Category: Vanara Gita

The weight of Hanuman’s strong powerful diamond body caused the mighty Mountain Mahendra to be reduced into tiny pieces! When Hanuman was flying to Lanka, the Mountain Mainaka rose up from under the seas. It is impossible to describe the strength contained within this massive and mighty Mountain Mainaka. Even such a mountain trembled fearfully when Hanuman gave it a single blow. It is said that Mainaka’s head reeled completely and he fell down due to the effect of this blow.

Likewise, Hanuman hit Lankini Devi (deity who zealously guarded the impregnable gates of the city of Lanka) with his fist and caused her to collapse. Who do you think was Lankini? She was a Devata; a yaksha (celestial being). It can be said that she was a cursed illusory being who appeared as a Devata yaksha. One blow from Hanuman’s fist was enough for this illusory being to collapse. It is another matter, however, that with this blow, she was rid of her curse.

Hanuman could get this strong and healthy body due to never-ending practice of Pranayama and meditation (dhyana). Endlessly He meditated upon Rama- ‘Rama, Rama, Rama, Rama…’. That’s all. There is no other thought and no other talk. Rama is included in each and every word spoken by Him. As devotees of Lord Hanuman, we too should practice this at least a bit. Every word spoken should have reference to Lord Rama. Be it in mind or speech, the eagerness to complete Lord Rama’s task should exist within us.

Hanuman sang the glories of Lord Rama every minute and in every situation. At the time of flying across the ocean, when he met Sita Devi, at the time of meeting Rama’s devotee Vibhishana, when seated in Ravana’s court, when carrying the Mountain Sanjivini, and even when Demon Indrajit left the powerful weapon Brahmastra, Hanuman only sang the praises of Rama. All the demons whom he came across when flying over the ocean were told the glories of Lord Rama.

Hanuman has fixed the mantra ‘Rama’ into every breath of His. It is a noiseless repetition of the name. During inhalation the word ‘Ra’ is uttered mentally and during exhalation it is the word ‘Ma’. Thus every breath automatically states ‘Ra….ma…’ We too should put this into practice. When listened carefully, the mantra is audible.

From the very moment Hanuman undertook to execute Lord Rama’s task, His fame began to spread in all the worlds. Even before this, Hanuman was famous. But now, after undertaking Rama’s task, his fame enveloped all the planes of existence.

His fame enveloped even the Deva loka (plane of Gods)! It evoked discussions even among the Gods. His marvelous deeds and his fame brought him the support as well as the protection from all the Gods. The fact that a Vānara was performing so many marvelous deeds, that too in the form of a service towards his master, stirred the Gods to move and come to his aid. All the 333 crore Devatas helped Hanuman in his mission that was undertaken in service of Lord Rama. It can be said that to ensure success in execution of Rama’s task, each and every God transferred his energy and strength to one strand of hair in Hanuman’s body!

Destruction of the massive Ashoka Vana (Ravana’s private garden) in Lanka, killing singlehandedly the ferocious, terrible demon Aksha (son of Ravana), standing at the centre-most major crossroad in Lanka and singing loudly the glories of Lord Rama, boldly sitting in Ravana’s court and advising him are instances that prove the courage of Hanuman.

Standing boldly amidst crores of demons, in the centre of the city of Lanka, Hanuman had the guts to loudly shout victory slogans glorifying Lord Rama. What better example than this is needed to display his courage? Not just Ravana, but also his sons and his entire set of ministers, were terrible demons with limitless magical powers. Remember that there are two kinds of supernatural powers- good and evil. The demons of Lanka possessed unlimited evil supernatural powers, not to forget that they possessed tremendous physical strength as well. Hanuman was a one-man army. Yet, the courage he displayed by loudly and boldly shouting victory slogans praising Lord Rama, sitting in the centre of Ravana’s court and preaching Ravana are praiseworthy. His commanding language and the manner in which he opposed Ravana is amazing. How much ever it is spoken of, it will never suffice.

The manner in which he ultimately brought peace to Mother Sita, and the way in which he set fire to the city of Lanka are praiseworthy. When his tail was torched, he fearlessly flew across the city setting all the buildings on fire. Remember that these magnificent buildings in Lanka were magical and illusory. Even such buildings melted like wax. For containing the power to burn down the entire city, his tail is glorified.

Every part of his body, be it his eyes, nose, heart, tail, ears, or even the tip of the tail is as strong as a diamond. He has a Vajrakaya i.e. body that is as strong and hard as a diamond. Even many Vajrayudhas (diamond weapons) collectively could not have injured, even minutely, any part of his body. As we all know, Vajrayudha is the weapon held by Lord Indra (Lord of Heaven). Akin to the Brahmastra this powerful weapon when struck cannot miss its mark. If Hanuman’s body itself is compared to this diamond weapon Vajrayudha, then how powerful would he be? He is a moving thunderbolt, a flying thunderbolt, a thunderbolt whose strike will never miss its mark. He is a thunderbolt who crushes the demons and zealously protects his ardent devotees.

