Thursday, March 19, 2015

GRACE & DIVINITY OF HANUMANJI

GRACE & DIVINITY OF HANUMANJI

Lifting a mountain
Shri Hanuman
Ravana, upon learning that Kalanemi has been slain by Hanuman, summons Surya to rise before its appointed time because the physician Sushena had said that Lakshmana would perish if untreated by daybreak. Hanuman realizes the danger, however, and, becoming many times his normal size, detains the Sun God to prevent the break of day. He then resumes his search for the precious herb, but, when he finds himself unable to identify which herb it is, he lifts the entire mountain and delivers it to the battlefield in Lanka. Sushena then identifies and administers the herb, and Lakshmana is saved. Rama embraces Hanuman, declaring him as dear to him as his own brother. Hanuman releases Surya from his grip, and asks forgiveness, as the Sun was also his Guru.
Hanuman was also called"langra veer"; langra in Hindi means lame and veer means"bravest of brave". The story behind Hanuman being called langra is as follows. He was injured when he was crossing the Ayodhya with the mountain in his hands. As he was crossing over Ayodhya, Bharat, Rama's young brother, saw him and assumed that some Rakshasa was taking this mountain to attack Ayodhya. Bharat then shot Rama with an arrow, which was engraved with Rama's name. Hanuman did not stop this arrow as it had Rama's name written on it, and it injured his leg. Hanuman landed and explained to Bharat that he was moving the mountain to save his own brother, Lakshmana. Bharat, very sorry, offered to fire an arrow to Lanka, which Hanuman could ride in order to reach his destination more easily. But Hanuman declined the offer, preferring to fly on his own, and he continued his journey with his injured leg.
Patala incident
In another incident during the war, Rama and Lakshmana are captured by the rakshasa Mahiravana (or Ahiravan), brother of Ravana, who held them captive in their palace in Patala (or Patalpuri)—the netherworld. Mahiravana keeps them as offerings to his deity. Searching for them, Hanuman reaches Patala, the gates of which are guarded by a young creature called Makardhwaja (known also as Makar-Dhwaja or Magar Dhwaja), who is part reptile and part Vanara.
The story of Makardhwaja's birth is said to be that when Hanuman extinguished his burning tail in the ocean, a drop of his sweat fell into the waters, eventually becoming Makardhwaja, who perceives Hanuman as his father. When Hanuman introduces himself to Makardhwaja, the latter asks his blessings, but fights him to fulfill the task of guarding the gate. Hanuman defeats and imprisons him to gain entry.
Upon entering Patala, Hanuman discovers that to kill Mahiravana, he must simultaneously extinguish five lamps burning in different directions. Hanuman assumes the Panchamukha or five-faced form of Sri Varaha facing north, Sri Narasimha facing south, Sri Garuda facing west, Sri Hayagriva facing the sky and his own facing the east, and blows out the lamps. Hanuman then rescues Rama and Lakshmana. Afterwards, Rama asks Hanuman to crown Makardhwaja king of Patala. Hanuman then instructs Makardhwaja to rule Patala with justice and wisdom.
Bharata's vow
When the war ends, Rama's 14-year exile has almost elapsed. Rama then remembers Bharata's vow to immolate himself if Rama does not return to rule Ayodhya immediately, on completion of the stipulated period. Realising that it would be a little later than the last day of the 14 years when he would reach Ayodhya, Rama is anxious to prevent Bharata from giving up his life. Hanuman therefore flies to Ayodhya to inform Bharata that Rama is on his way home.
Honored, after he is crowned Emperor upon his return to Ayodhya, Rama decides to ceremoniously reward all his well-wishers. At a grand ceremony in his court, all his friends and allies take turns being honoured at the throne. Hanuman approaches without desiring a reward. Seeing Hanuman come up to him, an emotionally overwhelmed Rama embraces him warmly, declaring that he could never adequately honour or repay Hanuman for the help and services he received from the noble Vanara. Sita, however, insists that Hanuman deserved honour more than anyone else, and Sita gives him a necklace of precious stones adorning her neck.
When he receives it, Hanuman immediately takes it apart, and peers into each stone. Taken aback, many of those present demand to know why he is destroying the precious gift. Hanuman answers that he was looking into the stones to make sure that Rama and Sita are in them, because if they are not, the necklace is of no value to him. At this, a few mock Hanuman, saying his reverence and love for Rama and Sita could not possibly be as deep as he implies. In response, Hanuman tears his chest open, and everyone is stunned to see Rama and Sita literally in his heart.
Hanuman Ramayana
After the victory of Rama over Ravana, Hanuman went to the Himalayas to continue his worship of the Lord. There he scripted a version of the Ramayana on the Himalayan mountains using his nails, recording every detail of Rama's deeds. When Maharishi Valmiki visited him to show him his own version of the Ramayana, he saw Hanuman's version and became very disappointed.
When Hanuman asked Valmiki the cause of his sorrow, the sage said that his version, which he had created very laboriously, was no match for the splendour of Hanuman's, and would therefore go ignored. At this, Hanuman discarded his own version, which is called the Hanumad Ramayana. Maharishi Valmiki was so taken aback that he said he would take another birth to sing the glory of Hanuman which he had understated in his version.
Later, one tablet is said to have floated ashore during the period of Mahakavi Kalidasa, and hung at a public place to be deciphered by scholars. Kalidasa is said to have deciphered it and recognised that it was from the Hanumad Ramayana recorded by Hanuman in an extinct script, and considered himself very fortunate to see at least one pada of the stanza.
After the Ramayana war
After the war, and after reigning for several years, the time arrived for Rama to depart to his heavenly abode. Many of Rama's entourage, including Sugriva, decided to depart with him. Hanuman, however, requested to remain on earth as long as Rama's name was venerated by people. Sita accorded Hanuman that desire, and granted that his image would be installed at various public places, so he could listen to people chantingRama's name. He is one of the immortals of Hinduismf Aum Jai Sri Rama.

