Hanuman Jayanti is observed as the birth anniversary of Lord Hanuman, the monkey god and the ardent devotee of Lord Rama. The day is very significant for the devotees of Lord Hanuman. Lord Hanuman is the son of Mata Anjana and Kesari. He is also described as the son of Vayu Deva i.e. the wind god.

History

Lord Hanuman is called the son of Vayu and is also thus mentioned as Pawanputra and Maruti Nandan which is defined as the son of the Wind God. His other names are Sankatmochan and Dukhbhanjan as he is believed to help people get rid of their troubles and griefs. 

Hanuman was born to Anjana who was a cursed apsara. She was redeemed from the curse after giving birth to Hanuman. According to legend, Anjana and her husband Kesari prayed to Rudra for a child and by his advice, Vayu shifted his male energy to Anjana’s womb and this is the reason Hanuman is known as the son of Vayu.

Lord Hanuman is a loyal devotee of Lord Rama and He is the central figure of the Hindu epic Ramayana. Hence the origin of the birth anniversary of Lord Hanuman goes back to the era of Lord Rama.

——————

On Hanuman Jayanti his followers observe

a day-long fast and perform Shodashopachara Hanuman Puja, to ward off the bad omens. They also visit Hanuman temples to offer Sindoor i.e. red vermilion to Lord Hanuman. The devotees of Lord Hanuman then offer him boondi laddoos and paan among other things.

Hanuman devotees always apply a tilak or sindoor on their heads. There is a story behind it. As per a legend, when Lord Hanuman saw Sita Mata applying sindoor on her forehead, he asked her why she did it and she replied it was for the long life of her husband. Lord Hanuman then rubbed his full body with sindoor to assure the eternity of Lord Rama.

——————

Significance

Worshiping Lord Hanuman is said to safeguard people from evil and enable them to emerge victoriously. The festival most popularly is observed during Chaitra. The celebrations begin early in the morning on Hanuman Jayanti as it is believed that the lord was born at sunrise. The devotees also read verses from Ramayana and Mahabharat and perform other prayers on this day.

As per the Hindu calendar, in most North Indian states, Hanuman Jayanti is observed during Chaitra Purnima. Purnima (the full moon day) of Chaitra (1st month). As it is believed that Lord Hanuman was born during Chaitra Purnima just after sunrise on weekday Mangalwar. He was born during Chitra Nakshatra and Mesha Lagna.

This year Hanuman Jayanti falls on April 16. According to Drikpanchang, Purnima Tithi begins at 02:25 am on April 16, 2022, and ends at 12:24 am on April 17, 2022.

Life Management Lessons from Lord Hanuman –

The powerful and immortal Lord Hanuman is the 11th incarnation of Lord Shiva, known to possess superhuman traits. The chanting of the Hanuman Chalisa has a mystic effect on the devotees of Lord Hanuman. He played a very significant role in the epic of Ramayana. Hanuman defends people from perils. Hanuman is the most sought-after God of youngsters.

On this day of Hanuman Jayanti let us learn some life management skills from Lord Hanuman.

Communication Skills:

When Lord Hanuman met Sita first in Ashok Vatika, she wasn’t able to identify him instantly. But with Hanuman’s amazing communication skills, he could convince Sita that he is the genuine messenger of Lord Rama. 

Lesson: Speaking skills not only help you in creating a good public circle as a leader but, also helps you in building prestige and credibility among people.

Being Humble:

While crossing the sea, Gods had sent Sursa to test Hanuman. Sursa tried to obstruct the way of Hanuman by stretching herself. Hanuman too stretched himself into a huge shape. After that Hanuman changed himself into his original form. This satisfied Sursa. 

Lesson: Only having competence does not lead to victory. Being gentle and respectful is equally important.

Never Compromise on Your Ideals:

In Lanka in Ashok Vatika when there was a war between Hanuman and Meghnath.   Megnath displayed the power of “Brahmastra” to defeat him. Hanuman could have broken the “Brahmastra” but he did not do it because he did not want to lessen its dignity. 

Lesson: We should not compromise on our ideals.

Multidimensional Qualities:

Hanuman enlightens us to be multifaceted and act according to the case. In front of Sita, Hanuman played the role of a son. But for the devils, he became a destroyer.

Lesson: To use our might in diverse conditions, and when needed.

Problem Solving Skills:

To cure Laxman, Hanuman went on a hunt for the herb. Unable to find the right herb he lifted the entire mountain of Sanjeevni.

Lesson: Instead of being uncertain, we should try to find outcomes to crises.

Refrain from Self Praise:

When Hanuman returned from Lanka with the message of Sita’s well-being, he never bragged about his bravery in front of Lord Rama proving his nobility.

Leadership Skills:

While Hanuman was building a bridge in the sea, it was his organizational and leadership skills that could inspire the playful monkeys in getting the task done. During the war between Rama and Ravana, Hanuman oversaw the whole army of monkeys and other animals with his brilliance.

Lesson: Even during hardships, a leader will always stand in front of his/her team and steer them towards triumph.

Prioritize and Adapt:

Hanuman’s honest ability to focus on the task at hand was unmatchable. His war-winning moves and mastery saved the lives of many. Lord Hanuman lifted mountains and used his tail to burn down Ravana’s Lanka.

Lesson: Adaptability is the key to successful leadership. There are many situations where everything goes bad around you. It is during these struggling periods that you, as a leader, must prioritize vital things and build a decent road map toward your mission.

Unconditional Loyalty and devotion:

Lord Hanuman’s only aspiration was to serve Lord Rama. His loyalty was unshakable.

Lesson: We all grow with different life-changing beliefs and never-ending motives in life. What makes successful people different from unsuccessful ones is loyalty toward purposes and ideas. Hanuman’s life, devotion, and strength inspired several wrestlers in India.

Strive for the stars:

When Hanuman was a child, he flowed into the sky reasoning that the sun was a fruit. To seize and relish the fruit in the sky, Hanuman became larger and larger and devoured the sun.

Lesson: It’s all in your mind, and aim for the stars while building your organization. Don’t stop yourself from taking the next critical steps, knocking off all fears.

Leaving Comfort Zone for Career Growth:

If we have to mature in life we must shed our comfort zones. Hanuman was the son of the king. Still, he began to work as the secretary of Sugreev. On his part, he accomplished many big roles effortlessly and owned a place in Lord Ram’s heart.

Ironically, India has the largest young population. But due to the lack of life management coping techniques, their potential remains untapped. The personality of Hanuman is full of enthusiasm, wisdom, and courage. So on this wonderful festival of Hanuman Jayanti let’s all imbibe the virtues of Lord Hanuman and make our country healthier and more powerful.

-Shashi Thakur