The Tales of Lord Hanuman: Mythology, Devotion, and Yoga
Lord Hanuman, IS my favourite of the Gods from hinu mythology. He is the son of Anjanyei Anjana, a revered figure in Hindu mythology. As the leader of the monkey army, his adventures are immortalized in the world-famous Hindu Sanskrit poem, the Ramayana. This article seeks to explore the mythological stories of Hanuman, his indomitable spirit, and his significant role in Hindu traditions.
Hanuman: The God Winds’ Son
Hanuman, is the son of the Wind God, Vayu. His name was Maruti but, 'Hanuman', was given to him by Indra, the ruler of the gods, after smiting him in the jaw with a thunderbolt. Even as a baby, Maruti/ Hanuman exhibited extraordinary traits. He once tried to fly up and grab the Sun, mistaking it for a fruit. This act of mischief led Indra to strike him with a lightning bolt, thus naming him Hanuman, derived from the Sanskrit word 'hanu' meaning jaw.
The Devotee and Warrior
Hanuman is renowned for his unwavering devotion, bravery, and strength. His life took a turn when he met Lord Rama, the seventh manifestation of the Hindu god Vishnu. Hanuman became devoted to Lord Rama and played a pivotal role in saving Sita, Rama's beloved wife, from the control of the demon king Ravana.RAMA & SATIS’ KIDNAPPING STORY is a beautiful story in itself. hanumaNs divine qualities are the focus of the auspicious Hindu festival known as Hanuman Jayanti, celebrated this past april to commemorate his birth.
Hanuman and Celibacy
Despite his pledged celibacy and dedication to Rama, some legends recount Hanuman taking a wife, Suvarchala,( daughter of SUrya), and fathering a son, Makardhwaja[^6^]. However, these tales do not carry weight or proof, and they are rarely mentioned in the primary Hindu scriptures like the Ramayana or the Mahabharata. The celibacy of Lord Hanuman remains the predominant and widely accepted representation of his character.
Hanuman and the Practice of Surya Namaskar
Hanuman's dedication to learning and his teacher, Surya, the Sun God, led to the origin of Surya Namaskar, the Sun Salutation[^9^]. Surya, who appreciated persistence in a student, taught Hanuman all the sacred scriptures while speeding across the sky. Hanuman mastered all the Vedas and offered his gratitude and respectful greetings, namaskars, WERE his dakshina to Surya as his guru . This series of namaskars eventually evolved into the practice of Surya Namaskar.
Hanuman and Breathwork
As the son of the Wind God, Hanuman is closely associated with the power of breath. This association led to the practice of Pranayama — the yogic healing practice of conscious breathing, also known as Breathwork.
The tales of Hanuman's devotion, bravery, and strength continue to inspire millions across the globe. His stories serve as a reminder of the power of devotion, selflessness, and humility to overcome challenges and promote spirituality.
If you read this far thank you. this brief blog post does not go into depth ABOUT who Hanuman is but i hope this post has intrigued you to learn a bit more. If you are like us and love topic like this join us monthly at The breathing room. Hanuman was our fiRSt discussion for our monthly series ‘ Yoga MOre than asana"‘
References
[^1^]: Business Standard. (2024). Hanuman Jayanti 2024: History, Importance and more about Bajrangbali. [online] Available at: https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/hanuman-jayanti-2024-history-importance-and-more-about-bajrangbali-124042300510_1.html [Accessed 15 Sep. 2022].
[^6^]: Svastika. (n.d.). Who is the wife of Lord Hanuman? [online] Available at: https://svastika.in/blogs/blog/who-is-the-wife-of-lord-hanuman [Accessed 15 Sep. 2022].
[^9^]: Yoga International. (n.d.). The Ancient Origins of Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation). [online] Available at: https://yogainternational.com/article/view/the-ancient-origins-of-surya-namaskar-sun-salutation/ [Accessed 15 Sep. 2022].