Hanuman Ashtottara Namavali

1	आञ्जनेय	Anjaneya	ॐ आञ्जनेयाय नमः।	Om Anjaneyaya Namah।	Son of Anjana
2	महावीर	Mahavira	ॐ महावीराय नमः।	Om Mahaviraya Namah।	Most Valiant
3	हनूमत	Hanumanta	ॐ हनूमते नमः।	Om Hanumate Namah।	One With Puffy Cheeks
4	मारुतात्मज	Marutatmaja	ॐ मारुतात्मजाय नमः।	Om Marutatmajaya Namah।	Most Beloved Like Gems
5	तत्वज्ञानप्रद	Tatvagyanaprada	ॐ तत्वज्ञानप्रदाय नमः।	Om Tatvajnanapradaya Namah।	Granter of Wisdom
6	सीतादेविमुद्राप्रदायक	Sitadevi Mudrapradayaka	ॐ सीतादेविमुद्राप्रदायकाय नमः।	Om Sitadevimudrapradayakaya Namah।	Deliverer of the Ring of Sita
7	अशोकवनकाच्छेत्रे	Ashokavanakachhetre	ॐ अशोकवनकाच्छेत्रे नमः।	Om Ashokavanakachchhetre Namah।	Destroyer of Ashoka Orchard
8	सर्वमायाविभंजन	Sarvamayavibhanjana	ॐ सर्वमायाविभंजनाय नमः।	Om Sarvamayavibhanjanaya Namah।	Destroyer of All Illusions
9	सर्वबन्धविमोक्त्रे	Sarvabandha Vimoktre	ॐ सर्वबन्धविमोक्त्रे नमः।	Om Sarvabandhavimoktre Namah।	Detacher of All Relationship
10	रक्षोविध्वंसकारक	Rakshovidhwansakaraka	ॐ रक्षोविध्वंसकारकाय नमः।	Om Rakshovidhwansakarakaya Namah।	Slayer of Demons
11	परविद्या परिहार	Paravidhyaparihara	ॐ परविद्या परिहाराय नमः।	Om Paravidya Pariharaya Namah।	Destroyer of Enemies Wisdom
12	परशौर्य विनाशन	Parashaurya Vinashana	ॐ परशौर्य विनाशनाय नमः।	Om Parashaurya Vinashanaya Namah।	Destroyer of Enemy's Valour
13	परमन्त्र निराकर्त्रे	Paramantra Nirakartre	ॐ परमन्त्र निराकर्त्रे नमः।	Om Paramantra Nirakartre Namah।	Acceptor of Rama's Mantra Only
14	परयन्त्र प्रभेदक	Parayantra Prabhedaka	ॐ परयन्त्र प्रभेदकाय नमः।	Om Parayantra Prabhedakaya Namah।	Destroyer of Enemies Missions
15	सर्वग्रह विनाशी	Sarvagraha Vinashi	ॐ सर्वग्रह विनाशिने नमः।	Om Sarvagraha Vinashine Namah।	Killer of Evil Effects of Planets
16	भीमसेन सहायकृथे	Bheemasenasahayakruthe	ॐ भीमसेन सहायकृथे नमः।	Om Bhimasena Sahayakrithe Namah।	Helper of Bheema
17	सर्वदुखः हरा	Sarvadukhahara	ॐ सर्वदुखः हराय नमः।	Om Sarvadukha Haraya Namah।	Reliever of All Agonies
18	सर्वलोकचारिणे	Sarvalolkacharine	ॐ सर्वलोकचारिणे नमः।	Om Sarvalokacharine Namah।	Wanderer of All Places
19	मनोजवाय	Manojavaya	ॐ मनोजवाय नमः।	Om Manojavaya Namah।	Speed Like Wind
20	पारिजात द्रुमूलस्थ	Parijata Drumoolastha	ॐ पारिजात द्रुमूलस्थाय नमः।	Om Parijata Drumulasthaya Namah।	Resider Under the Parijata Tree
