Mythological Story of Pawanputra Hanuman

This is the mythological story of Pawanputra Hanuman, the mighty monkey-god of Hindu mythology. His birth, blessed by divine forces, is as extraordinary as his heroic deeds. To understand Hanuman's greatness, we must journey back to a time even before he was born.

The Story of Hanuman Begins in Brahma's Palace

Let us go to the divine palace of Lord Brahma, the Hindu god of creation. His heavenly abode was so magnificent that even the gods were filled with wonder upon seeing it.

Among the many celestial attendants in Brahma's court was a beautiful apsara named Anjana. Pleased with her devoted service, Lord Brahma once asked her what boon she desired.

Anjana's Curse

Anjana hesitated, then humbly said, "Lord, I wish you could remove a curse placed upon me by a sage."

She explained that as a child on earth, she had once mocked a monkey sitting in deep meditation by throwing fruits at it. Unknowingly, the monkey was a powerful sage performing intense tapasya. Disturbed, the sage cursed her to become a monkey whenever she fell in love.

Though the sage could not withdraw his words, he assured her that the man she loved would accept her despite her appearance.

Brahma's Divine Solution

Moved by her sorrow, Lord Brahma said kindly, "I see a way to remove your curse. Go to earth and live there. You will meet your husband, and your curse shall end when you give birth to an incarnation of Lord Shiva."

Anjana accepted his advice and was soon born on earth, living in a forest as a young huntress.

Anjana Meets Kesari

One day, Anjana saw a brave warrior fighting a lion. As she admired him, he turned and looked at her. Instantly, Anjana transformed into a monkey.

To her surprise, the warrior himself was a monkey-faced being. He introduced himself as Kesari, the king of monkeys, blessed by Lord Shiva. He asked Anjana to become his wife, accepting her fully as she was.

Overjoyed, Anjana accepted, realizing the sage's words had come true.

Anjana's Penance and Lord Shiva's Boon

After their marriage, Anjana performed severe penance, worshipping Lord Shiva. Pleased, Shiva appeared before her.

Anjana prayed, "Lord Shiva, please be born as my son so that I may be freed from the curse."

Lord Shiva granted her wish and disappeared.

The Divine Connection with Dasaratha's Yagna

Around the same time, King Dasaratha of Ayodhya performed the Putrakama Yagna to beget children. Agni, the Fire-God, gave him sacred payasa to share among his wives.

By divine will, a kite snatched a portion of the payasa and dropped it in the forest where Anjana was meditating. Guided by Lord Shiva, Vayu, the Wind-God, placed it into Anjana's hands.

Believing it to be Shiva's blessing, Anjana consumed the payasa.

Birth of Anjaneya

In due course, Anjana gave birth to a monkey-faced child. Kesari rejoiced, and the child was named Anjaneya, the son of Anjana.

With the birth of Lord Shiva's incarnation, Anjana was freed from her curse and soon returned to her heavenly abode.

Anjaneya's Innocence and the Sun

Before leaving, Anjana told her son that fruits red and ripe like the sun would be his food. Taking her words literally, the divine child mistook the sun for a fruit.

Gifted with extraordinary powers, Anjaneya leapt into the sky to catch the glowing orb.

Driven by divine innocence, the young Anjaneya mistakes the glowing sun for a ripe fruit and leaps into the heavens to claim it.

Indra Strikes Anjaneya

Alarmed, Suryadeva, the Sun-God, cried for help. Indra, king of the gods, rushed to the scene and warned Anjaneya to stop.

When the child ignored his commands, Indra struck him with his thunderbolt, the vajra, injuring his cheek and causing him to fall to earth unconscious.

Vayu's Wrath and the Gods' Apology

Seeing his god-son injured, Vayu was filled with rage. He carried Anjaneya to Patalloka and withdrew air from the earth, causing all beings to suffer.

Distressed, the gods rushed to Lord Brahma, who rebuked Indra and led them to beg Vayu for forgiveness.

Hanuman is Blessed

Brahma healed Anjaneya and granted him a boon that no weapon would ever harm him again. Indra added another blessing, declaring him a Chiranjeevi (immortal).

Since the vajra had struck his hanu (cheek), Anjaneya was thereafter known as Hanuman.

Legacy of Hanuman

Thus was born Pawanputra Hanuman, blessed by all the gods. In later years, he became a mighty warrior and a devoted servant of Lord Rama, playing a crucial role in rescuing Sita. His glorious deeds are immortalized in the great epic, the Ramayana.