The Eternal God – Lord Hanuman

No other God embodies such faith. No other commands such reverence. He personifies devotion himself, just as he invokes it with the same vigour in the minds of his followers.

Manojavam Maruta Tulya Vegam,
Jitendriyam Buddhi Mataam Varishtham
Vaataatmajam Vaanara Yooth Mukhyam,
Shree Raama Dootam Sharnam Prapadye

“I pray to Lord Hanuman, who is swift as a thought, and more powerful than the wind, who has conquered all the senses and is supreme among all intelligent beings. He is the son of the wind-god and commander of the army of Vaanara clan. Oh the messenger of Lord Rama, the unequalled Lord Hanuman, please accept me under your wing as I surrender my prayers at your feet.”

A reincarnation of Lord Shiva himself, Lord Hanuman was born to Vaanara clan. His mother Anjani was an Apsara who was cursed by a learned Vaanara – a monkey, meditating in a jungle. Amused Anjani ridiculed him and started pelting stones which angered the monkey.

“Stop you fool”. The monkey said in the high-pitched angry voice.” You shall pay for your arrogance. I curse you. You shall turn into a Vaanara this instant. Your angelic beauty will be gone and shall return only when you give birth to a Vaanara who will be Shiva’s incarnation.”

The curse turned Anjani into a monkey instantly. This made her repent and resort to meditation, going without food or water. Shiva pleased with her devotion granted her the child who will be his reincarnation. He ordered Vayu- the wind god, to bring Anjani some food. Vayu, with a swirl of the wind, picked the payasam kept at Raja Dasharatha’s balcony for his wife to beget a son and dropped it in front of Anjani. As she ate it, Vayu admitted that it was him who brought the child by bringing her payasam and that he is the rightful father. In due time, Anjani gave birth to Hanuman and returned to heaven with her resumed beauty. Vayu raised him as his own son. He is since fondly regarded as – ‘Vayuputra Hanuman’

Lord Hanuman’s devotion to Lord Rama is a pure emblem of service, proven with unwavered dedication to Rama all through his life. His legends in epic Ramayana inspire courage, undeterred faith and above all loyalty.

It is for his selfless and incontestable service, Rama bestowed him with a boon of being Chiranjeevi and said –

“I will forever be indebted to you for your noble and courageous deeds when you want nothing in return. You restored Sugriva’s kingdom to him and helped Vibhishana become king of Lanka.
You helped us win the war against mighty Ravana and even saved mine and my brother’s life.

I give you the boon of everlasting life. All will honour and worship you each time they worship me. Your idol will adorn my temples always and your glory will be sung before Mine.”

His heroic tales of valour and intelligence are numerous. Whether it is stuffing the whole burning sun in his mouth as a mischievous child or crossing over the gigantic waves of abyssal oceans to find Sita. Battling the army of soldiers alone to burn the city of golden Lanka to ashes or even moving mountains on his back across continents to bring back Sanjeevani and revive Rama and Lakshman. He renders the undoable possible, not only with his might but also witty mind.

One look at Lord Hanuman captures the hearts of devotees, with the heavenly stillness on his face and the unmistaken storm in his eyes. His name crushes all the fears in the mind as he vows to protect truth and just against all adversity.

He is aptly called ‘Mahaveer’ – The bravest of the brave.

Source: https://www.wheresmypandit.com/blog/the-eternal-god-lord-hanuman/

For more blogs click here

Hanuman Jayanti

Hanuman Jayanti

Little Aarav was astonished to see the long queue right adjacent his house. Knowing that his house was right next to the Hanuman Temple, he had become a regular witness of all devotees that came in daily to offer their prayers. But today the scenario was extremely different. Not only were their chants and Bhajans louder than daily but also the devotees of the temple had multiplied by Hundreds. Looking for answers he climbed up to his grandfather’s lap and asked. The old wrinkled man smiled and narrated him the decade’s long ritual and tradition of Hanuman Jayanti.

This is a well-accepted and known fact that the Hindu religion has an abundance of gods and goddess. Amongst all, Lord Hanuman is one of the very popular divine entities. Every child in a Hindu household has grown up listening about his heroic tales and stories. Be it the story of how he got the whole mountain of Sanjeevani for Lord Laxman or his undying devotion to Lord Rama and his consort Sita.

Lord Hanuman played a pivotal role in Ramayana. He is the son of God of Air (Vayu) and Queen Kesari. He is known to be an incarnation of lord Shiva and is a Vanara (monkey) by nature. Mainly the festival of Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Hanuman, to celebrate his bravery and ardent devotion to his God. The celebrations take place on the 15^th day of the Month of Chaitra (Poornima) according to the Hindu calendar. Even though a large part of the Hindu fraternity follow the earlier date, down in South, i.e. in  Tamil Nadu and Kerala, the event is celebrated in the month of Marghazi according to Hindu calendar due the belief that Lord Hanuman was Amavasya born. Whereas, in Orissa it is celebrated on the first day of the Vaishka month according to the Oriya Calendar.

The Hanuman Jayanti is an extra special day for all the Brahmachari’s owning to the fact that Lord Hanuman is supposed to be a bachelor for eternity according to an oath that he took. Also because his bravery and muscle power has been so popular, he is also a religious idol for all Pehalwans and body builders in the Hindu community.

On the day of Hanuman Jayanti, the celebrations begin at the break of the dawn. After the holy Bath of lord Hanuman, a huge Kirtan session is organized. People from around the world come with numerous offerings. There are plays and parades conducted on his birthday. Everyone is dressed with the orange Tilaka as it was considered to be his body’s ash or a part.

This year around the Hanuman Jayanti is falling on the 4^th of April which is a Satuday.  It’s said that not only the humans but the Vanara Community dance and sing with Joy to show their happiness on the birthday of their lord and leader. It’s an event of junction of two communities tied with the strong thread of love and devotion to Lord Hanuman.

Source: https://www.wheresmypandit.com/blog/hanuman-jayanti

For more blogs click here

Why we worship Hanuman with Betel leaves and Oil?

Why we worship Hanuman with Betel leaves and Oil?

India is a land of stories; haven’t we heard numerous mythological stories since our childhood? Same characters different versions. Gods were the most favourite characters and have been since ages. Various ways to worship the same God in different places are the proof of different stories told in that very state. We have always seen people taking garland of betel leaves and oil for Lord Hanuman. Betel leaves should be made into a garland with a piece of areca nut in each leaf. Have we ever thought why do we do that? Yes! We have and we have different stories for doing so.

A story says that during Ram-Ravana war, Ravana was trying his best to defeat Ram. Hanuman was carrying Ram on his back so Ravana started attacking Hanuman. Hanuman could not be killed but got hurt in the war. Ram made Ravana run out of the battleground, and himself applied oil on the scars of Hanuman to relieve him of pain. This tradition is still followed.

Different story follows for the reason why betel leaves are offered.

After the success in the war against Ravana, Sita Devi spotted hanuman in a betel leaf garden. When Hanuman bowed to her feet seeking her blessings, Sita Devi plucked few betel leaves and showered on Hanuman in order to bless him, so the ritual is still followed. 

Another story depicts that when Sri Hanuman conveyed the message from Sri Rama, Sita Devi garlanded Sri Hanuman with betel leaves as a token of her joy and appreciation, as she could not find any flowers nearby.

So these are the various reasons why Lord Hanuman is worshipped with oil and betel leaves.

Source: https://www.wheresmypandit.com/blog/why-we-worship-hanuman-with-betel-leaves-and-oil

For more blogs click here