Yatra yatra raghunatha kirtanam;

Tatra tatra kritha masthakanjalim;

Bhaspavaari paripurna lochanam;
Maarutim namata raakshasanthakam

Meaning : "We bow to Maruti, Sri Hanuman, who stands with his palms folded above his forehead,
with a torrent of tears flowing down his eyes wherever the Names of Lord Rama are sung".

Sri Hanuman is worshipped all over India-either alone or together with Sri Rama. Every temple of Sri
Rama has the murti or idol of Sri Hanuman. Hanuman is the Avatara of Lord Shiva. He was born of the
Wind-God and Anjani Devi. His other names are Pavanasuta, Marutsuta, Pavankumar, Bajrangabali and
Mahavira.

He is the living embodiment of Ram-Nam. He was an ideal selfless worker, a true Karma Yogi who worked
desirelessly and dynamically. He was a great devotee and an exceptional Brahmachari or celibate. He
served Sri Rama with pure love and devotion, without expecting any fruit in return. He lived to serve Sri
Rama. He was humble, brave and wise. He possessed all the divine virtues. He did what others could not
do-crossing the ocean simply by uttering Ram-Nam, burning the city of Lanka, and bringing the sanjeevini
herb and restoring Lakshmana to life again. He brought Sri Rama and Lakshmana from the nether world
after killing Ahiravana.

He had devotion, knowledge, spirit of selfless service, power of celibacy, and desirelessness. He never
boasted of his bravery and intelligence.

He said to Ravana, "I am a humble messenger of Sri Rama. I have come here to serve Rama, to do His
work. By the command of Lord Rama, I have come here. I am fearless by the Grace of Lord Rama. I am not
afraid of death. I welcome it if it comes while serving Lord Rama."

Mark here how humble Hanuman was! How very devoted he was to Lord Rama! He never said, "I am the
brave Hanuman. I can do anything and everything."

Lord Rama Himself said to Sri Hanuman, "I am greatly indebted to you, O mighty hero! You did
marvellous, superhuman deeds. You do not want anything in return. Sugriva has his kingdom restored to
him. Angada has been made the crown prince. Vibhishana has become king of Lanka. But you have not
asked for anything at any time. You threw away the precious garland of pearls given to you by Sita. How can
I repay My debt of gratitude to you? I will always remain deeply indebted to you. I give you the boon of
everlasting life. All will honour and worship you like Myself. Your murti will be placed at the door of My temple
and you will be worshipped and honoured first. Whenever My stories are recited or glories sung, your glory
will be sung before Mine. You will be able to do anything, even that which I will not be able to!"

Thus did Lord Rama praise Hanuman when the latter returned to Him after finding Sita in Lanka.
Hanuman was not a bit elated. He fell in prostration at the holy feet of Lord Rama.

Lord Rama asked him, "O mighty hero, how did you cross the ocean?"

Hanuman humbly replied, "By the power and glory of Thy Name, my Lord."

Again the Lord asked, "How did you burn Lanka? How did you save yourself?"

And Hanuman replied, "By Thy Grace, my Lord."

What humility Sri Hanuman embodied!

His birthday falls on Chaitra Shukla Purnima (the March-April full moon day).
 On this holy day worship Sri Hanuman. Fast on this day. Read the Hanuman Chalisa. Spend the whole
day in the Japa of Ram-Nam. Sri Hanuman will be highly pleased and will bless you with success in all your
undertakings.

Glory to Hanuman! Glory to his Lord, Sri Rama!

Along with Bhagwan Ramchandra, Bhagwan Swaminarayan and Matsya avatar, the month of
Chaitra also witnesses the manifestation of Ramchandra's stalwart devotee Hanumanji, on
Chaitra sud Punam.

By the grace of the deities Shiva and Vayu, Anjana (Anjani), wife of Kesari, king of the monkeys,
gave birth to Hanumanji. Therefore he is also known as: Anjanisut (sut means son), Anjaneya,
Pavansut, Marutsut, Maruti and Vajrang. Pavan and Marut denote Vayu deva. Vajra means
indestructible and Indra's weapon. Ang means body.

Pre-birth Story
Once Angira rishi visited Indra in Swarg. Indra welcomed him by arranging a dance by a damsel
named Punjiksthala. As soon as she commenced dancing, the rishi closed his eyes to meditate
on Paramatma. When the dance ended, the rishi remained silent. Indra then asked him, "O rishi!
How was the dance?"

"We were absorbed in meditation of the Almighty. Such dance does not interest us." Indra felt
ashamed. However, the ego-filled damsel sneered, "How can such a (fickle) rishi appreciate
dancing in Swarg?" Hearing this, Angira cursed her, "Behold! You shall degrade to earth from
Swarg. You will be born as a female monkey in the mountain forests."

The whole of Swarg plunged into consternation. The damsel greatly regretted and repented. She
repeatedly begged for forgiveness. Finally, the merciful rishi solaced her, "A great devotee of
Paramatma will be born to you. He will forever serve Paramatma."

This damsel was the daughter of Kunjar, the king of the monkeys. She married Kapiraj Kesari of
Mount Sumeru.

Therefore, Hanumanji manifested as a result of five divine factors:

1. Angira rishi's curse and subsequent blessings

2. Anjani's prayers
3. Shri Mahadevji's (Shiva's) blessings
4. Attainment of Shiva's divine shakti by Vayu deva and
5. The fruit of a Putreshti Yagna

The Shiva Puran cites that since Shiva could not serve Shri Ram in his present form, he inspired
the birth of one Rudra from his 11 Rudras, as a monkey, Hanumanji.