21	सर्वमन्त्र स्वरूपवते	Sarvamantra Swaroopavate	ॐ सर्वमन्त्र स्वरूपवते नमः।	Om Sarvamantra Swarupavate Namah।	Possessor of All Hymns
22	सर्वतन्त्र स्वरूपिणे	Sarvatantra Swaroopine	ॐ सर्वतन्त्र स्वरूपिणे नमः।	Om Sarvatantra Swarupine Namah।	Shape of All Hymns
23	सर्वयन्त्रात्मक	Sarvayantratmaka	ॐ सर्वयन्त्रात्मकाय नमः।	Om Sarvayantratmakaya Namah।	Dweller in All Yantras
24	कपीश्वर	Kapeeshwara	ॐ कपीश्वराय नमः।	Om Kapishwaraya Namah।	Lord of Monkeys
25	महाकाय	Mahakaya	ॐ महाकायाय नमः।	Om Mahakayaya Namah।	Gigantic
26	सर्वरोगहरा	Sarvarogahara	ॐ सर्वरोगहराय नमः।	Om Sarvarogaharaya Namah।	Reliever of All Ailments
27	प्रभवे	Prabhave	ॐ प्रभवे नमः।	Om Prabhave Namah।	Popular Lord
28	बल सिद्धिकर	Balasiddhikara	ॐ बल सिद्धिकराय नमः।	Om Bala Siddhikaraya Namah।
29	सर्वविद्या सम्पत्तिप्रदायक	Sarvavidya Sampattipradayaka	ॐ सर्वविद्या सम्पत्तिप्रदायकाय नमः।	Om Sarvavidya Sampattipradayakaya Namah।	Granter of Knowledge and Wisdom
30	कपिसेनानायक	Kapisenanayaka	ॐ कपिसेनानायकाय नमः।	Om Kapisenanayakaya Namah।	Chief of the Monkey Army
31	भविष्यथ्चतुराननाय	Bhavishyath Chaturanana	ॐ भविष्यथ्चतुराननाय नमः।	Om Bhavishyathchaturananaya Namah।	Aware of Future Happenings
32	कुमार ब्रह्मचारी	Kumarabrahmachari	ॐ कुमार ब्रह्मचारिणे नमः।	Om Kumara Brahmacharine Namah।	Youthful Bachelor
33	रत्नकुण्डल दीप्तिमते	Ratnakundala Deeptimate	ॐ रत्नकुण्डल दीप्तिमते नमः।	Om Ratnakundala Diptimate Namah।	Wearing Gem-Studded Earrings
34	चञ्चलद्वाल सन्नद्धलम्बमान शिखोज्वला	Chanchaladwala sannaddha-lambamaana shikhojwala	ॐ चञ्चलद्वाल सन्नद्धलम्बमान शिखोज्वलाय नमः।	Om Chanchaladwala Sannaddhalambamana Shikhojwala Namah।	Glittering Tail Suspended Above The Head
35	गन्धर्व विद्यातत्वज्ञ	Gandharvavidya Tatvangna	ॐ गन्धर्व विद्यातत्वज्ञाय नमः।	Om Gandharva Vidyatatvajnaya Namah।	Exponent in the Art of Celestials
36	महाबल पराक्रम	Mahabala Parakrama	ॐ महाबल पराक्रमाय नमः।	Om Mahabala Parakramaya Namah।	Of Great Strength
37	काराग्रह विमोक्त्रे	Karagrahavimoktre	ॐ काराग्रह विमोक्त्रे नमः।	Om Karagraha Vimoktre Namah।	One Who Frees from Imprisonment
38	शृन्खला बन्धमोचक	Shrunkhalabandhamochaka	ॐ शृन्खला बन्धमोचकाय नमः।	Om Shrinkhala Bandhamochakaya Namah।	Reliever from a Chain of Distresses
39	सागरोत्तारक	Sagarotharaka	ॐ सागरोत्तारकाय नमः।	Om Sagarottarakaya Namah।	Leapt Across the Ocean
40	प्राज्ञाय	Pragnya	ॐ प्राज्ञाय नमः।	Om Prajnaya Namah।	Scholar
