my messenger to Vanamali!
Whisper in his ear as you did to Rama,
Of the love of Sita for Rama,
Of the love of Devi for Vanamali!
Mantra heenum, kriya heenum,
Bhakti heenum sureshwara,
Yad poojitam maya Deva,
Paripoornam tadastu.
O Lord! I beg of you to accept and make perfect
This puja (work) of mine, that is,
Devoid of proper chants, actions, or devotion.
Aum Sri Hanumathe Namaha!
A P P E N D I X T W O
Names of Hanuman
Anjaneya Son of Anjana
Bajarangabali Strong as a thunderbolt
Balaji Baby Hanuman
Bhaktavatsala One who is kind to devotees
Bhima One with a huge form
Daityakulantaka Destroyer of the rakshasa clan
Hanuman One who has controlled the mind; one with a broken jaw
Jitendriya One w
ho has controlled his senses
Kapindra King of monkeys
Kesari Nandana Kesari’s pet
Kesari Putra Son of Kesari
Lakshmana Pranadhata Giver of life to Lakshmana
Lokabandu Relation of the world
Mahabala One with extraordinary might
Mahatejasvin One who is filled with spiritual luster
Mahatman The noble one
Mahavira The great hero
Mangala Murti The form of auspiciousness
Maruti Son of Marut (wind god)
Pavana putra Son of the wind god
Pranadeva Giver of breath (life)
Ramadasa Rama’s servant
Ramaduta Messenger of Rama
Ramapriyan Beloved of Rama
Rudrasya-Soonu Son of Rudra (Shiva)
Sahasravadana Possessing a thousand faces
Sankata Mochana Dispeller of sorrow
Shoora The courageous one
Shubangana Having auspicious features
Shubham Auspicious
Sugriva Mitram Sugriva’s friend
Sundara Beautiful
Tapaswin One who practices austerities
Uttaman The noblest one
Vatamaja Born of wind
Vayu Putra Son of Vayu (wind god)
Veera Heroic one
Virupa Strange-looking one
A P P E N D I X T H R E E
Names of Other Characters in the Hindu Pantheon
Agastya Great sage with divine powers
Agni God of fire
Ahalya Wife of sage Gautama
Ahiravana Sorceror; son of Ravana
Akampana Name of a rakshasa
Aksha Kumara Ravana’s youngest son
Amabalika Celestial nymph
Anasuya Wife of sage Atri
Angada Son of monkey king Vaali
Anjana Hanuman’s mother
Ananta Celestial serpent on which Vishnu sleeps
Arjuna The middle sibling among the Pandavas
Aruna Charioteer of the sun god Surya
Atikaya One of Kumbhakarna’s sons
Atri Great sage
Ayyappa Incarnation of Dharma Shasta
Bhadra Rama’s friend
Bharadwaja Great sage who lived in Prayaga
Bharata Rama’s brother
Brahma The Creator in the Vedic Trinity
Brihaspati Preceptor of the gods
Bhima The strong man of the Pandavas
Dasaratha Rama’s father
Devantaka One of Kumbhakarna’s sons
Devi Goddess
Dharmashasta Son of Shiva and Vishnu
Dhumraksha Ravana’s general
Dhushana Ravana’s general
Dundubhi Buffalo demon
Durvasa Sage noted for his bad temper
Ganesha Elephant-headed son of Shiva
Ganga The holy river
Garuda Eagle vehicle of Lord Vishnu
Gautama Great sage; husband of Ahalya
Hanuman Son of the wind god
Hayagriva Horse-faced incarnation of Vishnu
Hema Mandodari’s mother
Himavan King of the Himalayas
Indra King of the gods
Indrajit Ravana’s eldest son
Jambavan King of the bears
Jambumali Son of Ravana’s general
Janaka Sita’s father
Janaki Janaka’s daughter Sita
Jatayu Vulture who was Rama’s friend
Jayanta Indra’s son who came in the form of a crow
Kaala The spirit of Time
Kaali Horrific aspect of the goddess
Kaikeyi Dasaratha’s wife; Bharata’s mother
Kalanemi Rakshasa who tried to obstruct Hanuman
Kampan Author of the Ramayana in Tamil
Kartikeya Shiva’s son; general of the gods
Kausalya Wife of Dasaratha; Rama’s mother
Kesari Hanuman’s monkey father
Khara A rakshasa
Krishna Supreme incarnation of Vishnu
Kubera God of wealth; Ravana’s stepbrother
Kumbhakarna Ravana’s brother known for his enormous body and appetite
Kunjara Anjana’s father
Kusa A type of grass; one of the twin sons of Rama
Kuvachana A man who had insulted his ancestors
Lakshmana Rama’s brother
Lakshmi Goddess of wealth and auspiciousness
Lankini Guardian goddess of Lanka
Lava One of the twin sons of Rama
Madhavi Goddess of the earth
Madhvacharya Founder of the Dvaita school of Vedanta
Mahakaala The great god of death; one of the names of Shiva
