Texts On Hinduism and Buddhism

                            -:Texts On Hinduism:-

Ramayana:-

Hanuman finds Sita in the ashoka grove, and shows her Rama's ring

The Sundara kanda, the fifth book in the Ramayana, focuses on Hanuman. Hanuman meets Rama in the last year of the latter's 14-year exile, after the demon king Ravana had kidnapped Sita. With his brother lakshmana, Rama is searching for his wife Sita. This, and related Rama legends are the most extensive stories about Hanuman.

Numerous versions of the Ramayana exist within India. These present variant legends of Hanuman, Rama, Sita, Lakshamana and Ravana. The characters and their descriptions vary, in some cases quite significantly.

Mahabharata:-

Roadside Hanuman shrine south of Chennai,Tamil Nadu

The Mahabharata is another major epic which has a short mention of Hanuman. In Book 3, the Vana Parva of the Mahabharata, he is presented as a half brother of Bhima, who meets him accidentally on his way to Mount Kailasha. A man of extraordinary strength, Bhima is unable to move Hanuman's tail, making him realize and acknowledge the strength of Hanuman. This story attests to the ancient chronology of the Hanuman character. It is also a part of artwork and reliefs such as those at the Vijayanagara ruins.

Other literature:-

Apart from Ramayana and Mahabharata, Hanuman is mentioned in several other texts. Some of these stories add to his adventures mentioned in the earlier epics, while others tell alternative stories of his life. The Skanda Purana mentions Hanuman in Rameshwaram.

In a South Indian version of Shiva Purana, Hanuman is described as the son of Shiva and Mohini (the female avatar of Vishnu), or alternatively his mythology has been linked to or merged with the origin of Swami Ayyappa who is popular in parts of South India.

Hanuman in Rameshwaram

Hanuman Chalisa:-

The 16th-century Indian poet Tulsidas wrote Hanuman Chalisa, a devotional song dedicated to Hanuman. He claimed to have visions where he met face to face with Hanuman.
Its written below :-

