Story of Hanuman and Hanuman Janmotsav

Hanuman, also known as Maruti and Bajrang Bali, is one of the most revered deities in Hinduism. Born as a vanara (divine monkey), Hanuman is celebrated for his immense knowledge, strength, and wisdom. He possesses the extraordinary ability to alter his size at will, fly great distances, and his body is as strong as vajra (thunderbolt). Known for his intelligence and cleverness, Hanuman uses these qualities to solve the most challenging problems for his devotees, earning him the title Sankat Mochan (the remover of troubles).

Hanuman’s birthday is observed as Hanuman Janmotsav, not Hanuman Jayanti. The term Jayanti is traditionally reserved for those who have passed away, but since Hanuman is believed to be immortal, the correct term is Janmotsav.

Hanuman Ji

Story of Hanuman:

Birth of Hanuman:

Hanuman was born as a ‘vaanar’ (monkey) to Kesari and Anjana, who are his biological parents. Pavan dev, also called Vayu is believed to be his divine father; hence he is called as ‘pavan-putra’

Legends Associated With his Birth:

The story of Hanuman’s birth traces back to ancient times. His mother, Anjana, was originally a nymph (apsara) named Puñjikastalā. Once, Puñjikastalā angered a sage, who cursed her to be born as a monkey. When she sought forgiveness, the sage softened the curse, saying she would regain her true form after giving birth to a son who would bring her great glory. Reborn as a monkey, Anjana married Kesari, a vanara chief and the son of Brihaspati.

Meanwhile, King Dashrath of Ayodhya was performing the Putrakameshti Yagna, a sacred ritual to be blessed with children. Agni, the fire god, appeared from the holy fire and gave a sacred pudding (payasam) to be shared among the king’s three wives. However, as fate would have it, a kite snatched a portion of the pudding and dropped it in the forest, where Anjana was worshipping Vayu, the wind god. The pudding landed in her outstretched hands, and upon consuming it, Vayu transferred his divine energy into her womb. This miraculous event led to the birth of Maruti, later known as Hanuman, who was blessed with extraordinary divine powers.

Hanuman as a child:

From a young age, Hanuman, also known as Maruti, was known for his mischievous nature. Possessing immense strength and the ability to fly, one day he became hungry and mistook the rising sun for a sweet fruit. Driven by his hunger, he leaped toward the sun to eat it. Alarmed, the Sun god sought help from Indra, the king of gods. When Maruti didn’t heed Indra’s warnings, Indra used his vajra (thunderbolt) to stop him. The thunderbolt struck Maruti on the jaw, causing him to fall to Earth, lifeless, with a broken jaw.

When Pavan Dev, the god of wind and Hanuman’s divine father, learned of Maruti’s injury, he was furious. In his rage, he withdrew all the winds from the universe, causing widespread chaos as living beings struggled to breathe. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Lord Shiva intervened and restored Maruti to life. Only after this, did Pavan Dev release the winds back into the world.

Since the incident was caused by Indra, he granted Maruti a powerful boon: his body would become as strong as vajra (thunderbolt), and even Indra’s vajra would no longer harm him. Other gods also bestowed gifts upon Maruti. Lord Brahma blessed him with the ability to move freely anywhere, at any time, without being hindered. Lord Vishnu gifted him a divine mace (gada). Due to the injury caused by the vajra, which disfigured his jaw, Maruti received the name Hanuman, meaning “disfigured jaw,” which would become his most well-known name.

Despite the earlier incident, Hanuman continued his mischievous behavior, often playing tricks on saints and sages. His strength allowed him to uproot massive trees and throw them at meditating sages. On one such occasion, he threw a tree at the sage Matan Muni. Infuriated by Hanuman’s antics, Matan Muni cursed him. However, knowing Hanuman’s future importance, the sage softened the curse. He declared that Hanuman would forget all his divine powers, but these powers would return once someone reminded him of them.

Role of Hanuman’s in life of Lord Rama:

A pivotal moment in Hanuman’s story is his encounter with Lord Rama. During Rama’s 14-year exile, Ravana, the king of Lanka, kidnapped his wife, Sita. While searching for Sita, Lord Rama met Hanuman, who introduced him to Sugriva, the king of the monkeys. Sugriva commanded his army to search for Sita. It was Hanuman who leapt across the vast ocean and reached Lanka, where he found Sita held captive in Ashok Vatika. When Ravana attempted to harm him, Hanuman escaped, setting much of Lanka ablaze—sparing only Ashok Vatika—before returning to inform Lord Rama of Sita’s whereabouts.

