Another post on Hanuman

I wanted to post this on Chaitra Shukla Pournami (five days back) which is widely celebrated as Hanuman's birthday. Anyway, better late than never. I am actually in the middle of a series on Srirama and Sanskrit. However, I am sure Srirama will forgive this detour to talk about his bhakta. In this post as well, I will illustrate the beauty of Sanskrit's multi-layered personality.

This post can be read in continuation with an earlier one. I had written about how Anjaneya personified humility. I want to share a few more details here. 

Let us first come to his name, Hanuman. Many people will be aware of the story where Hanuman as an infant lunges for the sun and is struck down by Indra. The injury on his jaw (hanu in Sanskrit) gives him the name Hanuman. Now this is one meaning. We use the jaw when we speak. Thus Hanuman also means one who speaks well. It in fact goes a step beyond that. To speak well, it is critical for good knowledge to be present. Thus Hanuman also means one with knowledge. When Hanuman first meets Srirama in the Ramayana he asks certain questions. Srirama remarks to Lakshmana how his speech bears Hanuman to be one who is well versed in all the shaastras.

Now in the older post we have discussed how Hanuman personifies humility. Let me share once again what I wrote there. When Hanuman is about to leave for Lanka he magnifies his form and utters a sloka.

यथा राघवनिर्मुक्तः शरः श्वसनविक्रमः
गच्चेत्तद्वद्गमिष्यामि लङ्कां रावणपालिताम् 

 

యథా రాఘవనిర్ముక్తశ్శరః శ్వసనవిక్రమః 

గచ్ఛేత్ తద్వద్ గమిష్యామి లంకాం రావణపాలితామ్  

 

yathaa raaghavanirmuktah sharah shvasanavikramah

gachchhet tadvad gamiShyaami lankaam raavana paalitaam

 

Srirama is described by Vishwamitra as Satyaparakrama, one whose valour is unchallenged. Srirama's arrow that way is unstoppable. It also has the quality of coming back to him once it hit the target. Hanuman says he is like that. He does not give any credit to himself.

 

Later, in Lanka he proclaims who he is. This is popularly called jayaghosha. In the Ramayana, the Sundarakaanda holds a very special place. One reason for it is that it encapsulates the entire Ramayana, till that time, and afterwards. Hanuman narrates what has happened till that time to Sita and promises her Ravana's end which is what happens next. This jayaghosha is said to carry the essence of the Sundarakaanda itself. Even here, he initially proclaims to be Srirama's daasa. Then, since he is in enemy territory, he proclaims his strength.

जयत्यतिबलो रामो लक्ष्मणश्च महाबलः
राजा जयति सुग्रीवो राघवेणाभिपालितः
 

दासोऽहम् कोसलेन्द्रस्य रामस्याक्लिष्टकर्म्णः
हनुमान् शत्रुसैन्यानाम् निहन्ता मारुतात्मजः

 

न रावणसहस्रम् मे युद्धे प्रतिबलम् भवेत्
शिलाभिस्तु प्रहरतः पदपैश्च सहस्रसः

अर्दयित्वा पुरीम् लङ्काम् अभिवाद्य च मैथिलीम्
समृद्धार्थो गमिष्यामि मिषताम् सर्वरक्षसाम्

 

 

జయత్యతిబలో రామో లక్ష్మణశ్చ మహాబలః 

రాజా జయతి సుగ్రీవో రాఘవేణాభిపాలితః 

 

దాసోహం కోసలేంద్రస్య రామస్యాక్లిష్టకర్మణః 

హనుమాన్ శత్రుసైన్యానాం నిహంతా మారుతాత్మజః 

 

న రావణసహస్రం మే యుద్ధే ప్రతిబలం భవేత్ 

శిలాభిస్తు ప్రహరతః పాదపైశ్చ సహస్రసః 

 

అర్దయిత్వా పురీం లంకాం అభివాద్య చ మైథిలీం

సమృద్ధార్థో గమిష్యామి మిషతాం సర్వరాక్షసామ్

 

jayatyati balo rAmo lakShmaNasca maHabalah

rAjA jayati sugreevo rAghaveNAbhipAlitah

 

dAsoham kosalendrasya rAmasyAkliShta karmaNah

hanumAn shatrusainyAnAm nihantA mArutAtmajah

 

na rAvaNa sahasram me yuddhe pratibalam bhavet

shilAbhistu praharatah pAdapaisca sahasrasah 

ardayitvA pureem lankAm abhivAdya ca maithileem

samruddhArtho gamiShyAmi miShatAm sarvarakShasAm

 

Broadly: Victory to Rama the almighty, victory to Lakshmana the strong. Victory to King Sugreeva, who is ruled over by Rama. I am the servant of the ruler of Kosala, Rama, he who removes difficulties. I am Hanuman, destroyer of enemy armies, born of the Wind. Even thousands of Ravanas cannot face me in battle. I will torment this city of Lanka with

 

Further, if one observes the Ramayana closely, those who served Srirama benefit in one way or the other. Sugreeva befriends Srirama to win back his wife and kingdom. Vibheeshana, though he reaches Srirama out of devotion, also benefits from the kingship of Lanka after Ravana's demise. It is only Hanuman who does not materially benefit in the Ramayana. He is the only one who truly serves Srirama without asking for anything in return. He exists to serve Srirama.

