Hanuman – The Superhero: Timeless Tales and Contemporary Symbolism

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He has a temple, or a small shrine dedicated to him in every nook and corner of the country. He is believed to be immortal and mighty. He protects his devotees and he is the most ardent devotee (bhakta) of his Lord Shri Rama.  He is Hanuman – the son of Anjani and Pawan (God of the Winds also known as Vayu). A beloved and revered deity, Hanumanji is the original superhero of India.

One of the most common forms of worshipping him, include the recitation of Hanuman Chalisa (the word chalisa means 40 verses). For the believers, Hanuman Chalisa is a talisman whose magical powers drive away all fears and protect the reciters from all evil. For the purposes of this note and the accompanying video, we decided to pick up four fragments from this beautiful composition which refer to incidents in the Ramkatha to illustrate Hanuman’s super powers.

जुग सहस्त्र योजन पर भानू । लील्यो ताहि मधुर फ़ल जानू|

This tale is a personal favourite. One can almost feel what Hanumanji must have felt as a naughty, little child. Look at the sky on a clear day just before the sun is about to set and you will behold a glowing orange ball… and you will know… They say that when little Hanuman saw this mesmerizing form of the sun, his innocent mind was led to believe that the glowing ball was a sweet fruit waiting to be plucked from the distant skies. Notwithstanding the heat and distance, the brave kid flew for thousands of miles to devour this delicious-looking fruit. While young Hanuman reached the sun, he was obviously not successful in his endeavour. Hanuman aimed for the highest skies and left no stone unturned to achieve what he wished for. This tale reminds one to aim high but also cautions in the same breath…it is symbolic of not giving up but is also a reminder that looks can be deceptive.

जलधि लांघि गए अचरज नाहीं॥

Rama entrusted Hanuman with the task of flying across the oceans to look for Sita and to assure her that she would soon be reunited with Rama. Effortlessly, Hanuman crossed every barrier that came in his way and flew across the oceans to reach the golden Lanka – Ravana’s capital city. His indomitable spirit exhorts one to embark on the most difficult journeys unmindful of the distance that one may have to traverse in order to fulfill one’s goals.

बिकट रुप धरि लंक जरावा॥

The crossing of the oceans and the burning of the golden Lanka are two of the most evocative incidents of the Ramayana. As per many versions of the Ramkatha, when Hanuman’s tail was set on fire on the orders of Ravana, Hanuman assumed a gigantic form and with his blazing tail, burnt down the beautiful city. It was like setting Ravana’s arrogance (his ahamkara) on fire and annihilating the very abode of evil and evil intentions.

लाय सजीवन लखन जियाये।

This is the last story for today. During the war between Rama and Ravana, Lakshman – Rama’s beloved brother, was hurt by a powerful and magical arrow fired from Indrajit’s (Ravana’s son) bow. His life could only be saved by sanjeevani – a life giving herb that grew in the Himalayas. Hanuman flying back to Lanka with a mountain full of herbs including sanjeevani, thereby saving Lakshman is an enduring visual of hope, resilience and determination. This story is often narrated to remind the listener that when one is entrusted with a responsibility; no obstacle, however insurmountable it may seem, should stand in the way of its fulfillment.

Hanuman is a fearless and valiant warrior. He is also a spiritual master. His multiple forms are endearing for the pure-hearted and frightening for the evil-minded. He can cross every ocean to accomplish that which he sets out to achieve and it is these very qualities what makes him not only divine but a superhero who has endured through the ages.