41	रामदूत	Ramaduta	ॐ रामदूताय नमः।	Om Ramadutaya Namah।	Ambassador of Lord Rama
42	प्रतापवते	Pratapavate	ॐ प्रतापवते नमः।	Om Pratapavate Namah।	Known for Valour
43	वानर	Vanara	ॐ वानराय नमः।	Om Vanaraya Namah।	Monkey
44	केसरीसुत	Kesarisuta	ॐ केसरीसुताय नमः।	Om Kesarisutaya Namah।	Son of Kesari
45	सीताशोक निवारक	Sitashoka Nivaraka	ॐ सीताशोक निवारकाय नमः।	Om Sitashoka Nivarakaya Namah।	Destroyer of Sita's Sorrow
46	अन्जनागर्भसम्भूता	Anjanagarbhasambhoota	ॐ अन्जनागर्भ सम्भूताय नमः।	Om Anjanagarbha Sambhutaya Namah।	Born of Anjani
47	बालार्कसद्रशानन	Balarka Sadrashanana	ॐ बालार्कसद्रशाननाय नमः।	Om Balarkasadrashananaya Namah।	Like the Rising Sun
48	विभीषण प्रियकर	Vibheeshanapriyakara	ॐ विभीषण प्रियकराय नमः।	Om Vibhishana Priyakaraya Namah।	Beloved of Vibheeshana
49	दशग्रीव कुलान्तक	Dashagreevakulantaka	ॐ दशग्रीव कुलान्तकाय नमः।	Om Dashagriva Kulantakaya Namah।	Slayer of the Ten-Headed Ravana Dynasty
50	लक्ष्मणप्राणदात्रे	Lakshmanapranadatre	ॐ लक्ष्मणप्राणदात्रे नमः।	Om Lakshmanapranadatre Namah।	Reviver of Lakshmana's Life
51	वज्रकाय	Vajrakaya	ॐ वज्रकायाय नमः।	Om Vajrakayaya Namah।	Sturdy Like Metal
52	महाद्युत	Mahadyuta	ॐ महाद्युथये नमः।	Om Mahadyuthaye Namah।	Most Radiant
53	चिरञ्जीविने	Chiranjeevini	ॐ चिरञ्जीविने नमः।	Om Chiranjivine Namah।	Eternal Being
54	रामभक्त	Ramabhakta	ॐ रामभक्ताय नमः।	Om Ramabhaktaya Namah।	Devoted to Rama
55	दैत्यकार्य विघातक	Daityakarya Vighataka	ॐ दैत्यकार्य विघातकाय नमः।	Om Daityakarya Vighatakaya Namah।	Destroyer of All Demons' Activities
56	अक्षहन्त्रे	Akshahantre	ॐ अक्षहन्त्रे नमः।	Om Akshahantre Namah।	Slayer of Aksha
57	काञ्चनाभ	Kanchanabha	ॐ काञ्चनाभाय नमः।	Om Kanchanabhaya Namah।	Golden-Hued Body
58	पञ्चवक्त्र	Panchavaktra	ॐ पञ्चवक्त्राय नमः।	Om Panchavaktraya Namah।	Five-Faced
59	महातपसी	Mahatapasi	ॐ महातपसे नमः।	Om Mahatapase Namah।	Great Meditator
60	लन्किनी भञ्जन	Lankineebhanjana	ॐ लन्किनी भञ्जनाय नमः।	Om Lankini Bhanjanaya Namah।	Slayer of Lankini
61	श्रीमते	Shrimate	ॐ श्रीमते नमः।	Om Shrimate Namah।	Revered
62	सिंहिकाप्राण भञ्जन	Simhikaprana Bhanjana	ॐ सिंहिकाप्राण भञ्जनाय नमः।	Om Simhikaprana Bhanjanaya Namah।	Slayer of Simhika
63	गन्धमादन शैलस्थ	Gandhamadana Shailastha	ॐ गन्धमादन शैलस्थाय नमः।	Om Gandhamadana Shailasthaya Namah।	Dweller of Gandhamadana
64	लङ्कापुर विदायक	Lankapuravidahaka	ॐ लङ्कापुर विदायकाय नमः।	Om Lankapura Vidayakaya Namah।	The One Who Burnt Lanka