 

In fact Hanuman actually helps the main characters in the Ramayana. He brings the mountain of herbs to resuscitate Lakshmana. When Hanuman finds Sita she is about to commit suicide by hanging herself with her long hair. He gives her hope. He aids Srirama in his quest and helps him in multiple ways. In fact, Srirama admits in the Ramayana that he cannot offer anything to Hanuman in return for his help. Tulasidas says in his Hanuman Chalisa that Hanuman resides in the heart of Srirama, Sita and Lakshmana. Is it surprising in any way?

 

The Ramayana is unique in an (among many) aspect. There are words spoken by (at least initially) negative characters that have become famous in a positive manner. There is a famous statement, rAmo virahavAn dharmah (रामो विग्रहवान् धर्मः, రామో విగ్రహవాన్ ధర్మః). It means Srirama is Dharma personified. Do you know who utters these words? Maareecha, the rakshasa Ravana employs to play the role of the golden deer! 

There is one similar thing for Hanuman. There is a part in the Sundarakaanda where Hanuman comes across Lankini the guardian deity of Lanka. When he defeats her, she asks him to be pleased with and protect her. This has become a mantra. The second line of the sloka below is taken verabtim from Lankinis' words in the Ramayana (not the first part mind you). This can be chanted especially by those who have mental/psychological problems they wish to be rid of.

सन्जीवपर्वतोद्धार मनोदुःखम् निवारय​
प्रसीद सुमहाबाहो त्रायस्व हरिसत्तम​

సంజీవపర్వతోద్ధార మనోదుఃఖం నివారయ 

ప్రసీద సుమహాబాహో త్రాయస్వ హరిసత్తమ

sanjeevaparvatoddhAra manoduhkham nivAraya

praseeda sumahAbAho trAyasva harisattama

 

In Sanskrit, the word Hari can mean Vishnu, a lion or a monkey. Thus the broad meaning of this sloka is, "Oh one who bore the Sanjeevani mountain, please prevent/remove the sorrow of my mind. Be pleased with me, one with great arms, protect me, the strongest among the vanaras."

 

Those who wish to overcome certain difficulties or are looking to achieve a certain objective are also asked to chant the following mantra four times - sree hanumAn jaya hanumAn jaya jaya hanumAn (श्रीहनुमान् जय हनुमान् जय जय हनुमान्, శ్రీహనుమాన్ జయ హనుమాన్ జయ జయ హనుమాన్). The total works out to chanting his name 12 twelve times.

 

Hanuman is a chiranjeevi. Technically, unless I am mistaken this does not mean actual immortality but an extremely long life. We find Hanuman in the Mahabharata. He first comes up when Bhima roams in the Himalayas during the Pandavas' exile. He cautions him against disturbing the peace and sanctity of a certain place. He later manifests in the flag (dhwaja) of Arjuna's chariot.

Tulasidas is said to have come upon Hanuman. He was able to recognize and catch hold of Hanuman after a recitation of the Ramayana. Even today whenever Ramayana is recited or spoken about anywhere there is one seat reserved for Hanuman. Imagine how many times the Ramayana would have been  spoken about over hundreds and thousands of years. He is still said to hear every Ramayana recital with tears of joy in his eyes. Let me end this post on this note.

यत्र यत्र रघुनाथकीर्तनम् तत्र तत्र कृत मस्तकान्जलिम्
बाष्पवारिपरिपूर्णलोचनम् मारुतिम् नमत राक्षसान्तकम्

యత్ర యత్ర రఘునాథకీర్తనం తత్ర తత్ర కృత మస్తకాంజలిమ్ 

బాష్పవారిపరిపూర్ణలోచనం మారుతిం నమత రాక్షసాంతకమ్

yatra yatra raghunAthakeertanam tatra tatra kruta mastakAnjalim

bAshpavAri paripoorNa lochanam mArutim namata rAkShasAntakam

Broad meaning: I salute Maruti, who is to be found with his head bowed and eyes full of tears (of joy, on hearing his Lord's praise) wherever there is praise of Srirama.

 

References:

1. Ramayana discourse by Sri Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma

2. https://www.valmikiramayan.net/utf8/sundara/sarga1/sundara_1_frame.htm 

3. https://www.lexilogos.com/keyboard/sanskrit_devanagari.htm

4. http://www.valmikiramayan.net/utf8/sundara/sarga43/sundara_43_frame.htm

On an angry Hanuman

There has been a recent article in leftist website "The Wire" on an angry Hanuman. This post is based on that.

