|
Once
Shiva and Parvati, ever the adventurous lovers,
decided to transform themselves into monkeys and
indulge in amorous games in the dense Himalayan
forests. During a climactic moment, the seed of
Shiva found its mark and impregnated Parvati. Since
they were in simian form it was but natural that
the offspring born of such a union too would be
a monkey. Not desiring to go against the laws of
nature, Shiva directed the wind god Vayu to carry
his semen from Parvati's womb, and deposit it into
that of Anjana - a female monkey, who at that very
moment was praying for a male child.
Another slightly variant version of this story
in the Shiva Purana states that when Vishnu once
disguised himself as the heavenly beauty Mohini,
her charms so impressed Shiva that he could not
restrain his seed. Vayu then carried the seed and
deposited it into Anjana's womb. There was no question
of Shiva's potent discharge resulting in an offspring
less than extraordinary and the child conceived
under such exceptional circumstances was bound
to be especial, and so it was. The resulting bundle
of joy was none other than Hanuman, one of the
most celebrated and worshipped figures in Indian
thought. Two exceptional traits further marked
his birth. The first was that unlike ordinary children,
Hanuman was born wearing a loincloth. This was
an early pointer to his life-long pursuit of a
celibate, almost ascetic lifestyle. The other significant
occurrence was the presence of elaborate earrings
adorning his ears. The latter has an interesting
piece of legend explaining it:
At the time of Hanuman's birth, the undisputed
leader of the monkey-world was Vali, a strong and
powerful ape. When Vali came to know that Anjana
was pregnant with a child who was bound to develop
into a powerful rival, he decided to end matters
in Anjana's womb itself. He created a missile using
five metals: gold, silver, copper, iron and tin.
When the unsuspecting mother was asleep, he directed
the missile into her womb. A normal child may have
succumbed to this dastardly attack, but not one
born of Shiva's fiery seed. The missile as soon
as it touched Hanuman's body melted, and transformed
into a pair of earrings. Thus wearing the trophies
of his first battle, fought while still in his
mother's womb, Hanuman gloriously entered this
world.

Little
Hanumana Goes for the Sun |
Indeed, having both Shiva and Vayu as his illustrious
fathers, he was no ordinary child. Hanuman was
restless, spirited, energetic and inquisitive.
He was obviously endowed with awesome strength
and the scriptures abound in tales expounding on
his remarkable feats. Once for example he mistook
the sun for a ripe fruit (monkeys are naturally
lured by red ripe fruits), and rushed towards the
sky in an attempt to grab it.
On his way however he saw Rahu the dragon making
his way to devour the sun and thus cause an eclipse.
Mistaking him to be a worm, the restless Hanuman
dashed towards Rahu and attempted to catch hold
of him. Rushing for his life, Rahu sought shelter
in the refuge of Indra, the lord of the skies.
Indra picked up his deadly thunderbolt, mounted
his white elephant named Airavata and made off
in search of Hanuman, seeking to restrain his seeming
impudence. The clouds rumbled and lightning thundered
across the vast skies in an expression of Indra's
wrath. But neither this scary scenario, nor the
mightily armed Indra on his high mount, was sufficient
enough to induce even a trace of fear in the heart
of Hanuman. On the contrary, the spectacle only
served to fuel his excitement and mistaking Airavata
for a toy, he made a grab for the pachyderm, seized
its trunk and leapt on its back. Taken aback by
the child's spirited and playful defiance, Indra
stuck at Hanuman with his thunderbolt, and the
wound thus inflicted hurtled him speedily down
to the earth. His father Vayu immediately sprung
to his rescue and caught him in mid air. The sight of his beloved
son lying helpless in his arms infuriated the
wind-god. He drew in a
mighty breath and sucked away all the air from
the cosmos. "Let all those who have harmed
Anjana's son choke to death," he thought out
aloud. Predictably there was panic in the cosmos.