Friday, February 27, 2015

Katha message

Why do we go to temples?....... The archana that is performed consists the holy names of the Lord and they have a specific pattern! They glorify the Lord's avathara, his kalyana gunas, his daya, Karunya, and also an assurance that what is sought is definitely obtained! Then the sevarthy's specific need is addressed. As Bagavan has pointed out in Bagavat Gita : "chatur-vidhya bhajante mam janah sukritino arjuna arto jijnasur artharthi jnani cha bharatarsabha” There are four types of devotees they are Artha, Artharti, Jigyasu, and Jnani! The first one wants his distress alleviated the second wants to fulfill his desire, the third wants none of the above but is curious of knowing more about the concept of God and divinity! and the fourth is a realized soul! Similarly our ancestors have designed the timing of worship and also provided a method to continue the worship at home by way of Aradhana for an image of the Lord at home! If you carefully observe the temple timings are spread over the entire day! making it accessible to all. For instance a farmer can not visit the temple in the morning as he has to tend to his fields, similarly so many can not undertake this visit in the morning for them the time slots between the early morning and Artha jama may be convenient. As Lord is beyond time and space he could not be confined to these time intervals but to make the devotee come to Him without any hassles, these were put in place! During some period one may not be able to visit the temple at all, for them specific days listed as holy in the almanac are kept to come to the temple and offer his prayers. People due to their occupation leave their home town and stay for long outside their home town, for them it would be convenient to come during the annual festivals and derive the benefit of god's grace! If you carefully look at these festivities you would know that they provide for participation of all these people. Festivals like Anna koota, Naraimani, etc are evolved with these people like farmers or growers in mind. Similarly the temple rituals accommodate men women, children, young, old, and different asramas like Brahmacharya, Grhastha, Vanaprastha and Sanyasa too. These festivals also provide opportunity to vidyarthis to come to the temple and recite Vedic portions that they have learnt in Patasalas, and give opportunity to others who have learnt fine arts, harikatha, dance drama, music exponents, purohitas who have learnt agama sastras, grammarians and other literary experts to come and present their skills as an offering to the Lord! Now you probably get a fair idea of how the image and temple worship has been a great boon to our religion and society and serve the purpose of elevating our consciousness to a higher level!