Ram Setu: The Bridge to Lanka and Its Modern-Day Evidence

With the support of the vanara sena (monkey army), Lord Rama built a bridge across the ocean to reach Lanka, known as Ram Setu. According to legend, this bridge allowed Rama and his forces to confront Ravana and rescue Sita. Interestingly, satellite images taken by NASA reveal a bridge-like structure beneath the ocean, connecting India to Sri Lanka. This discovery has fueled speculation that the story of Lord Rama is rooted in historical reality rather than mere fiction.

Hanuman’s Heroic Role in the Battle of Lanka

When the vanara sena reached Lanka, a fierce battle erupted between Lord Rama’s army and Ravana’s forces. Hanuman played a crucial role in the war. During the battle, Lakshman, Lord Rama’s brother, was severely wounded by Meghnad, Ravana’s son. The only cure was the Sanjeevani booti (a divine herb), which was located in the Himalayas and had to be brought back before sunrise. Once again, Hanuman rose to the challenge. He flew from Lanka to the Himalayas but, unable to identify the herb, carried the entire Dronagiri Mountain back with him. The herb was found in time, and Lakshman’s life was saved.

Hanuman’s Role in Defeating Ravana and Saving Lord Rama and Lakshman

During the battle, Ravana used the powerful Naag Paash, a serpent weapon, on Lord Rama and Lakshman. The weapon bound their bodies tightly, spreading deadly poison. Once again, Hanuman came to their rescue by flying to the heavens and bringing back Pakshiraj Garud, the king of birds, who freed them from the serpent’s hold and saved their lives.

Eventually, Lord Rama defeated Ravana and rescued Sita, thanks in large part to Hanuman’s efforts. From finding Sita in Lanka to playing a pivotal role in the final victory over Ravana, Hanuman’s devotion and courage were instrumental. He is widely regarded as Lord Rama’s greatest devotee, always ready to serve him with unwavering loyalty.

Hanuman Janmotsav:

Hanuman’s Eternal Presence on Earth

When Lord Rama decided to depart from this physical world, Hanuman wished to accompany him. However, Lord Rama asked Hanuman to remain on Earth to spread his name and help those in distress. From that moment on, it is believed that Hanuman is still alive and continues to serve as a protector for those in need. According to Hindu scriptures, Hanuman is one of the seven Chiranjeevis (immortal beings). This is why his birthday is celebrated as Hanuman Janmotsav, rather than Hanuman Jayanti, as Jayanti is reserved for those who have passed away.

When is it celebrated?

Hanuman Janmotsav: Celebrating the Birth of Sri Hanuman

Hanuman Janmotsav is a significant Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Sri Hanuman. This festival is observed not only in India but also in Nepal. According to the Hindu calendar, Hanuman Janmotsav falls on the Purnima (full moon day) of the Chaitra month, which corresponds to April in the Gregorian calendar.

Interestingly, Hanuman was born on a Tuesday, making this day particularly auspicious for worshiping Lord Hanuman. Devotees often engage in prayers, rituals, and festivities to honor his legacy and seek his blessings on this special day.

How is  Janmotsav celebrated?

Celebrations and Rituals on Hanuman Janmotsav

On Hanuman Janmotsav, devotees flock to Hanuman temples to offer special prayers and pay homage to the deity. They gather in front of Hanuman’s idol, chanting the Hanuman Chalisa and other devotional bhajans in praise of his glory. Offerings of rose flowers and garlands are presented to Lord Hanuman, and devotees light a diya using ghee or mustard oil before his idol. As a mark of his blessings, they take the orange sindoor (vermillion) from Hanuman’s idol and apply it as a tilak on their foreheads.

Many temples also conduct a special hawan (sacred fire ceremony) to commemorate Hanuman’s birthday. Following the hawan and pooja, a langar (community feast) is organized, allowing devotees to partake in food offered as prasad from Hanuman.

Significance of Hanuman Janmotsav:

Hanuman had decided to life a life of celibacy since childhood. He is known to be a ‘Bal Bramhachari’ and he never married. So, this festival has lot of significance to Brahmacharis, wrestlers, and bodybuilders. On this day, the devotees worship Lord Hanuman as a divine creature. People avoid taking liquor and consuming non-veg food on this day and even an all Tuesdays.

