HANUMAN (HANWANTAR)

HANUMAN (HANWANTAR) Though Hanuman burnt the citadel of Lanka, uprooted the garden of Ravana, brought the wound-healing herb for Lakshmana and pleased Sri Rama, yet due to his previous karmas (actions), he could not get rid of his loin-cloth. (Dhanasan Trilochan, p. 695) Within his mind Ram Chand (Sri Rama) mourned for Sita and Lakshmana. He remembered Hanwantar (Hanuman), who came to meet him. (Shalok Varan te Vadhik M. l, p. 1412) It is said mat Hanuman\’s actual father was god Shiva. When Shiva and Parvati played in the forest, disguised as elephants, Ganesha was bom to them.

After that they played in the guise of monkeys and Parvati became pregnant, but she did not like to be the mother of a monkey. Therefore Shiva entrusted the embryo from the womb of his wife to the wind god Vayu, who deposited it in the womb of Anjana, the monkey woman. The monkey called Kesri was her husband. Thus Hanuman was bom as the son of Anjana. He had the powers given by both Shiva and Vayu. He was also blessed by other gods and divinities.

The sun-god told him: “My son Sugriva is living on earth with Bali and he is not as strong and powerful like him. You be of help to Sugriva as his minister and constant companion.” When, in the service of Sugriva he came into contact with Sri Rama, after the abduction of Sita by Ravana and remained connected with him till his death. Several of his feats are given in Ramayana e.g. burning of Lanka, uprooting the garden of Ravana and bringing the wound-healing herb from Himalayas for healing the wounds of Lakshmana.

It was he who first rnet Sita in Ravana\’s garden and informed Sri Rama about it. According to an anecdote, before meeting Sri Rama, once Hanuman looted the belongings of some saints and seers and left nothing with them except the loin-cloth. The saints cursed him that he would also have nothing except loin-cloth. Hanuman was a great devotee of Sri Rama and through his intense devotion, he ultimately became one with the Lord.

References :

1. Kohli, Surindar Singh (ed), Dictionary of Mythological References in Guru Granth Sahib, 1993