Lord Hanuman: Hindu God of Strength

4to40.com April 5, 2023 Gods & Goddesses 14,548 Views

Lord Hanuman: Hindu God of Strength – Hanuman, also called Anjaneya Putra, is a Hindu god and a divine vanara companion of the god Rama. Hanuman is one of the central characters of the Hindu epic Ramayana. He is an ardent devotee of Rama and one of the Chiranjivis. Hanuman is regarded to be the son of the wind-god Vayu, who in several stories played a direct role in Hanuman’s birth. Hanuman is considered to be an avatars of Vayu in Sadh Vaishnavism and few other Vaishnava traditions, while in Shaivism he is considered to be a partial avatars of Shiva. Hanuman is mentioned in several other texts, such as the epic Mahabharata and the various Puranas.

Characteristics:	Strength, Divinity and Quick Wits
Other Names:	Pawanputra, Marutinandan, Bajrangbali, Anjaniputra
Principal Scriptures:	Ramayana, Shiva Mahapurana
Mula Mantra:	Om Shri Hanumate Namah
Hanuman Gayatri Mantra:	Aum Anjaneyaye Vidmahe Mahabalaye Dheemahi Tanno Hanumat Prachodayat

Hanuman is considered to be an avatar (incarnation) of Lord Shiva. Shri Hanuman, a great disciple of Sri Rama, is the symbol of devotion and dedication. Lord Hanuman is a provider of courage, hope, knowledge, intellect and devotion. Hanuman is in the form of Vaanar (monkey). He is usually pictured as a strong monkey holding a gada (mace) which is a sign of bravery and having a picture of Lord Rama on his chest which is a sign of his devotion to Lord Rama.

Birth of Lord Hanuman

Hanuman was born in the Treta Yuga, to Anjana, a female Vanara and Kesari, a strong Vanara. This birth was planned by the Supreme lord with a perfect idea in the mind. The combination of Vanara and the celestial gave Hanuman strength, divinity and quick wits – his main characteristics. Being Anjana’s son, Hanuman is also called Anjaneya, which plainly means “arising from Anjana”.

Hanuman: The Brahmachari

Hanuman remained a Brahmachari throughout his life, an unmarried, celibate god. He is especially popular with bodybuilders, who believe that like him, one need to be celibate in order to have a strong body. Hanuman always treated women in the form of Mother and Sister. There are many incidences in the great epic Ramayana where this fact is proved.

Hanuman: A Great Disciple

Hanuman has intense love for his Lord Rama which can be considered from this instance. Once Hanuman was asked by Sri Rama, “How do you consider me?”. Hanuman said: “Oh Lord, while I identify myself with my body, I am Thy servant. When I consider myself an individual soul, I am Thy part. But when I look upon myself as the spirit, I am one with Thee. This is my firm conviction.”

Worship of Lord Hanuman

Hanuman is worshiped for his strength, agility and valor. The worship of Hanuman, symbolizes the worship of the Supreme Lord, for acquiring knowledge, physical and mental strength, truthfulness, sincerity, self-sacrifice, modesty, loyalty, and profound devotion to the Lord. Sri Hanuman was blessed by Sri Rama with immortality (Chiranjeevi). Every temple of Sri Rama contains an idol of Hanuman. Worship of Hanuman is considered mandatory to complete the worship of Lord Rama.

During Chaitra (in between March-April), Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated to honor the birth of Hanuman, the monkey god widely acclaimed throughout India.