Every year on the joyous occasion of Hanuman Jayanti, a vibrant festival celebrates the birth of Lord Hanuman, a captivating figure woven into the rich tapestry of Hindu mythology. Hanuman Jayanti typically falls in the month of April, on the full moon day (Purnima) of the Hindu lunar calendar month Chaitra. The birth of Lord Hanuman is a cornerstone of Hindu mythology, a captivating narrative woven into the rich tapestry of beliefs. Unlike some deities with singular origin stories, Hanuman’s birth story is an enchanting tale, steeped in divine interventions and the fulfillment of a powerful prophecy.
A Boon Granted
According to Hindu mythology, Hanuman’s lineage is traced back to Kesari, the king of Sumeru and son of Brihaspati. His mother, Anjana, is an Apsara (celestial nymph) cursed to walk the earth as a monkey-woman. This story emphasizes unwavering devotion. Anjana and Kesari, through twelve years of intense prayers and penance, receive a boon from Lord Shiva himself. This boon grants them a child – Hanuman himself. The connection to Shiva leads some to view Hanuman as a reflection or even an incarnation of the powerful god.
The Celestial Pudding and Vayu’s Touch
Other mythological story Eknath’s Bhavartha Ramayana states that King Dasharatha of Ayodhya performs a sacred ritual (Putrakameshti yagna) for a son. This ceremony culminates in a celestial pudding, imbued with divine power. As fate would have it, a playful kite snatches a morsel of this pudding as it soars through the sky. The fragment lands in Anjana’s outstretched hands as she continues her worship. Recognizing its divinity, she consumes it. Some accounts credit Vayu, the wind god, with delivering the pudding to Anjana, establishing his connection to Hanuman. This connection explains Hanuman’s immense strength and the ability to fly like the wind itself. He is popularly known as Vayuputra (son of the Wind God).
A Shared Legacy: Birthplace and Early Adventures
Regardless of the specific birth narrative, both stories converge at a significant location: Anjaneya Hill, also known as Hanuman Hill. This birthplace holds a special place in the hearts of devotees. Both narratives depict Hanuman’s childhood as a whirlwind of adventures.
A Mischievous Beginning and the Mark of Destiny
Hanuman’s childhood was a whirlwind of adventures. His boundless energy and mischievous nature are legendary. One tale recounts his youthful folly of mistaking the rising sun for a giant, ripe mango. In his pursuit to devour it, he soared through the heavens, only to be struck by Indra’s thunderbolt. Though injured, this incident is said to have earned him the name Hanuman, which some interpret as “one with a broken jaw” due to the permanent mark left by the thunderbolt. Vayu, enraged by his son’s injury, intervened, restoring Hanuman to life and even securing him additional blessings from the devas.
A Legacy of Devotion
The birth of Lord Hanuman is not just a story of a powerful deity’s arrival. It’s a testament to the unwavering devotion of Anjana and Kesari. It speaks of the power of destiny and the divine forces that shaped Hanuman’s extraordinary life. His birth story sets the stage for his legendary journey, forever bound to Lord Rama and his unwavering devotion to dharma (duty).
