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There is unlimited
power enclosed within us . When all that energy is directed towards the
service of God it is called Bhakti
or Devotion. This has been exemplified by Shri Hanumanji. If all that
energy is utilized for
our selfish interests then it
can result in our downfall as exemplified by Ravana. Furthermore , if we
treat our potentialities with
indifference then that power fritters away in all directions
and is completely wasted. This is represented by the common people of the world
who are not making any effort to advance on the spiritual path.
Hanumanji
is one of the principal characters in the epic Ramayana and the festival
of Hanuman Jayanti marks the birthday of this great devotee of God. This
festival usually occurs in Chaitra – Shukla Purnima. Hanumanji is an
embodiment of devotion, auspiciousness, courage, eloquence, physical
strength and power, knowledge
and love. His devotion was centered in Shri Ram
and his devotion formed
the very basis of all his other qualities.
Of
the five devotional attitudes viz :
1. Shanti
Bhava- Peaceful
2. Dasya Bhava
– Master- Servant- Hanumanji
3. Sakhya
Bhava- Friend – Friend- Krishna –
Arjuna
4. Vatsalya
Bhava- Parent- Child-
Krishna- Yashoda
5. Madhurya- Lover – beloved.-
Radha.
Hanumanji
has adopted the Dasya Bhava relationship-
ie a Master – Servant relationship -
and has become a perfect example of such a devotion. A you know he
is often seen seated by the feet of his Lord and
master – Bhagwan Shri Ram. As Hanumanji ses it the job of a
servant is to serve his
master and it is the business of the master to look after the servant.
Story
of Hanumanji’s Birth:
Once
sage Angira visited Indra in Swarg Loka and
was welcomed by a dance by a damsel named Punjiksthala. The sage of
course meditated through out
the dance as he had no interest in such things. Afterwards when asked by
Indra if he enjoyed the dance the
sage replied that he had no interest in such thjngs and this made Indra very much ashamed . However,
the damsel made some comments about
the sage who cursed Punjiksthala
to be born a s a female monkey on earth. In course of time the damsel was
reborn as a female monkey
called Anjana and
married the heroic Kesari.
Not having any progeny Anjana peformed severe tapasya
for many years and the
power of her tapasya caused
Lord Shiva to appear . She
then a asked a boon of Lord Shiva
to get a son like him to which
the Lord replied that he himself will be born as her son and that
the curse will be lifted a s soon a
this son is born.
Now
this was the time that King Dasratha
was performing the putresthi
yagna and the kheer was
shared among the 3 queens . However according to the legend – Sumitras
share was taken by a bird that
dropped the pudding into
Anjani hands as she was meditating. Thinking that this must be a gift of
God Anjani ate same and in
course of time like the other queens – Anjani also gave birth to a son
who was later named as Hanuman. Because it was Vayu devta – Wind
God that caused the pudding
to be dropped into Anjanas hand ..Hanumanji is also called Vayu Putra. Son of Vayu . So we
see that Hanumanji manifested
a s a result of 5 divine factors :-
1. Sage Angiras curse and subsequent blessings
2. Anjani’s Prayers
3. Lord Shiva’s blessings
4. Attainment of Shivas divine Shakti by
Vayu Devta
5. Fruit of the putresthi
yagna.
Also,
according to the Shiva Purana Lord Shiva could not serve Shri
Ram in his present form hence he inspired the
birth of a Rudra from his 11 Rudras – as a monkey..as Hanumanji.
You may recall also that according to Ravanas boon he could pot be killed by any being
besides man and monkey -
so this was the divine plan—all the bears and monkeys were devtas
who took birth by the instruction of Brahma to
help Shri Ram during his reign on earth.
Childhood:
As soon as Hanumanji
was born the curse on Anjana was lifted and she regained her original
form. We know the story of Hanumanji
trying to swallow the sun and was struck by Indras thunderbolt
which gave him a fractured chin..that’s why he was called
Hanuman. When his father Pavan devta took him to pataal
loka and brought
all creation to a standstill all the devtas
came and begged for
Vayu devta to release the wind which he did . Hanumanji the
received blessings
from all the devtas.
He
was also the recepient of the
Astha Siddhi from the Gods.
1. Anima-
Reduction in size- Entry into Lanka
2. Mahima- Increase in size- Encounter with Sursa
Mata
3.
Laghima – Absence in weight- Fly over to Lanka
4. Garima- Heavines
5. Prapti- Obtaining anything at will
6. Prakamya- Freedom to do whatever one wishes
7. Ishatva- Superiority
8. Vashitva- Control over power.
So
though still a child Hanumanji
became an embodiment of all the powers of all the Gods
and Godesses.
Education:
Surya Devta became the
Guru or Spiritual
preceptor of Hanumanji . How did he get
his lessons.? Surya could not stop and hence Hanumanji had to be
constantly moving in a backward direction so he could face his Guru and this is how he got his knowledge. In a short time
of 60 hours Hanumanji
mastered all the scriptures . As a Guru dakshina – Surya requested that
Hanumanji serve his son Sugreeva
- and to be his minister and
constant companion.
Glories of
Hanumanji:
Hanumanji is a
chiranjeev- was blessed with immortality. He is still here with us but
due to our lack of devotion
and faith and
ignorance we can’t recognize him. The worship of Hanumanji symbolizes
the worship of the worship of the supreme Lord
for acquiring knowledge ,physical and mental strength,
truthfulness, sincerity ,selflessness, humility, loyalty
and profound devotion to God. Students pray to him for knowledge
etc..
Who are the other
Chiranjeeva:-Immortals
1.
Hanumanji
2.
Vyasa
3.
Aswathama
4.
Bali
5.