Shri Guru Charan Saroj Raj	After cleansing the mirror of my mind with the pollen
Nij mane mukure sudhar	dust of holy Guru's Lotus feet. I Profess the pure,
Varnao Raghuvar Vimal Jasu	untainted glory of Shri Raghuvar which bestows the four-
Jo dayaku phal char	fold fruits of life.(Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha).
Budhi Hin Tanu Janike	Fully aware of the deficiency of my intelligence, I
Sumirau Pavan Kumar	concentrate my attention on Pavan Kumar and humbly
Bal budhi Vidya dehu mohe	ask for strength, intelligence and true knowledge to
Harahu Kalesa Vikar	relieve me of all blemishes, causing pain.
Jai Hanuman gyan gun sagar	Victory to thee, O'Hanuman! Ocean of Wisdom-All
Jai Kapis tihun lok ujagar	hail to you O'Kapisa! (fountain-head of power,wisdom
	and Shiva-Shakti) You illuminate all the three worlds
	(Entire cosmos) with your glory.
Ram doot atulit bal dhama	You are the divine messenger of Shri Ram. The
Anjani-putra Pavan sut nama	repository of immeasurable strength, though known
	only as Son of Pavan (Wind), born of Anjani.
Mahavir Vikram Bajrangi	With Limbs as sturdy as Vajra (The mace of God Indra)
Kumati nivar sumati Ke sangi	you are valiant and brave. On you attends good Sense
	and Wisdom. You dispel the darkness of evil thoughts.
Kanchan varan viraj subesa	Your physique is beautiful golden coloured and your dress
Kanan Kundal Kunchit Kesa	is pretty. You wear ear rings and have long curly hair.
Hath Vajra Aur Dhuvaje Viraje	You carry in your hand a lightening bolt along with a victory
Kandhe moonj janehu sajai	(kesari) flag and wear the sacred thread on your shoulder.
Sankar suvan kesri Nandan	As a descendant of Lord Sankar, you are a comfort and pride
Tej pratap maha jag vandan	of Shri Kesari. With the lustre of your Vast Sway, you are
	propitiated all over the universe.
Vidyavan guni ati chatur	You are the repository of learning, virtuous and fully accom-
Ram kaj karibe ko aatur	plished, always keen to carry out the behest's of Shri Ram.
Prabu charitra sunibe ko rasiya	You are an ardent listener, always so keen to listen to the
Ram Lakhan Sita man Basiya	narration of Shri Ram's Life Stories. Your heart is filled with
	what Shri Ram stood for. You therefore always dwell in the
	hearts of Shri Ram, Lakshman and Sita.
Sukshma roop dhari Siyahi dikhava	You appeared before Sita in a Diminutive form and spoke to
Vikat roop dhari lanka jarava	her in humility. You assumed an awesome form and struck
	terror by setting Lanka on fire.
Bhima roop dhari asur sanghare	With over-whelming might you destroyed the Asuras
Ramachandra ke kaj sanvare	(demons) and performed all tasks assigned to you by Shri Ram
	with great skill.
Laye Sanjivan Lakhan Jiyaye	You brought Sanjivan (A herb that revives life) and restored
Shri Raghuvir Harashi ur laye	Lakshman back to life, Shri Raghuvir (Shri Ram) cheerfully
	embraced you with his heart full of joy.
Raghupati Kinhi bahut badai	Shri Raghupati (Shri Ram) lustily extolled your excellence and
Tum mam priye Bharat-hi sam bhai	said: "You are as dear to me as my own brother Bharat."
Sahas badan tumharo yash gaave	Thousands of living beings are chanting hymns of your glories;
Us kahi Shripati kanth lagaave	saying thus, Shri Ram warmly hugged him (Shri Hanuman).
Sankadik Brahmadi Muneesa	When prophets like Sanka, even the Sage like Lord Brahma,
Narad Sarad sahit Aheesa	the great hermit Narad himself, Goddess Saraswati and Ahisha
	(one of immeasurable dimensions).
Yam Kuber Digpal Jahan te	Even Yamraj (God of Death) Kuber (God of Wealth) and the
Kavi kovid kahi sake kahan te	Digpals (deputies guarding the four corners of the Universe)
	have been vying with one another in offering homage to your
	glories. How then, can a mere poet give adequate expression
	of your super excellence.
Tum upkar Sugreevahin keenha	You rendered a great service to Sugriv. You united him with
Ram milaye rajpad deenha	Shri Ram and he installed him on the Royal Throne. By heeding
Tumharo mantra Vibheeshan mana	your advice, Vibhishan became Lord of Lanka. This is known
Lankeshwar Bhaye Sub jag jana	all over the Universe.
Yug sahastra jojan par Bhanu	On your own you dashed upon the Sun, which is at a fabulous
Leelyo tahi madhur phal janu	distance of thousands of miles, thinking it to be a sweet
	luscious fruit.
