It is believed and said that Lord Shiva always keeps meditating (Upasana) on the Taraka Manthra - Rama Nama which is called as the family Manthra of Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva himself tells Goddess Parvathi about the significance of Rama Nama and suggests her also to recite the same all the time. Lord Shankara, knowing the sweetness of it also initiated his beloved Parvathi to it. He tells her,
Sree Rama Rama Ramethi Rame Raame Manorame
Sahasranama Tat Thul-yam Rama Nama Varanane
(Phala Stuthi of Sri Vishnu Sahasranama Sthothram)
Lord Shiva considered as the greatest devotee of Lord SriManNarayana (Maha Vishnu) had a sankalpa to contribute his share of service and support to the Lord when he came to know that Lord Sri Maha Vishnu is going to take avathara on Earth as Sri Rama.
Birth of Lord Hanuman
There are several stories related to the birth of Lord Hanuman. We find one such story, in Sri Venkatachala Mahatmya (published by TTD) as mentioned in Sri Brahmanda Purana as a Bhrigu - Narada samvaada.
During Treta Yuga, Hanuman’s maternal grand father whose name also was Kesari had a desire to have Lord Shiva as his son and accordingly did penance. But Lord Shiva had told him that since it was not possible for Kesari to beget a son as per his destiny he gave a boon to him that his desire will get fulfilled through his daughter. Accordingly Anjanadevi was born and she got married to a Vanara warrior called Kesari. Even the couple had no children for a long time.
As per the divine direction Anjanadevi did penance for several thousands of years on the Venkatadri hills (Tirumala).
That was also the time when Lord Vishnu was to take birth as Sri Rama. Pleased with the penance of Anjanadevi and in order to fulfill the boon given to Anjana’s father Kesari, Lord Shiva releases his energy which was transmitted by Lord Vayu into the womb of Anjanadevi resulting in the birth of a son called as Aaanjaneya (Hanuman) who went on to become the greatest and selfless devotee of Lord Sri Rama.
Thus the sankalpa of Lord Shiva to take birth as a contemporary to his Upasana Devatha, Lord Sri Rama and to help him in his endeavors got manifested in the form of Lord Hanuman. In this process Lord Vayu became the facilitator for the birth of Hanuman. The place where Lord Hanuman’s mother did the penance on the Venkatadri hills became
popular to be called as Anjanadri which, one can find even today while going to Tirumala Hills. This legend connects to the mentioning of Lord Hanuman as son of Lord Shiva.
There is also another story about Anjanadevi who in her previous birth as Punjikasthala was an Apsarasa. On one of the occasions she met with a curse to be born on Earth in the form of a Vanara to be got released from the curse by begetting Lord Shiva as her son. Punjikasthala took birth on the earth in the form of a Vanara and married Kesari as said above.
It is said that as per the great epic Ramayana scripted by sage Valmiki which is considered as the most authentic version, Lord Hanuman was mentioned as Rudramsa born to Anjanadevi with the help of Lord Vayu. It is said that there is a reference to Lord Hanuman as Amsa of Lord Shiva in Parasara Samhitha
Tulsidas a Brahmin by birth and a great Sanskrit scholar was also a Hindi poet who lived during the 16th century (1532–1623) is considered as the reincarnation of sage Valmiki and a great devotee of Lord Sri Rama and Lord Hanuman. He had translated the Sanskrit version of Valmiki Ramayana into Hindi later called as Rama Charita Manas also known as Tulsi Ramayana. He had also scripted a song that contained 40 stanzas in praise of Lord Hanuman which became very popular as Hanuman Chaleesa. Though we are not competent to comment on the scripts written by the great saints, what Tulsidas had mentioned about Lord Hanuman as an avathara of Lord Shiva becomes factual which Valmiki Ramayana and other pouranic legends confirm.
Hanuman Chaleesa written by great saint and devotee of Lord Hanuman not only mentions Hanuman as the son
of Lord Shiva but also mentions Hanuman as the son of Lord Vayu and also as the son of Kesari. Based on the above pauranic facts all the three versions become possible. Lord Shiva can be considered as the biological father, Lord Vayu as the spiritual father and Kesari as the foster father of Lord Hanuman. All said and done even if Lord Hanuman is assumed as an avathara of Lord Shiva, he is only serving and worshiping his Upasana devatha Lord Sri Rama as a personification of selfless service, the target being the same at both ends.
Why Hanuman Chaleesa?
Coming to the point of suggesting recitation of Hanuman Chaleesa as one of the austerities (namasmarana) that can be adapted during Chaturmasam is as follows. The concept of Chaturmasam vratha is applicable and to be adapted by one and all without any discrimination of age, gender, caste, and asrama. There is no exception whatsoever, the vratha is
applicable to people belonging to all the four varnas and is not restricted to one particular group.
When that is the case, I have to suggest a simpler and easier one for recitation by one and all. It is like, those who can recite Vishnu Sahasra Nama it has to be recited with full text. But for those under privileged reciting Rama Nama is as powerful as reciting Vishnu Sahasra Nama.
In the words of Mahatma Gandhi “I have suggested Rama Nama as I have been familiar with it since my childhood and as it is my constant support in my strugglesâ€.
Of course Vayu Sthuthi also was suggested. With due respects, frankly speaking, how many people know about Vayu Sthuthi outside the Madhva society. In North India in all the temples of Lord Hanuman we find people following only Hanuman Chaleesa as a prayer while worshipping Lord Hanuman. Even in South India except in Hanuman temples maintained by Madhva societies we don’t find usage of Vayu Sthuthi. I am not undermining in any way the superiority, sanctity and sacredness of Vayu Sthuthi.
At the same time Hanuman Chaleesa is no mean an option where the focus is again on Lord Hanuman only. It was written by saint Tulsidas the great devotee of Lord Hanuman, who also said to have had the privilege of having darshan
of Lord Sri Rama and Lord Hanuman. It is one of the most popular texts for recitation and is believed to confer many benefits on those who recite it. The benefits include health, general protection, and spiritual attainments. Since centuries people are reciting Hanuman Chaleesa irrespective of the caste and creed and getting benefitted out of it for
which I am not an exception. I have been practicing and suggesting Hanuman Chaleesa as a remedy which is yielding results.
I don’t find any discrimination or deviation in suggesting Hanuman Chaleesa for recitation as a prayer that affects the basic fundamentals of any philosophy or belief and according to me absolutely there is no confusion in this regard.
I feel that one should properly understand the concept and significance of Chaturmasa/Vaishnava and what vow to take
or what austerity to perform or what prayer to recite is a choice of an individual. What is important at the end of
the day is Sraddha, Bhakthi, and Belief. In whatever form one worships, the ultimate reach should be the realty that is
Lord SriManNarayana.
Sarva Deva Namaskaram Kesavam Pratigachhathi.
Sri Krishnaarpanamasthu
Sri Rama Jaya Rama Jaya Jaya Rama
With The Blessings Of Lord Anjaneya
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