Hanuman Jayanti: The Symbol of Strength, Wisdom and Devotion

Lord Hanuman is revered for his role in the epic Ramayana, owing to his unmatched physical strength, wisdom and unwavering devotion to Lord Rama. These three qualities are the most widely recognised aspects of his divine persona. Hanuman played a pivotal role in aiding Lord Rama’s quest to rescue his wife Sita from the demon king Ravanasura.

According to the Ramayana, Hanuman belonged to the Vānara clan, a race of humanoid beings depicted with ape-like or monkey-like features. He was born to "Anjana (a cursed apsara) and Kesari (a Vānara king)" through the blessings of Lord Vayu, the god of wind. Vayu blessed Hanuman with the Ashta Mahasiddhi (eight great supernatural powers), which included the ability to fly and control the wind. Due to this divine lineage, Hanuman is also referred to as "Vayuputra", meaning "Son of the Wind."

Strength: Hanuman's Quest for Sanjeevani

During the epic battle between Rama’s army and Ravana’s forces, Rama’s younger brother Lakshmana was struck by a deadly arrow and left gravely wounded. The only hope to save him was the Sanjeevani herb, a miraculous plant with the power to revive even the dead. Lord Hanuman was tasked with the critical mission to retrieve this life-saving herb. After searching across the earth, Hanuman reached Dronagiri Mountain in the Himalayas, where the Sanjeevani was said to grow.

However, he was unable to identify the exact herb, so he uprooted and carried the entire Dronagiri and flew back to the battlefield where Lakshmana lay dying. The wise sage Sushena carefully extracted the Sanjeevani from the mountain and administered it to restore Lakshmana to life. Rama’s army was overwhelmed with joy and celebrated Hanuman’s heroic feat, while Lord Rama himself praised Hanuman for his extraordinary strength, quick thinking and boundless devotion.

Wisdom: Hanuman's Encounter with Surasa

As Lord Hanuman was crossing the ocean in his quest to find Sita before the great battle between Lord Rama and Ravana, he faced a formidable opponent, a mighty shape-shifting serpent (Naga) named Surasa, who lived in the sea. She rose from the depths to block his path and declared that no one could pass further without entering her mouth, as decreed by Lord Brahma’s boon. Hanuman suspected treachery and replied that, you are a demoness, you may devour me. Surasa confirmed his fears that this was indeed her intent, for Brahma’s boon demanded it.

With his quick wit, Hanuman swiftly expanded his body to a colossal size, and Surasa stretched her jaws even wider to engulf him. As Hanuman was entering Surasa's mouth, he shrank himself down immediately and slipped out of her grasp before she could snap her jaws shut. The boon is fulfilled! Hanuman proclaimed. I entered your mouth as you commanded and now I may pass. Stunned by his brilliance, Surasa revealed the truth that the gods had sent her to test his wisdom and resolve. She also blessed him with success and let him resume his journey.

Devotion: Hanuman Found His True Master in Lord Rama

Lord Hanuman’s devotion to Rama was not merely duty, it was the surrender of a pure heart to the divine perfection. In Rama, Hanuman beheld the very essence of righteousness (dharma), a king whose courage knew no bounds (Aniruddha-śauryaḥ) and whose compassion embraced all beings (Sarva-bhūta-dayāvān). From their first meeting, Hanuman recognised Rama as not just a mortal prince, but the Supreme incarnate, a soul so luminous that service to him became (not an obligation but) a sacred privilege. With every act of Rama’s heroism (integrity, mercy, leadership) Hanuman’s reverence blossomed into an unshakable, all-consuming love.

For Hanuman, devotion was never forced; it flowed as naturally as a river to the ocean. To stand by Rama, to fight for him, to breathe for him, this was the highest joy, the deepest purpose.

Celebrating Hanuman Jayanti

Hanuman Jayanti, the Birth of Lord Hanuman, is observed twice annually. Valmiki Ramayana doesn't explicitly mention the exact date or month of Hanuman's birth, unlike its detailed account of Rama's birth (Chaitra Navami, as described in Bala Kanda). However, later texts provided the time of birth of Lord Hanuman as follows:

• First one on the Margashirsha Amavasya (in Moola nakshatra) as per Kamba Ramayanam (13th century text by Kambar).

• Second one on the Chaitra Purnima (in Swati nakshatra) as per Ramcharitmanas (16th century text by Tulsidas).

Since Kamba Ramayanam predates Ramcharitmanas, some scholars believe that the Margashirsha Amavasya is the day of actual birth of Lord Hanuman on earth in physical form, while Chaitra Purnima is the day of spiritual awakening of Lord Hanuman, which transformed him from a devotee to an enlightened guru, an act of rebirth.

Hanuman Jayanti celebration is a grand affair with devotees fasting, visiting temples, offering prayers, reciting hymns and offering sindoor, fruits and sweets to Lord Hanuman. Devotees also love reading Ramayana and chanting the Hanuman Chalisa to invoke the blessings of Lord Hanuman.

Hanuman Chalisa

Chanting Hanuman Chalisa is a timeless prayer and a powerful practice to get strength, wisdom, courage and a deep sense of devotion. Verse 20 from the Hanuman Chalisa:

बुद्धिहीन तनु जानिके, सुमिरौं पवन-कुमार। बल बुद्धि विद्या देहु मोहिं, हरहु कलेस विकार॥

Meaning: "I acknowledge my limited intelligence and offer my salutations to Pavan Kumar (another name for Hanuman). Bestow on me strength, intelligence and knowledge, and free me from all afflictions and impurities."