Anjaneya Is Our Refuge

Sakti Vikatan

P.N.Parasuraman

Translation: Veeraswamy Krishnaraj

சக்தி விகடன் - 03 Jan, 2017

விழாக்கள் / விசேஷங்கள்

Posted Date : 06:00 (20/12/2016)

ஆஞ்சநேய ரக்ஷமாம்...

சொல்லின் செல்வன் பி.என்.பரசுராமன்

Wordsmith P.N.Parasuraman

ஆஞ்சநேய ரக்ஷமாம்...

சொல்லின் செல்வன் பி.என்.பரசுராமன்

அஞ்சிலே ஒன்று பெற்றான் அஞ்சிலே ஒன்றைத்தாவி

அஞ்சிலே ஒன்றாறாக ஆாியா்க்காக ஏகி-அஞ்சிலே

ஒன்று பெற்ற அணங்கைக்கண்டு அயலாா் ஊாில்-அஞ்சிலே

ஒன்று வைத்தான் அவன் நம்மை அளித்துக்காப்பான்.

anjilè onṛu peṛṛān anjilè onṛaiththāvi

anjilè onṛāka āriyarkkāka èki- anjilè

onṛu peṛṛa aṇangaikkaṇdu ayalār ūril- anjilè

onṛu vaiththān avan nammai aḷiththukkāppān

This poem begins with his Avatara and ends with his giving of grace. Five as a word occurs in five different ways in this poem. This poem explicating the Tamil’s prowess over everything else, was written by Kambar. Do you know the one in the pentad?

He obtained one from the five: Of the five Great Elements, Anjaneya was Wind-god’s son.

Of the Pentad, he jumped over one: He jumped over water (the ocean), one of the Great Elements.

Of the five elements, he took the sky-path for the benefit of upright Rama.

Of the five Elements, he found the lady in distress born of the Earth element in a foreign city: Sita Devi the daughter of Earth, one of five Great Elements, was found (by Anjaneya).

Of the Pentad, he lighted one: Of the Five Great Elements, he kept (lit) Agni (fire).

He will rescue us with his munificence: That Anjaneya will confer grace on us.

This poem mentioning the Panchabhutas (the Pentad) is a brief of Sundara Kanda extolling the rare service and acts of Anjaneya in the Sundara Kanda section of Ramayana. Victory for us is permanent if we read these stories daily and engage in ceremonial rendition with the worship. We saw the poem. Let us read about some wonders.

Chiranjeevi asking for boon: Why?

A few days after the conclusion of coronation of Sita-Rama, the body and mind of Anjaneya were tired. Why?

The ancestors expressed their unhappiness in a dream by Anjaneya. He did not understand its import. He went to the son of Vasiṣtha and asked him for an explanation. He said, “Hunger struck your ancestors.  You must pay the debt by offering something.”  Anjaneya paid his debt but the unhappy ancestors came back in the dream.

Anjaneya somehow realized the truth (behind the dreams). He realized what the worrying ancestors were trying to tell: “Anjaneya, you offer oblation (பிண்டம்) to us in a responsible manner. After your demise, who will offer oblations to us?

Knowing the unhappiness and its cause, Sita Devi said, “Anjaneya, don’t be disheartened. Go to Kishkinda and bring back a bride.  I will conduct the wedding ceremony.  What next? Your progeny will perform śrāddha for the ancestors.  Hanuman left for Kishkinda and explained the situation to Sugriva.

Sugriva sent him south to Kicchit country to see princess Cilymba and marry her.

Hanuman went to the country, wherein the palace guard took him to princess Cilymba. Hanuman presented his case to the princess. She looked at him up and down and came to know all the particulars about Hanuman from what he said. She said to Hanuman, “What and how much do you know about the principles of love. If I were to desire a pearl necklace, how would you deliver it to me? If I were to become... and refused to eat, what will you do?” She asked a litany of questions.

Anjaneya answered her questions by saying, “I am unfamiliar with the principles of love. If I ask Sugriva, he will familiarize me with it. I will get the pearl necklace from Sita Devi. If you stop eating, I will use my iron-like fingers and force-feed you. Don’t make any delay. In Ayodhya, Sita Devi is waiting to receive you.

Cilymba gave out a laughter and said, “You know nothing about love. Send Sugriva to me.  Insulted by her, Hanuman forged forward but was stopped and tied by the palace guards.

