According to a mythological story, Hanuman as a child was so attracted towards the sun that he made a daring leap into the universe to eat it. However, Indra Dev checked him in time. Later on, when he grew up he accepted the ‘Surya Deva’- the Sun God, as his spiritual master. The ‘Sun God’ gave him full intellectual and spiritual wealth of the scriptures. He illumined his inner self with the true knowledge. Hence Lord Hanuman, who was already a master of immense physical prowess, became a great man of learning as well. Then the ‘Surya Dev’ ordered him to help his other spiritual son ‘Sugriva’, who was being persecuted by his brother Bali.
It was here at the banks of Pampa Lake, when Lord Hanuman was in the service of Sugriva that he came across Lord Rama and his brother Lakshmana. They had come looking for Sita after her abduction by the demon-king Ravanna. Sugriva took them to be spies of Bali, who had come thither to spy on him. He asked Hanuman to disguise himself as a Brahmin and establish their identity. From his demeanour and speech, Lord Rama immediately recognized him to be none other than the ‘Monkey God’- Hanuman. In his turn Hanuman also perceived that the man confronting him was no ordinary mortal, but the Lord of three worlds. He immediately prostrated himself in front of him and begged him for his benevolent ‘Grace’.
On being told about Lord Rama’s predicament, Hanuman immediately embarked on his mission. He located Sita in her solitary confinement in the Ashok Vatika in Lanka. He accosted her respectfully and told her that he was an emissary of Lord Rama and was in Lanka on his instructions, to get her freed from inhuman bondage. He set the entire Lanka aflame and won the confidence of Vibhishana, the estranged and terrorized brother of Ravanna. Then under the command of Lord Ram, a military campaign was launched against Lanka, which culminated in the death of Ravanna and installation of Vibhishana as the King. During the war Hanuman was instrumental in bringing the ‘Sanjivini’ herb from Himalayas, which saved the life Lakshmana.
Ultimately Lord Rama, his wife and brother accompanied by their ever-loyal servant returned to the Ayodhya city. As per the wishes of Lord Ram, Hanuman spent some time with them and then returned to his usual abode in the forests and began his meditation and contemplation.
It is here, that in the Duapar Yuga, the Pandavas sought the blessings of the omnipotent Hanuman, before the Battle of Mahabharta. Lord Hanuman endowed Bhim with his entire physical and martial prowess, which ultimately led to the rout of the ‘Kauravas.’ It is believed that Lord Hanuman is still alive and remains in a state of eternal trance. He is the only vital link between the past and the present of mankind. He helps all those who chant his name in duress and distress. The ‘Hanuman Chalisa’ or the prayer said in the memory of Lord Hanuman, written by Sant Tulsidas, when repeated over and over again is known to bring immediate succour and provide miraculous solutions to the problems faced by the devout. Lord Hanuman is always depicted sitting in a very servile posture with mace in his hands, at the feet of Lord Rama, Lakhshmana and Sita. The kind of obedience and devotion practised by Hanuman towards his Lord is the ultimate form of worship, for others to emulate. As a result, Lord Rama has also endowed his faithful servant with infinite powers for eternity.
On Hanuman Jayanti all temples are decorated and special nightlong prayers and discourses are held eulogising the Lord, till sunrise. At the time of sunrise special prasad is distributed and community kitchens are organised. It is a great day of piety and religious fervour for the devout. We greet all our visitors on the occasion of ‘Hanuman Jayanti.’
