There is an interesting story from Mahabharata about Bhima and Hanumana. This may sound strange but Bhima and Lord Hanumana can be termed as brothers, as they both are born to Lord Pawan, the god of winds. While Hanumana was a constant companion of Lord Rama in treta yuga, Shri Krishna was in company of Arjuna, Bhima’s brother, in the Mahabharata.
When Arjuna was away
Arjuna, the third pandava, had gone to the Himalayas in quest of great weapons from Indra. In case of a war, he would have to face great warriors like Bhishma, Drona, Kripa, Aswatthama, Karna many more. And it was necessary to acquire more skill and power. The other four pandavas and Draupadi found life devoid of joy in his absence. Desiring a change in life, they moved in search of a more peaceful place.
At last they came to the Narayanasrama forest. They decided to take rest and stay there for some time.
The flower and request to Bhima by Draupadi
One day, the wind placed a flower near Draupadi. The sweet scent of the flower mesmerized Draupadi. Draupadi felt a deep desire to possess that flower known as Saugandhika. She requested Bhima to get her that flower. Bhima agreed to to satisfy her desire. He set out in the direction from which the fragrance came.
Bhima meets the monkey
On way to the flower, Bhima found an old monkey resting on the path. He asked the monkey to give him way as he was obstructing his path. In reply, the monkey politely declines saying that he was old and weak. Bhima got angry and said that he was talking the greatest mace warrior and possesses great power. The monkey replies that if he has such strength, why don’t he himself make way by moving the monkey.
Bhima and Hanumana
Bhima humbled
Bhima, out of pride and confidence, Bhima tried to pull the monkey’s tail aside .But he could not move it even a little bit. He put all his might in the endeavor, but to no avail. He was all perspiration. In spite of his best efforts, he could not move the tail. As such the question of challenging this monkey for a show of strength did not arise. He felt very humiliated and subdued. He told the monkey “You are no ordinary monkey. Please tell me who you are. I accept defeat and bow to you”.
The monkey tells about himself
Now, smilingly, the old monkey tells that he is Hanuman, his brother, who crossed the ocean in search of Sita. He said –I am your brother. Your path ahead is perilous. It is the path of the gods and is not safe for men. So I came to caution you. I knew you have come to collect the Saugandhika flower. I shall show you the pond, where this flower grows. You can collect as many as you want and go back. Bhima was happy. He bowed to Hanumana and requested him to show his huge form in which he jumped over the sea, one hundred yojanas wide, to land on Lanka.
Lord Hanumana shows his virata form
Hanumana increased his size till he seemed to occupy the whole landscape, like a hill. His form was dazzlingly white, so Bhima had to cover his eyes . Resuming his normal form, Hanuman embraced Bhima and blessed him. He also assured him “When you roar like a lion on the battle field, my voice shall join yours and strike terror in the hearts of your enemies. I will be there on the flag of the chariot of Arjuna .You will be victorious”. With Hanuman’s embrace, Bhima’s strength also increased. Hanuman wanted to free his brother Bhima from his ego and to give him greater strength to fight his enemies.
Sunder Kand is the story of Lord Hanumana finding Sita. The most important character for this chapter is of Hanuman’s. This is the fifth chapter of Ramayana, which was originally written by Sage Valmiki. This talks about exploits of Lord Hanumana, who finds the whereabouts of Devi Sita.
Jambavant praises Hanumana
In search of Sita, Hanumana was required to cross the ocean. Due to a curse on him, he was unable to do so despite having the powers within himself. Jambavant became the guide here and he sang praises for Lord Hanumana. This made him to realize his strength and complete the task of finding Devi Sita.
Journey to Lanka
After Jambvant praised and advised Hanuman, he started his journey to Lanka. Mainak came forward to offer some rest, but he declined.
Sursa
On his way, first came Sursa. She was asked to test Hanuman’s skills and wisdom. She said that everyone has to pass through her mouth before one can resume its journey. Hanuman has Garima and Laghima skills which he applied. He first enlarged his size.
In reply, Sursa also increased her mouth. Suddenly he reduced his size and entered her mouth and came out of her nose. Sursa blessed him for his skills. By using his wisdom, he proceeded further.
Sinhika
Soon, another hurdle appeared. A demon caught his shadow. The demon was Sinhika. She got the boon from Brahma that she can control anyone’s shadow. Hanuman had to overcome her before he could proceed. She managed to swallow him, but soon enough, he killed her and restarted his journey towards Lanka.
Meeting Lankini
Hanuman reaches the shores of Lanka. He found that many demons are guarding Lanka. He decides to enter lanka in night but ran into Lankini. Hanuman hit her hard. Lankini understands that end of Ravana is near as she was told by Brahma that when a monkey is cause of her pain, then it is time of end of Ravana. She praises his devotion towards Lord Rama.
Finding Mata Sita
Hanuman then searches for Sita in Lanka. He even checked Ravana’s palace.
Then he came to another palace, which was Vibhishan’s. He met him. Vibhishan told him about Sita whereabouts.