Interesting anecdotes about Hanuman:

After Lord Rama was crowned king of Ayodhya, he bestowed precious gifts upon everyone, including a beautiful necklace to Hanuman from Sita. However, Hanuman carefully examined each pearl, discarding them one by one. This behavior puzzled those around him. When questioned about why he was throwing away such valuable pearls, Hanuman explained that he could not find Lord Rama in any of them; thus, they held no significance for him.

When asked if Lord Rama resided within him, Hanuman demonstrated his profound devotion by tearing open his chest to reveal his heart. To the astonishment of the onlookers, they saw an image of both Rama and Sita within his heart. This powerful act illustrated the depth of Hanuman’s devotion and love for Lord Rama.

The Significance of Sindoor in Hanuman’s Devotion

The second anecdote highlights the importance of sindoor (vermillion) in Hanuman’s devotion. One day, as Sita applied sindoor to her forehead, Hanuman inquired why she used it daily. Sita explained that the energy of sindoor serves to protect her husband, Lord Rama.

Deeply moved by her words, Hanuman decided to apply sindoor all over his body, believing that by doing so, he could provide protection to Lord Rama as well. This act symbolizes Hanuman’s unwavering devotion and his commitment to safeguarding Rama at all costs.

Hanuman’s Innocent Devotion and the Blessing of Sindoor

Hanuman was deeply moved by Sita’s philosophy regarding sindoor. He took a generous amount of sindoor and applied it all over his body. When Lord Rama noticed this and asked about the reason behind Hanuman’s actions, Hanuman replied with innocence, saying that if a small amount of sindoor can signify devotion to one’s lord, then applying it all over his body reflects his complete dedication to Lord Rama.

Impressed by Hanuman’s innocence and unwavering devotion, Lord Rama blessed him, declaring that sindoor would be offered to Hanuman whenever he is worshiped. This is why, to this day, sindoor is applied daily to all of Hanuman’s idols, symbolizing his profound love and commitment to Lord Rama.

Final words:

Hanuman is the most ardent follower of Lord Rama, and is the only living god. It is believed that whenever, there is Ram Katha happening anywhere on earth, Hanuman is present there to listen to it.

FAQs about Hanuman and Hanuman Janmotsav

1. Who is Hanuman in Hindu mythology?
   • Hanuman is a revered deity known for his immense strength, loyalty, and devotion to Lord Rama. He is often depicted as a monkey god and is a central character in the Ramayana.
2. What is Hanuman Janmotsav?
   • Hanuman Janmotsav is a Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Lord Hanuman. It falls on the Purnima (full moon day) of the Chaitra month, usually in April.
3. Why is Hanuman Janmotsav celebrated?
   • The festival commemorates the devotion and service of Hanuman to Lord Rama, emphasizing his role in the Ramayana and his unwavering loyalty.
4. What rituals are performed on Hanuman Janmotsav?
   • Devotees visit Hanuman temples, chant the Hanuman Chalisa, offer flowers and garlands, light diyas, and often conduct a hawan (sacred fire ceremony). A langar (community feast) is also organized afterward.
5. What is the significance of sindoor in Hanuman worship?
   • Sindoor (vermillion) symbolizes devotion and protection. It is believed that Hanuman applies sindoor all over his body as a sign of his complete dedication to Lord Rama.
6. How is Hanuman depicted in art and sculpture?
   • Hanuman is typically depicted as a monkey-faced figure with a strong physique, often carrying a mace (gada) and flying with a mountain or a mace, showcasing his strength and divine powers.
7. Why do devotees apply sindoor to Hanuman’s idols?
   • Following Lord Rama’s blessing, sindoor is offered to Hanuman during worship to honor his devotion and symbolize the protective energy that it represents.
8. What lessons can we learn from Hanuman’s character?
   • Hanuman embodies qualities such as loyalty, selflessness, bravery, and devotion, serving as an inspiring example for devotees to cultivate these virtues in their lives.
9. Where is Hanuman Janmotsav celebrated?
   • Hanuman Janmotsav is celebrated across India and Nepal, with large gatherings and special rituals taking place in Hanuman temples.
10. How does Hanuman help devotees today?
    • Many devotees believe that Hanuman continues to provide guidance, protection, and support in overcoming difficulties and challenges in their lives through prayers and devotion.