Hanuman: The Monkey God Embodiment of Devotion and Strength.Explore the legend of Hanuman, the monkey god revered for his strength, unwavering devotion to Lord Rama, and childlike innocence. Dive into his epic Ramayana journey, his hilarious encounter mistaking the sun for a fruit, and the reason behind his forgotten powers.
Hanuman: The Devoted Monkey God
Hanuman, the monkey god, is a revered figure in Hinduism, known for his immense strength, unwavering devotion, and childlike innocence. He features prominently in the epic Ramayana, where he plays a pivotal role in rescuing Sita, Rama’s wife, from the clutches of the demon king Ravana.
Birth and Early Life:
There are various accounts of Hanuman’s birth. A popular version tells the story of Anjana, a monkey goddess, and Kesari, a demigod, who prayed for a child blessed by the gods. Hanuman was born through the wind god Vayu, granting him incredible strength and the ability to fly.
As a child, Hanuman’s boundless energy often led him into trouble. In one famous tale, he mistook the sun for a giant fruit and leaped to devour it. The god Indra intervened, striking Hanuman with his thunderbolt. Hanuman’s father, Vayu, enraged, withheld air from the world. To restore balance, the gods revived Hanuman, who then gained the patronages of both Vayu and Indra.
Meeting Rama and Unwavering Devotion:
Hanuman’s life took a defining turn when he encountered Rama, a prince living in exile. Recognizing Rama’s divinity, Hanuman pledged his eternal devotion. When Rama’s wife Sita was abducted by Ravana, Hanuman volunteered for the seemingly impossible task – finding her in the heavily guarded island kingdom of Lanka.
Hanuman’s Bravery and Lanka Dahan:
Hanuman, disguised as a tiny monkey, infiltrated Lanka. He located Sita imprisoned in an Ashoka grove and assured her of Rama’s efforts to rescue her. To further cripple Ravana’s forces, Hanuman then set fire to the city, earning the title “Lanka Dahan” (Lanka burner). He returned to Rama, carrying a message of hope and a piece of Sita’s jewelry as proof.
The War and Beyond:
Hanuman played a crucial role in the ensuing war between Rama and Ravana. He served as Rama’s loyal lieutenant, leading the monkey army and using his strength and intelligence to overcome Ravana’s forces. After Rama’s victory and Sita’s rescue, Hanuman remained by Rama’s side throughout his reign, a symbol of unwavering loyalty and selfless service.
Symbolism and Legacy:
Hanuman is revered for his many virtues – strength, devotion, intelligence, humility, and selflessness. He represents the ideal devotee, ever ready to serve without expecting anything in return. His image is often depicted with a burning tail, symbolizing his destruction of Lanka and his fiery determination. Even today, Hanuman remains a beloved figure in Hinduism, inspiring devotion and reminding followers of the power of unwavering faith.
The Curious Case of the Sun-Eating Monkey: Hanuman’s Mishap
Hanuman, the mighty monkey god, wasn’t always the wise and revered figure we know today. As a child, his boundless energy and innocent curiosity often landed him in peculiar situations. One such tale recounts his hilarious encounter with the sun.
One bright morning, Hanuman woke up feeling incredibly hungry. He rummaged through the forest searching for fruits, but to his dismay, found none. Disheartened, he sat atop a mountain peak, gazing at the horizon. Suddenly, a fiery orb emerged from the east, painting the sky with vibrant hues. Hanuman, with his childlike innocence, had never seen the sun before.
To his playful eyes, the glowing sun resembled a giant, juicy fruit he’d never tasted. His hunger pangs forgotten, excitement surged through him. With a mighty leap, fueled by his immense strength, Hanuman propelled himself towards the sun, determined to devour this celestial treat.
As he soared closer, the heat intensified, scorching his face and fur. Undeterred, Hanuman pressed on, convinced the delicious fruit was within reach. Just as he stretched out his hand, a booming voice echoed across the sky.
“Halt, young one! You cannot devour the sun!”
Startled, Hanuman looked down to see Indra, the king of gods, riding on his magnificent white elephant. Indra explained the importance of the sun, how it provided light and life to the world. Hanuman, wide-eyed with realization, understood his mistake.
Unfortunately, his momentum carried him too close to the sun. Just then, Indra, fearing for the sun’s safety, intervened. He hurled his thunderbolt, a powerful weapon, at Hanuman. The impact struck Hanuman on the jaw, sending him hurtling back towards the earth.
