Hanuman Chalisa Introduction

HANUMAN CHALISA

INTRODUCTION

It is virtually impossible to translate several words from Sanskrit in to exact English equivalents, since these have unexpressed connotations (meanings) and nuances which are deeply in the cultural ethos of the language.

An attempt therefore, has been made in these pages to briefly present the broad sense of several such Sanskrit words which occur frequently in vedic literature and legends and the readers are, therefore, advised to familiarize themselves with the same before commencing the reading of the chapters that follow.

BRAHMIN : Brahmins constitute adistinct social group according to Vedic concept. Who is Brahmin? these are the questions often asked.

The word Brahmin is delivered from “Brahma”, the Supreme Being. A Brahmin, therefore personifies Brahma through his qualities- Knowledge, thoughts and deeds appropriate to Brahma. He conveys Vedic concepts and culture to human societies.

TAPOVAN : In vedic parlance (language), ‘Tapovan’, is a residencial education institution. A ‘Guru’ or a ‘Rishi’ is the head of the ‘Tapovan’ where a large number of students come to study. Education at all ‘Tapovans’ is for building life, not for a mercenary career.

GURU : The nearest equivalent of the word ‘Guru’ in English language is ‘Teacher’ or ‘Preceptor’. However, in Vedic understanding ‘Guru’ is more than just a teacher.  He does not just educate the students in various subjects but moulds their lives for a healthful elevated existance. He takes care of his students like a loving father. The Vedic philosophy places ‘Guru’ in an exalted position. He is addressed by his students as ‘Gurudev’ (‘Dev’ means a God).      

RISHI : The nearest English translation of the word ‘Rishi’ is ‘sage’. He is selflessly devoted to the cause of elevating human kind. He does not expect any thing in return and is not swayed by the rich or the powerful. A ‘Rishi’ has the heart of a mother and to him the entire world is his family. He becomes a source of holy inspiration to innumerable people whome he guides in their godward march.

ASHRAM : It is source of guidance and inspiration to people from all spheres in their quest of self development. It is an Abade of ‘Rishi’.

TAPA : It needs physical discipline, mental purity and ofcourse utmost concentration of the aim.

YAGNA : Yagna, which in a narrow sense implies sacrificial rite, conjures up a vision of flames kept going by repeated oblations of ‘ghee’ (clarified butter). But Yagna is much more than an exotic religious ceremony. In the Vedic sense, a yagna represents a bridge between man and divinity. Yagna connotes selfless, collective endeavour (strive) by a group for a pious (religious) pursuit (occupation). such activities dilute one’s ego and creates a feeling for unity.    

Lord Hanuman enjoys, even today, the same supermacy over the hearts of all Indian people in the same manner as the Lord Rama and Lord Kirshna do in our Indian culture.   Hanuman is superior and unique in devotees. Man has the ability if he treats in the right - path to attain Godhood.     

Hanumanji has created divinity with his own noble achievements. If man possesses supreme intention and ideal, he can also achieve divinity. Hanuman is worshipped independently.  There are independent Temples of Hanuman. As Lord Shiva's Temple remains incomplete without a Nandi, In the same manner Lord Rama's temple also remains incomplete without Hanuman. Hanuman is supernatural as in the absence of Lord Rama in the temple of Hanuman he is perfectly constant. The devotion of Hanuman for Lord Rama is unique.         

           

Tulsidasji has occurred Lord Rama's 'darshan'(sight) by the grace of Hanuman, hence Tulsidasji has accepted Hanuman as his 'Guru' (spiritual teacher). Thus Tulsidasji has infinite faith in Hanuman. Tulsidasji has composed so many literary books, as Hnuman Chalisa, Hanuman Bahuk, Ramcharit manas, Vinay Patrika etc. In the same manner the Hanuman Chalisa is one of them. Hanuman Chalisa is very first composition of Tulsidasji which is very supernatural & popular. In Hanuman Chalisa Tulsidasji has described all the characters and the virtues of Lord Hanuman. Daily who reads Hanuman Chalisa devotionally and sincerely he obtains desired reward and Hanumanji fulfills his desires.                              

Today man is engrossed in himself with no feelings for God. Wherever spirituality and virtousness comes   there only the exhibition of pomp and arrogance is seen. In this difficult situation it is very necessary for all human being and particularly for children and youngsteres to worship Lord Hanuman, so that we can learn undertaking celibacy and to develop the virtues likewise Might, Intelegence, True Knowledge etc. Hanumanji fulfills the intelegence of his devotees and also gives protection under his kind shelter.                                                     

We can see a well co-ordination between worship and action, devotion and service to Lord Rama in the character of Hanuman. It is very much important to keep supereme thoughts with service to God and attachment of  love towards God. which is seen in the characters of Hanuman. Only to remember God is insufficient. There should be a co-ordination between worship and action which is seen in Hanumanji, so in this manner we can adopt this virtue from Hanumanji. Hanumanji is highly keen to do the work of Lord Rama with full devotion. 'Ram Kaj Karibeko Aatur' likewise mentioned in Hanuman Chalisa. In this manner we should also be ready to work for God everytime. and we should also be prepared to purify our mind, soften our heart, and keen pretty intelligence, for this purpose there is only one contrivance which is shown by our 'Shruti' (Holy Devotional Book) is that "Swadhyay Pravachnabhyam Na Pramaditavyam". It is expected in Swadhyay that a person should open his book of life and try to understand the thoughts of 'Shruti' and  introspect himself.                                                                

We should assimilate the vitues of our beloved God and for that purpose we should work hard for accomplishment. Without accomplishment the worship is feeble (useless).  Man can not be a spiritual by putting mark [Tilkam (Saffron)] on the forehead or by keeping fast on Saturday. Spirituality is based upon the Phycholosical and Intellectual development. A devotee should study well the divine virtues of his beloved God and it should be assimilated it in life.                                   

           

Our firm faith should be on moral values. We are sent here by God in this universe. In this manner we should live here peacefully and with devotional soul and get departure from here with extreme satisfaction. This should be our firm intention. Man has been provided with two divine powers by the God  i.e. Mind and Intellegence! Man can attain Godhood by developing these divine powers. In this vast cosmos only man can experience these divine thoughts. An Ideal worship is likewise a devotee should offer his life at the feet of God by developing these divine powers. How we should live in this universe and how we can go towards God, these teachings are made to know to us by our Indian culture.  There should be a co-ordination with Gnyana (Knowledge), Karma (Action) and Bhakti (Devotion to God). It is a co-ordination between  the hand of Karmyogi (Assiduous person), eyes of Gnyani (Wise person) and heart of Bhakt (devotee). This is called triplicate junction. This type of triplicate junction is visible in the character of Hanuman.                  

Tulsidasji has disclosed all the moral excellences of Hanuman in Hanuman Chalisa. It was very difficult and impracticable to narrate the characters of Hanuman for a simple personality like me. Therefore I have collected   the discourses delivered by Param Pujya Pandurang Shastri Athavaleji (Rev. Dadaji) from various books and tried to create a chain from their pearls of thoughts. I have studied in deep and tried to explain it in details. I have also reffered a book by name 'Hanuman Anka' published by Geeta Press Gorakhpur.                                                                                

It is very helpful to the devotee of Hanuman and will inspire to everybody always. I pray the God to offer strength  and power to the devotees of Hanuman to assimilate the path disclosed by him. Hanuman should be our ideal and Lord Rama may be our helper and both of them may give all of us strength to mould us likewise the path of diety. this Hanuman Chalisa will give you a new outlook by which  the life of mankind will be manifested.