Without air, life on every level was threatened.
The gods, realizing their folly, went in unison
to Vayu and asked for his forgiveness. To make
amends they showered the following blessings and
powers on the monkey child:
a). Brahma: "May
you live as long as Brahma himself lives."
b). Vishnu: "May
you live all your life as the greatest devotee
of God."
c). Indra: "No weapon
of any kind will wound or hit your body."
d). Agni: "Fire will
never affect you."
e). Kala: "May death
never court you."
f). All the Devas (gods): "None
will ever equal you in strength and speed."
Brahma concluded the session by bestowing on Hanuman
a power greater than even Vayu and Garuda, and
endowed him with a speed faster than even the mightiest
wind. Thus pacified, Vayu restored air into the
cosmos and Hanuman was returned to his parents.
There was one catch however. It was decreed that
Hanuman would remain blissfully unaware of his
own prowess, unless, during the course of a meritorious
deed, his memory would remind him of his superhuman
ability. It will be seen later how this apparently
insignificant matter lays bare the symbolical significance
of Hanuman.
Hanuman's Education
As he grew up, Hanuman
sought to educate himself and for this purpose
he chose Surya the sun god
as his guru saying: "You see everything there
is to see in the universe and you know everything
there is to know. Please accept me as your pupil." Surya
hesitated. "I don't have the time," he
said. "During the day I ride across the sky,
and at night I am too tired to do anything."
"Then teach me as you ride across the sky
during the day. I will fly in front of your chariot,
facing you from dawn to dusk." Impressed by
Hanuman's zeal and determination, Surya accepted
him as his pupil. Thus Hanuman flew before the
chariot of the sun god, withstanding the awesome
glare, until he became well versed in the four
books of knowledge (the Vedas), the six systems
of philosophies (darshanas), the sixty-four arts
or kalas and the one hundred and eight occult mysteries
of the Tantras.
Having become a master of all that he set out
to learn, it was now time for Hanuman to pay for
his education (guru-dakshina). Surya asserted that
watching the devoted pupil study was payment enough
for him but when Hanuman insisted on giving something
to express his gratitude, the sun god asked him
to look after the welfare of his son Sugriva, who
was the stepbrother of Vali, the king of monkeys.
Before Vali became the lord of apes, a simian
named Riksha ruled over them. Once it so transpired
that Riksha fell in an enchanted pool and turned
into a woman. Both the sky-god Indra and the sun-god
Surya fell in love with her and she bore each of
them a son. Indra's son was her first born Vali
while Sugriva her second offspring was the son
of Surya. After bearing the sons, Riksha regained
his male form.

Abduction
of Sita by Ravana |
When Riksha died, in accordance with the law of
the jungle, the monkeys fought each other for becoming
the leader. Vali successfully killed or maimed
every other contender to the throne and became
the undisputed ruler of the monkey world. As one
who had successfully earned his dominant place
among the apes, Vali was not obliged to share the
spoils of power with anyone, but being of a magnanimous
nature he shared everything with his younger brother
Sugriva. It was in these circumstances that Hanuman
entered the companionship of Sugriva who later
became the king of monkeys himself. It was under
Sugriva that the massive army of monkeys helped
Lord Rama reclaim his wife who had been abducted
by the demon Ravana.
Hanuman The Selfless

Valmiki
and the Wounded Bird |
A pair of lovebirds, reveling in their natural
freedom, was soaring the boundless skies. Fate
however had scripted a cruel ending to their mating.
A hunter's arrow found its mark and the devoted
female lost her male. She did not however escape
from the scene but rather lingered on, circling
over the lifeless form of her mate. Witnessing
this poignant episode inspired the accomplished
sage Valmiki to poetry and what came out of his
heart was the Ramayana, one of the greatest epics
the earth has had the good fortune to inherit.
Indeed, Valmiki's poem became renowned in the three
worlds as it struck a chord in every heart that
heard it.
