SRI RAGHAVENDRA SWAMY’S SRI RAMACHARITRYA MANJARI (ಶ್ರೀ ರಾಘವೆಂದ್ರ ಸ್ವಾಮಿ ವಿರಚಿತ “ಶ್ರೀ ರಾಮಚಾರಿತ್ರ್ಯ ಮಂಜರಿ)

SRI RAGHAVENDRA SWAMY’S

SRI RAMACHARITRYA MANJARI

(ಶ್ರೀ ರಾಘವೆಂದ್ರ ಸ್ವಾಮಿ ವಿರಚಿತ “ಶ್ರೀ ರಾಮಚಾರಿತ್ರ್ಯ ಮಂಜರಿ)   

KISHKINDHAKANDA (ಕಿಷ್ಕಿಂಧಾಕಾಂಡ)

Sri Hanumantha /ಶ್ರೀ ಹನುಮಂತ

Kesari was the king of monkeys and he was living on Mount Meru along with his wife Anjana. An elephant named “Shankhabala” was living in a portion of the same mountain. That elephant was killing everyone passing through that route. Once, sage Bharadwaja was passing through that route to have a holy bath. The elephant saw the sage and started chasing him, who, initially started running to escape. King Kesari, who was sitting at the top of Mount Meru, saw the elephant chasing the sage, jumped like a lion and sat on the head of the elephant, thrashed the elephant on its back with his fist and killed it instantly. Since that day, Rishis, Munis, Sages and others heaved a sigh of relief and started moving around with a free mind to have holy dip in several holy ponds that existed in that region. The Rishis told King Kesari: “Great King, you have created a free atmosphere to complete pilgrimage without any fear. You can ask for any boon.”

“Most revered sages, if you are impressed, please bless to beget a son. That son should have all virtues. He should only be next to Lord Hari in terms of knowledge, valour, courage and strength. None else, except Lord Hari, should match him in terms of attributes.”

Incarnation of Hanumantha

Anjana Devi, the wife of King Kesari, worshipped Lord Hari with utmost devotion. Anjana Devi was very charming and her eyes very attractive as they were reminiscent of the petals of Lotus. Once, she was roaming about in the forest, fully dressed in royal robes and wearing many glittering jewels. Then, she saw Lord Vayu, who came there with the intention of blessing her with a child. He saw Anjana Devi, who was shying away, and told her: “Oh Devi, physical contact with deities like us would not be considered a sin. As I keep moving about everywhere always, my contact with everyone is very common. If such contacts with women should be treated as sin or crime, then all women would be considered concubines or characterless. For us, the deities, lust and sensuousness are not vices. Therefore, we do not have any desire to have physical relationship with women like you. We have been ordered by Lord to grace you as you are a devotee of Lord Hari. You have worshipped Lord Hari with devotion and dedication. I have come here to fulfill your wish.” Stating these words, Lord Vayu embraced Anjana Devi and immediately she conceived. Lord Mukhyaprana blessed and disappeared.

Anjana Devi immediately delivered a child, who was an incarnation of Lord Vayu and therefore possessed all the virtues and attributes of Lord Vayu. 

As the boy was like an embodiment of radiant rays of light, the area he was moving was full of light. He was shining like diamond. He made the entire universe sparkle with joy and happiness. He had a giant body at birth.

The childhood rumblings of Hanuman will be narrated in the next episode.

Please read, comment and share. SDN            

Please visit https://www.facebook.com/dwarakanath.shimoga