Lord Hanuman is not just a mythological figure; he is a living source of strength, faith, and courage for millions of devotees. Known as the greatest devotee of Lord Rama, Hanuman represents the power that awakens when faith meets humility.
Mantra to chant for Hanuman: Om Hanumate Namah॥ (ॐ हनुमते नमः॥).
From a young age, Hanuman displayed immense energy and curiosity. Mistaking the Sun for a fruit, he leapt into the sky—an act that revealed his divine strength. Yet, despite his power, Hanuman remained humble. He never used his strength for pride, only for service.
What makes Hanuman truly special is his unwavering devotion. In the Ramayana, he crossed the ocean to find Mata Sita, defeated powerful demons, and carried an entire mountain to save Lakshman. He did all this not for fame, but out of pure love for Lord Rama.
Hanuman is also known as Sankat Mochan—the remover of difficulties. Devotees believe that remembering Hanuman during tough times brings courage, clarity, and protection from fear. Chanting the Hanuman Chalisa calms the mind and strengthens inner confidence.
In today’s stressful world, Hanuman teaches us an important lesson: true power lies in discipline, devotion, and selfless service. When ego disappears, strength becomes divine.
May Lord Hanuman inspire us to face life fearlessly, serve selflessly, and walk the path of righteousness with faith.
- Identity: A divine vanara (monkey-like humanoid), son of the wind god Vayu, born to Anjana and Kesari, hence also called Anjaneya or Pavanputra.
- Symbolism: Embodies selfless love, courage, humility, discipline, and perfect devotion (Bhakti).
- Powers: Possesses extraordinary abilities like flight, immense strength, shape-shifting, and control over senses, often forgotten until reminded.
- Role in Ramayana: A key ally of Lord Rama, he famously leaped across the ocean to Lanka, found Sita, and helped defeat Ravana.
- Worship: Worshipped universally by Hindus; prayers (like the Hanuman Chalisa) invoke his strength and protection against fears and sorrows.
- Lord Hanuman, Bajrangbali, Maruti, Anjaneya, Pavanputra, Sankatamochana, Ramabhakta.
Vedic roots
The earliest mention of a divine monkey is in hymn 10.86 of the Rigveda, dated to between 1500 and 1200 BCE. The twenty-three verses of the hymn are a metaphorical and riddle-filled legend. It is presented as a dialogue between multiple figures: the god Indra, his wife Indrani and an energetic monkey it refers to as Vrisakapi and his wife Kapi.
Epics and Puranas
Hanuman is mentioned in both the Hindu epics, Ramayana and Mahabharata.
Hanuman is mentioned in the Puranas. The Shiva Purana mentions Hanuman as an avatar of Shiva; all other Puranas and scriptures mention him as the spiritual son of Vayu, an incarnation of Vayu, or sometimes an avatar of Rudra (another name of Vayu). Commonly, Hanuman is not related to Shiva in Vaishnava traditions but is known as Shiva's avatar or sun in Shaiva traditions.
Other texts, such as those found in South India, present Hanuman as a being who is the union of Shiva and Vishnu, or associated with the origin of Ayyappa. The 17th century Odia work Rasavinoda by Dinakrishnadasa goes on to mention that the three gods – Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva – combined to take to the form of Hanuman.