One day Valmiki came to know that the great Hanuman
too had penned the adventures of Rama, engraving
the story with his nails on rocks. A curious Valmiki
traveled to the Himalayas where Hanuman was residing
to partake this version. When Hanuman read out
his narration, Valmiki was overwhelmed by its sheer
power and poetic caliber. It was truly an inspired
piece. Valmiki felt both joy and sorrow. Joy because
he had had the chance to hear an exceptionally
beautiful poem, and sad because it obviously overshadowed
his own work.
When Hanuman saw the unhappiness his work had
caused Valmiki he smashed he engraved rocks destroying
his creation forever. Such was Hanuman's selflessness.
For him, narrating the tales of Rama' s adventures
was a means to re-experience Rama, not a ticket
to the hall of fame.
Hanuman's name too illustrates
his self-effacing character, being made up of 'hanan'
(annihilation)
and 'man' (mind), thus indicating one who has conquered
his ego.
Hanuman and Yoga

Hanuman
as Yogachara |
If yoga is the ability to control
one's mind then Hanuman is the quintessential yogi
having a perfect
mastery over his senses, achieved through a disciplined
lifestyle tempered by the twin streams of celibacy
and selfless devotion (bhakti). In fact, Hanuman
is the ideal Brahmachari (one who follows the path
of Brahma), if ever there was one.
He is also a perfect karma yogi since he performs
his actions with detachment, acting as an instrument
of destiny rather than being impelled by any selfish
motive.
Hanuman - The First to Teach Pranayama and the
Inventor of the Surya Namaskar
Pranayama is the ability to control one's breath
so that the inhalation and exhalation of air is
rhythmic. Vayu, the god of air and wind, first
taught pranayama to his son Hanuman, who in turn
taught it to mankind.
The Surya Namaskar (salutation
to the sun) too, was devised by Hanuman as a greeting
for his teacher
Surya.
Hanuman and Sorcery
The villain of the epic
Ramayana was the mighty demon Ravana. When he
carried away Sita, her aggrieved
husband Rama, accompanied by Hanuman and a massive
army of monkeys laid siege on Lanka, the capital
of Ravana's empire. As the battle progressed, the
demon lost all his brothers and sons and it became
clear that he was headed towards defeat. Finally,
he sent for his only surviving son Mahiravana,
a powerful sorcerer who ruled over the underworld
(patala loka). Mahiravana was a great devotee of
Goddess Kali from whom he had obtained vital occult
secrets. Initially Mahiravana did not wish to join
the fight against Rama since he felt the latter's
cause to be just. But understanding his weakness
for ritual magick Ravana addressed him thus: "Think
of the powers the goddess Kali will grant you when
you offer to her the heads of two handsome and
virile youths like Rama and Lakshmana." Needles
to say, Mahiravana agreed.
The great sorcerer Mahiravana managed to kidnap
both Rama and his brother Lakshmana while they
were sleeping. He left behind, in place of their
bed, a dark trail stretching deep into the bowels
of the earth. Hanuman immediately dived into the
tunnel and made his way to patala, the subterranean
kingdom of Mahiravana. There he found the two brothers
tied to a post, their bodies anointed with mustard
oil and bedecked with marigold flowers, ready to
be sacrificed. Near them, Mahiravana was sharpening
the sacrificial blade and chanting hymns to invoke
the goddess.

Sri
Vaibhav Hanumana Yantra |
Hanuman taking the form
of a bee whispered into Rama's ear, "When Mahiravana asks you to place
your neck on the sacrificial block, inform him
that being of royal lineage you have never learned
to bow your head. Tell him to show you how." Mahiravana
fell for the trap. No sooner had he bowed his head
in the ritually prescribed manner than Hanuman
regained his form, seized the blade, and decapitated
the sorcerer. Thus did Hanuman turn the tables
and sacrificed the demon himself to Mother Goddess
Kali. Impressed, she made Hanuman her doorkeeper
and indeed many temples of the goddess are seen
to have a monkey guarding their doorways. Further,
to this day, Hanuman is invoked in any fight against
sorcery, and amulets and charms depicting him are
therefore extremely popular among devotees.
