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:
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
Ramcharitramanas
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:
Hanuman ji demonstrated his power, intellect and decision making at several places. Details as under:
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Jai Shree Hanuman – the Chiranjeevi
“ॐ हनुमते नमः” Shree Hanuman is one of the most revered deities across India. The worship of Hanuman cuts across sects and communities of Hindus. Vaishnavas worship Garuda and Hanumān alike as the mounts of Vishnu. Shaivas worship Hanuman as an incarnation of Shiva or the eleventh Rudra. Hanumān is also a manifestation of Shakti. The tantrikas worship one-headed, five-headed and eleven-headed Hanuman for spiritual attainment. Madhvacharya, the founder of the Dvaita school of Vaishnava philosophy, called himself the incarnation of Hanuman. Hanuman ji is one of the Chiranjeevis (immortals) who lives in all four ages. Besides being a popular deity in Hinduism, Hanuman is also found in Jainism and Buddhism. Outside of India, Hanuman is known in countries which were influenced by the Hindu culture such as Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia and Indonesia. Hanuman as Chiranjeevi: Tulsidas ji has mentioned that splendor of Hanuman ji fills all the four ages and his glory is famed throughout the world (चारों जुग परताप तुह्मारा । है परसिद्ध जगत उजियारा ॥२९॥ Hanuman Chalisa)
The legends about the Birth, Birth places, forms of Hanuman ji is mentioned hereunder: Ashtavakra – the Self-Realised Saint
Sri Ashtavakra is a revered Vedic sage in Hinduism. His name literally means "eight bends", reflecting the eight physical handicaps he was born with. As per historians, the period of Sri Astavakra lived over 7000 years ago. However, as per Vedic calculations, it may be over one to two lakhs years ago. Guru Ashtavakra, a self-realized saint of Advaita philosophy, held dialogue with the disciple King Janaka of Mithila Kingdom on self-realization or enlightenment. Ashtavakra Gita (298 Sutras, 20 chapters) or song of Sri Ashtavakra is the detailed account of this dialogue. Three legends are popular relating to Ashtavakra as under:
1. Astavakra preach about spiritual experience or enlightenment as under: a. People reside in body, mind, buddhi and ego where he feels about pleasure-pain. Anger, greed, attachment, lust etc. arise from them. b. Away from body, mind, buddhi and ego, is pure consciousness (Jivatma, soul). Jivatma is non-doer, non-enjoyer, not bound but only witness. Experience of Jivatma is moksha. All individual jivatma combined together are Brahman. c. Sri Ashtavakra claims that spiritual experience or enlightenment or wisdom (आत्मज्ञान) can be instantaneous. However, it has three requisites viz. one should be seeker, one should be is worthy for it and presence of enlightened teacher (सद्गुरु). d. To be worthy, one should be free from ego, absolute surrender, free from sentiments (feelings, attitudes) of body & mind, emptiness from knowledge of scriptures and make himself free from external benefits.
मोको कहाँ ढूंढे रे बन्दे | मै तो तेरे पास में | ना तीरथ में ना मूरत में |ना एकांत निवास में | ना मंदिर में ना मस्जिद में | ना काबे कैलास में | ना में जप में ना में तप में | ना में बरत उपास में | ना में क्रिया करम में रहता |नहिं जोग संन्यास में | ना ब्रह्माण्ड आकाश में | ना में प्रकृति प्रवार गुफा में | नहिं स्वांसो की स्वांस में | खोजि होए तुरत मिल जाऊं | इक पल की तालास में |कहत कबीर सुनो भई साधो |मै तो हूँ विश्वास में | Where do you search me? I am with you, Not in pilgrimage, nor in icons; Neither in solitary living; Not in temples, nor in mosques; Neither in Kaba nor in Kailas; Not in prayers, nor in meditation; Neither in fasting or prohibition; Not in vedic procedure; Nor in yogic postures; Not even in sky or universe; Neither in womb of nature; Not in the breath of the breaths; If you are a true seeker; In a moment than you discover; Says Kabir, listen with care, where your faith is, I am there. List of the chapters and topics are as under: During medieval period, the entire India was swept by Bhakti movement of Vaishnava tradition. This movement represented spiritual empowerment of the masses. The corresponding spiritual movement of the masses first happened in South India in the seventh century, and spread in various parts of India (UP, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Bengal, Orissa, Delhi etc.) in the 14th-17th centuries.
Bhakti poets such as Alwars, Raidas, Narsigh Mehta, Haidas, Meera Bai, Namdev, Ramananda, Surdas, Tulsidas, Eknath, Tyagaraja, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and many others influenced the expansion of Vaishnavism. They wrote a large number of Bhajans (poetries) in the glory of Parmatama and taught the religion of love and kindness to society. Bhakts (devotees) borne in different parts of nation during this period gave message of:
The details of such bhakts are as under: The Alwars (6th to 9th Century), Tamil Nadu:
During medieval period, philosophers such as Ramanujacharya, Madhvacharya, Nimbarkacharya, and Vallabhacharya started Various Vaishnava Sampryadaya. Vaishnava-inspired scholars authored 14 Vishnu avatar-focussed Upanishads that are called the Vaishnava Upanishads. These Upanishads quote the texts included in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, Chandogya Upanishad, Katha Upanishad, Isha Upanishad, Mundaka Upanishad, Taittiriya Upanishad and others.