According to the author Nilanjana Bhowmick, "Hanuman 2.0" is no longer benign but is threatening. She has a problem because people are putting up saffron flags, putting up stickers of Hanuman and are treating Hanuman as a symbol of manhood/machosim. 

I have a few queries for this lady. 

1. Does she have anything to say about fans of our film heroes (particularly relevant today, of Salman Khan) who treat them as heroes and idols? There is a moron who posted a picture on social media of himself with a tied up (killed?) deer saying he supports Salman Khan. Does anyone in our media have the guts to speak out against this kind of blind, stupid idol worship? 

2. Do they have anything to say about overt displays in any other religion? There are places in India where till recently (even now?) police feared to tread because they were dominated by people of a certain faith. Touching them would invite political wrath. Do our "journalists" have the guts to talk about situations like these?

I normally do not support use of derogatory terms like aaptard or presstitute. But, seeing people of late, I am beginning to tilt more and more in favour of using these.

I respect all religions. As a Hindu I have the broadmindedness to accept that there are multiple ways to reach God. I do however have a problem with those that denigrate my religion, and with those who try to convert people. These two activities clearly show the hypocrisy of people who say they respect all religions. As per our seculars, any other religion is free to have overt displays of faith. Hinduism cannot. A few examples of our journalistic hypocrisy:

1. Nobody has a problem if kids carry sharp weapons and hurt themselves in a Muharram procession. They however, have a problem, even if adults carry weapons in a Hindu procession. 

2. Nobody, even PETA or our film stars talk against mass animal slaughter during Id/Christmas celebrations. They however pity dogs during Deepavali. They are against Jallikattu, though this sport does not end with the animal being killed. The animal is in fact worshipped after the event.

3. Income of temples is appropriated by the government. No one has the guts to touch or administer non-Hindu places of worship. Recently, a priest in Kerala who is being investigated for some illegal land transactions had the guts to say that he is behind the purview of Indian law. I am not sure how many secular journalists spoke up against this.

4. Shekhar Gupta has reached the conclusion that Hindus are more likely to defecate in the open. Sagarika Ghose has the ability to tell the faith of a man by seeing his semen.

5. The Supreme Court recently was talking about how flowers in certain temples must be used. Do they have the guts to say the same about other faiths?

6. Under the Right to Education Act drafted by the earlier UPA government, minority institutions are not needed to take in poor students. Why is that so? No wonder, some Lingayats are supporting they being recognised as a minority religion because that will offer them many benefits not available to mainstream Hindus.

7. Manmohan Singh went so far as to say that minorities have the first claim to resources. Did he have the guts to designate Hindus in Kashmir and some parts of the north-east as minorities (they are) and offer them benefits?

The list goes on and on. Let me reiterate that I have no issue, and I should have no issue, with how people of any other faith follow their religion. However, this should not affect people of other faiths. Also, I should not be told by these journalists how to follow my own faith.

Now let me come to Hanuman. Hanuman is not just a bhakta/daasa (I prefer these to servant) of Lord Rama. An analysis of Hanuman's personality, words and actions will offer multiple things we can learn from him. How to speak, self-control, single-mindedness in his quest etc. are all qualities we find in him. He is not a docile, quiet character in the Ramayana. While he does exhibit these qualities, he is terrible against his enemies (not random enmity, but with those who work against Dharma) when roused to action. It is beyond my ability to encapsulate the qualities attributed to Hanuman. However, let me share one sloka from the Sundarakaanda in the Ramayana which encapsulates multiple meanings beautifully.

yathaa raaghavanirmuktah sharah shvasanavikramah

gachchhet tadvad gamiShyaami lankaam raavana paalitaam

I shall go to Ravana-ruled Lanka, like an arrow released by Rama, with wind-like power.

RamabaaNam, the arrow of Lord Rama, is said to be invincible. Once released it will hit the target without fail. It has the ability to return to Rama once its task is achieved. Also, the power of the arrow is not its own, but is that of Rama. Thus Hanuman beautifully says that he will achieve his task and return without fail. He conveys confidence in his strength and ability. At the same time, he attributes this power not to himself, but to Rama. Thus he shows confidence while being humble and without being arrogant. This, you ignorant Nilanjana, is Hanuman.

Many (most?) journalists today have agendas. They want to curry favour with the powers that be. These people in all probability have no clue, and most definitely have not read our holy books. They simply write whatever comes to their mind and suits their agenda without giving any thought to the truth. Today's news is no longer about reporting and letting the audience form their opinions. It is about moulding and conveying the journalists' opinion. Who gave these rights to the journalists? How dare one ask this question! How dare one ask journalists to be informed? How dare one ask journalists to be neutral! 

References:

1. Ramayana discourse by Sri Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma

2. https://www.valmikiramayan.net/utf8/sundara/sarga1/sundara_1_frame.htm