Hanuman and Astrology
Mahiravana's death filled Ravana's heart with
fear. He consulted the court astrologers who studied
his horoscope and decreed that the alignment of
celestial bodies was not in his favor. Now, Indian
astrology is governed by nine planets, known as
the navagrahas. Ravana thought that by changing
the alignment of these heavenly bodies he would
be able to alter his destiny. Mounting his flying
chariot he rose to the skies, captured the nine
planets, and herded them to his capital in chains.
He then began a series of rituals which if successful
would force the planets to realign themselves in
his favor. When Hanuman came to know of this ritual,
he assembled and led a band of daredevil monkeys
to Ravana's sacrificial hall, intending to disrupt
the proceedings. They found the villain sitting
beside a fire altar with his eyes shut in profound
meditation, mouthing mantras. The group of simians
let out a loud war cry and rushed into the hall.
They snuffed out the sacred fire, kicked off the
ceremonial utensils and wiped off the occult diagrams
(yantras) painted on the floor. Unfortunately none
of this roused Ravana from his deep trance and
he continued chanting the holy formulas. Hanuman
realized that Ravana would have to be stopped at
any cost, otherwise the villain would succeed in
changing the course of destiny.
Towards this end he devised a mischievous plan,
and ordered his lieutenants to enter the female
chambers and scare away Ravana's many wives. The
monkeys did as instructed and attacked Ravana's
queens and concubines, pulling their hair, scratching
their faces and tearing away their clothes. But
it was all to no avail; the immovable Ravana did
not stir.

Hanuman – The
Remover of Unfavourable Astrological Influences |
At last the monkeys confronted
Mandodari, the chief wife of Ravana. They bared
their teeth, beat
their chests and began to grunt menacingly. Terrified,
Mandodari lamented, "Woe is me. My husband
meditates while monkeys threaten my chastity." Her
words ashamed Ravana to open his eyes and rush
to her defence. Thus having successfully distracted
Ravana, Hanuman ran back to the sacrificial hall
and liberated the nine planets held captive there.
For having successfully aborted Ravana's misplaced
attempts to subvert fate, Hanuman won the eternal
gratitude of the grahas and is thus believed to
exercise considerable power over them. Correspondingly,
he is worshipped by his devotees whenever they
perceive their troubles to be a result of the unfavorable
configuration of celestial bodies. Indeed, Hanuman
is often shown trampling under his feet a woman
who is said to represent Panvati, a personification
of baneful astrological influences.
Another interesting legend deals specifically
with the planet Saturn (Shani). Perceived to be
an unfavorable influence, it is believed that Saturn
visits each individual at least once in his/her
lifetime for a period of seven-and-a-half years.
As fate would have it, Saturn descended on Hanuman
when he was busy building a bridge over the ocean
to help Rama and his army cross over to Lanka.
Hanuman requested the planet to postpone his visit
till he had successfully assisted Rama in regaining
Sita. But Saturn was adamant and Hanuman had to
bow against the will of nature. He suggested that
Saturn sit on his (Hanuman's) head as his hands
were engaged in serving Rama and his legs were
too lowly for Saturn.
Saturn happily settled on Hanuman's head and the
mighty monkey continued with his work, piling heavy
boulders and stones on his head in an apparently
casual manner and carrying them to the construction
site. After a while Saturn found it impossible
to bear the load of the heaped boulders any longer
and wished to climb down. Hanuman insisted that
he complete his mandatory seven-and-a-half years
but Saturn pleaded for release saying that the
seven-and-a-half minutes he stayed on Hanuman's
head felt like seven-and-a-half years anyway. Thus
speaking Saturn took leave of Hanuman and since
then worshippers of this monkey god rest assured
that the unavoidable ill effects of Saturn's sade-sati
(seven-and-a-half year's stay) can be whittled
down by a true devotion to Hanuman.