Cilymba ordered the guards, “Don’t leave this monkey alone. Cut off 12 inches of his tail and throw it away.” That moment, Hanuman meditated on Rama, the ties went loose, his body grew up like Himalaya mountain. Hanuman leaped, caught Cilymba by her hair and flew in the sky.

As he was flying, the Ashta dikpalas (8 guardians of directions) and Vidyadharas gossiping about the imminent end of bachelorhood of Anjaneya asked him, Maruthi, “We like to see the women you are carrying.”  Anjaneya emitted a loud noise, which sent them scattering and disappearing in the clouds.

Cilymba begged him to forgive her. Anjaneya’s grip was not let loose.  As Anjaneya was flying fast, he sighted Sugriva was playing in the Tungabhadra river with his wives. That’s it!

He dropped Cilymba from the sky on the shoulders of Sugriva and flew faster than before.

Sita Devi was perplexed as Hanuman returned empty-handed and said to him, ”O child, what happened, Where is the girl?”

Anjaneya with bowed head said, “Mother, she did not accept me. I carried and gave her to Sugriva. In this wide world, god gave me a small heart. You and Ramachandra have fully occupied it. There is no place for anyone else.” So, saying, he asked for a boon.

“Mother! You must offer your blessings to me so I live long to repay the debt to my ancestors and perform Sraddha to them.  Sita Devi smiled and said, “Anjaneya, so is your desire; so things will happen.” Happy became Anjaneya, lifted his hands high and roared, “Jaya Sitaram.”

Siva Baktha Hanuman!

We all know Anjaneya is a Rama Baktha. He is also an ardent Siva Baktha.

Sankarathma was foremost among Gautama Maharishi’s disciples. He, like a lunatic, did singing and dancing regularly. As the name Sankarathma connoted, Gautama knew of his greatness in Siva Bhakti and so immersion in Atmananda (Bliss of the soul). Gautam regarded Sankarathma as his life.

King Virushaparva once visited Gautama Āśrama. The king hated the singing, dancing and the other activities of Sankarathma. The king decapitated Sankarathma in a fit of bad temper.

Seeing the deprave murder of his favorite pupil, Gautama in a fit of agitation gave up his life. The inmates of Āśrama not knowing what to do, were flabbergasted.  Siva Peruman appeared before them and restored Muni and his pupil back to life.

Siva Peruman said, “This Sankrathma remains the holder of my Ātma. He has no material desires. He does not entertain any thoughts of world activities and this material world. He is always meditating on Me.”

He continued, “Likewise, let me show you my worshipping Bhaktas.”

That moment, wonderful Vina sound emanated. Everybody was lost in that sound. Sitting beside Siva, Hanuman played on the Vina, enjoyed by the devotees. His Bhakti, rapture and Vina music caused horripilation in the audience.

It became evident that Anjaneyar, a foremost devotee of music-loving Sivaperuman brought Him under his musical influence.

Anjaneya’s ten holy hands!

Ramopadesam in Ramayana: No Rama Gita. Krishna upadesam: Bhagavad Gita exists. Why so?

In Rama Avatara, it is all deeds. Ramar showed that all can be done in an exemplary way by him. In Krishna Avatara, he showed by Upadeśa or instructions. The elders say Krishna’s Upadeśa is a good instructional treatise.  Of Rama’s deeds, we will witness one.

Coronation of Vibhīshaṇa as the king of Lanka took place.  Rama and Sita lived in Ayodhya having been pleased supremely by granting grace to their devotee. When Rama and Sita were alone by themselves, there was a loud cry of panic.  They went looking: Vibhīshaṇa came running with teary eyes.

Vibhīshaṇa fell prostrate at Rama’s feet and said, “O my Lord, the God, as you with your grace installed me as the chief of Sri Lanka after the death of Ravana, I ruled the country with no problem and shouldered the royal duty of ruling the country.”

“The thousand-headed ‘Sahasra Kanda Ravanan is coming from hell to destroy Lanka.”  So, lamented he.

Rama offering appeasement said, “Vibhīshaṇa! I am a Kṣatriya. After the annihilation of Kṣatriyas, there should not be any enmity among the Kṣatriyas.” He called Anjaneya.

