Hanuman Jayanti or the birthday of Hanuman falls on the Purnima of the month of Chaitra. The objective of Hanuman’s birth was to assist Rama in vanquishing Ravan, the evil king of Lanka. He fulfilled his mission with utmost devotion and sincerity. After Ravan’s defeat there is a dialogue between Hanuman and Sita, which is not only a poignant poetic experience but filled with moral instruction as well.
Hanuman-Sita Dialogue
After Ravan was killed in battle, Rama sent Hanuman to Sita to inform her of the good news. When Sita heard Hanuman’s message, she was tongue tied for a moment. Then with the joy of exultation and with tears of happiness in her eyes she asked Hanuman, “What can I give you? There is nothing in the world that can compare with the worth of your message. Silver, gold, diamonds and even the kingship of the universe cannot be adequate compensation.”
Hanuman replied, “When I saw the enemy vanquished and Ram and Lakshman safe and sound, I received more than the kingship of the entire world.” It was then that Sita praised Hanuman for possessing the eight excellences and great virtues. She said, “May all the virtues reside in you forever along with the blessings of Ram.” There could have been no greater gift to a devotee of Ram.
Neetisara by Kamandaka
In the Ramayana, Valmiki does not elaborate on the eight excellences. Centuries later when Kamandaka wrote Neetisara he described these desirable qualities. Neetisara, meaning the essence of policy, was a sort of political manual that explained how those engaged in administration should conduct themselves. It was required that they possess the eight excellences. These are keenness to hear spiritual discourses, readiness to hear such discourses, receptivity to what others are saying, power to retain what is heard and read, reasoning for a proposition, reasoning against a proposition, the faculty of comprehension and the realization of truth.
Valmiki does specify the virtues that Hanuman was blessed with. They were strength, valor, the knowledge of scriptures, superlative skill, forbearance, firmness and humility.
The Birth of Hanuman
A person possessing such skills could not have an ordinary lineage. Hanuman was born to Anjani who was the wife of Kesari. But Kesari was not Hanuman’s biological father. The blessings of Shiva were carried by Vayu, the Wind demi-god, to Anjani when she was alone on a hill top. The hill where this is believed to have happened is known as Anjaneri. It is 7 km from Trimbakeshwar, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas dedicated to Shiva.
In his youth, Hanuman was unable to exert control on his powers. He thought the sun was a fruit and leapt into the heavens to eat it. The demi-gods then decided that it is better that this superlative strength lies dormant till needed. When Hanuman had to make the leap from the mainland to the island of Lanka, Jambavant recounted the story of Hanuman’s birth and helped him regain his powers.
Resources:
Valmiki Ramayana, Yuddha Kanda, Valmikiramayan.net
The Birth of Hanuman, Hinduism.suite101.com
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