There is an interesting legend behind the birth of Lord Hanuman. There was once a great sage named Angira.  He is said to have visited the heaven to meet its King Indra. Indra being overjoyed on seeing the holy sage, had arranged for a dance performance by a damsel dancer named Punjiksthala, as part of the welcome ceremony. However, the saint who was not interested in such materialistic things ignored the dance and started meditating the God. At the end of the dance performance, the Sage was asked by Indira to share his opinion about the dance. The Sage fell silent for a moment and then replied honestly that he was in deep meditation and that is not interested in such dances anymore. King Indira and the dancer felt insulted with the sage’s comment. The dancer then showed her resentment towards the Sage’s act which in turn angered the Sage. He cursed the dancer saying she shall be born on the earth from the Swarg (heaven) in the form of a female monkey, around a mountainous region.

Punjiksthala then felt sorry and expressed her apologies to the sage. She is said to have met one other sage who was merciful enough to bless her that a great worshipper of Lord Vishnu would be born to her and will serve the almighty forever. Thus Punjiksthala was born in this world as Anjana, daughter of Kunjar, the monkey king. She was married off to Kapiraj Kesari of Mount Sumeru and later gave birth to the mighty Hanuman. Five major factors are attributed to the birth of Hanuman to Anjana.

1. The curse of Sage Angira.
2. The blessings of the other Saint whom she met later.
3. Her prayers to seek blessings of Lord Shiva
4. The blessings of Vayu deva and
5. The Putreshti Yagna’s fruit.

According to Mythology, Lord Shiva is said to have taken his 11th Rudra Avathar as Lord Hanuman in order to assist Lord Rama, an Avathar of Lord Vishnu, in fighting the evil Ravana. He could not serve Lord Rama in his original form and thus took the form of Hanuman.

The entire Vaanara clan is said to have rejoiced the birth of Lord Hanuman. They celebrated his birthday with great enthusiasm and expressed their joy by dancing and singing. From then on, this event is widely celebrated as Hanuman Jayanti by his devotees all over the world. Lord Hanuman is believed to bless his worshippers with immense strength and wisdom, which is the most prominent feature of Lord Hanuman himself.

Hanuman Mantra

Manojavam Maruttulyavegm

Jitendrium Buddhimatam Varishtham

Vatatmajam Vanarayuthmukhyam

Shri Ramdutam Sharanam Prapdye.

 More articles on Hanuman Jayanthi to follow……