May 2017 archive

Nala, the great Vānara who played the most significant role in the construction of the bridge, states that he eternally offers obeisance at the lotus feet of Lord Hanuman.

Just as a root supports a tree, and just as a foundation supports the building, the feet of the Lord are the foundation for the spiritual journey. ‘I bow at the feet of Supreme Lord, which are the foundational support for my spiritual pursuits’ is the essence behind this prayer. Here the term ‘feet’ refer to the Guru’s feet. Hanuman is being worshipped in his position as a Guru.

The Guru’s feet are always compared to a lotus. A lotus blooms in a pond amidst all the filth and muck, yet it does not allow any dirt from the pond to attach to it. The lotus leaf, the stem, as well as the lotus flower shake away every drop of water falling on them, even though the plant grows only in water. For this reason, lotus is considered to be very auspicious flower.

In a similar manner, great Mahatmas survive in this illusory world, which is a vast murky pond full of impurities, without allowing even a trace of impurity to touch them. The great mahatmas emerge, live and perform expansive and marvelous deeds, yet they are untouched by this impurity. Hence, their lotus feet are worshipped.

Not a trace of impurity can touch the lotus feet of Lord Hanuman, who travelled far and wide to great unseen places, who is omnipresent and who showed his universal form. Nala offers obeisance to such holy feet.

We have earlier discussed the fruits that are obtained by worshipping Hanuman in various ways such as- worshipping his form, reciting his name, circumambulating his temple, being seated within his temple while intently gazing at him, offering various decorations and  vadamala to him (vada is a doughnut shaped fried snack prepared from black lentils popularly offered to Lord Hanuman).

Reciting the name of this Lord is exceptionally auspicious. That is why, in this year, Swamiji has given a universal mantra- Om Namo Hanumate Namaha. The recitation of this mantra will continue for the next year too. Reciting this mantra should turn into a well-drilled habit. As of now, crores of this mantra has been recited by people and tremendous results have been found. Everyone is urged to practise the recitation of this mantra and reap its benefits.

To sing the ‘glory of Hanuman’ means, to recollect again and again, the great accomplishments of Hanuman. With this, our glory also will increase. As the recitation of his name increases, as the meditation increases, as the worship increases, our well-being increases.

The speciality of this hymn is that the word ‘vayu’ (wind, air) appears in each of the 4 lines. This is to stress on the significance of Pranayama in our life. This word ‘vayu’ also highlights the importance of meditation and sadhana in addition to Pranayama. Recollecting Hanuman’s name again and again blesses the person with Yoga. It increases the inclination towards spirituality within the person. This mantra –‘Om Namo Hanumate Namaha’ is applicable to people of all languages.

Sadguru Hanuman has taught the world to live selflessly and solely for the benefit of others.

At the time when separation from Rama and being held in the captivity of demons was like a huge fire within which Mother Sita was burning, Hanuman poured the nectar called Rama Katha and doused the fire. Sitting atop the tree, he sang the life story of Rama, which was like cool nectar to her who was drowned in unbearable grief. This incident highlights the presence of mind, the wise intellect, skill and talent of Hanuman.  He handled this situation very deftly and skillfully. Within minutes the fire raging in Sita’s heart was doused.

The visible fire (chita) burns down a corpse but the great fire called worry (chinta) eats up a person when living. What a mountain of difference exists between the two!

Such worries can be plucked out only by the doctor called Sadguru. He showers coolness upon his devotee and dispels all the inner sorrow. Here Hanuman, in accordance with the requirements of the situation, sang the story of Rama and doused Sita’s grief.

With the intent that the person who caused this grief to his mother Sita should be taught a lesson, Hanuman destroyed the Ashoka Vana of Ravana. Not content with this, he decided to burn down the entire city of Lanka. He destroyed the entire army that was sent to capture him. He transferred the entire worry that he had taken away from Mother Sita, to Ravana. Ravana was now burdened with the worry that Rama would arrive any minute and that he would be killed. From that minute, Ravana knew no peace. After achieving this great feat Hanuman peacefully left Lanka. With great humility He approached Rama and said ‘drshta Sita’ (I have seen Sita).  With these two words, Rama’s worries simply vanished.

By crossing the ocean, Lord Hanuman, thus dispelled all the anxieties and worries from Sita, Rama as well as from the entire Vanara army, and transferred them to Ravana. Obeisance to such a great Lord Hanuman!

The next hymn is composed by Nala, the great Vanara-

Namā myaham vāyuja pādapankajam karomi ta dvayuja pūjanam sadā
Vadāmi vātātmaja nāma mangalam smarāmi vayūrbhava kīrtnam śubham

Meaning-  At every moment I bow at the lotus feet of the son of the wind, at all times I worship Him; eternally I utter His auspicious and pure names and perpetually I contemplate upon His divine glories.

The Vanara army consisted of crores of vanaras. How to take so many warriors across the ocean to Lanka? This problem was weighing heavily on Rama’s mind. At that time, the Lord of the Ocean, Lord Varuna appeared and suggested that the abilities of Vanara Nala be utilized to construct a bridge across the ocean. The verse ‘Nalam setu makaarayat’ appears in Valmiki Ramayana, which means, Rama utilized the services of Nala to build the bridge across the ocean to Lanka. Nala played the most critical role in the construction of the bridge.

Om Namo Hanumate Namaha.

