Today is Sri Hanuman Jayanti Celebration

    

Hanuman Jayanti Celebration

There are many stories and legends about the life of Hanuman. Mainly, Hanuman is described as the devoted follower of Lord Rama in the Ramayana. Some Puranas, Upanishads, and traditional stories contain other details. Additionally, folklore and various local legends also narrate many tales. This article mainly summarizes the story from Valmiki Ramayana.

Birth

Hanuman was born to the monkey goddess Anjana in a place called Punjikasthala. His mother Anjana is connected to this story. Anjana was a female monkey and Kesari was a male monkey; Hanuman was their son. Long ago, Anjana was an apsara (celestial nymph) in Brahma's court. In her childhood, she was cursed by a sage for disturbing his penance. One day, she saw a meditating monkey with folded legs and, in excitement, threw fruits at the monkey child. The meditating monkey was actually the sage in disguise. Angered by this disturbance, he cursed Anjana that if she fell in love with anyone, she would take a monkey form.

Realizing her mistake, Anjana pleaded for forgiveness. The sage calmed down and granted her a boon: though she was cursed to be a monkey, whoever loved her and when she gave birth to the incarnation of Shiva as a child, she would be freed from the curse.

To get rid of this curse, Anjana was born on earth. She settled in the forest, and one day saw a man and fell in love with him. At the moment she fell in love, she changed into monkey form. The man introduced himself as Kesari, king of monkeys. Though Anjana had a monkey face, she was amazed to see Kesari, who could change between monkey and human forms at will.

Kesari proposed marriage to Anjana, and they married in the forest. Anjana worshiped Shiva and performed penance. Pleased, Shiva granted her a wish. Anjana wished that Shiva be born as her son to free her from the curse. Shiva accepted.

Meanwhile, King Dasharatha of Ayodhya was performing the Putrakameshti Yagna for progeny. Agni, pleased, gave the sacred payasam (sweet offering) to the king to distribute among his wives for divine offspring. The portion given to Kausalya, the chief queen, was carried far away by a kite.

That kite dropped the payasam at Anjana’s penance site. The wind god Vayu was commanded by Shiva to place the payasam in Anjana’s hands. Believing it to be Shiva’s blessing, Anjana joyfully drank the payasam.

She gave birth to the boy incarnation of Shiva with a monkey face, who became known as Anjaneya, Kesarinandan, Vayuputra (son of wind god), and Hanuman. Even as a child, Hanuman was very powerful, blessed with the strength of his father Kesari, his mother Anjana, and the speed of Vayu.

Hanuman’s birth freed Anjana from her curse, and she returned to heaven.

Devotees worship Hanuman as an ideal deity. He is called Mahabali (great warrior), Buddhi Shali (wise), Kapisrestha (best of monkeys), Sarvashastra Parangata (master of all scriptures), Swami Bhakti Parayana (devoted servant), and Ramaduta (messenger of Rama) in many ways. His mother Anjanadevi is the reason he is called Anjaneya. Various scriptures differ on who his father is—Shiva’s incarnation or Kesari—but all agree on his divine origin.

Hanuman is one of the seven immortals and a fierce devotee of Lord Rama. He rescued Sita from the demon king Ravana of Lanka and returned her to Rama. Hanuman’s story teaches us the secrets of birth, power, and strength.

The Incident of Hanuman’s Jaw (Hanuman’s Name Origin)

Once, the young Anjaneya saw the rising sun and thought it was a fruit. He leapt to the sky to grab it. Indra, the king of gods, struck the boy’s jaw with his thunderbolt to stop him. This caused a fracture on Hanuman’s jaw, giving him the name "Hanuman" (Hanuma = jaw, an = possessor). Angered that his son was hurt, Vayu, the wind god, stopped blowing air. The gods then blessed Hanuman with many boons, calming Vayu.

