Happy Hanuman Jayanti 2014! Happy birthday to Shri Hanuman, the monkey God, who is the epitome of service and devotion. Indians worldwide are celebrating this day to honor Lord Rama’s humble servant.
Hanuman was ever vigilant to his master, fearless in all his endeavors, focused, adventurous and ever virtuous. Hanuman is Pavana Kumar or Maruti– the son of the wind God Vayu and Anjani. Pavana and Maruti are both words for wind. He is also known by the appellation Anjenaya, son of Anjani.
Indians typically celebrate Hanuman Jayanti at sunrise by visiting a local temple which houses Hanuman. They often leave him sindhoor (an orange powder) flowers, sweets, and mustard oil.
Either publicly, or privately, they chant the Hanuman Chalisa. The word chalisa means 40. This is a devotional hymn to Hanuman, and consists of 40 stanzas. Each stanza glorifies his greatness by telling a story about his courageous endeavors. It is chanted at least 40 times, or as much as 108.
When Rama’s wife, Sita, was kidnapped by Ravana, Hanuman crossed an ocean and located her. He set fire to the town of Lanka, where Ravana resided. When Rama needed the life giving Ayurvedic herb, sanjivani. Hanuman lept and brought back an entire mountain which housed the herb.
In Vedic astrology, or Jyotish, chanting the Hanuman Chalisa is considered an astrological remedy, or upaya to those who are experiencing their Sade Sati. This is the time when Saturn transit’s over one’s natal Moon and the two adjacent signs. Proper specifications must be followed for this hymn, or any other mantra.
Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated on the full Moon (Purnima) of the Vedic month of Chaitra. This is when the Moon is full in the constellation or nakshatra of Chitra. In the U.S., Hanuman Jayanti 2014 falls on April 14. This year, Hanuman Jayanti coincides with a total lunar eclipse. This makes the holiday a more potent time for doing spiritual practices, as our energies are heightened during an eclipse. Hanuman Jayanti 2014 also coincides with the Sri Lankan and Tamil new year.
Hanuman bhaktas (or great devotees) pray to Hanuman today for the courage and fortitude to have his strength, courage, and most importantly, ask for his blessings.
Jai Hanuman Gyan Guna Sagar!