Hanuman crossed the vast ocean as easily as one would cross a tiny puddle braving all the obstacles on the way. He crossed the entire ocean in merely four and half minutes!

Great poets always compare this endless cycle of births and deaths to an ocean that needs to be crossed.  Hanuman helps and ensures that his devotees cross this ocean very easily!

The stature of Ravana was enough to instill fear in the hearts of even the mightiest demons. Yet, in Hanuman’s eyes, Ravana was no more than a small insignificant blade of grass. Hence he could boldly advise Ravana. May such a great Lord protect each and every one!

Moving on to the next hymn Vānara Prahasta states-

Ullangya sindhō ssalilam salīlam ya ssokavahnim janakātmajāyaha
Adāya tenaiva dadāha lankām namāmi tam prānjali rānjaneyam.

Meaning- I fold my hands in reverence to that extremely brave and courageous Lord Anjaneya, who very easily crossed the ocean; who took away the ‘fire’ called sorrow from Mother Sita and who, using this fire, burnt and destroyed Lanka completely.

This is a very powerful hymn, which is more commonly used as one of the dhyana shlokas during recitation of Ramayana.

In this creation, there are many who strive to attain liberation and also there are many who have been successful in their attempt. Among them, those who not only successfully cross this ocean called samsara, but also help others cross this ocean, are true Mahatmas. They are Sadgurus. These are supreme beings who are really of use to us.

Hanuman crossing the ocean is no ordinary feat. It includes not merely his journey across the ocean, but also includes all the feats accomplished in Lanka such as having the darshan of Mother Sita, giving her great solace, driving away her grief, boldly advising Ravana, destroying and burning the city of Lanka, giving the demons a taste of the power and strength of the entire Vanara race including that of himself and also displaying the might of His Lord Rama. Thus the term ‘crossing the ocean’ includes all the above feats of Hanuman.

Hanuman is Sadguru. He lived selflessly. He proved through his actions that life is meant only for the service of another.

Let us all learn from Him not to live selfishly. Live only for benefit of others.

Om Namo Hanumate Namaha.

The next hymn is composed by the Vānara Gavaya –
āmishī kṛta mārtānḍam goshpadīkṛta sāgaram
Truni kṛta dasagrīvam  ānjaneyam namāmyaham.
Meaning- I bow to Lord Anjaneya, who tried to gulp down the Sun as if it were a small edible snack; who crossed the vast ocean as easily and playfully as if it were a tiny puddle holding an ounce of water and in whose opinion the 10-headed demon Ravana was as insignificant as a blade of grass.

Goshpadi is the cow’s hoof mark found in the soil. At the maximum, an ounce or two of rain water can collect within this. Hanuman playfully crossed the vast ocean as if he was crossing a goshpadi.

Gavaya was a Vanara king of another land, who joined hands with Rama and Sugriva in their war against Ravana. Through this strange hymn he brings out the glory of Hanuman.

This is a very popular hymn. Those who have not heard of it earlier should also learn and recite it regularly. This hymn summarizes the entire story of Hanuman and the entire story contained in Sundara Kanda.

Tulsidas in his Hanuman Chalisa states- Yuga sahasra yojana para bhanu, leelyo taahi madhura phala jaanoo. It means-‘O Lord, You considered the Sun, which was billions of miles away, as a fruit and tried to reach it. This act led to your being blessed with the name Hanuman’. Swamiji has translated this Hanuman Chalisa into Telugu with the meaning intact and quite a few recite it regularly in Telugu.

There are two versions of the story of Hanuman trying to catch the Sun. One version states that little Hanuman, saw the glowing Sun and assuming it to be a fruit rushed to grasp it and in the process was hit by Lord Indra’s thunderbolt. The other story is that Anjaneya saw the small rising Sun and assuming it to be a fruit, put it in his mouth and this led him to be hit by Indra’s thunderbolt.

It is immaterial whether he simply grasped the Sun or put it in his mouth. The truth is that this action of his subsequently caused him to be hit by Lord Indra’s thunderbolt. Due to the impact of the blow, Anjaneya’s jaws swelled up enormously. At that point of time He was bestowed with the name Hanuman.

‘Hanu’ means large jaws. The one who possesses large, enormous jaws is known as Hanuman. The other meaning behind the name ‘Hanu’ is knowledge (jnana). Hanuman thus means one who is proficient in all forms of knowledge. Thus from both these angles, this name is aptly suited to Him.

If even to fly up to the Sun requires tremendous courage, trying to catch and eat the Sun requires unimaginable power and strength, does it not? We do not even possess the capacity to gaze directly at the Sun. Therefore, this act of Anjaneya, trying to gobble the Sun, led to his limitless fame. This incident of his childhood days had no witness.

Rama, who desired that his devotee’s greatness should come to the limelight, created a suitable opportunity by ensuring Hanuman crosses the ocean. Through accomplishment of this unimaginable task, Hanuman’s greatness and glory became well known. The actions of Rama and Hanuman reflect their wonderful traits and attitude. They bring out the deep essence hidden within them. Hanuman sought that his Lord Rama should kill Ravana and subsequently be credited with endless fame. Rama wanted his devotee Hanuman to cross the ocean and be blessed with eternal fame.

If Rama willed, could He not have crossed the ocean on his own? Could He not have used his magical powers to carry the entire army of Vanaras across the ocean? Here He used this opportunity to bring out to the world the greatness hidden within Hanuman.