June 4, 2017 archive

It is the greatest fortune of earthlings that Hanuman resides on this planet. This being so, not contemplating upon him and refusing to hold on to his feet reflect utter foolishness. Letting go of this golden opportunity in life is nothing but stupidity.

All of us are familiar with stories from our Puranas which state that all Gods, be it Rama or Krishna or Subrahmanya, all retired back to their planets upon completion of their tasks.  That they left behind on earth, their energized shadow images (chaya roopa shakti), is also a well-known fact. Apart from Hanuman, the Sun with its self-originating natural energy is the only other visible God on earth. Amongst them, the Sun is neither completely visible nor within reach. Hence Hanuman is the only God who is both visible and within our reach. How can we not remember him then, when we are living on this earth?

Hanuman has preached varied good paths, all of which have been penned down as poetic compositions by eminent poets. Through reading and understanding of these poems and following the path prescribed therein, everyone will transform into worthy beings of great character.

Every being necessarily enters this world in the form of a small infant. All infants are alike and labels such as good, respectable, evil and sinful cannot be attached to any being at the time of birth. It is the character that defines them as adults. No one is born as inferior or mean. It is the samskaras (subtle tendencies of past actions) as well as the present actions of the individual that labels them as good or bad. Meditating upon Hanuman prompts the person towards performing good deeds. In turn this helps in building an excellent character. Good character brings with it the resultant respect and fame.

To lead a respectful life on this earth, devotion is a very critical pre-requisite. Even though people in the society greatly retain the tendency to ridicule others, deep down they entertain a certain degree of respect towards true devotees of the Lord. ‘Oh, he is a great devotee’ or ‘ He is a firm devotee of Lord Hanuman’ or ‘He visits the Venkataramana temple every single day’ – people make such respectful observations about devotees in general. What could be greater luck and respect than to be addressed in this manner by the entire neighborhood?

For example, there are many who customarily offer a vadamala (garland of doughnut shaped lentil-based dish) to Hanuman upon the completion of every good assignment in their life. The society holds such devotees in great respect and awe. This boosts the devotee even further and encourages him to accelerate the participation in such good deeds. It also, in addition, strengthens their good character. Thus the terms ‘devotion’ and ‘devotee’ are steps to building a great character in the individual.

Earth is the only plane in which the person has a chance to build a good character. This is possible because of Hanuman’s grace. Under such circumstances, abstaining from talking about Hanuman and worshipping him is nothing but complete foolishness. Engaging in sinful deeds while displaying pretentious devotion serves no purpose. Ramayana and other great epics are the holy books, reading which will help in developing a great character.

Our learned seers have already assigned the tasks that should be taken up based on time during the day. This is stipulated in the almanac.

Sun is the visible form of the all-pervading Lord. Non-appearance of the Sun is considered to be an ill-fated day. The famous text Amarkosha states ‘Megha channe ‘ti durdinam’ which means that the day on which the sky is entirely covered with clouds is a very bad day.  No new assignment ought to be begun on such a day. Likewise, Tuesday is generally considered inauspicious for starting any new tasks. Within the Panchanga too, there are many ill-fated and inauspicious times specified, based on the stars (nakshatras), yogam, karanam and tithi (day as per lunar calendar).

Nevertheless, none of these limitations of the almanac apply to those ardent devotees who are eternally engrossed in contemplation about Hanuman. Since they possess a pure intent (suddha sankalpa) they are free to begin any new assignment at any hour. Hanuman remains eternally by their side.

To recapitulate, Golāngūla emphasizes that any limitation regarding time or classifications of auspicious and inauspicious times, do not apply to ardent devotees of Hanuman who are relentlessly engaged in chanting his divine name. Such persons should assess for themselves whether their intent is pure and whether they are constantly engrossed in contemplation about Hanuman or not. Persons with pure intent will eternally be engaged in chanting divine names. Where a person lacks pure intent and is unable to undertake relentless nama japa, he should resort to taking the help of the almanac (panchanga) to choose auspicious times during the day.

The following is the hymn composed by Kumada-

Trātaro bhuvi padāccha mārgāccha rasane tvaya

Hanuman-nirmitā ssanthi janānām hīnatha kutah.

Meaning- Those feet of Hanuman, that are a refuge for all the beings, reside on this earth. Oh tongue, you have with you hymns and other paths that lead towards Hanuman.  Where is the question of deficiency among the people of earth?

The sheer luck of the human beings ensured that Hanuman incarnated on this earth plane. Unlike other incarnations, he does not disappear after the stipulated time. Instead he remains eternally on earth. Earth is his residence; it is his abode. This is his own plane (loka) of existence. The very moment he incarnated on earth, all various types of inauspiciousness that had enveloped this earth were simply washed off. The mountains and the seas also were freed from all inauspiciousness and were rendered pure instantly.

In such a situation, where is the place for fear? Why should anyone entertain feelings of aversion towards earth? Amongst the innumerable planes of existence in this creation, we have been born on this plane called earth, where Hanuman has incarnated. The luck is not just in being born here on earth, but also in the fact that we possess the required consciousness while on this plane. Isn’t this our greatest fortune? In such situation, when we continuously undertake Hanuman nama japa, where is the need to agonize about inauspicious and auspicious happenings?

Om Namo Hanumate Namaha

The holy text Srimad Bhagavatam outrightly condemns that a mouth, which does not sing the glories of the Lord, is not a mouth at all! Only that tongue which sings the praises of Lord Hari, is the real tongue, it says.

It is nothing but the taste of nectar that is contained within the name ‘Hanuman’. After an in-depth analysis of all the Vedas and of all the scriptures, our ancient seers have finally concluded that the taste contained in the recitation of the divine name of the Almighty transcends every other taste.