He goes to Ashok vatika and observes Sita. She was sitting alone under a tree.
At the same time, Ravana came there and threatened Sita with dire consequences, if she refuses to marry him. Trijata named demon consoles Sita. She said that she had seen in her dreams that end of Ravana is close. But Sita is still perturbed.
Hanuman then dropped the ring given by Lord Rama before Sita. Sita becomes happy by seeing and recognizing the ring of Lord Rama. He then came before Sita and explained how he has come to Lanka and ashok vatika. He pacifies Sita that Lord will come soon and then it will be end of all the problems.
With permission of Sita, Hanuman then ate fruits from Ashok Vatika and uprooted many trees. He killed many demons including Akshaykumara. They went to Ravana for help. Ravana sent his warriors but they were defeated by Hanuman. Finally, Meghnaad used Brahmastra and used Nagpaash to tie him.
Meghnaad then brought Hanuman to the Ravana’s court. Hanuman told Ravana to return Sita to Rama and live in peace. Instead, he asked to burn his tail so that a lesson can be taught to him. Hanuman made his tail become bigger. Lot of oil and clothes were required to cover the tail. Finally the tail was set to fire. Hanuman used laghima and became small. Lanka is thus burnt.
Hanuman returns to Sita and seeks permission to go back. Sita gives her ornaments and requests them to be presented before Lord Rama.
Hanuman heads back to Kishkindha. He meets Rama and Lakshman and tells them the whole story.
Then, Rama, Laxman and Hanuman, meet Sugriva and decide future course of action. After knowing the whereabouts of Sita, Rama sets out to free her. He is accompanied by Vanara Sena.
Mandodari and Ravana discussion
Demons report this to Mandodari. Mandodari reasons with ravana as Hanuman, the messenger of Rama has done so much damage. Pregnant demons suffer from miscarriage when they think of Hanuman. So this is not wise to keep Sita. Ravana does not heed to the advice.
Even Vibheeshana, brother of Ravana, persuades Ravana. Ravana insults him.
Vibheeshana meets Rama and requests for his companionship. Rama accepts him as his friend.
Ravana sends his spy to Rama’s abode. Shuka, the messenger, was captured and Laxman releases him with a letter to Ravana.
Rama requests Sea to give him way. When the sea does not listen, Rama intends to use Brahmastra. The Sagar yields and advises to consult Nal and Neela to find a way to Lanka.
Do you know that Jambavant has seen a number of avatars (incarnations) of Lord Vishnu. He even got his daughter married to Shri Krishna and there is an interesting story of his fight with Lord Krishna. You can find this story on this blog.
The Sankat Mochan mandir is situated in the holy city of Varanasi. The legend is that this temple was established by Tulsidas, the great poet, who wrote Ramcharitramanas.
This temple is dedicated to Lord Hanuman, whose other name is Sankar Mochak, which means reliever of troubles. As per the Vedic Astrology, Lord Hanuman defends and liberates human being from the wicked effects of ‘Shani’ (Planet Saturn). All those, who have ill-placed Saturn in their horoscope, should offer homage at this temple to get relief from the distress. In the earlier times, the temple was very small in its size. Later, the temple complex was extended attributable to the kind donations made by the devotees.
Sankat Mochan mandir
Every Tuesday and Saturday, thousands of devotees queue up in front of the Sankat Mochan temple to offer prayers to Lord Hanuman. According to Vedic Astrology, Hanuman protects human beings from the anger of planet Saturn and those who have ill placed Saturn in their horoscope visit the Sankat Mochan temple to get remedy. People put “Sindoor” on the statue and offer “laddoos” to Lord Hanuman. The “Sindoor” or Vermilion, from the statue of Lord Hanuman is put on the foreheads of devotees.
Festivals celebrated at Sankat Mochan Temple
On the day of Kartik Krishna Chaturdashi, special prayers are made to the Lord Hanuman. An annual festival is also observed on the full moon night of the month of ‘Chaitra’, which is also known as Hanuman or Mahavir Jayanti. At this juncture, a procession is taken out in the streets of Varanasi. The festival too, attracts plenty of visitors to Sankat Mochan Temple.
Lord Hanuman
Durga temple is very close to this temple and on the day of Mahavir Jayanti, a special procession which starts from the Sankat Mochan mandir ends at Durga mandir.
The current temple structure was built in early 1900s by the educationist and freedom fighter, Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya.
One of the most famous Hanuman temple in country. The unique fact is that this temple houses two statues of Hanuman, one is believed to protect the good souls (paritranay sudhunay) and the other to eliminate the bad ones ( Vinashayati cha dushkritam).
Mahavir idols
Historically, this temple belonged to ramanand sect but from 1900, it was in the control of gosain sanyasis. in 1948, Patna high court declared it as a public temple.
The current beautiful and grand temple was constructed in mid 1980s under the patronage of Kishore Kunal. This temple is very close to patna railway station.