The Bhagavad Gita is a central text in Vaishnavism, and especially in the context of Krishna. The two Indian epics, the Mahabharata and the Ramayana also present Vaishnava philosophy and culture. These philosophers established different schools of vedant which are as under: SN Philosopher Vedant School Paramatma Jivatma (Chit) Maya (Jagat) Iswar (Supreme) 1 Shankar Acharya Advait Real, Nirgun Same as Paramatma Illusion (788-820 AD) 2 Ramanuj Acharya Vishishtadvait Real, Sagun Real Real (1017-1137 AD) (Vishnu or Krishna) (Both are controlled by Parmatma) 3.Nimbark Acharya Dvaita-advait Real Real, exist Real, exist (1028-1125 AD) (Krishna & Radha) (Both are dependent on Parmatma) 4.Madhv Acharya Dvaita Real Real Real (1294-1317 AD) (Lakshmi Narayan) (Both are fundamentally different from Ishwar) 5.Vallabh Acharya Shuddha Dvait Real Real Real (1479-1532 AD) (Krishna) (Different from Ishwar & Clouded by avidya) Power of Ishwar Adi Shankaraacharya, Sri Ramanujacharaya, Sri Nimbarkacharaya and Sri Madhvacharaya were conferred title of Jagat guru. (Part – II) The Bhagavata Puran describes Vishnu's avatars as innumerable, though ten of his incarnations (Dashavatara), are celebrated therein as his major appearances. The commonly accepted number of ten avatars for Vishnu are Matsya; Kurma; Varaha; Narsimha; Vamana; Parsurama; Rama; Krishna; Buddha and Kalki. Significance: Modern interpreters state that Vishnu's ten main avatars are from simple life-forms to more complexes, and compare the Dashavatara concept to the modern theory of evolution.
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(Part – I) ॐ नमोः नारायणाय.ॐ नमोः भगवते वासुदेवाय ।:।|| (Aum Namoh Narayana:! Aum Namoh Bhagwate Vasudevaya) Bhagwan Vishnu is one of three sakar forms (Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva) and his cosmic function is preservation and maintenance of life. The tradition of reverence of Vishnu and its avatars is called Vaishnavism or Vishnuism. Signs & Significance Vishnu is usually depicted as having a dark, or pale blue complexion and having four arms. A traditional depiction is Vishnu reclining on the coils of the serpent Shesha, accompanied by his consort Lakshmi. The significance is as under: 1. The upper left hand represents liberation. It holds Padma (lotus flower) which is symbol of purity and represents the unfolding of creation from which the universe emerges. It represents truth or Satya and the originator of the rules of conduct or Dharma; and knowledge or Gyana. 2. The upper right hand represents cohesiveness and holds the discus or chakra which symbolizes the mind and shines like a tiny sun. The Chakra is named Sudarshan. This name is derived from two words - Su, which means "good", and Darshan, which means "vision". The discus as a weapon thus indicates the necessity of destroying one's ego and illusory self-existence and developing the vision to identify the eternal truth. The discus has six spokes and symbolizes a lotus with six petals, thus representing the power that controls all six seasons. 3. The lower right hand is said to represent creativity and holds the conch, which is the symbol of the five elements. The Conch or Shankha is named Panchajanya, or the originator of the five basic elements - water, fire, air, earth and sky or space. It is said that the sound that evolves from blowing this conch is the primeval sound of creation. The blowing of the Conch by Vishnu is said to remind his devotees to practice kindness and compassion towards all of existence, kindness and compassion being the language the Lord uses to address his devotees. 4. The lower left hand represents individual existence and holds the mace, which symbolizes the primeval force from which all mental and physical strength is derived. The Mace, or Gada is named Kaumodaki. What is Shiva Lingam:
In Sanskrit, Linga means a “mark” or a symbol, which points to an inference. Thus the Shiva Linga is a symbol of Lord Shiva: a mark that reminds of the Omnipotent Lord, which is formless. Shiva Lingam is only the outward symbol of the formless being, Lord Shiva, who is the undying soul seated in the chambers of your heart. He is innermost self or Atman, and who is identical with the supreme Brahman. A Shiva Lingam consists of three parts.
The typically circular base or peetham (Brahma-Pitha) holds an elongated bowl-like structure (Vishnu-Pitha) reminiscent of a flat teapot with a spout that has had the top cut off. Within the bowl rests a tall cylinder with a rounded head (Shiva-Pitha). Nandi, the bull is depicted facing the sanctum in all Saivite temples, symbolizing Jeevatma (the human soul) yearning for realizing its oneness with Paramatma (the ultimate reality). [1] Significance of Shiva Lingam |