Hanuman Chalisa introduction part- six What do devotees pray to Hanuman for ?

                      Hanuman Chalisa   introduction   part - six

           What do devotees pray to Hanuman pray for ?

One can ask Hanuman for anything. However, people often worship him for specific things :

• Sankatamochana - When people find themselves in trouble, they pray to Hanuman. The deity's entire life was dedicated to helping Lord Rama, Sugriva, the vanaras and devotees especially when they were in trouble. He also killed evil people who harassed the innocent. So it is a time tested faith and proof that Hanuman protects all devotees from tyrants and oppressors.
• Cures the illness - Hanuman helped in bringing Lakshmana and several others back to life. Therefore, when people meet with terrible accidents or very ill, their friends and relatives pray to Hanuman for the speedy recovery of the patient. He is prayed to also for prevention against illness. According to Ayurveda, the health of the body depends on the harmony of the three doshas ( elements) called the wind ( vata ), phlegm ( kapha) and bile ( pitta ). Any disturbance in the harmony leads to ailments in the human body. Of these, the wind is the prime cause of many ailments. On the positive side it is the main sustainer of life. The vayu in the human body is classified into ten kinds depending upon its function. They are Prana, Apana, Samana, Udana, Vyana, Naga, Kurma, krkara, Devadatta and  Dhananjaya.
• Prana   -Breath or in breath. Inhalation and exhalation are the functions of the prana. It draws life-force into the body.
• Apana  - Out-breath. The function of the apana vayu is to remove the waste matter  ( food in the form of excreta and water as sweat and urine ) from the body and is responsible for the movement of back, knees and thighs.
• Samana  - Mid-breath. It's  function is the digestion of food and to carry the digested juice to all organs and nerves.
• Udana  - Up-breath. This air operates from the neck to the head. The body gets support from this. Through this vayu only the contact between the subtle and physical body takes place. Yogis through this vayu come out of the physical body and roam in different worlds.
• Vyana  - Through-breath. It's main place on the top of the organ of generation. It takes blood to all the organs of the body. So it's function is circulation of blood.
• Naga  - serpent. Belching, hiccough, eructation and vomiting are the functions of naga.
• Kurma  - Tortoise. This is responsible for contraction, closing and opening of eye lids.
• Krkara  - kri-maker. This functions in hunger and thirst.
• Devadatta  -gift from god. This vayu is responsible for yawning, lethargy,sleep etc.
• Dhananjaya  - conqueror of wealth. This vayu promotes the nourishment of thebody. Decomposition of the body after death and ejection of the child out of the womb in women are the functions of dhananjaya.

   So the adoration of Hanuman, who is the son ofthe wind-god is believed to subside the ailments emanating from the wind as well as the health.

Rudra in the vedas is also associated with wind. As the incarnation of the eleventh Rudra also Hanuman is connectedwith wind, besides being the son of wind-god. The one who controls these winds could achieve all the eight powers in life and long life besides removal of other ailments.

In the Ananda Ramayana, thereis a Hanuman kavacha stotra, which Rama is said to have recited to Vibhishana, which could cure the persons suffering from fever and spirits.

In the Langulopanished, there is a collection of the mantras of Hanuman in whichhe is described as the eleventh incarnation of Rudra, a servant of Rama, a brahmachari, remover of the evil spirits, fever and other ailments.

Mantramahodadhi , a text on mantras prescribes the mantras on Hanuman and the methods for cure of jaundice.

So most doctors trained in the ancient Indian system of medicine consider him their patron

• Granting progeny  - Devotees of Hanuman pray to Hanuman for birth of a son.
• In the Hanumatsahasranamastotra ,Hanuman is prayed to remove all the ailments during pregnancy. He is described as the one who blesses people with sons and grand sons.

• Journey   - Remembrance of Hanuman at the time of undertaking of journey ensures success because whatever Hanuman undertook, he overcame all the obstacles and reached the destination.

•    Patron deity of scholars and musicians   -  As a great scholar whose teacher was the lord Sun himself, Hanuman is the patron deity of students, scholars and musicians.

        Several texts describe the excellence Hanuman had achieved in the field of music. According to the Adbhuta Ramayana, Narada once met Hanuman who performed a musical feat for him. Enjoying the music , Narada placed his veena on a rock nearby.But the sweet and devotional musical performance of Hanuman made the rock melt and the veena of Narada sank there in. When Hanuman finished his music, the rock became hard and the veena got stuck up with it. Narada could not take out the veena from there. Then Hanuman played the same devotional song again which made the rock to melt and Narada could take out his veena. Narada bowed down before Hanuman for his devotion in music.