Hanuman and the Mother Goddess
We have seen above how Hanuman serves as a favorite
of the Mother Goddess. But the attribute of Hanuman,
which impresses the goddess most, is his brahmacharya.
Indeed Hanuman never threatens the world with his
virility unlike say Shiva whose virility often
has to be restrained by goddess Kali. Accordingly,
Hanuman gains her unparalleled appreciation.
Hanuman and Tantra
Tantra represents the occult side of Hinduism.
With the aid of chants (mantras) and diagrams (yantras)
Tantriks (practitioners of Tantra) channelise the
powers of the cosmos for the advantage of humanity.
Tantriks believe that Hanuman is the most accomplished
of their lot having achieved the much-sought after
eight occult powers:
1). Anima - The ability to reduce his size.
2). Mahima - Ability to increase his size.
3). Laghima - The ability to become weightless.
4). Garima - Ability to increase weight.
5). Prapti - The ability to travel anywhere and
acquire anything.
6). Parakamya - Irresistible will power.
7). Vastiva - Mastery over all creatures.
8). Isitva - Ability to become god like with the
power to create and destroy.
The Ramayana abounds with tales illustrating Hanuman's
mastery over each of these siddhas (occult powers).
Not surprisingly, he is reverently deified as a
Mahsiddha (Maha - Great).
Hanuman and the Potency of Mother's Milk
After the annihilation
of Ravana, Rama asked Hanuman how he would like
to be thanked for his services.
He answered, "My lord, let me spend the rest
of my days in your service." Rama gladly accepted
the request. Thus Hanuman too boarded the chariot,
that was to take Rama and his entourage back to
their native Ayodhya.
On the way however, Hanuman thought of visiting
his mother Anjana who lived on a mountain nearby.
Rama and all other members of the party too were
curious to meet Hanuman's mother and hence the
chariot was diverted to her dwelling.
On reaching the place
Hanuman approached his mother whose happiness
knew no bounds. She embraced her
bundle of joy. All others present too bowed in
reverence to the mother of Hanuman. The worthy
son narrated to her the entire sequence of events
ending with Ravana's death on the battlefield.
Surprisingly, his words did not please his mother
but rather she became remorseful and addressed
Hanuman thus: "My giving birth to you has
been in vain, and feeding you with my milk has
been of no avail." On hearing her strange
words all became panicky and were left speechless.
Hanuman too stared at her in mute incomprehension.
After a brief pause she
continued with her tirade: "Shame
on your strength and velour. Did you not have enough
power to uproot Ravana's city of vice Lanka on
your own? Could you not have annihilated the ten-headed
monster and his army yourself? If you were not
strong enough to do so it would have been better
if you had at least perished yourself in fighting
him. I regret the fact that even though you were
alive Lord Rama had to build a perilous bridge
of stones over the turbulent ocean to reach Lanka
and had to fight the massive army of demons and
thus suffer a great ordeal in order to recover
his beloved Sita. Indeed, the nourishment my breast
has given you has proved to be unfruitful. Go away
and don't ever show me your face again." She
was obviously referring to the instance when Hanuman
was deputed to go and search for Sita in the city
of Lanka. Only when he had confirmed Sita's presence
in Ravana's custody could a formal battle be launched
to rescue her. Hanuman not only brought news of
her wretched condition in captivity but also during
his brief visit managed to burn down the whole
city and thus gave Ravana an inkling of the times
to come. Anjana's annoyance stemmed from the fact
that even though Hanuman was supremely capable
of bringing back Sita on his own during that visit
itself, he did not do so and much effort had to
be expended later to accomplish the mission.