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Panchmukha Hanuman

Panchamukhi Hanuman


Panchmukhi hanuman kavach

श्री गणेशाय नम: | ओम अस्य श्रीपंचमुख हनुम्त्कवचमंत्रस्य ब्रह्मा रूषि:| गायत्री छंद्:| पंचमुख विराट हनुमान देवता| र्हीं बीजम्| श्रीं शक्ति:| क्रौ कीलकम्| क्रूं कवचम्| क्रै अस्त्राय फ़ट्| इति दिग्बंध्:| श्री गरूड उवाच्||
अथ ध्यानं प्रवक्ष्यामि| श्रुणु सर्वांगसुंदर| यत्कृतं देवदेवेन ध्यानं हनुमत्: प्रियम्||१||

पंचकक्त्रं महाभीमं त्रिपंचनयनैर्युतम्| बाहुभिर्दशभिर्युक्तं सर्वकामार्थसिध्दिदम्||
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पूर्वतु वानरं वक्त्रं कोटिसूर्यसमप्रभम्| दंष्ट्राकरालवदनं भ्रुकुटीकुटिलेक्षणम्||
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अस्यैव दक्षिणं वक्त्रं नारसिंहं महाद्भुतम्| अत्युग्रतेजोवपुष्पंभीषणम भयनाशनम्||
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पश्चिमं गारुडं वक्त्रं वक्रतुण्डं महाबलम्| सर्वनागप्रशमनं विषभूतादिकृन्तनम्||||

उत्तरं सौकरं वक्त्रं कृष्णं दिप्तं नभोपमम्| पातालसिंहवेतालज्वररोगादिकृन्तनम्| ऊर्ध्वं हयाननं घोरं दानवान्तकरं परम्| येन वक्त्रेण विप्रेन्द्र तारकाख्यमं महासुरम्||||

जघानशरणं तस्यात्सर्वशत्रुहरं परम्| ध्यात्वा पंचमुखं रुद्रं हनुमन्तं दयानिधिम्||
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खड्गं त्रिशुलं खट्वांगं पाशमंकुशपर्वतम्| मुष्टिं कौमोदकीं वृक्षं धारयन्तं कमण्डलुं||
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भिन्दिपालं ज्ञानमुद्रा दशभिर्मुनिपुंगवम्| एतान्यायुधजालानि धारयन्तं भजाम्यहम्||१०
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प्रेतासनोपविष्टं तं सर्वाभरण्भुषितम्| दिव्यमाल्याम्बरधरं दिव्यगन्धानु लेपनम सर्वाश्चर्यमयं देवं हनुमद्विश्वतोमुखम्||११
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पंचास्यमच्युतमनेकविचित्रवर्णवक्त्रं शशांकशिखरं कपिराजवर्यम्| पीताम्बरादिमुकुटै रूप शोभितांगं पिंगाक्षमाद्यमनिशं मनसा स्मरामि||१२
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मर्कतेशं महोत्राहं सर्वशत्रुहरं परम्| शत्रुं संहर मां रक्ष श्री मन्नपदमुध्दर||१३
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ओम हरिमर्कट मर्केत मंत्रमिदं परिलिख्यति लिख्यति वामतले| यदि नश्यति नश्यति शत्रुकुलं यदि मुंच्यति मुंच्यति वामलता||१४||

ओम हरिमर्कटाय स्वाहा ओम नमो भगवते पंचवदनाय पूर्वकपिमुखाय सकलशत्रुसंहारकाय स्वाहा
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ओम नमो भगवते पंचवदनाय दक्षिणमुखाय करालवदनाय नरसिंहाय सकलभूतप्रमथनाय स्वाया
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ओम नमो भगवते पंचवदनाय पश्चिममुखाय गरूडाननाय सकलविषहराय स्वाहा
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ओम नमो भगवते पंचवदनाय उत्तरमुखाय आदिवराहाय सकलसंपत्कराय स्वाहा
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ओम नमो भगवते पंचवदनाय उर्ध्वमुखाय हयग्रीवाय सकलजनवशकराय स्वाहा
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ओम श्रीपंचमुखहनुमंताय आंजनेयाय नमो नम
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Panchmukhi hanuman kavach
As the following mantra indicates, Lord Hanuman provides his devotees with knowledge, power, courage, and health.