“Anjaneya, Vibhīshaṇa suffers because of Ravana. You kill him and come back here.  Here, take My bow (Kothandam). Anjaneya paid homage to Rama, picked up the bow, turned…

The Devas were lined up and offered their weapons to Anjaneya, who developed ten hands to carry them. Siva appeared at the very moment and gave him his third eye. What next? Anjaneya left for Lanka with Vibhīshaṇa, killed Ravana and returned.

Anjaneya (in Sundara Kanda) in search of Sita Devi upon seeing Vibhīshaṇa thought, “He is an upright person, good-hearted and of pure mind.” Anjaneya offered his grace to alleviate the grief of such a good person.

Anjaneya bears the holy name of ‘Dasabhuja Hanuman’ in Anandamangalam near Mayur, wherein he makes the appearance of offering grace bearing weapons in his ten divine hands for our Dharsan.

The Lord of the Seven Hills and Anjaneya!

Being the son of Anjana, he is Anjaneya. The mountain bears the name Anjana Giri because Anjanadevi did penance on the mountain to be blessed with the birth of Anjaneya.

We now call the Anjana Giri as one of the Seven Hills. The Swamy that rose on the hill in his grace, we call Ezumalayan, the Lord of the Seven Hills. Why did Ezumalayan make his holy appearance there?

Don’t you know the story of Rama building a bridge with the help of Simian Warriors to reach Lanka?

The simian warriors went around in all four directions and brought stones… to build the bridge.  Anjaneya was also working hard in that effort. A mountain came into the sight of Anjaneya. His joy knew no bounds. The mountain is humongous and heavy, so thought Anjaneya. What to do?

Anjaneya, being able, strong, and humble paid homage to the mountain and said, “Hey Mountain, I am the servitor of Rama, wanting to render service to him by carrying you (to build a bridge to Sri Lanka). Because of that, please lighten your weight.”

The mountain deity levied a condition. “Anjaneya, I will fulfill your request. You must give me a word of guarantee. Ramachandra Murthy’s holy feet must fall on me. If you guarantee it by word of your mouth, I will lighten my burden on you.

Anjaneya agreed. The mountain demigoddess lightened its load on him.  Anjaneya with glee and glow lifted the mountain. It was light in weight. He jumped half-way. Therein the bund was built.

Rama ordered, “All warriors should drop what they were doing and come before me.”

Reason?

If all simian warriors deposit their loads, there will not be a place for them to stand. That was the reason (for that order).

Hearing the news, the mountain demigoddess in the hands of Anjaneya was unhappy because her wish may not come to fruition.

Anjaneya’s grief was even more. He grieved, “I gave my word to fulfil the mountain’s desire. That went unfulfilled.”

Anjaneya put the mountain down gently from his hands and said, “O Mountain Demigod, don’t be disheartened. I will forthwith go to Rama, narrate all the details and come back with an answer.” Reaching Rama, Anjaneya supplicated, “Prabho, the desire of the mountain deity must come to fruition. You should show your grace and the path to fulfill its desire.”

Rama said, “In the next Avatara, I will hold up the mountain by my hands for seven days. So, go tell the mountain deity.”

Anjaneya went to the Mountain-Deity and said, “O Mountain Demigod, don’t be unhappy. The next Avatara of Bhagavan will hold you up for seven days.”

The Mountain Deity felt relieved.

After completing Rama Avatara, Bhagavan came into Krishna Avatara.  Kannan (Krishna) held the Mountain aloft by his holy hands for seven days.

Madhava’s greatness of holding of the Mountain, we sing in devotional songs as Govardhana Girithaari and Gopalakrishna Muraari.”

Devendra caused heavy rains in his attempt to destroy Gopala’s wealth of cows…; Kannan held the mountain as a parasol to protect them.

Though Kannan’s holy hands held the Mountain, the deity’s desire did not abate. The Mountain said, “I desired for the feet of Swamy to fall one me. That did not happen.” So saying, the deity was unhappy.

Mountain deity’s unhappiness vanished because of Bhagavan’s grace. You know how.

After Krishna Avatara, during the Avatara of Veṅkaṭeśa Perumal, He stood on the mountain and proffered Dharsan.

It is the Mountain’s repository of good merits. We are also the repositories of good merits.

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Give Us Your Blessings, Āñjanēyā

M.V.Kumar, Madhuranthakam