Kripacharya
6.
Parshuram
7.
Markandeya and
8.
Vibhishana
Lessons
from Hanumanji:
What
are some of the lesons we can
learn from Hanumanji life.? First- what does Hanuman mean to us
? He had a Va+nara form-
Va+Naraa- means – Is he a man-
a forest dweller . Remember Ravana’s Boon. A
monkey jumps from place to place – their mind is always
tossing –Chanchalta- fickle
mindeness. Hanumanji teaches us about mind management..His mind was
always fixed on the Lord and he
had full control of same. That’s why he is called
Jitendriya.. control of the mind and senses. Hanumanji is telling us that control of the mind and senses
is amust of we want to evolve spiritually
and to kill the animalistic traits that may be with us . However
one of his greatest teachings
is that he has shown us how to pray .
Kiskindha
Kand:
Chowpaie:
( To be included)
This
is one of the most moving prayers in Ramayan and who is the
teacher..Hanumanji . What does this prayer tells us?
1. First we must surface
all our faults before the
Lord we have to be humble – give up all the ego
and inhibitions and bow..
2. Please the Lord by singing his glories
3. Make your request and
4. Offer the best thoughts that you have .
How
many of us pray like this ? Most people approach the Lord with a long
shopping list of problems – of complaints.We have this tendency to take
and receive mote than we give . Here Hanumanji is teaching us that
the reverse should be
the case. In fact his very name tells
a lot:-
H
Helpfulness-
kindness
A
Adoration
and devotion
N
Naturalness
and sincerity
U
Understanding
– knowledge
M
Modesty and humility
A
Allegiance and loyalty
N
Nishkama Karma
– Selfless work in the service of
the Lord.
After
locating Sita and returned back to Ram ..the Lord asked Hanumanji what he
wanted a s a gift.. Tulsidaji put it in these words..
Chowpaie:
What
was Hanumanji’s secret of successs? In the Hanuman Chalisa we will look
at what message is given there in but
for now Hanumanji . Devotees
who pray to Hanumanji with faith and love
and devotion attains success in
all their endeavours in life.
Here
Hanumanji warns us about two
false notions about spiritual
evolution Viz : Chanting of
mantras and making offerings and
that greatness is inherited.
While
these are all good actions
they are not enough . Hanumanji is teaching us that
spiritual devlopment is
not easy . We have to make the effort .Hanumanji’s greatness was not
due to his inborn
character . It was nurture
and not nature…Spiritual enlightenment
is possible for all of us . In fact it is our birth right.
It is the last line that tells of his secret of his success. –Absoulte
surrender to the Lord. Even an imperfect frame like Hanumanji had is made
perfect when used as an instrument of God . All our short comings can be
advantageous to us if we apply ourselves. The right way.
He
is an embodiment of love , of devotion of strength and knowledge.
What better
personality can we look up to for strength and courage in this age of
Kali . When we develop this kind of Bhakti – devotion
and love for God as Hanuman
did ,then our hearts soften; all jealousy and hatred ends , anger ,
greed , lust , passion, egoism all
disappears . All worries and
anxieties , fear vanishes and the
devotee becomes free from the
ocean of samsara – freedom from the wheel of births and deaths
and there by attaining the
immortal abode of everlasting peace and
bliss. These are the benefits
of Hanumanji ‘s worship.
Hanuman
Chalisa:
( Chanting of the Shri Hanuman Chalisa)
The
Hanuman Chalisa as we know is
a wonderful composition by the great poet Goswami Tulsidaji who brought
out the glories of Hanumanji in
40 verses. The Hanuman Chalisa
speaks about success. Success is what we all want
and strive for . No one wants to be a failure. Whether it is at the office , at home or in our day to day relationships
we wll want to be successful and be happy.
Unfortunately not everyone becomes successful. And the Hanuman
Chalisa speaks about the success that one has to find in their ownself
order to be successful from the point of view of the world at large .
Hanumanji was successful in all his endeavours .Examples…Journey
to lankaa- His search for
Sita in lanka- the brining of
the Sanjivani plant when Lakshaman was injured- and of course the victory over Ravana. So which better personality is there to
learn success from other than
our own dear Hanumanji.
Explanation
of the first Doha:-
One
day after the war with Ravana ..Bhagwan
Ran asked Hanumanji how he
see HIM and Hanumanji replied in these words:-
He said:-
DEHA
BUDDHYA TU DASO HAM-
JIVA
BUDDHYA TVAD AMSAKAH:
ATMA
BUDDHYA TVAM EVAHAM
ITE
ME NISCITA MATIH:
From
point of view of the body—You are Master and I am servant
:
From
point of view of ego-
I am a portion of thee
From
point of view of the atma- I am thyself- there is no difference between
you and me—This is my conviction..
Conclusion:
Devotees
in this age of Kali
where so much of
unrighteousness and ugliness
is taking place – where one is being
pulled into this maya
–this illusion of the
material world- where so much
hate and enemity , hypocrisy exists
--the worship of Hanumanji
brings us tremendous solace and
peace of mind. But we have
to have the faith, love and
devotion only them
can our prayers and
worship bear fruit . It is
believed that Shri Ram is
forever indebted to Hanumanji for
the services to Him .And
since Hanumanji wanted nothing in return then Shri Ram would have to grant the wishes of Hanumanji
if he intercedes on our behalf . For if Ram represents
Brahman—then Shri Hanumanji represnets the
gatekeeper of this pathway –that will lead us all to Brahhman.
May Shri Hanumanji bless all of us and may we continue to sing his praises every day—every hour ,every minute
,every second – may our inhaling and exhaling breath
out pranas be filled with thoughts of Hanumanji.
Jai Shree Ram
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