|| Shree SwaminarayanoVijaytetram ||
Hanuman Jayanti
Along with Lord Shree Ram, Lord Shree Swaminarayan and Matsya avatar, the month of Chaitra also witnesses the manifestation of Lord Shree Ram's stalwart devotee Hanumanji, on Chaitra (Mar/Apr)SudPunam.On this day poojan and aarti is performed of Hanumanji in temples worldwide. Haribhaktos serve Hanumanji with offerings of coconut and theHanuman Chalisa and Hanuman Stotraarerecited. Thisstotra is the same which Dharmadev sang devoutly to Hanumanji in AyodhyabeforeHanumanjigave darshan (SatsangiJeevan, Prakran 1, Adhyay 17).The objective of Hanuman’s birth was to serveLord Shree Ram in vanquishing Ravan, the evil king of Lanka. Hanumanji fulfilled His mission with utmost devotion and sincerity;hence Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated in a grand manner all over the world.
ShreejiMaharaj has written in ShikshapatriShlok 127, “The Acharyas shall perform worship of Ganapati on the fourth day of the bright half of the month of Bhadrapada and that of Hanuman on the fourteenth day of the dark half of the month of Ashwin.” This poojan shall be performed with oil, Sindur, aakada(Swallow-wart Plant) and flowers etc… TheBhashya references Shree Ram saying ‘those who perform this Hanuman poojan, shall not be consigned to Hell and shall be dearer to Me’. Furthermore in ShikshapatriShlok 85,Lord Shree Swaminarayan advocates devotees to chant the Hanuman Mantra to eradicate evil. Shatanand Swami states in theShikshapatriBhashyaShlok85, referring to dialogue of Shree Ram in theRamayan‘One who worships Hanuman, worships Me, as I reside as soul in Hanuman’.
Hanuman Chalisa, a powerful devotional chantofHanumanji composed by Tulsidas (a famous devotee possessing poetic and philosophical strengths) and sung by millions around theworld, states Anjani and Pavan-Dev to be the parents of Hanuman, the power of Lord Shiva creating Hanuman and Hanuman’s single objective to serve Lord Shree Ram in its entirety.TheRamayankatha depicts the kidnapping of Sitaji by the evil Ravan and it is at this point on the search of Sita, whenShree Ram and His younger brother Lakshmanfirst metHanumanji. Ramchandraji asked him who He was. Gleaning his identity, Hanumanji humbly replied, "O Prabhu! From the body's point of view, I am your das (servant) and from thejiva's view, I am your bhakta." (Valmiki Ramayana Kishkindha 1-4). This exemplifies theEkantik (highest form of devotee) nature of Hanumanji’s service to Shree Ram and the example He sets to the rest of mankind in serving God.
It is undeniable that both Sitaji and Shree Ram had great love for Hanumanji and openly expressed their gratitude for His devout seva. Tulsidas, Ramcharitmanas, 5.16.2 & 5.31.4,highlights this love with firstly Sitaji blessing Hanuman ‘may you never grow old or die, my son and may Raghunathabe most gracious upon you’ and Shree Ram affirms this love further ‘my son, I have come to the conclusion that I can never repay the debt I owe you for all that you have done’.Hanumanji served Shree Ram and Sitajiwith ultimate single minded devotion and forever keepsboth in His heart, this was exemplified when Hanuman tore open His chest atShree Ram’s coronation toreveal Shree Ram-Sitain their true form.
SatsangiJeevan, Prakran 1, Adhyay 23 further illustrates Hanumanji’sseva towards Shree Hari. During thekidnapping of GhanshyamMaharaj, Dharmadev and Bhaktimata calledupon Kuldev (Protector) Hanuman for help. Hanuman told them that their child was God Himself, and would come to no harm.Kalidatt had sent theKrutiyas to kidnapp Him, and as they carried baby Ghanshyam, He became so heavy thatthey had to release Him.Hanumanji reached there and punishedtheKrutiyas with his tail. TheKrutiyas regretted what they had done and bowed down to GhanshyamMaharaj and apologised. God did not want Hanuman to kill them, as His aavtar was taken to save souls, not to kill them, so they were set free.
Hanumanji returned baby Ghanshyam to His ever thankful parents. Hearing all their praise, Hanumanji told them that nothing was down to Him, He is just a small Jeevand it was all the power of their almighty Son. In the same serving manner, Hanumanji continued to serve Shree Hari through-out His life.
The strength, intelligence, character and supreme powers of Hanumanji have been immeasurably glorified throughout the ages, as Hanumanji had received a boon of ChiranJeevi (immortality) along with numerous other vardans from other Devas. Valmiki Ramayana, 7.36.44, rhetorically asks the questions of ‘Who, in the world, is superior to Hanuman in valour, energy, intelligence, prowess, character, charm, discernment, composure, dexterity, vigour, and fortitude?’, further emphasising the infinite qualities of Hanumanji and why He is reverently worshipped by Hindu’s all over the world.
Vachnamrut, GadhadaMadhya 62, ShreejiMaharaj when talking about strengths Haribhaktos should have to lead them to kalyan(Ultimate Happiness) and extreme bliss, glorifies the name of Hanuman topossessthe strengths of pativrata(to worship Bhagvan as if He is his husband) and strength of seva, to serve Bhagwan as His Das (servant). In Vachnamrut, Jetalpur 2, ShreejiMaharaj refers to Hanuman as a yeti, one who firmly follows brahmcharya(celibacy) and has conquered all of his indiryas(body senses). ShreejiMaharaj justifies this with theleela of Hanuman searching for Sitaji after being kidnapped by Ravan. Even though Hanuman had to look at hundreds of woman before He found Sitaji, He always kept his senses in check and repeatedly thought ‘It is by Ramchandraji’s grace, no disturbance has arisen in my indriyas and in my vrutti’ and with this unbreakable shraddha and bhaktihe is a devotee whose name is famed forever with devotees praying to Hanuman for strength and to eradicate evil influences from their lives.
References:
Valmiki’sRamayan,7.36.44ValmikiRamayanKishkindha 1-4
Tulsidas, Ramcharitmanas, 5.16.2 & 5.31.4
SatsangiJeevan, Prakran 1, Adhyay 17SatsangiJeevan, Prakran 1, Adhyay 23
Vachnamrut, GadhadaMadhya 62Jetalpur 2
Shikshapatri, Shlok 85 and Shlok 127
ShikshapatriBhashya 85 and 127
|| Shree SwaminarayanoVijaytetram ||