65	सुग्रीव सचिव	Sugreeva Sachiva	ॐ सुग्रीव सचिवाय नमः।	Om Sugriva Sachivaya Namah।	Minister of Sugreeva
66	धीर	Dheera	ॐ धीराय नमः।	Om Dhiraya Namah।	Valiant
67	शूर	Shoora	ॐ शूराय नमः।	Om Shuraya Namah।	Bold
68	दैत्यकुलान्तक	Daityakulantaka	ॐ दैत्यकुलान्तकाय नमः।	Om Daityakulantakaya Namah।	Destroyer of Demons
69	सुरार्चित	Surarchita	ॐ सुरार्चिताय नमः।	Om Surarchitaya Namah।	Worshipped by Celestials
70	महातेजस	Mahatejasa	ॐ महातेजसे नमः।	Om Mahatejase Namah।	Most Radiant
71	रामचूडामणिप्रदायक	Ramachudamaniprada	ॐ रामचूडामणिप्रदायकाय नमः।	Om Ramachudamanipradayakaya Namah।	Deliverer of Rama's Ring
72	कामरूपिणे	Kamaroopine	ॐ कामरूपिणे नमः।	Om Kamarupine Namah।	Changing Form at Will
73	पिङ्गलाक्ष	Pingalaksha	ॐ पिङ्गलाक्षाय नमः।	Om Pingalakshaya Namah।	Pink-Eyed
74	वार्धिमैनाक पूजित	Vardhimainakapujita	ॐ वार्धिमैनाक पूजिताय नमः।	Om Vardhimainaka Pujitaya Namah।	Worshipped by Mynaka Hill
75	कबळीकृत मार्ताण्डमण्डलाय	Kabalikruta Martanda-Mandalaya	ॐ कबळीकृत मार्ताण्डमण्डलाय नमः।	Om Kabalikrita Martandamandalaya Namah।	Swallower of the Sun
76	विजितेन्द्रिय	Vijitendriya	ॐ विजितेन्द्रियाय नमः।	Om Vijitendriyaya Namah।	Controller of the Senses
77	रामसुग्रीव सन्धात्रे	Ramasugreeva Sandhatre	ॐ रामसुग्रीव सन्धात्रे नमः।	Om Ramasugriva Sandhatre Namah।	Mediator between Rama and Sugreeva
78	महारावण मर्धन	Maharavanamardana	ॐ महारावण मर्धनाय नमः।	Om Maharavana Mardhanaya Namah।	Slayer of the Famous Ravana
79	स्फटिकाभा	Sphatikabha	ॐ स्फटिकाभाय नमः।	Om Sphatikabhaya Namah।	Crystal-Clear
80	वागधीश	Vagadheesha	ॐ वागधीशाय नमः।	Om Vagadhishaya Namah।	Lord of Spokesmen
81	नवव्याकृतपण्डित	Navavyakruta Pandita	ॐ नवव्याकृतपण्डिताय नमः।	Om Navavyakritapanditaya Namah।	Skillful Scholar
82	चतुर्बाहवे	Chaturbahave	ॐ चतुर्बाहवे नमः।	Om Chaturbahave Namah।	Four-Armed
83	दीनबन्धुरा	Deenabandhuraya	ॐ दीनबन्धुराय नमः।	Om Dinabandhuraya Namah।	Protector of the Downtrodden
84	महात्मा	Mahatmane	ॐ मायात्मने नमः।	Om Mayatmane Namah।	Supreme Being
85	भक्तवत्सल	Bhakthavatsala	ॐ भक्तवत्सलाय नमः।	Om Bhaktavatsalaya Namah।	Protector of Devotees
86	सञ्जीवन नगाहर्त्रे	Sanjeevananagahatre	ॐ संजीवननगायार्था नमः।	Om Sanjivananagayartha Namah।	Bearer of Sanjeevi Mount
87	सुचये	Shuchaye	ॐ सुचये नमः।	Om Suchaye Namah।	Chaste
88	वाग्मिने	Vagmine	ॐ वाग्मिने नमः।	Om Vagmine Namah।	Spolesman
