Random Thoughts-18: "Hanumath Jayanthi"

On December 27, 2008, ‘Hanumath Jayanthi’, the birthday of Lord Anjaneya was celebrated by his devotees all over the world. As a devotee of Lord Anjaneya, I went to the 'Sri Veera Sanjeevi Anjaneya Temple' in our office premises and then on reaching home, starting writing this. Due to indifferent health, I had to stop it midway and could continue only now.

Hanumanji has many names: Anjaneya, Maruti to name a few. Lord Anjaneya is a source of great inspiration and hope to his devotees. To me, he is the embodiment of unsurpassable devotion and supreme courage and strength, all of which I lack. I have been taught that he becomes ecstatic on hearing or thinking about Sri Rama. 'Ram' is the only mantra for him. He bestows his benevolence on all those who repeat the holy name of Rama.

During my bachelor days, Dr Janakiraman, a dearest friend of mine (meeting whom was a great turning point in my life and I owe much to him for my spiritual development and breadth of mind, God bless him!), used to take me to the 'upanyas' of Valmiki Ramayana by Sri Thuppul Lakshminarasimhan organized by Sri Rama Navami Celebrations Committee, Karaikudi.

Sri Thuppul Lakshminarasimhan always commenced his 'upanyas' with the recital of a Sanskrit 'sloka'. I got fascinated by the sloka. Dr J explained to me that it was from the ‘Sundara Kandam’ of Valmiki Ramayana and reciting/reading the Sundara Kandam amounts to reading the entire Ramayana and this particular sloka is heart of Sundara Kandam and reciting this equals to reciting the entire Sundara Kandam. (Probably, knowing the laziness of people like, our elders must have found this sort of shortcuts.) On my request, Dr J wrote it down for me and explained its meaning. I used to recite it whenever I was in good mood, which was infrequent. However, for the past few years, I have been reciting it more often, thanks to Vinod. It goes like this:

"Anjana Nandanam Veeram Janaki Shok Naashanam
Kapeesam Aksha Hanthaaram Vandhe Lanka Bhayankaram
Aanjaney Mati Paatal Aananam
Kaanchanaadri Kamaneey Vigraham
Paarijaath Tharu Mool Vaasinam
Bhaavayaami Pavamaan Nandanam
Yatra-yatra Raghunath Keerthanam
Tatra-tatra Kratmastha Kaanjalim
Bhasbhavaari Paripoorn Lochanam
Marutim Namat Raakshas Aantakam
Manojavam Marut Tulya Vegam
Jitendriyam Buddhimathaam Varishtham
Vaataatmajam Vaanar Yooth Mukhyam
Sri Ram Dootham Shirasa Namami.

The lines starting with "Yatra-yatra" have a retained a special place in my memory. I still remember their meaning: "Wherever the holy name of Raghunatha i.e. Ram is uttered, there appears Lord Anjaneya with ecstatic tears in his eyes." Remembering it always moves me greatly and draws me more and more close to Lord Anjaneya.

Perhaps I am too old to change my ways and maybe at best I could salvage something out of my life, which sometimes I feel looks like wreckage. So I beseech Lord Anjaneya to shower His blessings on the younger generation so that the divine spark in them awakens and uplifts, elevates and ennobles them, for the future of the world depends on them.

I shall be immensely happy if more and more of the younger generation wakes up to the greatness of Lord Anjaneya and takes up to His worship.

"Sri Ram Jaya Ram, Jaya Jaya Sri Ram".

Grateful thanks to Sanket and Picasa for permitting free downloading and posting of the image of Lord Anjaneya in this post.