Hanuman Jayanti special. Hanuman Jayanti story in English.
In Indian scriptures, Lord Hanuman is described as the son of the wind god or the son of Vayu. In the Balakanda of the Ramayana, Sage Valmiki has also narrated that Lord Brahma commanded the gods to take human form as Lord Vishnu and incarnate as the sons of Dasharatha to slay Ravana, in response to your prayers.
All the gods agreed to assist in this mission by making avatars in various forms such as bears, monkeys, etc., on Earth. It is also mentioned that Hanuman was born from the womb of Anjana through the grace of Vayu. The Skanda and Avyakta Puranas also narrate that Kesari's wife Anjana, distressed by her childlessness, approached Sage Matanga and sought a solution. Sage Matanga instructed her to perform penance at a hermitage near the Pampa Lake, where after twelve years of penance, she would be blessed with a virtuous son.
Following his advice, Anjana went to Narayana Hill, bathed in the Swami Tirtha, paid obeisance to Lord Varaha, and followed her husband's command to fast and engage in external renunciation while performing penance. After twelve years of penance, pleased with her devotion, the wind god granted her the boon of a son. As a result, Anjana gave birth to an excellent son, named Hanuman, as per the instructions of the sages.
The Brahmanda Purana provides a slightly different account. According to it, during the Treta Yuga, an asura named Kesari performed intense penance, chanting a mantra to please Lord Shiva for a son. Pleased with his devotion, Lord Shiva appeared before him and offered a boon. Kesari requested a powerful, victorious, courageous, and intelligent son. Lord Shiva granted his wish, stating that he couldn't grant a son directly due to fate, but assured him that he would have a daughter who would give birth to the desired son.
Subsequently, a daughter was born to Kesari, named Anjana, who grew up
resembling the brightening moon. Kesari cherished his daughter dearly. Time
passed, and one day, the mighty Vanara named Kesari requested the hand of
Anjana in marriage. Delighted, the king of demons gladly gave his daughter in
marriage to Kesari. They spent much time together, but Anjana remained
childless.
Once, Dharmadevata Pulakshi, disguised as a wild low-caste woman, arrived. She carried a balance in one hand and a winnow in the other. She loudly announced that anyone seeking to know their fate could ask her, and she would reveal what was written in their destiny. Observing everyone's palm lines and predicting their futures, she reached Anjana. Anjana respectfully welcomed her, offered her a comfortable seat, and after satisfying her with various offerings, asked about her fate.
Pulakshi assured her that she would indeed have a powerful son and advised her to continue her penance. She suggested that Anjana perform penance at Venkatachala, where her desired son would be born after seven thousand years of penance. Upon hearing this, Anjana was overjoyed and informed Kesari. Delighted, Kesari eagerly awaited the birth of his son. Anjana's pregnancy progressed, and after ten months, on the eleventh day of the Shraavana month under the Shravana constellation, she gave birth to a son who resembled a golden-colored monkey, with features, face, tail, and lower body similar to a monkey.
Hanuman's birth stories vary in the
Puranas, but they are all considered true. We should worship him with devotion.
The lifespan of Hanuman and the mysteries surrounding it
have been a subject of discussion. Although Hanuman is considered one of the
Chiranjeevi (immortal beings) alongside Ashwatthama, Bali, Vyasa, Vibhishana,
Kripacharya, Parashurama, and Markandeya, merely labeling him as immortal or
eternal is not sufficient. After the victory in Lanka, Hanuman expressed his
desire to always remain devoted to Lord Rama and receive his blessing to live
as long as the story of Rama remains prevalent in the world. Lord Rama assured
him that as long as his story is told, Hanuman's fame and presence will endure,
and he will remain alive. Indra also granted Hanuman a boon that he would not
die until he desired it.
Hanuman once appeared before Lord Rama adorned with jewels
given by Sita, expressing his unwavering devotion. Lord Rama, pleased with his
devotion, granted him any boon he desired. Hanuman requested to always remain
on earth, serving and remembering Lord Rama. Lord Rama agreed, assuring him
that he would live happily until the end of the Kalpa (cosmic cycle) and attain
union with him thereafter.
These instances suggest that Hanuman is not only immortal
but also eternal, subject to his own will and beyond aging or death. He was
granted the boon of achieving union with Lord Rama at the end of the cosmic
cycle, confirming his immortality. According to popular belief, he occasionally
appears before his devoted worshippers in various forms.
The Superiority of Devotion
In the Padma Purana, Lord Vishnu tells Narada that he dwells not in Vaikuntha (his celestial abode) or in the hearts of yogis but where his devotees sing his praises. He emphasizes that he finds true satisfaction in the worship offered by his devotees rather than in self-worship. Those who criticize his devotees despite hearing his stories are considered fools and are subject to his disdain.
When Lord Rama was crowned king, he presented an invaluable
necklace adorned with precious gems to his beloved Sita. Sita, in turn, removed
the necklace and repeatedly looked at her husband and the assembled monkeys.
Understanding her gesture of affection, Lord Rama asked her to give the
necklace to whomever she pleased. Sita, considering Hanuman's devotion, chose
to give the necklace to him. This act of devotion pleased Hanuman greatly, and
Sita blessed him, saying that wherever he may be, all his needs would be
fulfilled by her command. Overjoyed, Hanuman then set out to perform intense
meditation in the Himalayas.