89	दृढव्रता	Dridhavrata	ॐ दृढव्रताय नमः।	Om Dridhavrataya Namah।	Strong-Willed Meditator
90	कालनेमि प्रमथन	Kalanemi Pramathana	ॐ कालनेमि प्रमथनाय नमः।	Om Kalanemi Pramathanaya Namah।	Slayer of Kalanemi
91	हरिमर्कट मर्कटा	Harimarkatamarkata	ॐ हरिमर्कट मर्कटाय नमः।	Om Harimarkata Markataya Namah।	Lord of Monkeys
92	दान्त	Danta	ॐ दान्ताय नमः।	Om Dantaya Namah।	Calm
93	शान्त	Shanta	ॐ शान्ताय नमः।	Om Shantaya Namah।	Very Composed
94	प्रसन्नात्मने	Prasannatmane	ॐ प्रसन्नात्मने नमः।	Om Prasannatmane Namah।	Cheerful
95	शतकन्टमदापहते	Shatakanttamadapahate	ॐ शतकन्टमुदापहर्त्रे नमः।	Om Shatakantamudapahartre Namah।	Destroyer Of shatakantta's Arrogance
96	योगी	Yogi	ॐ योगिने नमः।	Om Yogine Namah।	Saint
97	रामकथा लोलाय	Ramakathalolaya	ॐ रामकथा लोलाय नमः।	Om Ramakatha Lolaya Namah।	Crazy of listening Rama's Story
98	सीतान्वेषण पण्डित	Sitanveshana Pandita	ॐ सीतान्वेषण पण्डिताय नमः।	Om Sitanveshana Panditaya Namah।	Skillful in Finding Sita's Whereabouts
99	वज्रद्रनुष्ट	Vajradranushta	ॐ वज्रद्रनुष्टाय नमः।	Om Vajradranushtaya Namah।
100	वज्रनखा	Vajranakha	ॐ वज्रनखाय नमः।	Om Vajranakhaya Namah।	Strong-Nailed
101	रुद्रवीर्य समुद्भवा	Rudraveerya Samudbhava	ॐ रुद्र वीर्य समुद्भवाय नमः।	Om Rudra Virya Samudbhavaya Namah।	Born of Shiva
102	इन्द्रजित्प्रहितामोघब्रह्मास्त्र विनिवारक	Indrajit Prahitamoghabrahmastra Vinivaraka	ॐ इन्द्रजित्प्रहितामोघब्रह्मास्त्र विनिवारकाय नमः।	Om Indrajitprahitamoghabrahmastra Vinivarakaya Namah।	Remover of Effect of Indrajita's Brahmastra
103	पार्थ ध्वजाग्रसंवासिने	Parthadhwajagrasamvasine	ॐ पार्थ ध्वजाग्रसंवासिने नमः।	Om Partha Dhwajagrasamvasine Namah।	Having Foremost Place on Arjuna's Flag
104	शरपञ्जर भेदक	Sharapanjarabhedaka	ॐ शरपञ्जर भेदकाय नमः।	Om Sharapanjara Bhedakaya Namah।	Destroyer of the Nest made of Arrows
105	दशबाहवे	Dashabahave	ॐ दशबाहवे नमः।	Om Dashabahave Namah।	Ten-Armed
106	लोकपूज्य	Lokapujya	ॐ लोकपूज्याय नमः।	Om Lokapujyaya Namah।	Worshipped by the Universe
107	जाम्बवत्प्रीतिवर्धन	Jambavatpreeti Vardhana	ॐ जाम्बवत्प्रीतिवर्धनाय नमः।	Om Jambavatpritivardhanaya Namah।	Winning Jambavan's Love
108	सीताराम पादसेवा	Sitaramapadaseva	ॐ सीतासमेत श्रीरामपाद सेवदुरन्धराय नमः।	Om Sitasameta Shriramapada sevadurandharaya Namah।	Always Engrossed in Rama's Service
	॥ इति श्रीहनुमानष्टोत्तरशतनामावलिः सम्पूर्णा ॥