Hanuman landed with a thud, his jaw broken and his face swollen. His cries of pain echoed through the forest. Vayu, the wind god, and Hanuman’s celestial father, rushed to his son’s aid. Furious with Indra for harming his innocent child, Vayu threatened to withhold the wind from the world, effectively suffocating all living beings.
The gods, realizing the gravity of the situation, pleaded with Indra to apologize. Indra, remorseful for his actions, approached Hanuman and offered him a heavenly herb to heal his jaw. The herb not only mended Hanuman’s jaw but also bestowed upon him immense strength.
From that day on, Hanuman was known by the name “Hanuman,” derived from the Sanskrit word “Hanu,” meaning “jaw.” This tale serves as a reminder of Hanuman’s playful youth and his unbreakable spirit. It also highlights the importance of knowledge and the consequences of ignorance, even for the mighty monkey god.
The Forgotten Strength: Why Hanuman Lost His Powers
Hanuman, the mighty monkey god, is known for his incredible feats of strength and unwavering devotion. But a lesser-known tale tells the story of how he once forgot his immense powers, adding a layer of vulnerability and growth to his character.
There are two main reasons given for why Hanuman lost his powers:
The Mischievous Prank: In some versions, Hanuman, as a young and restless child, possessed boundless energy and a penchant for pranks. He would often use his powers to play tricks on unsuspecting sages meditating in the forest. One day, he disrupted the meditation of a particularly wise sage with a particularly elaborate prank. Infuriated, the sage cursed Hanuman, stripping him of the divine powers bestowed upon him by the gods. The curse stated that Hanuman would forget his abilities until a crucial moment when they would be needed most.
The Hungry Sages: Another version tells the story of Hanuman encountering a group of sages who were famished after a long period of meditation. Hanuman, eager to help, used his immense strength to uproot a mountain laden with fruits, intending to offer them to the sages. However, the sages, perceiving this act as a disturbance to their meditation, cursed Hanuman. Similarly to the first story, this curse caused him to forget his divine powers until a time of great need.
The Importance of the Forgotten Power:
Regardless of the reason, losing his powers proved to be a turning point for Hanuman. It forced him to rely on his inner strength, intelligence, and unwavering devotion. This period of “weakness” helped him develop humility and a deeper understanding of his true potential.
The Crucial Reminder:
The story doesn’t end with Hanuman being powerless forever. In the Ramayana, when Rama’s wife Sita was abducted by the demon king Ravana, Hanuman was called upon to find her in Lanka. Standing before the vast ocean, Hanuman, unaware of his forgotten strength, questioned his ability to make the leap. Just at that critical moment, Jambavan, the wise bear king, reminded Hanuman of his true nature as the son of the wind god Vayu and the immense power bestowed upon him. With this reminder, Hanuman regained his abilities and successfully crossed the ocean, embarking on his legendary journey to Lanka.
Lessons Learned:
The story of Hanuman forgetting his powers teaches valuable lessons. It highlights the importance of using one’s strength responsibly and with respect for others. It also shows us that even the most powerful beings can experience moments of vulnerability, leading to growth and a deeper understanding of their true potential. Finally, it reminds us that sometimes, all it takes is a simple reminder to awaken the strength that lies dormant within us.
The application of sindoor (vermilion) on Hanuman
The application of sindoor (vermilion) on Hanuman is a tradition based on a popular story highlighting his immense devotion to Lord Rama. Here’s the gist:
Sita’s Ritual: According to the tale, Hanuman once observed Sita applying sindoor on her forehead. Curious, he inquired about the practice.
Sindoor for Longevity: Sita explained that applying sindoor symbolized her wish for Lord Rama’s long and prosperous life.
Hanuman’s Unwavering Devotion: Determined to ensure Rama’s well-being, Hanuman, in his naivety and boundless love, smeared sindoor all over his body. He believed that if a little was good, a lot would be even better.
Rama’s Appreciation: Touched by this display of pure devotion, Rama blessed Hanuman. It is believed that Rama declared whoever worships Hanuman with sindoor would be blessed with overcoming obstacles.
Tradition and Significance:
Since then, offering sindoor to Hanuman has become a customary practice. It signifies devotion and a prayer for Hanuman’s continued blessings. The red color of sindoor is also seen as symbolic of Hanuman’s unwavering courage and fiery determination.
It’s important to note: While the sindoor story is widely popular, it’s not the only interpretation. Some focus on the color red itself, associating it with Hanuman’s energy and power.