Hence was she trembling
with wrath. With folded hands Hanuman addressed
her: "O Great Mother,
no way have I compromised on the sacred worth of
your milk. I am but a mere servant. During that
visit I had been instructed only to search for
Sita and not kill Ravana. Had I done so of my own
accord it would have amounted to overstepping my
brief. I therefore acted scrupulously and kept
my word." In fact, Hanuman had asked Sita,
when he met her in Ravana 's captivity, whether
she would prefer to be rescued by him at that very
moment. She replied in the negative stressing that
it was her husband's duty to liberate her and Rama
himself would have to come and take her back.
The entire gathering corroborated
Hanuman's version and much mollified his distressed
mother. She spoke
to him affectionately: "Dear son I never knew
all this but now that I do it is comforting that
my milk has indeed borne abundant fruit."
The repeated glorification
of her own milk by Anjana was not relished by
Lakshmana, who thought
it an exaggeration. Sensing this, she addressed
him saying: "Lakshmana, you are wondering
why this apparently feeble monkey-woman is harping
on the efficacy and potency of her own milk? My
milk is indeed extraordinary." Saying this
Anjana squeezed her breast and the oozing milk
shower shot to a nearby mountain cleaving it thunderously
into two. Addressing Lakshmana again she elaborated: "Hanuman
has been brought up on the same milk, how could
it ever go to waste?" (This story was narrated
in the annual issue of the spiritual journal 'Kalyan,'
published at Gita Press Gorakhpur. (1975, page
327)).
Why Idols of Hanuman are Red in Color

Rama
Durbar |
After safely reaching Ayodhya, Rama in no time
settled down to a happy life of kingship and matrimony.
Hanuman continued to be a constant and devoted
companion with an unrestricted access to Rama.
Life went on normally. Many delightful episodes
from this period establish Hanuman as the ultimate
bhakta, and shed much light on his unique personality.

Hanumana |
Every morning Hanuman
would observe Sita put a red mark on her forehead
and smear the parting
of her hair with vermilion powder, enacting a ritual
which is the exclusive prerogative of married women
in India. Being naturally of a curious bent of
mind he asked her the reason behind this daily
ritual. "For the well-being of my husband," replied
she. Hanuman, ever the humble well-wisher of his
chosen lord wondered: "If a virtuous woman
like Sita has to apply vermilion in this manner
for the good of Lord Rama, I, a mere monkey, need
to do more." Thus thinking, he took a bowlful
of the paste and smeared his whole body with it.
Needless to say, both Rama and Sita were moved
by the purity of Hanuman's heart. Since then, idols
of Hanuman are colored a rich vermilion red.
Why Hanuman is Shown Tearing Open his Own Chest

Hanuman
Tears Open His Chest |
Once Sita gave Hanuman
a necklace of pearls. After a while, the residents
of the city observed him
breaking the necklace and inspecting each pearl
minutely. Intrigued they asked him the reason. "I
am looking for Rama and Sita," replied Hanuman.
Laughing at his apparent naivety the spectators
pointed out to him that the royal couple was at
the moment seated on the imperial throne. "But
Rama and Sita are everywhere, including my heart" wondered
aloud the true bhakta. Not understanding the depth
of his devotion, they further teased him: "So
Rama and Sita live in your heart, can you show
them to us?" Unhesitatingly, Hanuman stood
up and with his sharp talons tore open his chest.
There, within his throbbing heart, the astonished
audience were taken aback to find enshrined an
image of Rama and Sita. Never again did anyone
make fun of Hanuman's devotion.
The Five-Headed (Panchamukhi) Hanuman - An Intriguing
Image

Madhavacharya
(1197-76) |
Vaishnavas believe that the wind-god Vayu underwent
three incarnations to help Lord Vishnu. As Hanuman
he helped Rama; as Bheema he assisted Krishna;
and as Madhavacharya (1197-76), he founded the
Vaishnava sect.