Lord Hanuman Doing Finger Snapping Service

After the coronation was over, Hanumanji stayed in Ayodhya and showed so much of eagerness and engaged fully in doing all the services to Rama. There was no chance left for others to do any type of service to their beloved Lord Rama.

Lakshman, Bharata and Shatrugna felt that they were not able to serve at all. They asked Mother Sita to do something for this. Sita Devi said that she is also sailing in the same boat because she was also not able to serve her Prabhu.

They decided to make a service schedule and divide all the services among themselves and leave out Hanumanji. So all the four broke their heads and used all their intelligence and wrote all the services right from the morning till Lord Rama goes for rest.

They gave the service schedule to Sita Devi to get the approval from Lord Rama. She took the schedule to Rama. When Rama went through the schedule, he realized that no service was allowed to Hanumanji. He understood the feelings of His brothers and Sita Devi and the ploy behind leaving out Hanumanji. He also could visualize what is going to happen but He simply smiled and asked Sita what should He do. Sita Devi asked Lord Rama to just fix his signature and seal on the list so that it becomes an official order. Lord Rama did so and the list was displayed on the notice board.

Next day, Hanumanji innocently went to Lord Rama’s room to do service, to press Rama’s leg. Immediately Lakshman told Hanumanji that it is not his service and it is allotted to Shatrugna. Lakshman said that they have made a service schedule which is approved by Rama, so everything should go accordingly. Then Hanumanji saw the schedule. He found that no service was allotted to him. He started feeling and crying for being left out. After some time he consoled himself and asked Lakshman if he could do any service which is not mentioned in the list.

Lakshman also agreed to that because he was hundred percent confident that he has not left any service. After thinking for a while, Hanumanji said that he will do the yawning service. When the Lord yawns, he will snap his fingers to protect him from all the evil effects.

They did’nt know the seriousness of this service when they agreed. No body can predict when yawning comes so Hanumanji was always required to stay with Rama. He was always keeping his fingers ready to snap. He took his prasadam with his left hand and kept his right hand ready to snap when Rama yawns. That much he was determined in his service. Sita, Lakshman, Bharata and Shatrugna were completely bewildered at this turn of the situation.

Rama smiled inside and thought that all of their intelligence put together cannot equal Hanumanji’s intelligence. Then night came. Rama went to take rest in the bedroom. Hanumanji also followed Him. Sita Devi stopped him, reminding Hanumanji about her domain. But Hanumanji was so determined in his service that he said this yawning service is most required at night time and he has to be with the Lord and it is very much essential.

Seeing this discussion, Lord Rama asked Hanumanji to go and take rest. Having received the order, Hanumanji had no other option but to leave Lord Rama and go.

Yet he thought how he can continue his service without any break. So he went to the bedroom balcony and started snapping his fingers and chanting Rama’s name. Rama started yawning repeatedly. Soon Lord Rama’s mouth locked wide open in a monster yawn. He collapsed into a chair, pale with exhaustion. Then everybody came and all were perplexed. Sage Vasishta came, looked around and understood the situation and found that Hanumanji is missing in the arena.

They all searched and somehow located Hanumanji from the balcony and bought him. Hanumanji saw the condition of his Lord, and immediately stopped snapping his fingers and fell at the feet of Rama. Rama’s mouth closed only at that instant. Rama wanted to accept the service of his pure devotee. So it was not Hanuman’s snap for Rama’s yawn. It was Rama’s yawn for Hanuman’s snap. We have to see how the Lord reciprocates with His pure devotee. Then all the brothers and Sita Devi realized the determination of Hanumanji for loving service to his Lord and decided that they will not interfere in that.

The Stones That Sank At the Ram Setu

Ramachandra Bhagavan wanted to cross over from South India to Lanka in order to defeat Ravana, and He had to transport the monkey army also.

He thought that, as it is He can’t do anything.

And He cannot take all the monkeys across of ocean in between India and Lanka.

He thought that we must have a bridge so that everyone can cross.

So who can do it?

He called Hanuman and told him, “We want a bridge tomorrow ready.”

Hanuman said “Alright Bhagavan.”

Hanuman knew that the Lord does not only order the living entities. But when He orders, He gives the strength also so that we can fulfill His desire. So he was sure.

He started to bring big mountains and stones from all over India and try to deposit them near the coast of the ocean. On each stone he was writing ‘Ram’ and he was throwing them in the ocean. And the stones were floating.

Lord Ramachandra was standing by the side. He was surprised that the stones were floating when they were thrown in the ocean.

Then Lord Ram wanted to try it Himself.

He thought, “If these stones are floating just by writing My name on it, then when I throw also they must float.”

So He picked up a big stone and threw it in to the ocean. It sank in the ocean. He thought that something must be wrong.

Again He picked up another stone and threw and again it went down.

Hanuman was watching Ram. He asked, ”What are you doing Bhagavan?”

Ram didn’t want to tell anything because He was not successful.

Hanuman said, “I know Bhagavan what you are doing. You must know these things better than me. I am bringing the stones and I am writing Your name on it. So Your association is there with the stone. Even the stone if it has the association of Krishna or Ram, it will definitely float. But when You throw the stone, You are rejecting the stone. So once You reject, how can they float?”

