HINDU FESTIVALS >> SHRI HANUMAN JAYANTI

by Shri Prakash Gossai

Shree Hanumanji is worshipped throughout the world, either alone or together with Shree Rama. The Murti of Hanuman is in every temple of Shree Rama. He is considered to be the God of power and strength. Hanuman is also known as Hanumat, Pavansuta, Maruti, Bajrangbali, Pavankumar and Mahabir. Hanuman’s deeds of bravery and selflessness are related in great detail in Sage Valmiki’s Ramayan and later in Tulsidas’ Shree Ramcharitmanas and also in other religious scriptures like the Vedas and Mahabharata.

Hanuman is the Avatar of Lord Shiva. He was born of Vayu, the Wind-God and Anjani Devi. His birthday falls on Chaitra Shukla Purnima (full moon in the month of March/April). On this sacred day, Hindus all over the world will be reading and singing the Hanuman Chaleesa, Sankat Mochan, Bajrang Baan as well as other Kirtans and chant the name of Shree Ram.

ATULIT BALDHAAMAM, HEM-SHAILAABH-DEHAM
DANUJ VAN KRISHAANUM, GYAANI NAAMAGR-GANYAM
SAKAL GUN NIDHAANAM, BAANAR-AANAAM-DHEESHAM
RAGHUPATI PRIYA BHAKTAM, VAAT JAATAM NAMAAMI

Obeisance to the Son of the Wind, the home of immeasurable strength, possessing a body shining like a mountain of gold, a fire to consume the forest of the demon race, the foremost among the wise, store house of every excellence, the chief of the monkeys, Raghupati’s noble messenger.

Tulsidas introduced Hanuman to us for the first time in the Ramcharitmanas in Kiskindha Kaand as fearless, possessing great mental balance, ability to remove doubts, compassionate, obedient, an excellent messenger and also as one of King Sugreeva’s ministers. Two powerful forces were introduced in this chapter of Ramayan, the force of Sugreeva’s fear and the force of Hanumanji’s courage. He was a mahima gulaam-great servant. The impeccable personality of Hanumanji quickly transformed Sugreeva’s fear and removed all negative thoughts from his mind when he was suspicious that Rama and Lakshmana were sent by his brother Bali to kill him. In order to ascertain whether Rama and Lakshmana were friends or enemies, Sugreeva instructed Hanuman to approach them in disguise as a Brahmin. This was a turning point in Hanumanji’s life because these two strangers were not ordinary human beings, but indeed the Lord Himself.

Hanuman was an excellent ambassador, when he spoke; Shree Rama immediately realized that someone with his intellect is a master of the Vedas and other scriptures. Hanuman’s diction was eloquent. In Valmiki Ramayan, the exact Sankrit words of Hanumanji are recorded. Shree Rama introduced himself as the son of Dashratha and prince of Ayodhya, but Hanumanji recognized him as Lord of the Universe and prostrate at his feet. In the Ramcharitmanas, Goswami Tulsidas exhaustively explained the essence of this meeting of servitude and loyalty to duty and God.

Hanuman is the Lord with supreme strength and power. He was one of the chief ministers of King Sugreeva. He served Shree Rama with pure love and devotion. He did what others could not do, crossing the ocean by simply uttering Ram-Nam. He searched the entire city of Lanka until he found where Seeta Maa was kept in captivity. When confronted by Ravana, he said, “I am a humble messenger of Shree Rama. I have come here to serve Shree Rama, to do His work and by the command of Shree Rama, I have come here. I am fearless by the Grace of Shree Rama and I am not afraid of death. I welcome it if it comes while serving Shree Rama”. He is a true Karma Yogi who worked selflessly.

BUDDHI HEEN TANU JAANIKE, SUMIRO PAVAN KUMAR
BAL BUDDHI VIDYA DEWOO MOHI, HARHU KLESH VIKAAR

Knowing myself to be ignorant, I beg of you O Hanuman to bestow on me strength, wisdom and knowledge and take away all my miseries and blemishes.

Throughout the pages of the Ramayan, Hanuman’s love, devotion, knowledge, spirit of selfless service, power and strength is recorded. His legendary life-saving deed of carrying the mountain that contained the miraculous herb Sanjeevani that cured Lakshman after he was hit by a poisoned arrow is remembered even today. He is always humble and brave. Shri Rama Himself said to Hanuman, “I am greatly indebted to you, O mighty hero. You did marvelous, superhuman deeds and you do not want anything in return. How can I repay my debt of gratitude to you? I will always remain deeply indebted to you. I grant you everlasting life. All will honour and worship you like Myself. Your Murti will be placed at the door of My temple and you will be worshipped and honoured first. Whenever my Katha are recited or glories sung, your glory would be sung before mine. You will be able to do anything, even that which I will not be able to do”. We bow to Shree Hanuman, who stands with his palms folded, with a torrent of tears flowing from his eyes whenever the names of Rama are sung. He is an eternal Bhakta.

Hanuman is the epitome of self and mind control. His humility and wisdom is demonstrated throughout the Ramayan. His Jandha (flag) signifies victory over evil. All over the world devotees of Hanuman pray to him to overcome obstacles and achieve prosperity and happiness in their daily lives. Hanuman has been the most paramount symbol of true devoutness since time immemorial and his worship is considered to be indispensable in our never-ending quest for seeking absolute solace from the Supreme Power.

PAVAN TANAI SANKAT HARAN, MANGAL MOORTI ROOP
RAM LAKHAN SEETA SAHIT, HRDAI BASUHU SUR BHOOP

O son of the wind and dispeller of all calamities, You are the true representation of happiness. Please dwell in our hearts with Ram and Seeta Maa, O King of the Devtas.

Today, people increasing want to share the responsibility with their families in looking after their own spiritual development and God realization. We should attempt to inculcate in our lives the noble qualities of Shree Hanuman. He sets the pace for all of us to follow. There will be moments of hardships and difficulties in our lives, but we must seek solutions to our problems and remove them. Many temples provide not only a venue for prayers and worship, but they include classes in religious studies and cultural activities. Let the priorities in our lives be the Lord.

Tuesdays and Saturdays are especially dedicated for Hanuman’s Pooja. Devotees all over the world worship Shree Hanumanji on these days.

PREM SAY BOLO MAHABIR SWAMI KE JAI