Mahakaali The great Kaali; horrific form of the Devi
Mahaparshava Ravana’s trusted general
Maheswara The great god; name of Shiva
Mahiravana Sorcerer son of Ravana; king of the netherworld
Maithili Sita, princess of Mithila
Makaradwaja Hanuman’s son born of a crocodile
Mandavya Great sage
Mandodari Chief wife of Ravana
Manthara Hunchbacked maid of Kaikeyi
Manu Swayambhu Progenitor of the world
Maricha Rakshasa who enticed Sita in the form of a golden deer
Matali Indra’s charioteer
Matanga Great sage
Mayan Architect of the demons
Mayavi Rakshasa who fought with Vaali
Meghanatha Eldest son of Ravana, later known as Indrajit
Mohini Alluring form of Vishnu as a woman
Muruga Another name of Kartikeya, son of Shiva
Nala Monkey who designed the bridge to Lanka
Nandi Bull vehicle of Shiva
Narada Celestial sage noted for his mischief
Narantaka One of Kumbhakarna’s sons
Narayana The primeval being who slumbers on the waters
Narasimha Fourth incarnation of Vishnu
Nila Another monkey who helped to design the bridge
Panavati Embodiment of baneful astrological influences
Pandavas Five brothers who were heroes of the Mahabharata
Parashurama Sixth incarnation of Vishnu
Parvati Wife of Shiva; daughter of Himavan
Prahastha Commander in chief of Ravana’s army
Prahlada Demon boy who was a great devotee of Vishnu
Punchikasthala Celestial nymph who became Hanuman’s mother, Anjana
Raghava Another name of Rama
Raghu An ancestor of Rama
Rahu Malignant node of the moon that eclipses the sun
Rama Seventh incarnation of Vishnu
Ramachandra Another name for Rama
Ravana King of Lanka and of the rakshasas
Riksha The very first vanara (monkey)
Rudra Fierce aspect of Shiva
Rumi Wife of Sugriva
Sagara Name of the monarch of the ocean
Sampati Vulture brother of Jatayu
Sanat Kumara One of the four boy sages
Saraswati Goddess of all arts and sciences
Satabali White-furred bear
Shabari Old female ascetic
Shambasaadan Rakshasa who tried to entice Anjana
Shani Saturn, the malefic planet
Shatrugna Rama’s brother and Lakshmana’s twin
Shilada A sage
Shilavati A very chaste woman
Shiva The destructive aspect of the trinity
Shurpaneka Ravana’s sister
Sita Rama’s wife; princess of Videha
Skanda Kartikeya; Shiva’s son; general of the gods
Suka Ravana’s minister
Sugriva Monkey king; brother of Vaali
Sulochana Indrajit’s wife
Sumantra Charioteer of Dasaratha
Sumitra Mother of Lakshmana and Shatrugna
Surya Sun god
Sushena 1. Father-in-law of Sugriva;
2. Ravana’s c
ourt physician
Swaminathan Another name for Kartikeya
Swayamprabha Nymph who was guarding the cave
Tara Vaali’s wife
Trijata Rakshasi who helped Sita
Trisira One of Kumbhakarna’s sons
Tulsidas Author of Ramacharitamanas
Tulsiram Previous name of Tulsidas
Ugrati Leper husband of Shilavati
Vaali Monkey king; Sugriva’s brother
Vaidehi Sita, princess of Videha
Vaishravas Ravana’s father
Vajradamshtra Name of a rakshasa
Valmiki Author of the first Ramayana
Varaha The second avatara of Vishnu as a boar
Varuna Lord of the waters
Vasishta Great sage; guru of clan of Ikshvaku
Vayu Wind god; Hanuman’s father
Vedavati Name of Sita in a previous incarnation
Vibhishana Noble rakshasa; half-brother of Ravana
Vinata Sugriva’s general
Virupaksha One of Ravana’s generals
Vishnu The Preserver in the Vedic Trinity
Vishwakarma Architect of the gods
Vishwamitra The royal sage
Vrishakapi Monkey god mentioned in the Vedas
Vyasa Author of the Mahabharata and eighteen Puranas; compiler of the Vedas into four books
Yama God of Death
Yayati King of Kashi
Yudhistira Eldest of the Pandavas
A P P E N D I X F O U R
Alphabetical List of Mantras
The mantras that open and close every chapter of this book have been listed here in alphabetical order to facilitate location of their translations.
Aum Anjaneyaaya Namaha! Prostrations to the son of Anjana
Aum Banda-mokshadaaya Namaha! Prostrations to the one who releases us from bondage
Aum Bhaktavatsalaaya Namaha! Prostrations to the lover of devotees
Aum Brahmachaarine Namaha! Prostrations to the celibate
Aum Daityakulanthakaaya Namaha! Prostrations to the killer of the race of the demons