His body glows with infinite divine radiance. His radiance dazzles like a diamond. Each and every hair on his body is as large as the city of Ayodhya and possesses infinite power. On his vast body there are crores of such hair. Each hair eternally vibrates with the name of Rama- ‘Rama, Rama, Ram, Rama…’. When Hanuman says ‘Rama’ once, each and every hair vibrates with the name ‘Rama’. Thus his whole body vibrates with the divine name ‘Rama’. Just listening to this makes every hair on our body stand up.

Om Namo Hanumate Namaha.

Ruksharajasa has composed the next hymn of the Vanara gita-

Buddhirbalam yasho dhairyam nirbhayatva marogatā
Ajāḍyam vākpatutavancha Hanumat smaranāt bhavet.

Meaning- By merely remembering Hanuman, the person is blessed with good intellect and wisdom, strength, renown, courage, fearlessness, good health, agility and alertness in the intellect and excellent oratory skills.

These are the 8 essential traits of life.

Hence, remembering Hanuman is the need of the hour. By merely thinking about Hanuman, He will shower upon you all these good traits and qualities as mentioned in the hymn.

This is the most popular hymn among all hymns about Hanuman. The Vanara who composed this is Ruksharajasa. Reciting this hymn any number of times is a great penance. We should always remain indebted to Ruksharajasa, who blessed us with this all- powerful hymn. The eight traits mentioned in the hymn are the eight super-natural accomplishments.

Ruksharajasa was the Vānara emperor who raised the brothers Vali and Sugriva. It can be said that he was their father. This great personality was lucky to be associated with Hanuman right from the latter’s infancy. He noticed the unique capabilities in the little infant Hanuman and realized that this extra-ordinary child possessed the eight super-natural traits (ashta siddhi). It is essential to remember that within these super natural traits exhibited by Hanuman, there are many inherent hidden messages.

After the death of Ruksharajasa, Vali became the king of the Vanaras. Having understood the intellectual capacities, wisdom and cleverness of Hanuman, the brothers Vali and Sugriva appointed him as their minister. Later on, when problems cropped up between the brothers and Hanuman had to choose between them, He chose to support Sugriva, who was righteous (dharmic). At that critical juncture, he did not sway towards the unrighteous side (adharmic) even though power rested with Vali.

To Hanuman, Vali’s seniority, might and power were valueless when compared to righteousness (dharma). Hence He discarded Vali instantly. With his fine wisdom and maturity (buddhi), He guided the helpless Sugriva at every stage. Hanuman declared that He will stay wherever truth and righteousness prevail. Through His might and intellect He protected dharma. It is said that, in the end, when Vali lay dying, he sang hymns on Hanuman. He complimented Sugriva on having such an able and wise minister.

All of us are aware of the various obstacles faced by Hanuman when he was flying across the ocean. Using his sharp intellect and wisdom (buddhi) he successfully sailed through them. In tackling these obstacles on the path, he adopted varied techniques – he killed the demons, he expanded his size enormously when required and thereafter shrunk himself into an almost invisible state, he gave the respect that was due to some divine beings on the path and he amazed some others with his skills. Sundara Kanda of the Ramayana details all these feats and skills of Hanuman.

It is not possible to even remotely describe the extraordinary strength and the power contained within His body. Likewise, even his fame is limitless. At times we have praised his tail, at other times we have glorified the strength contained in his arms and in certain other situations, we have adored his face. In some other situations, we have glorified His compassionate eyes. We have profusely praised His heart, that has the images of Rama and Sita sealed within. Thus in so many varied ways, Hanuman’s glory is being brought out.

With his prowess he rattled the Ravana who lived in the skies. Likewise he also reduced to ashes Mayiravana who lived in the nether worlds.

Om Namo Hanumate Namaha.

Hanuman’s arms are tremendously powerful. Tulsidas, in his Hanuman chalisa, praises the Lord’s powerful arms through the verse- Mahaaveera vikrama bajarangi. 

It is impossible to describe the strength that exists within those arms. During the battle with Shatakanṭa Ravana, he lifted the brothers Rama and Lakshmaṇa on his mighty shoulders all the way from earth to high up in the skies! Just this incident gives us an insight into the power stored within those arms!

Devotees of Hanuman find His face appealing and peaceful. To the wicked, however, his sharp teeth resemble thunderbolts (diamond weapon that sharply cuts through) thereby instilling great fear. During the war, the sight of his fearsome teeth frightened en masse many demons and caused them to faint. Such mass fainting took place in the vanara army only when the demons used the powerful weapon Brahmastra.

Countless demons were crushed under Hanuman’s tail. With his arms he smashed limitless demons against trees. Many more were hurled against mountains and killed, and an infinite number were thrown into the ocean and crushed under his feet. In this manner, in his universal form, he destroyed hordes of demons.

The face that caused the demons to simply collapse out of fright appeared absolutely calm and peaceful to the Vānaras. The demons found this face fearsome. Sinners and those who do not adhere to dharma (rules of righteous living) find it impossible to look into Hanuman’s face.

Many persons avoid looking into Sadguru’s face. They shy away from it. The reason being they have sinned. Their sin deters them from looking into the Guru’s face or even from having the darshan of his feet. There is no expiation for such sins. Such persons find his face very fearsome.