The Nine Avatars of Anjaneya

Hanuman took nine different forms (avatars) for protection and punishment. These are called the Hanuman Avatars as described by sage Parashara in Parashara Samhita:

1. Prasanna Anjaneya Swami

2. Veera Anjaneya Swami

3. Vimsatibhujanjaneya Swami

4. Panchamukh Anjaneya Swami

5. Ashtadasha Bhujanjaneya Swami

6. Suvarchala Anjaneya Swami

7. Chaturbhujanjaneya Swami

8. Dvatrimshadbhujanjaneya Swami

9. Vanara Aakara Anjaneya Swami

Worshipping Hanuman through tantra removes all minor afflictions.

Hanuman has power equal to the Dashamahavidyas (ten great wisdom goddesses). He is the chief among tantric deities. Since he has the Ashta Siddhis (eight supernatural powers), devotees receive extraordinary powers by worshiping him.

The Eight Siddhis of Hanuman

1. Anima Siddhi: The power to become very small.

2. Mahima Siddhi: The power to become very large.

3. Laghima Siddhi: The power to become very light.

4. Garima Siddhi: The power to become very heavy.

5. Prapti Siddhi: The power to reach anywhere and obtain anything.

6. Prakamya Siddhi: The power to fulfill any desire.

7. Vashitva Siddhi: The power to control all beings.

8. Ishitva Siddhi: The power to create and destroy anything.

How to Do Pradakshina (Circumambulation) of Hanuman

Hanuman loves pradakshina. In any temple, devotees usually do three circumambulations. But in Hanuman temples, do five circumambulations. The mantra is "Pradakshinan Maskaran Sashthangan Pancha Sankhyaya." Always recite pradakshina slokas while circumambulating.

Pradakshina removes all diseases, evil spirits, and grants wishes. Many devotees have had children after doing this. Encourage devotees to do pradakshina, following rules strictly. Do 108 or 54 circumambulations daily. Those who cannot do that should do 27 rounds.

Offer flowers like tulsi leaves, betel leaves, turmeric stalks during pradakshina.

While doing pradakshina, recite:

“Sri Hanuman Jaya Hanuman Jaya Jaya Hanuman”

And the following slokas:

“Anjaneyam Mahaveeram - Brahmavishnu Shivatmakam
Tarunaraka Prabhamshantam - Ramadutam Namamyaham”

“Markate Sha Mahotsaha - Sarvashoka Vinashanam
Shatruun Samhara Mam Raksha - Shriyam Daapaya Me Prabho”

End pradakshina with special archanas and pour water mixed with akshatas (rice grains) while chanting:

"Yakrut Rebhih Pradakshinanai | Sri Suvarchala Sametha Hanuman Supritha Suprasannovo Varado Bhutva Mamabhishta Siddham Dadatu"

Follow brahmacharya, head washing, avoid sitting on the ground, and eat sattvic food during pradakshina.

Abhishekam (Holy Bath)

Hanuman is a Rudra-Amsa (part incarnation of Rudra/Shiva) and loves abhishekam. Especially the manyu sukta abhishekam grants supreme bliss and fulfills wishes. Perform on the birth star Purvabhadra, weekly or daily if possible.

Tuesday Worship

Hanuman loves sindoor (vermillion) applied on his body on Tuesdays. Even those who can’t do all rituals should at least apply sindoor. Offer banana fruits and do sindoor archana, which has special significance.

Saturday Worship

Hanuman was born on Saturday, so he favors that day. Perform special worship and Sahasranama chanting. Encourage devotees to offer loans and garlands.

Significance of Number Five

Hanuman likes the number five. Perform five pradakshinas and namaskaras. Offerings in multiples of five, like five bananas, please him.

Hanuman Jayanti

Hanuman was born in the month of Vaishakha, Krishna Paksha, Dashami Tithi, Purvabhadra Nakshatra, Saturday, under Karkataka Lagna, in Vaidhruti Yoga. Different traditions celebrate on different days, but generally, the Vaishakha Bahula Dashami day in May is celebrated.

The celebrations can span five days with special worship and community events.

Encourage devotees to celebrate with sindoor, jasmine flowers, betel leaves, tulsi leaves, and perform laksha archana (offering one hundred thousand prayers).

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