Prabhu mudrika meli mukh mahee	Carrying the Lord's Signet Ring in your mouth, there is
Jaladhi langhi gaye achraj nahee	hardly any wonder that you easily leapt across the ocean.
Durgaam kaj jagat ke jete	The burden of all difficult tasks of the world become light
Sugam anugraha tumhre tete	with your kind grace.
Ram dware tum rakhvare,	You are the sentry at the door of Shri Ram's Divine Abode.
Hoat na agya binu paisare	No one can enter it without your permission,
Sub sukh lahai tumhari sarna	All comforts of the world lie at your feet. The devotees enjoy all
Tum rakshak kahu ko dar na	divine pleasures and feel fearless under your benign Protection.
Aapan tej samharo aapai	You alone are befitted to carry your own splendid valour. All the
Teenhon lok hank te kanpai	three worlds (entire universe) tremor at your thunderous call.
Bhoot pisach Nikat nahin aavai	All the ghosts, demons and evil forces keep away, with the
Mahavir jab naam sunavai	sheer mention of your great name, O'Mahaveer!!
Nase rog harai sab peera	All diseases, pain and suffering disappear on reciting regularly
Japat nirantar Hanumant beera	Shri Hanuman's holy name.
Sankat se Hanuman chudavai	Those who remember Shri Hanuman in thought, words and deeds
Man Karam Vachan dyan jo lavai	with Sincerity and Faith, are rescued from all crises in life.
Sub par Ram tapasvee raja	All who hail, worship and have faith in Shri Ram as the Supreme
Tin ke kaj sakal Tum saja	Lord and the king of penance. You make all their difficult tasks
	very easy.
Aur manorath jo koi lavai	Whosoever comes to you for fulfillment of any desire with faith
Sohi amit jeevan phal pavai	and sincerity, Will he alone secure the imperishable fruit of
	human life.
Charon Yug partap tumhara	All through the four ages your magnificent glory is acclaimed far
Hai persidh jagat ujiyara	and wide. Your fame is Radiantly acclaimed all over the Cosmos.
Sadhu Sant ke tum Rakhware	You are Saviour and the guardian angel of Saints and Sages and
Asur nikandan Ram dulhare	destroy all Demons. You are the angelic darling of Shri Ram.
Ashta sidhi nav nidhi ke dhata	You can grant to any one, any yogic power of Eight Siddhis
Us var deen Janki mata	(power to become light and heavy at will) and Nine Nidhis
	(Riches,comfort,power,prestige,fame,sweet relationship etc.)
	This boon has been conferred upon you by Mother Janki.
Ram rasayan tumhare pasa	You possess the power of devotion to Shri Ram. In all rebirths
Sada raho Raghupati ke dasa	you will always remain Shri Raghupati's most dedicated disciple.
Tumhare bhajan Ram ko pavai	Through hymns sung in devotion to you, one can find Shri Ram
Janam janam ke dukh bisravai	and become free from sufferings of several births.
Anth kaal Raghuvir pur jayee	If at the time of death one enters the Divine Abode of Shri Ram,
Jahan janam Hari-Bakht Kahayee	thereafter in all future births he is born as the Lord's devotee.
Aur Devta Chit na dharehi	One need not entertain any other deity for Propitiation, as
Hanumanth se hi sarve sukh karehi	devotion of Shri Hanuman alone can give all happiness.
Sankat kate mite sab peera	One is freed from all the sufferings and ill fated contingencies of
Jo sumirai Hanumat Balbeera	rebirths in the world. One who adores and remembers Shri Hanuman.
Jai Jai Jai Hanuman Gosahin	Hail, Hail, Hail, Shri Hanuman, Lord of senses. Let your victory
Kripa Karahu Gurudev ki nyahin	over the evil be firm and final. Bless me in the capacity as my
	supreme guru (teacher).
Jo sat bar path kare kohi	One who recites Chalisa one hundred times, becomes free from the
Chutehi bandhi maha sukh hohi	bondage of life and death and enjoys the highest bliss at last.
Jo yah padhe Hanuman Chalisa	All those who recite Hanuman Chalisa (The forty Chaupais)
Hoye siddhi sakhi Gaureesa	regularly are sure to be benedicted. Such is the evidence of no less a
	witness as Bhagwan Sankar.
Tulsidas sada hari chera	Tulsidas as a bonded slave of the Divine Master, stays perpetually at
Keejai Das Hrdaye mein dera	his feet, he prays "Oh Lord! You enshrine within my heart & soul."
Pavantnai sankar haran,	Oh! conqueror of the Wind, Destroyer of all miseries, you are a
Mangal murti roop.	symbol of Auspiciousness.
Ram Lakhan Sita sahit,	Along with Shri Ram, Lakshman and Sita, reside in my heart.
Hrdaye basahu sur bhoop.	Oh! King of Gods.