Once when Hanumanji was young Surya deva (Sun deity) imbued him with knowledge of
countless weapons and mantras. However, his hyperactive nature induced him to think of
swallowing the `red, ripened fruit' - the Sun! Before he succeeded, Indra hit him with his Vajra and
persuaded him not to. On being hit by the Vajra, his beard - hanu-, became slanted. Therefore he
also became known as Hanuman. The "ji" suffix after any name accords respect. Indra then
blessed him that he will eternally remain undefeated, victorious. Hanumanji also obtained boons
from Varuna deva (water deity) and Yama - deity of death, victory and immortality. From Brahma
he obtained the power of inducing fear in enemies, of destroying fear in friends, to be able to
change his form at will and to be able to easily travel wherever he wished. From Mahadevji he
obtained the boons of longevity, scriptural wisdom and ability to cross the ocean (Padma Puran,
Patal Khand, 114, Uttar Khand, 66, Narad Puran, 1.79).

Now Hanumanji attained a supremely formidable form. However as such, he began harassing
rishis. Therefore Bhrugu rishi and Angira admonished him that he would forget the ability to use
his formidable power and only a divine personality will later guide him to use it appropriately.

Henceforth Hanumanji lived an ordinary simian life in Kishkindha, on Mount Hrushyamuk as

Sugriva's advisor. Only when Shri Ramachandra and Lakshman arrived in search of Sita, did the
two first meet. (Valmiki Ramayana Kishkindha 1-4). Thus his life turned a new course.
Ramchandraji asked him who he was. Gleaning his identity, Hanumanji humbly replied, "O
Prabhu! From the body's point of view, I am your das (servant) and From the jiva's view, I am your
bhakta."

Pleased with his wise reply, Shri Ram accepted his seva. Hanumanji and Sugriva then gathered
and sent a mighty army of monkeys to aid Shri Ram in search of Sita. (V.R.Kishkindha 40-41).

When Hanumanji struck southwards towards Lanka, Ramchandraji gave him his ring. In case he
met Sitaji, he would need to show it to prove that he was Shri Ram's envoy. Accompanied by
Jambuvan, they all arrived on India's southern shore. Jambuvan graced Hanumanji. This resulted
in him recalling his phenomenal power. Uttering "Jai Shri Ram!" Marutsut leaped high across the
ocean towards Lanka!

Here, at night, assuming a subtle form, he entered Lanka. He combed through Ravan's palace,
yet failed to locate Sitaji.

However during his search his phenomenal level of brahmacharya manifested.

Throughout the Ramayan one observes that whenever a vexing problem arose warranting
diplomacy, Valmiki lauds Hanumanji as a confluence of such virtues as: integrity, valor,
intelligence, strength, patience and wisdom. Hanumanji resolved such problems with finesse and
devotion. When he finally located Sitaji, to first soothe and gain her trust, since more than likely
she'd be frightened and would take him as one of Ravan's mayic form, he began to recite the
glory of King Raghu's lineage while hidden among the trees. He then further recited
Ramchandraji's glory. Sitaji's misery, loneliness and distress vanished. Charged with joy, she then
requested the deity who sang the glory to present himself!

When Ravan's son Indrajit used his miraculous weapons, rendering Shri Ram and Lakshman
unconscious, Hanumanji's supreme devotion as the ideal devotee manifested. Advised by the
Ayurvedic physician Sushena, to fetch the four types of herbs on mount Dronachal to revive the
two, Hanumanji flew there. Not recognizing the herbs, he returned with the whole mountain! This
miraculous power arose from his unalloyed devotion to Shri Ram and his brahmacharya.

During Shri Ram's coronation, Sitaji gifted her invaluable pearl necklace to Hanumanji in
jubilation. Being a detached and loyal devotee, he cracked a few pearls with his teeth. Not
discovering his master inside, he discarded the necklace!

In a packed assembly, when somebody questioned him whether he really had Sita and Ram in
his self, he literally tore open his chest to reveal both, in his heart! Seeing such zealous devotion,
Ramchandraji embraced him and granted a boon. "Wherever my katha is being recited, you shall
always be there... I shall never ever be estranged from you!"
Shri Ramchandraji further added, "O Hanuman! You have helped me countless times. Even if I
give my life for you repeatedly, I cannot repay your debt. What then can I give you?" After pausing
a few moments he added, "I give you what I possess; I gift you my love and grace!" He then
embraced Hanumanji! Such occasions are a true devotee's supreme moments of fulfillment.

Another virtue of Hanumanji that Valmiki lauds is Buddhimataam Varishtham - the supreme
among the wise. One well known episode reflects his wisdom. Once Mahadevji visited Shri Ram's
court in Ayodhya. Ramchandraji welcomed him by offering a grand seat. He then requested
Hanumanji to fetch milk. On fetching the milk, Hanumanji experienced a slight dilemma. Being a
pativrata devotee (supremely loyal) of Shri Ram, how could he offer the milk to Mahadevji?
Instantly he handed the bowl to his Master. Therefore Ramchandraji pointed out, 'O Hanuman.
The guest is Mahadevji. Why do you offer me the milk?'
Instantly Hanumanji replied, "Prabhu! Mahadevji is such a lofty guest that it would not be fitting for
a lowly servant as me to offer him anything. It would only be appropriate for you to offer him the
milk!"