BIRTH AND EARLY LIFE :

• Divine Birth: Hanuman is considered the son of Anjana (a celestial nymph cursed to live on Earth) and Kesari (a monkey king). He is also believed to be an incarnation of Lord Shiva. His birth was divinely orchestrated to assist Lord Rama in his mission.
• Connection to Vayu: Hanuman is called the 'Son of the Wind' because Vayu, the wind god, played a crucial role in his birth. He blessed Hanuman with immense strength, speed, and agility.
• Childhood Adventures: As a child, Hanuman was mischievous and once mistook the sun for a fruit, leaping to swallow it. This act angered Indra, who struck him with a thunderbolt, leaving a mark on his chin ('Hanu' in Sanskrit). Vayu became furious and withdrew air from the universe until the gods granted Hanuman various boons, making him invincible and immensely powerful.

ROLE IN THE RAMAYANA:

• Meeting Lord Rama: Hanuman first met Lord Rama and Lakshmana while they were searching for Sita, who had been abducted by Ravana. Hanuman, serving as a minister of Sugriva, pledged his loyalty to Rama.
• Crossing the Ocean: Hanuman's most famous feat was leaping across the ocean to reach Lanka (modern-day Sri Lanka) in search of Sita. This is detailed in the Sundara Kanda, the fifth book of the Ramayana.
• Devotion to Sita and Rama: In Lanka, Hanuman found Sita in Ashoka Vatika and assured her of Rama's efforts to rescue her. He burned much of Lanka with his fiery tail as a demonstration of Rama's might.
• Battle of Lanka: Hanuman played a crucial role in the war against Ravana, bringing the Sanjeevani herb to revive Lakshmana and aiding in Ravana's defeat.

ROLE IN LATER TEXTS :

• Mahabharata: Hanuman appears briefly in the Mahabharata, blessing Bhima (another son of Vayu) and protecting Arjuna's chariot during the Kurukshetra war.
• Puranas: Various Puranas expand on Hanuman's adventures and his eternal devotion to Rama. He is said to reside on Earth as a guardian of devotees and as a symbol of pure devotion.

Symbolism of Hanuman

• Strength and Valor : His immense power and fearlessness inspire courage.
• Devotion and Humility: His unwavering devotion to Rama represents the ideal devotee.
• Wisdom and Knowledge: As a scholar of the Vedas and a master of scriptures, Hanuman embodies intelligence and wisdom.

WORSHIP AND LEGACY

• Hanuman Jayanti: His birth is celebrated annually as Hanuman Jayanti.
• Temples and Statues: Hanuman temples are found across India and other parts of the world. His towering statues symbolize his larger-than-life character.
• Chanting and Mantras: Devotees often recite the Hanuman Chalisa and other prayers to invoke his blessings.