Budhdirbalam yasho dhairyam nirbhayatvam arogata
Ajaadtyam vakpatutvam cha hanumat smaranadbhavet
Panchamukhi refers to five faces. According to the scriptures, Lord Hanuman assumed this form to slay Mahiravana, brother of Ravana. Mahiravana was a sorcerer and an ardent devotee of Goddess Mahamaya. Instigated by Ravana, Mahiravana took Lord Rama and his brother Lakshmana to Paathaala Loka (the netherworld) and was tempted to sacrifice them to Goddess Mahamaya.To save the divine brothers, Lord Hanuman had to stub out five lamps burning in different directions simultaneously. He therefore assumed the Panchamukha form to win this task.
The Panchamukha form of Lord Hanuman has the following five faces:
  • Hanuman (a fervent devotee of Lord Rama) – facing the east
  • Narasimha ( an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, who slayed Hiranyakashipu) – facing the south
  • Garuda ( the mount of Lord Krishna) – facing the west
  • Varaha (an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, who slayed the demon Hiranyaksha) – facing the north
  • Hayagriva (an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, considered the God of wisdom)– facing upwards
The Panchamukha Hanuman Stuthi is a potent stotra meant to praise each of the five forms. This stotra helps to alleviate troubles and keep evil forces away. It serves as a protection to devotees who chant with utmost faith.

Om namo bhagavathe panchavadanaaya poorva kapi mukhe
Sakala shatru samhaarnaaya swaaha
The east facing form of Lord Hanuman protects devotees from problems caused by enemies. He provides happiness and fulfills wishes.

Om namo bhagavathe panchavadanaaya dakshina mukhe
Karaala vadanaaya Narasimhaaya sakala bhoota praeta pramadanaaya swaaha
The south facing form of Lord Narasimha removes all types of fear, sins, unfavorable influences of spirits and demons, and fulfills our wishes.

Om namo bhagavathe panchavadanaaya paschima mukhe
Garudaaya sakala visha haranaaya swaaha
The west facing form of Lord Garuda removes all types of ailments, negativities, black magic, poison, and fear.

Om namo bhagavathe panchavadanaaya uthara mukhe
Aadivarahaaya sakala sampatkaraaya swaaha
The north facing form of Lord Varaha provides the ashta aishwarya (eight different forms of wealth).

Om namo bhagavathe panchavadanaaya oordhwa mukhe
Hayagrivaaya sakala jana vasheekaranaaya swaaha
The upwards facing form of Lord Hayagriva helps devotees attract the goodwill of people. The words of His devotees turn into reality. He bestows them with advancement in seeking knowledge, good company of friends, intelligence, good children, and salvation.
The Panchamukha Hanuman Gayatri can be chanted to overcome obstacles in life.

Om Anjaneyaya Vidmahe Panchavaktraaya Dheemahi
Tanno Hanumath Prachodayaath

The five forms namely Hanuman, Narasimha, Garuda, Varaha, and Hayagriva can also be invoked individually by chanting specific Gayatri mantras.

Hanuman Gayatri:
Shree aanjaneyaya vidmahe mahabalaaya dhimahi tanno Kapi prachodayat

Narasimha Gayatri:
Vajranakhaaya vidmahe tikshanadamshtraya dhimahi tanno Narasimha prachodayat

Garuda Gayatri:
Tatpurushaaya vidmahe suvarna pakshaya dhimahi tanno Garudah prachodayat

Varaha Gayatri:
Om dhanurdharaya vidmahe vakradamshyara dhimahi tanno Varaha: prachodayat

Hayagriva Gayatri:
Om vaagishwaraaya vidmahe Hayagrivaaya dhimahi tanno hangsa prachodayaat
If you are troubled by evil influences, and want to seek protection from fears, enemies, and the occult, Panchamukha Hanuman is the God for you. He protects those who seek refuge in Him.