Jai Bajrangbali – Perfect combination of Power, Intellect & Devotion

Jai Bajrangbali – Perfect combination of Power, Intellect & Devotion

“मनोजवं मारुततुल्यवेगं, जितेन्द्रियं बुद्धिमतां वरिष्ठ । वातात्मजं वानरयूथमुख्यं, श्रीरामदूतं शरणं प्रपद्ये ।“
(Meaning: Manojavam – One who is swift as mind, Maarutatulyavegam  - has speed equal to the wind God, Jitendriyam - has complete control on his senses, Buddhimataamvarishtham - most senior among intellectuals,        Vaataatmajam - son of wind God,        Vaanarayoothamukhyam - chief of vanara army, Shree raamdootam - messenger of Rama, I take Refuge).
       
Shree Hanuman is with phenomenal physical, mental, intellectual, and spiritual powers and ardent devotee (bhakt) of Shree Rama. He is known for his erudition, bravery, velour and above all his great self-effacing humility. Tulsidas ji has lucidly elaborated the attributes of Hanuman ji in various verses of Sunderkand, Lankakand, Hanuman Chalisa, Hanumanshtak and Bajrang Ban. He demonstrated eight perfections while crossing Indian Ocean, entering Lanka, presenting before Mata Sita, burning the Lanka, killing demons, bringing life-saving herbs from Himalayas, killing Ahiravana, and at many other places.

Shree Hanuman (whose jaws are prominent) has many names such as Anjaneya (son of mother Anjana), Maruti (son of wind god), Pawansuta (son of wind god), Kesarinandan (son of kesari), Shankara Suvana (son of Shiva), Bajrangbali (whose limbs are as strong as vajra), Mangalmurti.
Sri Vivekananda says: Shri Rama was the Paramatma. Sita was the Jivatma, and each man’s or woman’s body was the Lanka. Sita, thus imprisoned and trying to unite with her Lord, receives a visit from Hanuman, the Guru or divine teacher, who shows her the Lord’s ring, which is Brahma-Jnana, the supreme wisdom that destroys all illusions; and thus Sita finds the way to be at one with Shri Rama, or in other words, the Jivatma finds itself one with the Paramatma.

Hanuman as Symbol of selfless Devotion & Dedication:
Hanuman ji is symbol of pure devotion, unconditional faith, total surrender to Shree Rama, absence of ego. Hanuman ji is generally seen in temples standing with a mace in the right hand or sitting in a devotional posture before the images of Rama and Sita. Sri Ramakrishna Pramhansa says, ‘Hanuman kept the “servant ego” after realizing God in both His Personal and His Impersonal aspects. He thought of himself as the servant of God.’ This is the ‘ego of Devotion’. He does not nourish any kind of ego but surrenders himself, body and soul to Shree Rama. Under Navdha Bhakti, devotion of Hanuman ji comes under Dasya Bhakti.
 
In Hanuman Chalisa (verses 12 to 15), Tulsidas ji has mentioned that Shree Raghu Ram praised Hanumanji and said:

• Brother, you're as dear to me as Bharat!
• May the thousand-mouthed serpent sing your fame! So saying, Shri's Lord draws Hanumanji to Himself.
• Sanak and the sages, Brahma, gods, and great saints, Narada, Sarasvati, and the king of serpents, Yama, Kubera, and the guardians of the quadrants, poets and scholars - none can express your glory.

(रघुपति कीह्नी बहुत बड़ाई । तुम मम प्रिय भरतहि सम भाई ॥१२॥ सहस बदन तुह्मारो जस गावैं । अस कहि श्रीपति कण्ठ लगावैं ॥१३॥ सनकादिक ब्रह्मादि मुनीसा । नारद सारद सहित अहीसा ॥१४॥ जम कुबेर दिगपाल जहाँ ते । कबि कोबिद कहि सके कहाँ ते ॥१५॥)

As great devotee, Hanuman ji is praised by Tulsidasji all over Ramacharitramana and Hanuman Chalisa. A few verses from Hanuman Chalisa and Ramacharitramanas are mentioned hereunder:

Hanuman Chalisa

1. Supremely wise, virtuous, and clever, you are ever intent on Ram's work. You delight in hearing of the Lord's deeds; Ram, Lakshman, and Sita dwell in your heart. (बिद्यावान गुनी अति चातुर । राम काज करिबे को आतुर ॥७॥ प्रभु चरित्र सुनिबे को रसिया । राम लखन सीता मन बसिया ॥८॥)
2. You hold the elixir of Ram's name and remain eternally His servant (राम रसायन तुह्मरे पासा । सदा रहो रघुपति के दासा ॥३२॥)