Mahavir temple at night, Patna
This temple has three floors, ground, first and second. The ground floor contains the idols of Hanuman jee.
First floor
First floor has Lord Rama’s temple. Shri Krishna’s delivering Shrimadbhagwadgita to Arjuna is also portrayed here. Goddess Durga is also present on this floor. Lord Shiva, Parvati and Nandi are also present here. Shiva linga is also available to enable Rudrabhishek.
The floating Ram-setu Shila is also placed on this floor only. It has been kept in a glass container and is revered by the people. The volume of this stone is 13,000 mm, while the weight is approx. 15kgs.
On the first floor, while crossing Dhyanmandap, to the left Lord Ganesha and Lord Buddha are available and further on, Lord satyanarayan, Lord Rama accompanied by Mother Sita and Goddess Sarasvati seem to cast a benevolent look on the devotees. In front of this façade of deities, below the Pipal tree, is the temple of Shani-maharaj. This temple, designed in the style of cave architecture, looks beautiful.
Second Floor
On the second floor,this floor is mainly used for ritual purposes. Sanskar mandap is located at this floor only. Chanting of mantras, japa, recitals of Holy Scriptures, Satyanarayan katha and various other rituals are practiced and performed here. The floor also has the pictographic representation of the scenes from the Ramayana.
Kishkindha Kand is the chapter in Ramayana, which involves meeting between Lord Rama and his disciple Hanuman. It also features the story of two brothers Bali and Sugriva and how Rama killed Bali who enslaved Surgriva’s wife.
Rama finds Shabri
Searching for Sita, Rama and Laxman Shabri’s ashram. Shabri offers fruits which have been tested by her so the Lord does not get a bitter fruit. She advises them to go further southwards to Pampa lake and to Kishkindha where they would get help.
Rama reaches Kishkindha
On Shabri’s advise, Rama reached Kishkindha while looking for Sita. Sugriva was sceptical of the two brothers and he asked Hanuman to assess their intentions. Hanuman disguised himself as a brahmin but Rama identified him due to his chain around the neck. Hanuman fell upon his feet.
He showed them the ornaments and jewels which were thrown by Sita while she was abducted. Rama recognises them of Sita’s. Hanuman took them to Sugriva. Sugriva was driven out by Vali. Vali also took Sugriva’s wife. Rama befriended Sugriva. Rama promised to help him.
Fight of Vali and Sugriva
Vali had a boon which made him unconquerable. Sugriva promised that he will help in finding Sita. Ram asks Sugriva to invite Vali for a fight. He also asked him to wear a garland because both brothers looked identical.
Rama kills Vali by piercing an arrow through his heart. Vali accuses Rama of wrongdoing. Rama explains that he has committed the crime of abducting his brother’s wife. And Kishkindha, a state of Bharat’s kingdom, lies in his jurisdiction. His crime was unforgiveable, so he had to execute this task of killing him.
Death of Vali
Tara (Vali’s wife) is inconsolable. Tara invokes the power of her chastityand curses Rama so that he will soon lose Sita after he regains her. She declares that Sita will return to the earth. Tara additionally curses Rama that in his next birth, Vali will kill him. Rama pacifies her. Rama promises Vali to give him a chance to avenge his unjust murder. Vali is known as to be born as Jara, the hunter, who became the cause of Shri Krishna’s death.
Sugriva crowned as king. Angad (Vali’s son) was anointed as the heir.
Rama also taught him nuances of statesmanship.
He advises Sugreev to rule justly. Then Sri Rama along with Laskhman went to live at Pravarshan Mountain.
Few months passed. Sugriva forgot his promise. Rama gets restless and advises Laxman to visit Kishkindha.
Tara asks Sugriva to help Rama and Laxman.
Search of Sita
Sugriva instructed Hanumana to send the messenger in all directions and to bring the news of Sita within fifteen days. Angad told sugriva that only Hanuman can find Sita. Sugriva asks Hanuman to search. Hanumana then gathered all the monkeys and went to Sri Rama to seek his permission.
Rama blessed them for successful accomplishment of their mission. He also gave his ring to Hanumana.
Now Hanuman and his army of monkeys moved in search of Sita. They searched Sita in the caves of every mountain but did not find her.
Jambvant makes Hanumana realize his powers
Jambvant consols Angad saying that Rama was not an ordinary human being. He pacifies him and asks not to worry, as everything would be resolved by Sri Rama’s blessings.
They reach seashore. At the seashore Sampati ( brother of Jatayu) bumped into Hanuman. He told him about Sita and she is in Lanka.
When Jambvant saw that there was nobody who could cross over the ocean, he praised and urged Hanumana to cross the ocean. Hanuman had a curse that he would only realize his strength and capabilities when told by someone.
When Hanumana listened to Jambvant he realized his latent strength. His body expanded like a mountain. Hanumana then sought Jambvant advice.
Jambvant instructed him to just return back after seeing Sita in Lanka. He said that the rest would be accomplished by Sri Rama.
This is the story of Kishkindha Kand from Ramayana Katha