Hanuman: God of Strength, Devotion, and Protection
Hanuman: God of Strength, Courage, and Devotion
People worship Hanuman because they believe he can remove fear, bring success, and protect them from evil. He is also called Bajrangbali, Pavanputra, Maruti, and Mahaveer, which show his great power and divine nature.
Even today, millions of people chant his name, visit his temples, and read the Hanuman Chalisa to seek his blessings. Let’s take a deep look into Hanuman’s life, his powers, and why he is so important in Hinduism.
The Birth of Hanuman
Hanuman was born to Anjana, a female vanara (monkey) and Kesari, a strong and powerful monkey king. But Hanuman was not an ordinary monkey—he was blessed with divine powers because he was the son of Vayu, the Wind God.
Mangal Kavach is a protective product associated with the planet Mars. Wearing Mangal Kavach helps shield against negative energies, remove obstacles, and bring strength, confidence, and prosperity, offering success and protection in challenging times.
The Story of His Birth
Anjana was actually a celestial being who was cursed to be born as a monkey on Earth. She prayed to Lord Shiva for years to remove the curse. As a result, she was blessed with a powerful son—Hanuman.
At the same time, King Dasharatha of Ayodhya was performing a special ritual to have children. The gods blessed him with a sacred pudding (kheer) which he gave to his wives. Vayu, the Wind God, carried a portion of this kheer to Anjana, and she became pregnant with Hanuman.
Since Hanuman was born with the blessings of Vayu, he was extremely fast, strong, and intelligent from the moment he was born.
Hanuman’s Childhood and His Mischievous Nature
As a child, Hanuman was very playful and full of energy. He had amazing superpowers, but he did not realize how powerful he was.
The Story of Hanuman and the Sun
One day, little Hanuman saw the bright sun in the sky and thought it was a big, juicy fruit. He was very hungry, so he jumped into the sky to catch it. He flew higher and higher, getting closer to the sun.
At that time, Indra, the king of gods, saw Hanuman flying toward the sun and thought he was trying to swallow it. Indra threw his Vajra (thunderbolt) at Hanuman, which struck his jaw and made him fall down to Earth. This is why Hanuman’s name means “one with a broken jaw”.
When Hanuman fell, his father Vayu, the Wind God, became very angry and stopped all the air from flowing on Earth. Without air, all living beings started to suffer. The gods rushed to calm Vayu and gave Hanuman special powers as an apology.
The Blessings of Hanuman
The gods gave Hanuman many powerful blessings:
- Lord Brahma made him immune to weapons.
- Lord Shiva gave him immense strength.
- Lord Vishnu gave him wisdom and protection.
- Agni (Fire God) made him immune to fire.
- Varuna (Water God) protected him from drowning.
- Vayu (Wind God) gave him the power to fly at incredible speeds.
With these blessings, Hanuman became one of the strongest and most powerful beings in the universe.
Hanuman’s Role in Ramayana
When Hanuman grew up, he became a minister to Sugriva, the monkey king. This was when he met Lord Rama, who was searching for his wife Sita, who had been kidnapped by the demon king Ravana.
As soon as Hanuman saw Rama, he immediately knew that Rama was his master. He bowed before him and promised to serve him forever.
Hanuman’s Journey to Lanka
When Hanuman learned that Sita was taken to Lanka, he volunteered to find her. Using his powers, he jumped across the ocean in one leap and entered Ravana’s kingdom.
- He found Sita sitting under a tree in Ravana’s palace, sad and waiting for Rama.
- He gave her Rama’s ring as a sign that Rama would soon rescue her.
- He allowed himself to be captured so that he could meet Ravana and warn him to release Sita.
- Ravana set Hanuman’s tail on fire, but Hanuman used it to burn down Lanka before escaping.
Hanuman then returned to Rama and gave him the good news about Sita’s location.
Hanuman and the Sanjeevani Mountain
During the war between Rama and Ravana, Lakshmana was badly injured. The only way to save him was with a special herb called Sanjeevani, which was found on a mountain in the Himalayas.
Hanuman was sent to fetch the herb, but when he reached the mountain, he could not recognize the right herb. So, using his superhuman strength, he lifted the entire mountain and carried it back to Lanka.
The herb saved Lakshmana’s life, and Hanuman’s bravery helped Rama win the war against Ravana.
Why is Hanuman Worshipped?
1. Symbol of Strength and Courage
Hanuman represents unlimited strength. People worship him when they need courage, energy, or protection from fear.
2. True Devotion and Loyalty
Hanuman teaches us how to love and serve selflessly. He never asked for anything in return for his devotion to Rama.
3. Protection from Evil
Many people believe that Hanuman protects them from ghosts, black magic, and negative energy.
4. Removes Obstacles
Hanuman is also called Sankat Mochan, which means "remover of troubles." People pray to him when facing problems in life.
How is Hanuman Worshipped?
1. Hanuman Chalisa
The Hanuman Chalisa is a famous hymn dedicated to Hanuman. It is said that chanting it removes fear and bad luck.
2. Visiting Hanuman Temples
Many people visit Hanuman temples on Tuesdays and Saturdays, as these days are considered special for him.
3. Offering Sindoor (Vermilion)
Hanuman is often shown covered in red sindoor. According to a story, he once saw Sita applying sindoor on her forehead and asked her why. She told him that it was for Rama’s long life. To show his deep love for Rama, Hanuman covered his entire body in sindoor.
Famous Hanuman Temples in India
- Hanuman Garhi (Ayodhya) – A very famous Hanuman temple.
- Sankat Mochan Temple (Varanasi) – People come here to seek Hanuman’s blessings.
- Jakhu Temple (Shimla) – Has a giant statue of Hanuman.
- Salasar Balaji (Rajasthan) – A powerful Hanuman temple in Rajasthan.
Conclusion
Hanuman is not just a god of strength but also a symbol of devotion, humility, and selfless service. His life teaches us to be brave, kind, and dedicated to our goals.
By remembering Hanuman, people believe they can overcome fear, gain confidence, and achieve success in life. This is why millions of people worship Hanuman with great love and faith.
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