Shree Hanuman – the Sankat Mochan

Shree Hanuman – the Sankat Mochan
“अतुलितबलधामं हेमशैलाभदेहं दनुजवनकृशानुं ज्ञानिनामग्रगण्यम्‌। कलगुणनिधानं वानराणामधीशं रघुपतिप्रियभक्तं वातजातं नमामि॥“
(Meaning: Atulit Bal Dhaamam - Repository of incomparable strength, Hemshailaabh Deham - whose body resembles a golden mountain, Danujvan Krushanum - destroyer of forces of demons,         Gyaaninaam graganyam - foremost among knowledgeable beings,      Sakal Gun Nidhaanam - repository of all the virtues and good qualities,         Raghupati Priya Bhaktam - dearest of all devotees to Lord Rama, I salute to the son of the wind).
 
Hanuman ji is known as “Sankat Mochan” (remover of problems & liberator from dangers) and great savior. The roles of Hanuman ji find mention in Ramayana. He helped Sugriva to save him from his brother Bali. Hanuman ji as greatest devotee of Shree Rama, played crucial role to find Mata Sita, brought life-saving herb from Himalayas in limited time to save Lakshman ji, killed Ahiravana & rescued Shree Rama and Lakshman and did many notable tasks mentioned in Ramayana. In Kalyug, he is saving the devotees from troubles and therefore is fondly called as Sankat Mochan.
 
Tulsidas ji has highlighted the great deeds in his writings as under:

Hanuman Chalisa:

1. Hanuman ji rendered great service to Sugriva, presenting him to Ram, to get him kingship. (तुम उपकार सुग्रीवहिं कीह्ना । राम मिलाय राज पद दीह्ना ॥१६॥)
2. Vibhishana heeded his counsel and became Lord of Lanka. (तुह्मरो मन्त्र बिभीषन माना । लङ्केस्वर भए सब जग जाना ॥१७॥)
3. Taking refuge in you one finds all delight, those you protect know no fear. (सब सुख लहै तुह्मारी सरना । तुम रच्छक काहू को डर ना ॥२२॥)
4. You are the guardian of saints and sages, the destroyer of demons, the darling of Ram (साधु सन्त के तुम रखवारे । असुर निकन्दन राम दुलारे ॥३०॥)
5. You grant the eight powers (siddhis or supernatural powers named Aṇimā, Garimā, Mahimā, Laghima, Prapti, Prakamya, Isitva, and Vasitva) and the nine treasurers (Nidhis or divine treasures named Mahapadma, Padma, Saṅkha, Makara, Kacchapa, Mukunda, Kunda, Nila and Kharva) by the boon you received from Mother Janaki (अष्टसिद्धि नौ निधि के दाता । अस बर दीन जानकी माता ॥३१॥)
6. Singing your praise, one finds Ram and escapes the sorrows of countless lives. At death, one goes to Ram's own city or is born on earth as God's devotee. Give no thought to any other deity - worshipping Hanuman, one gains all delight. All affliction ceases, all pain is removed, by remembering the mighty hero, Hanuman. (तुह्मरे भजन राम को पावै । जनम जनम के दुख बिसरावै ॥३३॥ अन्त काल रघुबर पुर जाई । जहाँ जन्म हरिभक्त कहाई ॥३४॥ और देवता चित्त न धरई । हनुमत सेइ सर्ब सुख करई ॥३५॥ सङ्कट कटै मिटै सब पीरा । जो सुमिरै हनुमत बलबीरा ॥३६॥)
7. Whoever recites this a hundred times is released from bondage and gains bliss. (जो सत बार पाठ कर कोई । छूटहि बन्दि महा सुख होई ॥३८॥)

 
Sankat Mochan in Hanumanashtak 

In following eight verses in praise of Hanuman were written by Tulsidas wherein he has explained the deeds of Hanuman ji as Sankat Mochan in Hanumanashtak:
 

