Hanuman

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