Hanuman

Hanuman occupies a unique place of reverence in the Hindu pantheon for his exemplary devotion to his Master and his unbelievable acts to serve the cause of his Master.

Hanuman was born to Anjana, who was cursed with the birth of a female Vanara on the earth. It is said that the childless King Dasaratha performed “Putrakama Yagna” to have children. After the “Yagna” was over, he got divine “payasam” for his wives. On consuming the “payasam”, his wives later gave birth to Rama, Lakshmana, Bharat and Shatrughna. A kite took a portion of the “payasam” and flew away. It dropped the “payasam” at the place where Anjana was praying to Lord Shiva for blessing her with a son. In the meantime, Pavan, the god of wind, put the falling “payasam” on Anjana’s palm. On having the “payesam”, Anjana got Hanuman as her son. Because of Pavan’s instrumental role in his birth, Hanuman is also called “Pavan Putra”.

In his childhood, Hanuman took lessons from the great teacher “Surya” and acquired vast knowledge. As he grew up, he showed some rare traits but his phenomenal capacity remained latent till the time when he was assigned with the uphill task of locating Sita, who had been abducted by Ravana and kept in captivity somewhere in his kingdom Lanka. Hanuman was so much devoted to Rama that he utilized all his hidden power to cross the vast ocean to reach Lanka. He came across several temptations during his mighty flight, but overcame them with his exemplary tenacity to accomplish his assigned task.

With unflinching devotion and determination, Hanuman served Rama, Lakshman and Sita in the most vital events of the epic Ramayana. He located Sita and on his way back, set the entire Lanka on fire. Later, he helped Rama and his monkey army fight Ravana and finally defeat him. Hanuman’s capacity reached a spectacular height when, in course of the battle of Lanka, Lakshman got seriously injured. Only a powerful herb “sanjivani”, that was available in as distant a place as “Dronagiri” in the Himalayas, could save his life if it could be procured and administered before nightfall. Hanuman undertook this impossible task and flew towards “Dronagiri”. However the jungle of herbs in the mountain made it all the more difficult for Hanuman to recognise the “sanjivani”. Impatient with his inability to find the herb and aware of the consequence of the delay in taking the herb to Lanka, Hanuman, lifted the whole mountain with his infinite strength and brought it along to Lanka in time. This unparalleled feat stands as a shining example of how undying devotion to one’s Master and unwavering commitment to a noble cause enable one to achieve one’s cherished goal. It also displayed Hanuman’s rare capacity to face stiffest of adversities and attain victory over them.

After ruling Ayodhya for many years following the Lanka war, Rama decided to leave for their heavenly abode. His staunch followers wanted to accompany him but Hanuman expressed his desire to remain on the earth and listen to chanting of Rama’s name by the people. Sita granted his desire and made him immortal.