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Hanuman is an ardent devotee of Sri Rama. He is one of the central figures in the Hindu epic Ramayana
and its various versions. As one of the Chiranjivi, he is also mentioned in several other texts, including the
Mahabharata, the various Puranas and some Jain texts. Hanuman participated in Rama’s war against the
demon king Ravana. Several later texts also present him as an incarnation of Shiva. He is the son of
Anjana and Kesari and is also described as the son of the wind-god Pawan, who according to several
stories, played a role in his birth.
Hanuman is mentioned in both the Hindu epics, Ramayana and Mahabharata.The word “Vrsakapi” or
“Vrishakapi”, later used as an epithet for Hanuman,is mentioned in the Rigveda (X:86). Some writers, such
as Nilakantha (author of Mantra Ramayana) believe that the Vrishakapi of Rigveda alludes to Hanuman.
However, other scholars believe that Hanuman is not mentioned in the Vedic mythology: the “Vrsakapi” of
Rigveda refers to another deity or is a common name for the monkeys.
Interesting Facts about Lord Hanuman
1. Story Of Hanuman’s Birth
When Lord Vishnu decided to incarnate on earth in the form of Rama, Lord Shiva professed his desire to
serve him. Shiva’s intention perturbs Sati as she would have to stay apart from her beloved husband.
Learning of Sati’s concern, Shiva promised to send only a portion of him to earth so that he could fulfil both
the purposes. But the form which Shiva should adopt for his reincarnation became a cause of great distress
to both Sati and Shiva. Finally after much deliberation, Shiva decided to assume the form of a monkey, as
the humble creature can sustain with a simple lifestyle and is free of all bondages of caste and traditions.
Thus he took birth in the form of Hanuman, who served Lord Rama with utmost devotion.
2. Pawanputra Hanuman Was An Incarnation Of Lord Shiva.
Hanuman was the son of Anjana and the monkey king Kesari. Anjana was an ethereal fairy who served in
the celestial palace of Lord Brahma and was apparently self-obsessed and egotistical. In her vanity, once
she enraged a sage who in turn cursed the divine beauty that her beautiful face would morph into one that
of a monkey the moment she falls in love. Lord Brahma took pity on Anjana and sent her to earth where
she was smitten by Kesari. The two then exchanged nuptial vows.
Anjana who was a zealous devotee of Lord Shiva wished for the Lord to take birth as her son. Thus she set
about meditating to appease the God. In the end Shiva granted her the boon that he will incarnate on this
earth as her offspring.
Rama was ordered by sage Vishwamithra to kill Yayati. Sensing the danger, Yayathi went to Hanuman for
help, who in turn promised that he would save Yayati from any kind of danger. Hanuman did not use any
weapon in his battle, instead stood chanting Rama’s name in the battle field. The arrows from lord Rama’s
bow did not have any effect on Hanuman. Lord Rama then gave up and sage Vishwamithra relieved Rama
of his word seeing the devotion and courage of Hanuman.
Hanuman’s Son Makar Dhwaja was born to a mighty fish of the same name when Hanuman after burning
the entire Lanka with his tail had dipped in the sea to cool off his body. It is said that his sweat was
swallowed by the fish and thus was Makar Dhwaja conceived. The fish was caught by Ravana’s step
brother Ahiravana who ruled Patal, the nether world. When Makar Dhwaja grew up, Ahiravana was
impressed by his strength and virility. He then made him his soldier.
Hanuman had lost in a duel with Makar Dhwaja when he went to rescue Rama and Laxman whom
Ahiravana had kidnapped. Later, Hanuman killed Ahiravana and made his son Makardhwaja, the king and
left the place with Lord Rama and his brother Laxman.
Lord Hanuman had earned the reputation of being notorious during his childhood. He used to pester
meditating hermits, who had taken refuge in the kingdom of his father, King Kesari. During one such
incident, an annoyed sage had hexed Hanuman. Due to the spell Hanuman was unable to remember the
powers vested in him by the deities unless someone reminded him of it. When Sita was kidnapped by
Ravana, Jambavantha had to remind Hanuman of his powers, so that he could pursue the search for Sita.
Bhima was also the son of Vayu (the Lord of the Winds). One day, when Bhima was searching for a flower
his wife wanted, he saw a monkey sleeping with his tail crossing the path. He asked him to move his tail.
But the monkey didn’t do it and asked Bhima to move it. Bhima was very arrogant with his strength.
Nevertheless, he couldn’t move or lift the tail. Therefore, he realized that this was not a mere ordinary
monkey. It was none other than Hanuman. He lied there just to reduce the arrogance of Bhima.
after exile was over and Lord Rama & mata Sita were back to Ayodhya .one day Hanumanji saw mata Sita
wearing sindhoor and asked with curiosity about the same . Sita replied as per retuals wearing sindhoor will
result a long life & well being of Lord Rama. than Hanuman, the biggest devotee of Rama thought if a pinch
of sindoor in the hair can increase the longevity of Lord Rama then why not apply on the entire body.
Arjuna was a skilled archer and was capable of conjuring wonders with his arrows.
During the Mahabharata war, he requested Lord Hanuman to be present on his chariot to which Hanuman
asked him to prove his mettle. Arjuna then claimed that he could reconstruct the bridge Rama’s army had
built to cross the ocean. Intrigued by his claims, Hanuman challenged him to create a bridge that would be
able to withstand his weight. He promised that if Arjuna succeeded in the task, Hanuman would accompany
him on his chariot. An eager Arjuna, created the bridge in a jiffy but it collapsed even faster as soon as
Hanuman set foot on it. A crestfallen Arjuna approached Lord Krishna who convinced Hanuman that Arjuna
should be given another chance. With Krishna’s blessing Arjuna built the bridge again, and this time it did
not crumble under Hanuman’s weight. Hanuman then realised the fact that Krishna was an incarnation of
his revered Lord Vishnu and was overwhelmed. He agreed to aid Arjuna in his battles with the Kauravas
and thus Arjuna’s chariot featured Hanuman on its flag.
After the battle of Kurukshetra, Krishna asked Arjuna to step down the chariot. Krishna thanked Hanuman
to stay with them during the war in the form of a flag on the chariot. Hanuman came in his original form,
bowed to Krishna and flew away. As soon as he left, the chariot turned into ashes. Krishna explained to a
shocked Arjuna, that the chariot would have burnt long time back due to the effects of celestial weapons
thrown at it during the war. However, Lord Hanuman protected it.