Sankat Mochan Hanuman

‘Ha’ means God.  ‘Nu’ means that which pervades.  ‘Man’ means ‘manifested’

Hence Hanuman means: The one who is the manifested existence of the Supreme God who dwells within all.

Hanuman is known by various other names.  Amongst them: Anjaneya, Anjaniputra,Bajarangbali, Maruti, Pavanputra.

Since Hanuman is the son of Vayu (the God of wind); He lives within all creatures as the Life-giving Breath.  It is believed that Hanuman is Shivji’s Incarnation.  Shivji wished to participate in the life of Lord Vishnu when the latter incarnated as Shree Ram to enact the Leela (Drama) of the Ramayana.  Shivji therefore took the body of a monkey as he believed, that that was the best way to serve His Lord: Shree Ram.

Hanuman is the Divine example of pure devotion and service.  Hanumanji carried on his shoulder, Shree Ram and Laxman, when the latter were in search of Sugreeva.

When Ravan refused to return Seeta and put Hanumanji’s tail to fire, Hanumanji burnt down the golden city of Lanka.

During the war with Ravana, Laxman was seriously wounded. The only cure was a herbal medicine which could be procured in the Himalayas.  That medicine had to be administered before sunrise.  Hanumanji flew to the Himalayas, uprooted and carried the entire mountain, as he was not able to identify the particular required herb, brought it before sunrise and saved Laxman's life.

In the ‘Sankat Mochan’ prayer to Hanumanji, a couplet goes like this:

‘Kaaj keeyey (ey pronounced like in whey)
Vad Devan key tum
Beer Mahaprabhu dekh bichaaro
Koun so sankat mor gareeb ko
Jo tumso naheen jaat hai taaro,
Begi haro Hanuman Mahaprabhu
Jo kuchh sankat hoye hamaaro,
Ko naheen jaanat hai jag mein kapi,
Sankat Mochan naam tumhaaro.

Which means:

Considering that you perform Godly tasks (By conquering major obstacles,)
What is my problem in comparison (For you not to be setting it, right for me?)
So come quickly and solve my dilemmas (because)
Who is not aware in the world that your very name is ‘A remover of difficulties’

This Sunday, the 8^th of April, 2001 is Shri Hanuman Jayanti.

Do recite the Hanuman Chalisa 11 times, to get better acquainted with Shree Ram’s most faithful follower, the very embodiment of service, loyalty and valor.

Do also read the translation of the Sunder Kand.

It is beneficial to do so, specially on such auspicious days