In the Tantrasara text, Hanuman is described as a great musician. In the Sangitaparijata text, Hanuman is said to be a great teacher of music. In Bharata's Natyashastra, Shiva is said to be the propounder of the musical art. Hanuman is also considered as the incarnation of Shiva.

• For muscular strength  -  Hanuman is the symbol of muscular strength and celibacy. He is the patron deity of the wrestlers in India. His strength, energy and power aspect is worshipped in the wrestling rings ( akhadas ). Body builders perform 1,008 pradakshinas ( circumambulation ) before Hanuman every day in order to become great wrestlers and athletes.
• For protection against the negative effects of planets   -  Hanuman is a friend of planets. Almost all the Hindus believe that nine planets affect the lives of the people. saturn is the most dreaded one because of the severe period it brings to test the man. Hanuman freed Saturn and other planets from Ravana's clutches. As a result , he enjoys the good will of all the planets. Hanuman's devotees pray to him for protection against the negative effects of planets.
• Hanuman had attained importance in legal matters also. According to Skanda Purana , the division of wages and the declaration of justice should be done before an idol of Hanuman.    

• An enemy of ghosts and black magic.

    Fear of ghosts is dispelled by prayer to Hanuman who is fearless and as an incarnation of Shiva ( Bhutanath ) , he has control over the ghosts. It is believed that people in some Indian villages sometimes cast spells or thrash evil spirits on their enemies. Devotees of Hanuman are immune to such attacks.

Several tribes in India perform mystic rituals in honour of Hanuman to ensure that the insects and germs that trouble them are killed.

Those who have been bitten by snakes, scorpions and other poisonous creatures pray to Hanuman to eliminate that poison. He also gives his devotees protection against epidemics and other natural disasters. This is referred to in many texts.

• The patron of new wells.

   

    Whenever a new well is being dug, a small temple of Hanuman is set up nearby. Hanuman's protection is sought for the construction by the workers and his blessings for the quality of the water of the well.

• Grants super - natural powers :

Hanuman himself a yogi can grant all the eight super natural yogic powers to the devotees.Sita granted Hanuman the power to bestow these powers on his devotees.

Most people worship Hanuman because he is the royal path to the devotion of Rama. Therefore, there is no questioning of beginning a recitation of the story of Rama ( Ramayana ) without first praying to Hanuman.

Hanuman's remarkable quality is his selfless love and service to Rama. This love is expressed as a kindness for all fellow creatures, and a desire to serve others.

Hanuman uses his matchless strength to protect and comfort , not to frighten, disturb or destroy. He does not get disturbed by events. His faith in God and adherence to principles is so intense that he succeeds in everything. He is very intelligent. He is always cheerful. He has a positive approach to everything because he knows that every person, creatureor situation is a step taking us to God.


 Divinity is nothing but manifestation of excellence. Excellence comes by hard work. No work is high or low. All men are equal. If farmers do not give produce from the fields, weavers do not weave cloth, doctors, engineers or anyone cannot contribute anything to society. So whatever profession one is in, he should do with total dedication without personal ego and a sense of triumph keeping public welfare in mind. The five causes for the accomplishment of all actions mentioned in the Bhagavad Gita are adhishthanam, karta, karanam,cheshta and daivam. The adhishthanam is the body. In order to perform action, there must be a desire, desire arises in the mind, which is supported by the body.Karta is the doer, the individual soul dwelling in the body to fulfill  its desires. The different organs of perception and action proceed to perform the action is karana.The different activities are the fourth cause cheshta. The fifth factor is destiny, daivam. The qualities and manifestation of destiny can be seen in extraordinary intelligence, memory, capacity for endurance, truthfulness, intuition and the like. All the achievements in the world are due to hard work only. One cannot achieve by mere praying and doing nothing. Prayer to god helps these factors by keeping the mind calm, pure and strong. In case of achievement, there will be contentment. In case of failure, disappointment will not be there. The performer with his pure mind will try to find out the factors responsible for that and rectify it without giving up the work. Achievement of goal will always be there. In this sense, prayer helps. Thoughts of god cheer up the body, mind and spirit. Names of god soothe the nerves. Love of god bestows peace and joy. Knowledge of god breaks the fetters of karma, leading to self-realization, the source of bliss. God is none but one's own pure consciousness. This is ultimately realized by the seeker after passing through many stages of prop.

It is said ' Devo bhutva devam yajeta '. One should worship god by imbibing the qualities which he stands for. So when a devotee imbibes the qualities of Hanuman in his life and practices them , all his prayers will be fulfilled. This is the secret of success in life.

                        With this introduction, dohas and chaupais to follow ...