| Lord Hanuman is also known by other popular names like Anjaneya,
Bajrang Bali, Pavan Suta, Mahavir, Sankat Mochan, Hanumat, Hanumant,
etc. He is worshipped in all parts of India. The popular days for
his worship are Tuesday and Saturday. On these days devotees recite
Hanuman Chalisa and Sankat Mochan Hanuman Ashtak with great fervor.
In South India, Hanuman is visualized as a five headed and multiple
armed God, thus multiplying his capabilities manyfold. Various forms
of Hanuman worship are described in Hanumat Kavya, Hanumat Kirtan,
and Hanumat Paddhati etc.
The character of Hanuman Ji is very important in Ramayana. He
is portrayed as a perfect devotee of Lord Rama. On one hand he
represents the ideal of service and on the other he represents
endless strength and courage, striking the whole world with awe.
He has no hesitation in sacrificing his life for the good of Rama.
Service to Rama was his supreme motto. His dedication and devotion
to Lord Raina is remarkable in the history of mankind. He was
born in the monkey race as the son of Anjana and Kesari. Anjana
had the blessings of Pavan Dev (the Wind God) and for that reason
he is known as Pavan Sut or Pavan Putra (son of Wind God). The
word 'Hanu' means 'jaw'. Thus the word 'Hanuman' means one with
a thick jaw. According to the scriptures Hanuman was short, stocky,
and golden brown in color. As a child he leapt for the Sun. The
King of Gods 'Indra' used his 'Vajra' to stop little Hanuman.
He fell down on a hill and broke his jaw. Thence forth he was
known as 'Hanuman' the 'one with a thick jaw'.
As a character, Hanuman represents a perfect man of education
and culture, proficient, efficient and ever a go getter. Nothing
seems to be impossible for him. He is one of the seven 'Chiranjivis',
those who are said to live for ever. He is thought to be present
in this world with us even today. His character demonstrates that
nothing is impossible to achieve if one sets a goal and does not
deviate from it. He shows that our spiritual development is initiated
by a single pointed devotion to God. He who always thinks of the
supreme becomes great. Absolute surrender to God is the secret
of great life. When the entire personality is turned to the infinite
all shortcomings disappear.
Swami Vivekanand said "You have now to make the character
of Mahavir your ideal. He had no care for life or death. He was
a perfect master of his senses and wonderfully sagacious. You
have now to build your life on this great ideal of personal service.
Through that, all the other ideals will gradually manifest in
life. Obedience to the Guru and a strict observance of Brahmacharya
celibacy and abstinence) is the secret of his success."
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