Hanuman’s mother Anjana Devi, was a great ascetic and a great saint. Forced by circumstances, Maharishi Goutama cursed his sons Vali and Sugriva to turn into monkeys. Vali in turn cursed his elder sister Anjana to turn into a monkey. Without any grievance, Anjana adopted quickly to the new life as a monkey. She led a very pious life. Adhering to Sage Narada’s advice, her father Maharishi Goutama gave her in adoption to the Vanara king Kunjara. Kunjara in turn gave her in marriage to the Vanara by name Kesari.

Anjana was initially a Gandharva (celestial being) maiden by the name Sukanya. In her next birth she was born as a woman by name Sadhvi. In this birth she performed intense penance. Sadhvi was re-born as Anjana. To understand the janma rahasya (secrets behind the birth) it is essential to dig back into the past lives. When the present experience is seen in isolation, it appears puzzling, funny or queer. It creates many doubts. However, it is from such doubts that profound messages appear. Ultimately, they clarify our doubts. For this reason, in the character of every deity, the past births and stories are detailed.

Here, through the knowledge of the past births of Anjana Devi, we understand the extent of penance that she performed. In this birth, even after transforming into a Vānara, Anjana performed intense penance and procured the grace of Lord Shiva. With steadfast determination she continued her penance. She consumed the fruit containing the luster of Shiva and thus with the blessings of the Lord of Wind (vayu), she gave birth to Lord Hanuman. No sooner was He born, than He, considering the Sun as a fruit, flew up to catch it. All these incidents are inter-twined. Any amount of explanations that are given for these incidents seem insufficient.

Vanara Gaja offers his prayers to Anjana Devi who was such an elevated and profound being.

Om Namo Hanumate Namaha.

The next hymn is composed by Vanara Gaja-

Tanov vāla-paśaha pitā pārvatīśaha
Sphurat bāhudanḍō mukhē vajradaṃṣṭra
Satī ca anjana yasya matā tatonyam
Na jāne na jāne na jāne na jāne.

Meaning- I do not know any other God except the mighty Lord Hanuman who retains in his body a tail that is as powerful as a noose; who has Lord Shiva himself as his father; who possesses mighty arms that glow with limitless radiance; who has teeth that are as razor-sharp as a thunderbolt and has Anjana devi as his mother.

Through this hymn, the Vānara by name Gaja emphatically re-iterates that he does not know anyone apart from Hanuman. Towards this, the phrase ‘na jāne’ is repeated four times. ‘Everywhere and in everyone I can see only Hanuman. Hanuman has enveloped the entire surroundings. I see no one but him everywhere’ is the essence behind this hymn.

The tail assumes a unique significance in Hanuman’s form. It is said that just seeing and touching the tail in Hanuman’s idol is enough to drive away all sorrows.  It frees the being from all forms of bondages. Such bondages are the noose within which the being is trapped. Hanuman shreds these bondages amongst his devotees.

At the same time, Hanuman holds within his noose-like tail, the wicked and evil minded persons who are his enemies. This tail also traps the enemies of those devotees of his, who ardently worship his tail. The tail tightens itself around such wicked beings and swallows them in totality. For this reason, Gaja compares Hanuman’s tail to the noose held by Yama (Lord of death). There is no escape from this noose-like tail of Hanuman. It can be said that it wields even more power than the Brahmastra.

It was this tail that drove away Sita’s grief in entirety! Hanuman did not do anything; it was his tail that showed its might and achieved complete success. When Hanuman, in the form of a little monkey, appeared in the Ashoka Vana where Sita was held captive, Mother Sita at first sighted the tail that was hanging down from the branches of the tree. From then on, the tail assumed full responsibility of driving away her grief. The moment this tail was torched with fire, it burnt down the entire city of Lanka.

Mother Sita fervently prayed to the Lord of Fire –‘O Lord, please protect my son Hanuman. After all, He is also your grandson. Please ensure his safety’. She prayed in many such ways. This tail ensured that every demon in Lanka was grieving. It transferred the sorrow of the Divine Mother Sita to these demons. The greatness of this tail is such that many ardent worshippers of Hanuman worship only his tail.

Hanuman killed another form of Ravana known as Shata kanta Ravana (100 faced Ravana). In this war with Shata kanta Ravana, Hanuman stood on His tail. The tail grew in size and from the earth, it reached the skies. It enveloped the entire creation. Using this tail as a ladder, all the Vānaras climbed up.

Anjaneya is born out of an aspect of Lord Shiva and hence is known as ‘Shivāmsha sambhoota’. He is also addressed as son of Lord Shiva. By addressing him in this manner, the traits of Shiva that exist within him are being highlighted. Bound by the order of Lord Shiva, the Lord of Wind handed over the fruit containing the radiance of Shiva to Anjana Devi, who was seated in intense penance. While in penance she would daily consume one such fruit. Thus Anjaneya, with the complete radiance of Lord Shiva was born to her. Anjaneya was ayonija (not born in the ordinary course through the womb of the mother).

Obeisance to that holy Lord who possesses such a powerful tail!