Relation with Devi or Shakti:-

The relation between Hanuman and Goddess Kali finds mention in the Krittivasi Ramayana. Their meeting takes place in the Yuddh Kanda of Ramayana in the legend of Mahiravana. Mahiravana was a trusted friend/brother of Ravana. After his son, Meghanatha was killed, Ravana sought Mahiravana, the King of patalaloka's help to kill Rama and Lakshmana. One night, Mahiravana, using his maya, took Vibhishana's form and entered Rama's camp. There he cast the nidra mantra on the Vanar Sena, kidnapped Rama and Lakshmana and took them to Patala Loka. He was an adherent devotee of Devi and Ravana convinced him to sacrificing the valiant fighters of Ayodhya to the goddess to which, Mahiravana agreed. Hanuman, upon understanding the way to Patala from Vibhishana headed for rescuing his lords. Down, he met Makardhwaja who claimed of being Hanuman's son, being born from his sweat/seed which was consumed by a Makara (crocodile). Hanuman defeated and tied him and went inside the palace. There he met Chandrasena who told about the sacrifice and the way to kill Ahiravana. Hanuman then shrinked his size to that of a bee and went towards the huge idol of Maha-kali. He asked her to let him save Rama, and the fierce mother goddess agreed as Hanuman took her place while she slipped below. When Mahiravana asked the prince-sages to bow, they refused as they were of royal lineage and didn't know how to bow. So as Mahiravana was about to show them how to bow, Hanuman took his Pancha-mukha form (with the head of Garuda, Narasimha, Varaha, Hayagreeva and himself: each head signifying a particular trait. Hanuman courage and strength, Narasimha fearlessness, Garuda magical skills and the power to cure snake bites, Varaha health and exorcism and Hayagriva victory over enemies), blew the 5 oil lamps in 5 directions and severed the head of Mahiravana by thus killing him. He later took Shri Rama and Lakshmana on his shoulders and as he flew outside Shri Rama saw Makardhwaja tied with his tail. He rightaway ordered Hanuman to crown him the King of Patala. The story of Ahiravan finds its place in the Ramayanas of the East. It can be found in the Bengali version of the Ramayana, written by Krittibash. The passage which talks about this incident is known as ‘Mahirabonerpala’. It is also believed that after being pleased with Hanuman, Goddess Kali blessed him to be her dwara-paal or gate-keeper and hence one finds Bhairava and Hanuman on either sides of the temple entrance of the Goddess' shrine. 

              Texts on Buddhism:-

Hanuman appears with a Buddhist gloss in Tibetan (southwest China) and Khotanese (west China, central Asia and northern Iran) versions of Ramayana. The Khotanese versions have a Jataka tales-like theme, but are generally similar to the Hindu texts in the storyline and character of Hanuman. The Tibetan version is more embellished, and without attempts to include a Jātaka gloss. Also, in the Tibetan version, novel elements appear such as Hanuman carrying love letters between Rama and Sita, in addition to the Hindu version wherein Rama sends the wedding ring with him as a message to Sita. Further, in the Tibetan version, Rama chides Hanuman for not corresponding with him through letters more often, implying that the monkey-messenger and warrior is a learned being who can read and write letters.

In Japan, icons of the divine monkey (Saruta Biko), guards temples such as Saru-gami at Hie Shrine.

Saruto Biko

In the Sri Lankan versions of Ramayana, which are titled after Ravana, the story is less melodramatic than the Indian stories. Many of the legends recounting Hanuman's bravery and innovative ability are found in the Sinhala versions. The stories in which the characters are involved have Buddhist themes, and lack the embedded ethics and values structure according to Hindu dharma. According to Hera Walker, some Sinhalese communities seek the aid of Hanuman through prayers to his mother. In Chinese Buddhist texts, states Arthur Cotterall, myths mention the meeting of the Buddha with Hanuman, as well as Hanuman's great triumphs. According to Rosalind Lefeber, the arrival of Hanuman in East Asian Buddhist texts may trace its roots to the translation of the Ramayana into Chinese and Tibetan in the 6th-century CE.

In both China and Japan, according to Lutgendorf, much like in India, there is a lack of a radical divide between humans and animals, with all living beings and nature assumed to be related to humans. There is no exaltation of humans over animals or nature, unlike the Western traditions. A divine monkey has been a part of the historic literature and culture of China and Japan, possibly influenced by the close cultural contact through Buddhist monks and pilgrimage to India over two millennia. For example, the Japanese text Keiranshuyoshu, while presenting its mythology about a divine monkey, that is the theriomorphic Shinto emblem of Hie shrines, describes a flying white monkey that carries a mountain from India to China, then from China to Japan. Many Japanese shrines and village boundaries, dated from the 8th to the 14th centuries, feature a monkey deity as guardian or intermediary between humans and gods.

Shinto Emblem

The Jātaka tales contain Hanuman-like stories. For example, the Buddha is described as a monkey-king in one of his earlier births in the Mahakapi Jakata, wherein he as a compassionate monkey suffers and is abused, but who nevertheless continues to follow dharma in helping a human being who is lost and in danger. 

Mahakapi Jakata