Hanuman,
Humble and Powerful |
It is interesting to note that
in his youth Madhavacharya distinguished himself
in physical exercises and
field games and is said to have had a wonderful
physique. Truly, physical prowess is an integral
aspect of the cult of Hanuman and he is the patron
deity of wrestlers and body-builders. He is most
popularly referred to as 'Vajra-anga-Bali,' meaning
the Powerful One (bali) with a body (anga) hard
as a thunderbolt (vajra).

Five-Headed
Hanumana |
The Vaishnavas evolved a syncretic form of Hanuman
with five heads and ten arms, incorporating in
the composite image five important Vaishnavite
deities:
At the center a monkey's face (Hanuman).
A lion's visage representing Narasimha gazing
southwards.
An eagle's head symbolizing Garuda facing west.
A boar head of Varaha (north).
A horse's face for Hayagriva (facing the sky).
Each head signifies a particular trait. Hanuman
courage and strength, Narasimha fearlessness, Garuda
magical skills and the power to cure snake bites,
Varaha health and exorcism and Hayagriva victory
over enemies.
The Spiritual Significance of Hanuman
The goal of all mystical yearning is union of
the individual soul with the universal soul. In
the Adhyatma ('spiritual') Ramayana, a Sanskrit
text dating from the fourteenth or fifteenth century,
Sita represents the individual (jiva-atma), which
has separated from the universal (param-atma) symbolized
by Rama. In a beautiful interpretation, Hanuman
here is said to personify bhakti, which annihilates
the 'ahankara' or ego (Ravana), and re-unites the
two.
The Enduring Relevance of Hanuman
In Hindu symbolism, a monkey signifies the human
mind, which is ever restless and never still. This
monkey-mind happens to be the only thing over which
man has absolute control. We cannot control the
world around us but we can control and tame our
mind by ardent discipline. We cannot choose our
life but we can choose the way we respond to it.
Hanuman, when he was a child, was tempted by the
sun and he rushed towards it thinking it to be
a delectable fruit. On his way however, he was
distracted by the planet Rahu and changed his path.
Thus Hanuman is the temperamental human intellect,
which is unquiet and excitable. It is only by diverting
it to the path of pure bhakti (devotion), that
it can be made aware of its profound and silent
essence.
According to the Hindu point of view, there is
no objective world 'out there.' The whole manifested
world is a subjective phenomenon created by our
own selves. We - as humans - have the unique ability
to condition our minds. In other words, we have
the power to change the way we perceive life. And
by changing our perceptions of life, we have the
power of changing our world. When Hanuman enters
Rama's life, he changes Rama's world. He transforms
a crisis (the loss of Sita) into an opportunity
(rid the world of Ravana). He transforms a victim
into a hero.
Thus, Hanuman is no ordinary
monkey. While embarking on the search for Sita,
the monkeys were confronted
by the vast ocean lying between them and Lanka.
They wondered how they would make their way across
this mighty obstacle. Someone suggested that Hanuman
jump and cross over the sea. But Hanuman was doubtful, "I
cannot do that," he said. At that moment,
one of his companions reminded Hanuman of the awesome
powers lying dormant within him. Instantly Hanuman
regained memory of his divine strength and he successfully
leaped across the ocean. Thus our mind too needs
to be reminded of its divine potential and of the
fact that it can achieve phenomenal heights provided
it believes in its ability to perform the task
in question. Truly Hanuman is symbolic of the perfect
mind, and embodies the highest potential it can
achieve.
References and Further Reading
- Khokar, Ashish and
S. Saraswati. Hanuman: New Delhi, 2001.
- Nagar, Shanti Lal.
Hanuman in Art, Culture, Thought and Literature:
New Delhi, 1995.
- Pattanaik, Devdutt.
Hanuman an Introduction: Mumbai, 2001.
- Shri Hanuman Ank (In
Hindi): Gita Press Gorakhpur, 1975.
- Tompkins, Ptolemy.
The Monkey in Art: New York, 1994.
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