Hanuman's Yogic Powers
Hanuman possessed the eight yogic powers known as Anima,
Mahima, Garima, Laghima, Prapti, Prakamya, Ishita, and Vashita. These powers
were fully established in the behavior of Hanuman, the great devotee yogi.
These accounts highlight the extraordinary devotion of
Hanuman and his unique relationship with Lord Rama, emphasizing the power of
devotion over all other spiritual practices.
1. Anima and Laghima: These are described as
supernatural abilities or accomplishments possessed by Hanuman, allowing him to
take on extremely subtle forms, making him invisible to the residents of Lanka
while inspecting the city at night.
2. Mahima: Describes Hanuman's ability to expand his
body to enormous proportions, enabling him to cross the ocean during his
mission to Lanka.
3. Garima: Refers to Hanuman's ability to increase his
weight tremendously, demonstrated when Bhima fails to lift Hanuman's tail
during their encounter.
4. Prapti: Indicates Hanuman's ability to obtain desired
objects or goals effortlessly, such as his successful search for Sita in Lanka.
5. Prakamya: Highlights Hanuman's inner desire to meet
Sita, which is fulfilled spontaneously during his search mission.
6. Ishitva: Recognizes Hanuman's role as an effective
leader of Rama's army and his unwavering devotion to Rama.
7. Vashitva: Refers to Hanuman's mastery over his own
self, symbolizing his control over his desires and senses.
8. Balapurushartha: Represents Hanuman's immense
strength and his role in achieving significant objectives, such as bringing
medicinal herbs from the Himalayas to heal Rama and Lakshmana.
Hanuman Jayanti Special.
The significance of Jayanti is in remembering and celebrating the birth or incarnation of an institution or a great personality with reverence on that particular day... Similarly, the significance of Hanuman Jayanti is associated with the date connected to Hanuman Ji's life when he was born. Hanuman's mother was Punjikasthala, an Apsara from Swargaloka, who due to a curse from Sage Durvasa, had to take birth in the Vanara clan... Despite being a Vanara, she could change her form and live as a female... Punjikasthala's marriage to Vanaraja Kesari happened at a specific time, and according to astrological calculations, approximately 8,558,112 years ago, during the last phase of Treta Yuga, Hanuman Ji was born on the full moon day of Chaitra month, on a Tuesday... When Maruti, in his childhood, mistook the sun for fruit and tried to consume it, he encountered Rahu, and during the same time, to stop him, the king of gods, Devraj Indra, hurled a thunderbolt at him... After Vayudev intervened, all the gods had to grant Hanuman a boon and revive him... Since Hanuman's jaw was broken by Indra's thunderbolt, Maruti, with his broken jaw, was accepted by Devraj, and he was named Hanuman... Similarly, due to his body becoming as strong as a thunderbolt, he was also called Vajrangī...
But in Hanuman Jayanti, there are two special things: how did a Vanara attain the title of God, and was Hanuman the only child of his parents? And why do we hoist the red flag for Hanuman Ji?
Normally, Vanaras are very playful and innocent by nature. But even as a Vanara, the way Hanuman devoted himself to Lord Rama's worship, that devotion made him divine... It is said in the scriptures that it was because of his devoted servitude that Hanuman became an immortal deity, still present in the Kali Yuga... Hanuman Ji had five brothers besides himself.
Hanuman Ji was not the only son of his parents. Hanuman Ji had five other brothers, whose names were: Matiman, Shrutiman, Ketuman, Gatiman, and Dhritiman, as described in the Brahmānda Purana. Now let's consider how powerful Hanuman Ji's five brothers could be? Based on their names, we can estimate the strengths of Hanuman Ji's five brothers.
Lord Hanuman's brothers are
Matiman: As the name suggests, Mati means intellect, those whose minds have no equal. Those who can traverse all fourteen realms and the three worlds in a single moment through the power of their intellect were Matiman, Hanuman's brothers.
Shrutiman: Who can hear the sound of a needle falling thousands of miles away in a moment.
Gatiman: Whose speed is equal to that of the wind.
Ketuman: Who is very fast and master of a solid body.
Dhritiman: Who can see the whole world even with closed eyes.
Apart from Hanuman Ji, these five sons of Kesari-Anjana are guardians due to their unique powers, appointed as protectors in every corner of creation.
Why is the red flag associated with Hanuman Ji?
You might have noticed that Tulsidas Ji has written a line in Hanuman Chalisa - "Hātha bajra au dhvajā birājai", meaning those whose hands hold the thunderbolt and the flag. But where did this flag and thunderbolt come from? Yes, some people might have guessed right that once when Hanuman Ji went to Svargaloka (Indraloka), a demon defeated Indra and took away his throne. At that time, Hanuman Ji defeated that demon with his might and returned Indra his thunderbolt and victorious flag. The mention of Hanuman Ji holding the red flag and thunderbolt at that time is called "Hanuman Ji with thunderbolt and flag shining in his hands".
Overall, these abilities underscore Hanuman's divine nature and his pivotal role in the epic Ramayana.
Credit to: shree-shreedharacharya maharaj Jhalaria math
