 |
 |
 |
|
Hanuman symbolizes the qualities of an ideal devotee of God.
Which can be represented by the letters of his name, as follows:
• H = Humility and hopefulness (optimism)
• A = Admiration (truthfulness, devotion)
• N = Nobility (sincerity, loyalty, modesty)
• U = Understanding (knowledge)
• M = Mastery over ego (kindness, compassion)
• A = Achievements (strength)
• N = Nishkama-karma (selfless work in service of God)
Hanuman is the epitome of wisdom, brahmacharya, bhakti (devotion/faith), valor, righteousness, and strength. He is symbolized in Hinduism for his unwavering dedication to righteousness, the unstinting performance of entrusted duties, and unfailing talents in serving his chosen master.
The love for Hanuman is enshrined in the reverence and worship for the ideals and attributes he represents. A good method to develop spiritual qualities is attained by developing some form of devoted respect towards the higher truths. And in time they will be imbued into our character.
Hanuman was once ridiculed for saying Rama and Sita were in his heart unhesitatingly, to the astonished audience he unhesitatingly, tore open his chest to show his throbbing heart. The astonished audience were taken aback to see an image of Rama and Sita. Never again did anyone make fun of Hanuman's devotion.
The greatest boon Hanuman can confer is the uplifting spiritual qualities that Hanuman himself is known for.
After his coronation, following victory in the battle with Ravana, Rama distributed gifts to all those who had assisted him in his battle with Ravana.
Turning towards Hanuman, Rama said:
"There is nothing I can give you that would match the service you have rendered to me. All I can do is to give you my own self."
Upon hearing these words, Hanuman stood by Rama, in all humility, with hands joined together in front of his (Hanuman's) mouth, and head slightly bent in the pose of service for Rama. To this day, this picture of Hanuman, as a humble devotee of the Lord, is the most popular among the admirers and worshippers of Hanuman.
The worship of Hanuman, therefore, symbolizes the worship of the Supreme Lord, for acquiring knowledge, physical and mental strength, truthfulness, sincerity, selflessness, humility, loyalty, and profound devotion to the Lord.
He symbolizes the pinnacle of bhakti and is considered to be the eleventh Rudra avatar of Lord Shiva. He is more well-known as the (spiritual) Son of Vayu Deva, the Hindu deity of the wind
Hanuman is the epitome of wisdom, brahmacharya, bhakti (devotion/faith), valor, righteousness, and strength. He is symbolized in Hinduism for his unwavering dedication to righteousness, an unstinting performance of entrusted duties, and unfailing talents in serving his chosen master. His indispensable role in reuniting Rama with Sita is likened by some to that of a teacher helping an individual soul realize the divine. While the uninitiated may find it odd to worship "a monkey", to believers, the idea is to revere and worship him for the astounding attributes represented by him, that even most humans find impossible to practice.
There is no blessing that he cannot bestow — Sita granted him the power to bestow the eight siddhis and nine types of wealth on others. However, it is believed that these pale, when compared to the greatest boon one, can receive from Hanuman — the uplifting spiritual qualities that Hanuman himself is known for. It is also held that while Rama does what is right, Hanuman acts out of compassion.
He is easily reachable — just by chanting the name 'Ram'. Conversely, it is also held that the easiest way to attain Lord Rama is to worship Hanuman — the Hanuman Chalisa has a verse "Tumharae bhajan Ram ko paavae", which means "by singing hymns about You, Rama is reached".
Every morning Hanuman would observe Sita put a red mark on her forehead and smear the parting of her hair with vermilion powder, enacting a ritual which is the exclusive prerogative of married women in India. Being naturally of a curious bent of mind he asked her the reason behind this daily ritual. "For the well-being of my husband," replied she. Hanuman, ever the humble well-wisher of his chosen lord wondered: "If a virtuous woman like Sita has to apply vermilion in this manner for the good of Lord Rama, I, a mere monkey, need to do more." Thus thinking, he took a bowlful of the paste and smeared his whole body with it. Needless to say, both Rama and Sita were moved by the purity of Hanuman's heart. Since then, idols of Hanuman are colored a rich vermilion red.
Once Sita gave Hanuman a necklace of pearls. After a while, the residents of the city observed him breaking the necklace and inspecting each pearl minutely. Intrigued they asked him the reason. "I am looking for Rama and Sita," replied Hanuman. Laughing at his apparent naivety the spectators pointed out to him that the royal couple was at the moment seated on the imperial throne. "But Rama and Sita are everywhere, including my heart" wondered aloud the true bhakta. Not understanding the depth of his devotion, they further teased him:
While some people were ridiculing Hanuman for his devotion and asked him to verify if they were as he said in his heart.
He unhesitatingly, tore open his chest to show his throbbing heart. The astonished audience were taken aback to see an image of Rama and Sita. Never again did anyone make fun of Hanuman's devotion.
©Astrogems
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