The tongue that otherwise enjoys varied food tastes, fails to appreciate any taste when the body develops fever. Yet, even under sick, diseased and disturbed conditions, the tongue continues to enjoy the taste that emerges out of the recitation of the divine names! In fact, during troubled times, this recitation turns even tastier. The person is inclined to conduct more nama japa during such troubled times. Nama japa (recitation of divine names) turns out to be a medicine for troubled times. Thus, this taste cuts through all situations and all times. Nama japa is a divine medicine that smoothens the future journey.

Golāngūla praises Lord Hanuman in the following verse-

Kuto durdinam vā kuto bhouma-vārah

Kuto ydhṛti stasya bhadrā katham vā

Kuto vā vyatīpāta-dosha kshutam vām

Hunumat padadhyāna vīta subhasya.

Meaning- Where is the question of having an inauspicious day, where is the need to scan the almanac to locate an auspicious time, star (nakshatra), yogam and karanam to that person who has washed away all his impurities through the worship of the feet of Lord Hanuman? Such a person need not fear anything; for every moment is only an auspicious moment for him.

Tuesdays are commonly considered inauspicious for any new beginning. The almanac is scanned to locate the planetary position (star) and auspicious time (yogam) ideally suited for the task on hand. The Rahu-kalam and yama-gandam timings during the day are considered unfavorable for starting many tasks. A cat crossing the path, or the person sneezing before the start of the activity are also treated as inauspicious sentiments. Golāngūla declares that the person undertaking Hanuman’s errands need not entertain such sentiments. To them, every task will be rendered auspicious.

The almanac is used as the basis to identify auspicious and inauspicious timings within any given day. To be rendered successful, a task should compulsorily be taken up with absolute purity in body, mind and speech. This is known as Trikarana shuddhi. As it is impossible to retain the mind and the speech under total control, the almanac is studied to identify the good and the bad time slots during the day. Keeping this in mind, if the task is taken up with total purity of body, it is accomplished successfully.

The real truth is that the divisions such as good and bad times are non-existent. Time is an endless flow. Nevertheless, only when a task is taken up in accordance with time, it is rendered successful. A fruit that is plucked only when it is fully ripened is useful.

Likewise developing knowledge about time is of utmost importance. Based on their experience, our knowledgeable ancient sages have established various time slots that are suitable for various activities in daily life. This declaration of theirs is known as the almanac.

As it has in it 5 primary constituents (limbs) such as the tithi (day as per the lunar fortnight), vaara (day of the week) nakshatra (prevailing star), yogam and karanam (other divisions of time involving astronomical calculations), our daily time is classified as Panchanga (5-limbed).

Om Namo Hanumate Namaha.

The following hymn has been composed by Vanara Sumukha-

Rasane rasa-sārgnye madhurā-svāda kāmshini

Hanumannāma piyusham sarvadā rasane piba.

Meaning- O tongue, you who know the essence of all the tastes (rasa), crave eternally to enjoy the most nectarous tastes. Please eternally drink the delicious nectar called Hanuman nama (name of Hanuman).

In his composition, Saint Ramadas sings – O Rama, nee naama yenta ruchi raa, (O Rama, what a delicious taste exists within your name!) He continues in his song that this taste far surpasses the taste that exists within the sweetest of grapes.

The taste that one savors during the recitation of the name ‘Rama’ eclipses every other taste enjoyed by the tongue. Akin to this is the taste that emerges during the recitation of Hanuman’s name. This hymn also reminds us of the famous keertana- Pibare Rama rasam, rasane. Tulsidas, in his Hanuman Chalisa has expressed the same fervor through the verse-

Rama rasāyana tumhare pāsa –  Hanuman, the eternal devotee of Lord Rama, possesses the magical medicinal composition called Rama rasayana (taste/essence contained in the name ‘Rama’).

Hanuman passes on this delicious nectarous essence called Rama rasam to His ardent devotees. As it is impossible to directly experience this nectarous essence called Rama, we should aim to reach it through ‘Hanuman’ as a medium. We should incessantly recite Hanuman mantra. To put it differently, first and foremost we should enjoy the divine taste (rasa) called ‘Hanuman’.

One may probably wonder as to how any taste could exist within the name ‘Rama’, when, recitation of divine names is not something that could be eaten and relished? Towards this, it should merely be understood that the taste which exists within this name cannot be relished, unless tasted.

It is not enough to eat only those foods that the tongue relishes, isn’t it? Foods that are enjoyable for the body should also be consumed. Eating only tasty foods that lack nutrition is of no use to the body. Consumption of that food which is enjoyed by both the tongue as well as the body, renders the person healthy.

Strength and nourishment are provided to the body through recitation of divine names.

The erroneous belief entertained by people is that the tongue can be controlled. One’s lack of control over the tongue is beautifully brought out in Saint Purandaradasa’s composition – āchāravillada nālige wherein he says, ‘Oh tongue, that knows no refinement! Give up your lowly traits. Indiscriminately and eternally you wait to criticize others. Can you not instead wake up early morning, eager to recite the divine names of Lord Vishnu?’

Although being boneless, it is the tongue that retains us absolutely under its authority. For this reason, prayer is offered to that tongue. The holy text Srimad Bhagavatam outrightly condemns that a mouth, which does not sing the glories of the Lord, is not a mouth at all! Only that tongue which sings the praises of Lord Hari, is the real tongue, it says.

It is nothing but the taste of nectar that is contained within the name ‘Hanuman’. After an in-depth analysis of all the Vedas and of all the scriptures, our ancient seers have finally concluded that the taste contained in the recitation of the divine name of the Almighty transcends every other taste. Isn’t clarified butter (ghee) the outcome of rigorous churning? There is nothing to beat its taste.