 
Ramcharitramanas

1. On the way to Sri Lanka for locating Mata Sita, Hanuman ji encounters a mountain who asks him to rest a while before proceeding. But Hanuman ji thanks him and says that he cannot take rest without completing the task of Raghunath ji   (हनूमान तेहि परसा कर पुनि कीन्ह प्रनाम। राम काजु कीन्हें बिनु मोहि कहाँ बिश्राम॥1॥)
2. Only after meeting Mata Sita and alleviating her sorrow, Hanuman ji recalled his hunger and prayed Mata Sita to grand him permission to eat the fruits. (सुनहु मातु मोहि अतिसय भूखा। लागि देखि सुंदर फल रूखा॥ सुनु सुत करहिं बिपिन रखवारी। परम सुभट रजनीचर भारी॥4॥ तिन्ह कर भय माता मोहि नाहीं। जौं तुम्ह सुख मानहु मन माहीं॥5॥)

 
Hanuman ji as symbol of power, courage & intellect:
Hanumanji is revered as symbol great power and supremely intelligent. Therefore, he is called as “Mahaveer” and “Mahabali”. Hanuman ji is highly intellectual, learned in Vedanta philosophy, the Vedas, a poet, grammarian etc. As per Puranas, Hanuman was taught the Vedas and all other branches of learning by Sun God himself, Surya. He learnt his lessons by trotting alongside the Sun's chariot as it moved across the sky.
Hanuman ji was granted wishes of exemplary powers by several gods viz. Indra, Agni, Vayu, Varuna, Vishnu, Shiva, Surya, Kuber, Yama, Vishwakarma and Brahma. Indra granted the wish that his body would be as strong as Indra's Vajra. Agni granted the wish that fire won't harm him; God Varuna granted a wish that water won't harm him; God Vayu granted a wish that he will be as fast as wind and the wind won't harm him. Lord Brahma granted a wish that he can move at any place where he cannot be stopped at anywhere, Lord Vishnu granted a weapon for Hanuman which is named as "Gada".Hence this wishes makes Hanuman an immortal (Chiranjivi), who has unique powers and strong. From Shiva he obtained the boons of longevity, scriptural wisdom and ability to cross the ocean. Shiva assured safety of Hanuman with a band that would protect him for life. Surya gave him two siddhis of yoga namely "laghima" and "garima", to be able to attain the smallest or to attain the biggest form . Yama, the God of Death blessed him healthy life and free from his weapon danda, thus death would not come to him. Kubera showered his blessings declaring that Hanuman would always remain happy and contented. Vishwakarma blessed him that Hanuman would be protected from all his creations in the form of objects or weapons.
 
A few verses from Hanuman Chalisa and Ramacharitramanas are being quoted hereunder:
 
Hanuman Chalisa:

1. Assuming tiny form you appeared to Sita, and in awesome guise you burned Lanka. Taking dreadful form you slaughtered demons and completed Lord Ram's mission. . Bringing the magic herb, you revived Lakshman, and Ram embraced you with delight. (सूक्ष्म रूप धरि सियहिं दिखावा । बिकट रूप धरि लङ्क जरावा ॥९॥ भीम रूप धरि असुर सँहारे । रामचन्द्र के काज सँवारे ॥१०॥ लाय सञ्जीवन लखन जियाये । श्रीरघुबीर हरषि उर लाये ॥११॥)
2. Though the sun is thousands of miles away, you swallowed it, thinking it a sweet fruit. (जुग सहस्र जोजन पर भानु । लील्यो ताहि मधुर फल जानू ॥१८॥)
3. Holding the Lord's ring in your mouth, it's no surprise you leapt the ocean. (प्रभु मुद्रिका मेलि मुख माहीं । जलधि लाँघि गये अचरज नाहीं ॥१९॥)
4. You alone can withstand your own splendor, the three worlds tremble at your roar. Ghosts and goblins cannot come near, Great Hero, when your name is uttered. All disease and pain is eradicated, brave Hanuman, by constant repetition of your name. Hanuman releases from affliction those who remember him in thought, word, and deed. (आपन तेज सह्मारो आपै । तीनों लोक हाँक तें काँपै ॥२३॥ भूत पिसाच निकट नहिं आवै । महाबीर जब नाम सुनावै ॥२४॥ नासै रोग हरै सब पीरा । जपत निरन्तर हनुमत बीरा ॥२५॥ सङ्कट तें हनुमान छुड़ावै । मन क्रम बचन ध्यान जो लावै ॥२६॥)