1. When you were a child, you swallowed the sun believing the sun to be a ripe fruit, plunging the three worlds into darkness. The worlds were in terror and no one could remove this distress. The gods came and entreated you and then you released the sun and ended the suffering. Who in this world doesn't know, O Lord, that your name is Sankat Mochan, the destroyer of suffering? (बाल समय रवि भक्षी लियो तब; तीनहुं लोक भयो अंधियारों; ताहि सों त्रास भयो जग को; यह संकट काहु सों जात  न टारो; देवन आनि करी बिनती तब; छाड़ी दियो रवि कष्ट निवारो; को नहीं जानत है जग में कपि; संकटमोचन नाम तिहारो I को – १)
2. From fear of Bali, king of the monkeys, Sugriva lived on a mountain. Sugriva knew that Bali could not come to that mountain because of the Muni’s curse, yet he still lived in fear. Who else but you could find a solution to this? Seeing Sri Ram coming on the road, you took the form of a Brahmin and brought the Lord to Sugriva, relieving that servant’s suffering. Who in this world doesn't know, O Lord, that your name is Sankat Mochan, the destroyer of suffering? (बालि की त्रास कपीस बसैं गिरि; जात महाप्रभु पंथ निहारो; चौंकि महामुनि साप दियो तब; चाहिए कौन बिचार बिचारो; कैद्विज रूप लिवाय महाप्रभु; सो तुम दास के सोक निवारो I को – २)
3. You went in search of Sita with on Angada, who said, “We'll forfeit our lives if we leave here without bringing news [of Sita]”. Seeing them [the monkeys] all exhausted by the oceans shore, you then brought news of Sita and saved their lives. Who in this world doesn't know, O Lord, that your name is Sankat Mochan, the destroyer of suffering? (अंगद के संग लेन गए सिय; खोज कपीस यह बैन उचारो; जीवत ना बचिहौ हम सो  जु; बिना सुधि लाये इहाँ पगु धारो; हेरी थके तट सिन्धु सबे तब; लाए सिया-सुधि प्राण उबारो I को – ३)
4. Ravana ordered his demonesses to intimidate Sita who said,”Remove my grief!” Just then you, Lord Hanuman, destroyed the mighty demons. When Sita asked the ashoka tree for a spark [to help and her suffering], you dropped the Lord’s ring down to her and removed her suffering. Who in this world doesn't know, O Lord, that your name is Sankat Mochan, the destroyer of suffering? (रावण त्रास दई सिय को सब; राक्षसी सों कही सोक निवारो; ताहि समय हनुमान महाप्रभु; जाए महा रजनीचर मरो; चाहत सीय असोक सों आगि सु; दै प्रभुमुद्रिका सोक निवारो I  को – ४)
5. When an arrow struck Lakshman in the heart, heedless of life you attacked Ravana’s son. You brought the physician Sushena along with his house and uprooted the Drona Peak. Delivering the sajivana herb, you saved Lakshman’s life. Who in this world doesn't know, O Lord, that your name is Sankat Mochan, the destroyer of suffering? (बान लाग्यो उर लछिमन के तब; प्राण तजे सूत रावन मारो; लै गृह बैद्य सुषेन समेत; तबै गिरि द्रोण सु बीर उपारो; आनि सजीवन हाथ  दिए तब; लछिमन के तुम प्रान उबारो I को - ५ )
6. Ravana waged an invisible war and bound Ram and his whole army in nooses of poisonous snakes. Everyone was suffering from this illusion and could not get free. Then you saved them all, O Hanuman, bringing Garuda, the Lord of the birds, who devoured the serpents. Who in this world doesn't know, O Lord, that your name is Sankat Mochan, the destroyer of suffering? (रावन जुध अजान कियो तब; नाग कि फाँस सबै सिर डारो; श्रीरघुनाथ समेत सबै दल; मोह भयो यह संकट भारो; आनि खगेस तबै हनुमान जु; बंधन काटि सुत्रास निवारो I  को – ६)
7. Ahiravana took Ram and his brother Lakshman to Patala, the netherworld, to sacrifice them to the goddess during a puja. Only you could help them by following to the netherworld, rescuing them, and killing Ahiravana and the demon army. Who in this world doesn't know, O Lord, that your name is Sankat Mochan, the destroyer of suffering? (बंधू समेत जबै अहिरावन; लै रघुनाथ पताल सिधारो; देबिन्हीं पूजि भलि विधि सों बलि; देउ सबै मिलि मन्त्र विचारो; जाये सहाए भयो तब ही; अहिरावन सैन्य समेत संहारो I को – ७)
8. Great hero, you have performed many great deeds for the gods. Just think, what hardship is there that a poor wretch like me could have that you cannot remove? Come quickly, O Hanuman and remove all my troubles. Who in this world doesn't know, O Lord, that your name is Sankat Mochan, the destroyer of suffering? (काज किये बड़ देवन के तुम; बीर महाप्रभु देखि बिचारो; कौन सो संकट मोर गरीब को; जो तुमसे नहिं जात है टारो; बेगि हरो हनुमान महाप्रभु; जो कछु संकट होए हमारो I को – ८)
9. With a red body and a shining red countenance, your mighty form is like a lightning bolt, destroying the demons. Glory, glory, glory to you, Lord of the Monkeys! (दोहा: लाल देह लाली लसे, अरु धरि लाल लंगूर; वज्र देह दानव दलन , जय जय जय कपि सूर II)

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