When Hanuman Went After Sun God

Hanuman was the son of Vayu, the god of the wind, and Anjana, a celestial nymph. You’re probably wondering how the son of the wind god and a nymph turned out to be a monkey. The answer is that Anjana once angered a sage who cursed her to be born as a monkey. When the nymph begged for pardon, the sage calmed down and said that she would regain her original form after she bore a son who would win great renown.

Even as a child, Hanuman had great powers. One morning, he saw the sun rising and thought it was a great yellow ball. He decided to get hold of it so that he could play with it. Indra, the king of gods, saw Hanuman leap into the sky and wanted to stop him. And how did he do that? He threw his weapon, the Vajra (thunderbolt) at the child. Hanuman fell to earth, wounded.

Life without air

Hanuman’s enraged father decided to go on a strike until the one who hurt his child was punished. Imagine if there is no wind on earth! How would it be? No gentle cooling breeze when the sun blazes down. No power to move the rain-bearing clouds. Why, after a point, both humans and animals couldn’t breathe. Vayu’s strike made life on earth difficult.

The gods knew they had to placate Vayu. So, they offered the baby a multitude of boons. Brahma said that no weapon would ever hurt Hanuman and that he would be able to change his form at will and travel wherever he chose. Indra’s boon was that the Vajra would no longer hurt the child and that his body would be stronger than the weapon. Varuna, the god of the ocean, offered him protection from water.

Agni, the god of fire, blessed him with immunity to fire. Surya, the sun god, gave him the power to change the size of his body. Yama blessed him with good health and immortality. Vishwakarma, the divine architect, offered a boon that Hanuman would be safe from all objects of his creation.

With all these boons, Hanuman became a great warrior who played a crucial role in the Ramayan. But that story is for another time.

Lord Hanuman and Narada Muni's Vina

Once Hanuman and his mother Ketari heard a sound of misical instrument Vina and beautiful singing of Krishnas holy name.

Ketari said, “Who is this singing? It must be Narada Muni coming!”

Hanuman asked, “Who is this person?”

Ketari replied, “He is a very great soul. He doesn’t need any introduction. You just go to him and you will find out the greatness of this man.”

Immediately Hanuman jumped up and Narada was just on his way past their place, going to see some rishi, so Hanuman jumped in his way and paid pranams. “Narada Muni, I heard that you are a very great person, so you must bless me. Without blessing me, you are not allowed to go!”

Narada said, “What blessing do you want?”

Hanuman said, “Already the demigods have given me so many blessings. I cannot think of anything else, so you think of a blessing, and you give it to me.”

Narada thought, “What blessing does Hanuman not have?”

And so he said, “You will become expert in music.” That was the only benediction left to give.

So Hanuman got that benediction, and Narada Muni said, “So I have given you the benediction, and now I am going.”

Hanuman said, “One minute, one minute.” “What do you want?”

Narada asked. “How will I know that I am the most expert in music?” Hanuman inquired. “My father told me that you are the most expert in music, so you must do me a favour today. Give me the benediction that I will be more expert than you!”

So Narada said, “All right, I will sit somewhere and listen to you.”

“Shall I start singing?” Hanuman asked.

“Yes.” Narada Muni put his vina on a rock, and he sat down on the ground.

So Hanuman selected that tune which would melt the rock, and he began to sing it. The rock melted, and the vina was in the liquid. He was singing and singing, and the vina was floating in the liquid rock.

Narada was closing his eyes and enjoying in exstasy, and he said, “All right Hanuman, you are the best musician. You can stop singing now.”

Hanuman said, “You open your eyes and tell me if I should I stop singing.”

Narada said, “How do you mean?”

Hanuman replied, “You open your eyes.”

So Narada opened his eyes and looked around. He didn’t notice the vina floating in the stone water. “Yes, you can stop singing.”

So then Hanuman stopped singing, and the liquid stone became rock, and the vina got stuck.

Narada said, “I am going,” and he took his vina, but it wouldn’t move. “What did you do, Hanuman?”

Hanuman said, “I only sung a song. You told me to sing a song, and you also gave me the ability. Now you are complaining. I have been a good boy for a whole week.”

Narada said, “One week of doing nothing means that before that week you did too much.” And then Hanuman told him all about what he had done, swallowing the sun etc, and Narada became very pleased.

Then he said, “Now whatever it was, you please sing the tune again, so I can get my vina.”

Hanuman said, “Well, I don’t know….”

