Hanuman

Hanuman

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            Jai Sri Ram! Hanuman is an idiot. He never deserved all those praise that is been showered upon him. He is the son of Anjana, born out of the blessings of Lord Vayu; hence called Anjaneya. Ever since his childhood, his stupidity manifested without fail; effectively counterbalanced by the merits and virtue of eminent people.

            The first instance of his stupidity was in his cradle hood days. Perceiving the rising Sun to be a fruit of some sort, he leaped mid air to gobble it up. Vayu, the celestial father of Anjaneya, understood the danger that the kid has put himself into; encapsulated him with a whiff of cool air. Indra, the lord of the Devas, realising the foolishness of Anjaneyan's act, in an effort to save the world from perishing in darkness; and the kid from getting scorched, struck him lightly with his thunderbolt. The kid fainted and his jaw broken; hence the name Hanuman.

            Vayu, though understood the good intentions of Indra, could not suppress his love of the child; hence curtailed himself completely, choking every living creature in the world. The life on earth - the karma bhoomi got strangled. Everyone including Shiva, Brahma and Vishnu tried to pacify Vayu in an effort to save the world. They granted umpteen number of boons to the child, to an extent that even the Brahmastra shall not harm but just curtail his motility for a few hours. Generally, a person receives boon from God upon rigorous penance and/or eligibility. In Hanuman's case, he secured every possible boon not out of his deserving stature but due to his father's influence - Recommendation!

            When a person is bestowed with abilities and powers that cannot be harnessed properly, one loses stability of mind; only to become a prey to his valour. Such is the case of Hanuman. With so much power that sans the requisite maturity, coupled with the innate qualities of a monkey; Hanuman began playing pranks on everyone, disturbing their moral activities and peace. Troubled immensely by Hanuman, the disgusted sages decided to curse him off all his powers. However, as they knew the role that Hanuman has been destined to execute in the life of SriRam, hence the inevitability of his valour; cursed him that he would not realise his powers till someone reminded him. It was the grace of SriRam that Hanuman did not lose his powers due to his immature acts rather just got disconnected from them.

            When the genuine need arose for Hanuman to serve SriRam with his abilities, Jambhavan reminded Hanuman of all the boons that he received earlier. However, his intellectual and psychological stupidity remained the same. It was only after reaching Srilanka that Hanuman realised that he did not request and know from his Lord SriRam the appearance of Devi Seetha. Hence he sat in Srilanka perplexed as how to identify his mother - Devi Seetha.

            Seetha ever united with SriRam in mind and soul, presented her identity to Hanuman in an appropriate manner by enacting to commit suicide! Hanuman, when faced the demons of King Ravana's army; was hit by Brahmastra, captured by Indrajeet to be prosecuted. Punished by the cabinet of King Ravana, the tail of Hanuman was set on fire. Hanuman once again with his monkey pranks, triggered by the raging fire on his tail, eventually set fire to the entire island forgetting that his mother Seetha is still in Srilanka. It was actually Devi Seetha's merits and prayers that saved her as well as Hanuman from the fire!

            Even during warfare, when Lakshmana fainted, hit by the Nagastra of Indrajeet, Hanuman was summoned to bring life saving Sanjeevani herbs from Himalayas. Hanuman, who had the physical strength, that too obtained as boon from the Devas earlier, reached Himalayas but was unable to identify the herbs properly. Hence, he brought with him the entire mountain down south - to Srilanka. This resulted in double work, as he had to go all the way again to Himalayas, to replace the mountain in its original location and return back to Srilanka before dawn for the next day's warfare!

            Post war and victory; Hanuman became so very self centered that the victory of SriRam would not have been possible if it were not for his service and assistance. Lord SriRam, who is ever untouched and forever free from evil; chanting whose name one would be cleansed off every sin; understood the culmination of ego in Hanuman's mind. He informed Hanuman his intention to supplicate Lord Shiva to cleanse off the sins that got accumulated by killing Ravana - a Valorous one, a King and a Brahmin all in one - 'Veera Haththi Dosha', 'Raja Haththi Dosha' and 'Brahma Haththi Dosha' respectively. SriRam also summoned Hanuman to request a Siva lingam from Lord Shiva himself and bring it to Rameshwaram within a stipulated time.

            Reaching Himalayas once again, Hanuman in all his efforts, was unable to find Lord Shiva within the time stipulated by Lord SriRam. However, Lord Shiva in order to fulfill the command of SriRam appeared before Hanuman and gave him the Siva lingam. In the mean time; in Rameshwaram, Devi Seetha made a Siva lingam out of sand and prayers were offered by SriRam; even before Hanuman arrived. Hence, Hanuman was deprived of the opportunity to attend and witness the rare event - one form of the same divinity worshipping its other form.

            The ego of Hanuman filled him with rage on the futility of his efforts, and supplicated to SriRam his mental agony. Lord SriRam, in a composed manner informed Hanuman to remove the Siva lingam made of sand by Devi Seetha and replace it with the one that he had brought! Hanuman, filled with self-esteem, applied all his might to remove and destroy the Siva lingam made by Devi Seetha. The result, he lost large portion of his vital organ of being a monkey - his tail!

            Hanuman though revered to be a celibate - a Brahmachari; during his journey to Srilanka in search of Devi Seetha, while crossing the ocean impregnated a lady with his sweat; even without his knowledge! Such being his qualities; anyone - everyone would be astonished at the respect and honour that is showered upon Hanuman.

            A careful analysis of Hanuman's life events would throw light on a very thought illuminating aspect - Hanuman's blind love to his Guru - Lord SriRam. After returning to Ayodhya, Hanuman witnessed Devi Seetha adorning her forehead with the holy saffron powder. When enquired the reason, he was informed that it indicates prayer for the long life of SriRam. Immediately Hanuman, as if a remarkable manifestation of his foolishness, smeared himself all over the holy saffron powder without realising that it is meant for married women. Such is the blind faith and love of Hanuman towards his Guru SriRam; hence appreciated for all those qualities that he actually never possessed!

            Similarly, though we all stand today, as the broken tailed Hanuman of Rameshwaram, due to positive multiples of negative qualities; let us surrender completely at the lotus feet of our Guru that we may be cleansed off all sin and karma; to remain in eternal peace and bliss. Sadgurudeva Saranam.