 
Hanuman ji demonstrated his power, intellect and decision making at several places. Details as under:

Ramacharitramanas:

1. When Hanuman ji went in search of Mata Sita, on way to Shri Lanka, he was encountered three different challenges viz. Sattvic, Tamasic and Rajasic in form of Sursa, Nischari and Lankani respectively.
2. Sursa, a sea monaster was sent by Devatas to check the intelligence of Hanuman ji. She expanded her mouth to eat Hanuman ji, in turn Hanuman ji further expanded his body. When mouth of Sursa was very wide, he reduced his size and came out, proving his intellect (जस जस सुरसा बदनु बढ़ावा। तासु दून कपि रूप देखावा॥ सत जोजन तेहिं आनन कीन्हा। अति लघु रूप पवनसुत लीन्हा॥5॥. बदन पइठि पुनि बाहेर आवा। मागा बिदा ताहि सिरु नावा॥ मोहि सुरन्ह जेहि लागि पठावा। बुधि बल मरमु तोर मैं पावा॥6॥)
3. Nischari was living in sea who capturing the flying birds by their shadows and eating them. Similarly, she tried to capture Hanuman ji. But Hanuman ji understood her trick and killed her. (निसिचरि एक सिंधु महुँ रहई। करि माया नभु के खग गहई॥ जीव जंतु जे गगन उड़ाहीं। जल बिलोकि तिन्ह कै परिछाहीं॥1॥ गहइ छाहँ सक सो न उड़ाई। एहि बिधि सदा गगनचर खाई॥ सोइ छल हनूमान्‌ कहँ कीन्हा। तासु कपटु कपि तुरतहिं चीन्हा॥2॥)
4. When Hanuman ji saw so many security guards in Lanka, he assumed a form of insect and tried to enter. At the entrance, one security guard named as Lankani challenged him. Hanuman ji punched her and she started vomiting of blood and surrendered. She said, Brahmaji informed her that if she became distraught by punch of a Vanar then know the destruction of demons. (मसक समान रूप कपि धरी। लंकहि चलेउ सुमिरि नरहरी॥ नाम लंकिनी एक निसिचरी। सो कह चलेसि मोहि निंदरी॥1॥ जानेहि नहीं मरमु सठ मोरा। मोर अहार जहाँ लगि चोरा॥ मुठिका एक महा कपि हनी। रुधिर बमत धरनीं ढनमनी॥2॥ जानेहि नहीं मरमु सठ मोरा। मोर अहार जहाँ लगि चोरा॥ मुठिका एक महा कपि हनी। रुधिर बमत धरनीं ढनमनी॥2॥ पुनि संभारि उठी सो लंका। जोरि पानि कर बिनय ससंका॥ जब रावनहि ब्रह्म बर दीन्हा। चलत बिरंच कहा मोहि चीन्हा॥3॥बिकल होसि तैं कपि कें मारे। तब जानेसु निसिचर संघारे॥ तात मोर अति पुन्य बहूता। देखेउँ नयन राम कर दूता॥4॥)
   1. When Hanuman ji heard Vibhishan pronouncing name of Shree Ram. He pondered that there is no harm would be done by gentleman and then approached Vibhishan and praised him and get the information about Mata Sita. (राम राम तेहिं सुमिरन कीन्हा। हृदयँ हरष कपि सज्जन चीन्हा॥ एहि सन सठि करिहउँ पहिचानी। साधु ते होइ न कारज हानी॥2॥)
   2. While eating fruits, Hanuman ji begins to wreak havoc, gradually destroying the palaces and properties of Lanka and displayed his power by killing many security guards including Ravana’s son Aksha kumar.  Then Ravana sent his son Meghnatha. Hanuman ji attacked him with fist due to this he fell unconscious. Meghnatha tried many ways which failed and ultimately he fired Brahman arrow. Hanuman ji thought if he did not honor Brahman arrow, its reputation will tarnish showing his intellect. Hence, out of respect to Brahma, Hanuman ji allows himself be bound. (चलेउ नाइ सिरु पैठेउ बागा। फल खाएसि तरु तोरैं लागा॥ रहे तहाँ बहु भट रखवारे। कछु मारेसि कछु जाइ पुकारे॥1॥ सुनि रावन पठए भट नाना। तिन्हहि देखि गर्जेउ हनुमाना॥ सब रजनीचर कपि संघारे। गए पुकारत कछु अधमारे॥3॥ पुनि पठयउ तेहिं अच्छकुमारा। चला संग लै सुभट अपारा॥आवत देखि बिटप गहि तर्जा। ताहि निपाति महाधुनि गर्जा॥4॥ कछु मारेसि कछु मर्देसि कछु मिलएसि धरि धूरि।कछु पुनि जाइ पुकारे प्रभु मर्कट बल भूरि॥18॥ सुनि सुत बध लंकेस रिसाना। पठएसि मेघनाद बलवाना॥मारसि जनि सुत बाँधेसु ताही। देखिअ कपिहि कहाँ कर आही॥1॥ चला इंद्रजित अतुलित जोधा। बंधु निधन सुनि उपजा क्रोधा॥ कपि देखा दारुन भट आवा। कटकटाइ गर्जा अरु धावा॥2॥ अति बिसाल तरु एक उपारा। बिरथ कीन्ह लंकेस कुमारा॥रहे महाभट ताके संगा। गहि गहि कपि मर्दई निज अंगा॥3॥ तिन्हहि निपाति ताहि सन बाजा। भिरे जुगल मानहुँ गजराजा॥मुठिका मारि चढ़ा तरु जाई। ताहि एक छन मुरुछा आई॥4॥ उठि बहोरि कीन्हिसि बहु माया। जीति न जाइ प्रभंजन जाया॥5॥ ब्रह्म अस्त्र तेहि साँधा कपि मन कीन्ह बिचार।जौं न ब्रह्मसर मानउँ महिमा मिटइ अपार॥19॥ ब्रह्मबान कपि कहुँ तेहिं मारा। परतिहुँ बार कटकु संघारा॥ तेहिं देखा कपि मुरुछित भयऊ। नागपास बाँधेसि लै गयऊ॥1॥)
   3. When Ravana's forces wrapped cloth around tail of Hanuman ji and burn it, then he escapes from his captors, and with his tail on fire he burns down large parts of Lanka. After extinguishing his flaming tail in the sea, he returns to Rama. (साधु अवग्या कर फलु ऐसा। जरइ नगर अनाथ कर जैसा॥ जारा नगरु निमिष एक माहीं। एक बिभीषन कर गृह नाहीं॥3॥ ताकर दूत अनल जेहिं सिरिजा। जरा न सो तेहि कारन गिरिजा॥ उलटि पलटि लंका सब जारी। कूदि परा पुनि सिंधु मझारी॥4॥)
   4. When Hanuman ji saw Mata Sita in deep sorrow sitting under the tree of Ashok vatika, he dropped ring of Shree Ram. To see the ring Mata Sita picked it with joy. Hanuman ji uplifts spirits of Mata Sita and request her to remember Ram ji and forget timidity. To remove doubt of Mata Sita and to re-assure her, Hanuman ji revealed his powerful & lustrous body looking like mountain of gold (कपि करि हृदयँ बिचार दीन्हि मुद्रिका डारि तब। जनु असोक अंगार दीन्ह हरषि उठि कर गहेउ॥12॥ कह कपि हृदयँ धीर धरु माता। सुमिरु राम सेवक सुखदाता॥ उर आनहु रघुपति प्रभुताई। सुनि मम बचन तजहु कदराई॥5॥ मोरें हृदय परम संदेहा। सुनि कपि प्रगट कीन्हि निज देहा॥ कनक भूधराकार सरीरा। समर भयंकर अतिबल बीरा॥4॥)

LankaKand

1. When Lakshman ji got fainted, Hanuman ji assumed tiny form and went to Shri Lanka and brought Doctor Sushena. (जामवंत कह बैद सुषेना। लंकाँ रहइ को पठई लेना॥ धरि लघु रूप गयउ हनुमंता। आनेउ भवन समेत तुरंता॥4॥)
2. When Hanuman ji reached Himalaya and could not recognize the required herb, he pulled out the mount and brought. (देखा सैल न औषध चीन्हा। सहसा कपि उपारि गिरि लीन्हा॥ गहि गिरि निसि नभ धावक भयऊ। अवधपुरी ऊपर कपि गयऊ॥4॥)

Reference:

1. Hanuman Chalisa, Shri Tulsidas
2. Ramacharitramanas, Shri Tulsidas
3. Hanumanashtak, Shri Tulsidas
4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanuman
5. www.hindupedia.com/en/Hanuman
6. https://www.speakingtree.in/blog/just-sharing-hanuman
7. https://www.maharajji.com/