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Re: Hanuman - ?

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Pritesh Vyas • December 12, 2002 


The inseparable devotee of Lord Rama. Hanumana is an incarnation of a Rudra among the eleven Rudras. In other words he is thus none other than Lord Shiva himself. Scriptural appearance of Lord Hanumana is thus :

MANOJAVAM MARUT TULYA VEGAM.
JITENDRIYAM BUDDHIMATAM VARISHTHAM
VATATMAJAM VANARYUTHA MUKHYAM,
SHRI RAMADUTAM SHARANAM PRAPADYE |

Meaning : We take refuge with Hanumana who is as fast as the mind and wind; who has full control over his senses, who is excellent in geniuses, who is the son of the wind and the leader of all the simians and represents Lord Shri Rama.

Though various scriptural descriptions are available of gods like Hanumana etc. Yet one must reflect on the scientific aspect of the most simple and easily available appearance.

SCIENTIFIC ASPECT OF HANUMANA'S APPEARANCE

The word Manojavam means one with the speed of mind i.e. one who moves extremely rapidly. One of the various names for Hanumana is Manoj. Why should not Hanumana, who represents Lord Rama, be as fast as the mind. Hanumanaji is an incarnation of none other than Rudra (Shiva), who has the power to destroy the whole creation in no time. Then why not his incarnation Hanumana, would have a speed of the mind.

Maruta Tulya Vegam is another epithet for Hanumana, that means the one with a speed of the wind. Hanumanaji is also known as Pavanasut (the son of wind). When god Pavana himself is the father of the Hanumana, it is natural then that the son would have virtues equal to those of his fathers. Jitendriyama - The one who has conquered his senses. There is not a least bit of doubt in Hanumanaji being Jitendriyama, because Lord Shiva had incinerated Kaamadeva with just a mere wink of his eyes. Then why not his incarnation. Hanumana would also be a conqueror of the senses. Hanumanaji is infact a true celibate since his childhood.
Buddhimatama Varishtham :- Excellent among the geniuses. To be excellent among the geniuses is natural for Hanumanaji. Since, Hanumanaji a true celibate right from his childhood. A celibate having a sharp brain is natural, It is a common rule that the healthy brain resides in a healthy body. And self-control has profound effect on the health. Thus, one who has all these virtues, must be excellent among the geniuses.
Vatatmajam : The son of the Vayu (Wind). Hanumanaji was born from the womb of Anjana. Mother Anjana is the queen of the simian King Kesari. But she did not conceive with the help of Vayu. Once Anjana had gone to the forests. A cyclone suddenly appeared there raising the clothes of Anjana above her waistline and she felt as if something had been placed in her womb. That something later was born as Hanumana.

Vanara Yuth Mukhyama : Here a question arises first of all as to why is Hanumana a monkey. It has an extremely vast explanation. So let us consider it briefly here. Because of the atrocities of Ravana, terror and irreligion had come to reign over the earth. To change that situation, Lord Vishnu was about to take incarnation as Rama. So calling all the gods and deities Lord Brahma instructed them : 

NIJALUKAHIN BIRANCHIGE DEVANHIHAI SIKHAI|
BANAR TANVDHARI-DHARIMAHI, HARIPADA SEVAH JAI||

Meaning: God is now to take incarnation. So, go before him and take the forms of Monkeys and bears to serve God.Thus, accepting Brahma's instructions, all the gods appeared on earth in the incarnations of Monkeys and bears. One of these incarnations is Hanumanji. Since, Ravana had sought a boon from Brahma: 
HAMA KAHUKE MARAHI NA MARE |
VANAR-MANUJA JATI DUV BARE ||

Meaning: May I not be slain by anybody except the human and monkeys. Thus, to realize the boon of Brahmaji, Hanumanaji appeared in Monkey incarnation. Thus, the radicle cause for the incarnation of all the gods is found to be one - to protect the religion an the devotees. No matters what appearance they are compelled to take they take, because it is their 




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