Narada Muni said, “Please do it!”

“No I won’t,” Hanuman said, and he jumped up and ran inside the palace. So Narada Muni was running after Hanuman who was just running from one room to another. And you know monkeys are fast it is very difficult to catch them.

Finally Narada Muni become very tired so he called out, “Hey Hanuman, please come and give me my vina back ! I have to go! I have service to do!”

Just then Ketari came out, and when she saw Narada Muni she touched his feet and spoke – “What is my son doing, he is giving you some trouble?”

Narada said, “Oh no, no trouble, just that he got my vina stuck in the rock.” Ketari said, “Oh no, he has started his mischief again!

Hanuman, get Narada’s vina out of the rock!” said Ketari.

And then Hanuman said, “I wanted Narada Muni’s feet to touch every room in this palace, that is why I was doing this. Now he has touched all the rooms and he has made our home holy place of pilgrimage. The dust from his lotus feet is so rare that what is the use of just having it in one part of our kingdom? We should have it all over. Now I can give him back his vina. ”

Narada said, “You are already blessed, because you are Lord Rama’s eternal servant.” So Hanuman went and sung for Narada, who quickly took his vina and left.

How Lord Hanuman Met Lord Rama First Time

Valmiki’s fifth book of Ramayana, Sundara Kanda, has detailed accounts of Hanuman’s meeting with Rama and Lakshmana, and their adventures after it. Rama and Lakshmana come across Hanuman and Sugriva, while they were wandering in the forests of Kishkindha searching for Sita, just after she had been abducted by Ravana. Sugriva, at first was suspicious about the identities of Rama and Lakshmana, and thinking them to be a spy, sent by his brother Vali. Hanuman, however was confident that those two cannot be Vali’s spies, as they looked like dignified warriors However, just to be double sure, Sugriva sent Hanuman in the guise of a Brahmin to inquire about their actual identities and the purpose of their visit. Rama, upon meeting with Hanuman was greatly impressed with his exemplary virtues of good manners, and his perfectly polished tone of speaking. Rama, in him saw the qualities of a trustworthy friend, whom he can depend on, especially at that hour of danger, when Sita was missing. When Rama finally introduces himself to Hanuman, Hanuman removes his disguise, and falls to the feet of Rama, seeking his blessings. This was beginning of an epic friendship between Rama and his greatest devotee. Even today, people quote their relationship as examples of the best ever friendship that was ever there in the history of Hindu mythology. Hanuman is very popularly depicted as opening his chest containing the picture of Rama and Sita. Hanuman, therefore stands to be the greatest devotee to be ever born on the Earth.

Hanuman then introduces Rama to Sugriva, and explains to him the scenario with his brother, Vali. Rama helps Sugriva regain his kingdom from Vali, by killing Vali. In return Sugriva promises to provide Rama with an army of vanars, to assist Rama and Hanuman in finding Sita. He sent the vanars, in all four directions of the Earth to search for Sita. The vanars bring the news that Sita is in Lanka.

Lord Hanuman's Effort in finding Devi Sita at Lanka

Hanuman reached Lanka, by making a giant leap across the ocean from the Indian land. Hanuman was really impressed with Lanka’s beauty and prosperity when he looked at it from the top. Hanuman finds Sita in captivity in the Ashoka groves. Hanuman pleads her to come back with him, to Rama, and assures her that he has been looking for her with all his efforts combined. However, Sita refused to go with Hanuman, as it would be an insult to Rama himself. She told Hanuman to give Rama the message that she would return only with Rama. Hanuman also gave Sita a ring given to her by Rama. After his meeting with Sita, all hell breaks loose in Lanka, and Hanuman began to create absolute havoc. He single handedly destroyed the palaces and properties of Lanka, and also kills many rakshasas, including Jambumali and Aksha Kumar. Hanuman also fakes getting caught to Ravana’s son, Indrajit, so as to meet with the evil himself, Ravana. When he met Ravana, he gave him an ultimatum to leave Sita, and he also undermined his strength by saying that he would forgive him, if he returns Sita honorably. This greatly enraged Ravana, and orders the burning of Hanuman’s tail. Hanuman, after letting it burn for a while, jumps from one roof to another, burning large parts of Lanka, while also escaping from his captors, after which he returned too Rama, by again leaping over the ocean back to India.