सनातन पुस्तकालय Sanatan Cultural Library

Hanuman is the meeting point of the two things Hindu tradition most reveres: limitless strength and complete humility. Son of the wind, able to leap oceans and carry mountains, he uses none of it for himself — every power is spent in Rama's service. He is Sankat Mochan, the releaser from distress, and the guardian against fear itself: bhoot-pret and every dark influence flee where his name sounds, as the Chalisa promises. Tradition makes him a chiranjivi, deathless, present wherever the Ramayana is recited — a seat is still left for him at every katha. He is also the model brahmachari and yogi, master of the senses, and the patron of wrestlers, students and all who must be strong without becoming proud.

As a child he leapt for the rising sun, taking it for a fruit — and the boon-showers of the apologetic gods gave him his powers, though a rishi's curse made him forget them until reminded. That reminder came at the ocean's edge, when Jambavan's words woke his strength and he leapt to Lanka: the Sundara Kanda tells of the search, the meeting with Sita in the Ashok Vatika, the ring and the chudamani, and Lanka burned with his own blazing tail. In the war he carried the whole sanjivani mountain when he could not identify the herb, saving Lakshmana; in the netherworld he slew Ahiravana wearing his five-faced (Panchmukhi) form. And when Sita's pearls were questioned, he tore open his chest — Rama and Sita seated in his heart — the image in which devotion has painted him ever since.

Tuesday and Saturday are Hanuman's days, when devotees visit his shrines, offer sindoor and chola (the vermilion-and-oil coating of his murti), boondi or besan laddus, and recite the Hanuman Chalisa — the most recited devotional text in the Hindi world, often vowed in counts of 11, 21 or 108. Sundara Kanda path is the classic recourse in difficulty; Bajrang Baan is recited for fierce protection. Saturday worship also shields against Shani's afflictions — by Shani's own promise, tradition says, after Hanuman freed him from Ravana's captivity. Hanuman Jayanti on Chaitra Purnima celebrates his birth at sunrise; devotees keep celibacy, truthfulness and physical discipline as offerings he values most.