FORMS OF HANUMAN
INTRODUCTION:
Prior to the medieval times, the exclusive images of Hanuman are rarely found, though He was at times adopted on Rama-tanka coins, in the company of Rama and Sita. But His popularity, possibly as a deity became widespread during the medieval period when the country was in turmoil due to continued foreign invasions and Muslim rule which disturbed the Hindu psyche to a considerable extent. In the Hindu scriptures and religious thought, Hanuman is possibly the only deity who came to the rescue of one and all. The writers of the medieval times, therefore, found in Hanuman a Saviour par excellence who could rescue them from the precarious situation they had to face politically, socially or economically and held Him in high esteem and reverance.
SOME FORMS OF HANUMAN.
A) SANKATAMOCHANA.
The Sankatamochana aspect of Hanuman became so popular with the masses that Tulasidasa the greatest of Hindu poets, composed a Sankatamochana Stotra in praise of Hanuman, which has become a matter of faith with many people in the present day India.
In this form, Hanuman is portrayed in swift movement carrying a mountain in one hand and a club in the other. The right foot is placed over the prostrate body of a demon and the left over a demoness. Alternatively, He carries the mountain in the left hand and the club in the right; the right foot is placed over a prostrate demon (apasmara -purusha); Hanuman's body is twisted towards left.
B) PRATHIHARI.
In this form, Hanuman holds the club in the right or left or in both hands, standing in Sampadasana or seated. Sometimes the club is held upside down. This reflects the position obtaining after the killing of Ravana, which made Hanuman quite relaxed. He is, therefore, projected in a relaxed mood. In some cases He is also projected in this form, trampling over a demon or an Apasmara-purusha. This type of image occasionally projected Him seated in Virasana placing the club over the right or left shoulder. The images of Hanuman available in the Hanuman-goada in Nepal and Bantesri come under this category in which the deity is shown placing an axe like object over his shoulder and seated in Virasana. A bronze image of this type is available in the Madras museum.
C) ASURA - SAMHARAKA.
In this form Hanuman is depicted holding a club in the left hand and the right hand is in the pose of administering a slap. This posture seems to be an offshoot of the episode in which Hanuman administered a slap to Ravana as testified by the Valmiki Ramayana.
When Ravana struck Hanuman with His fist, the latter was disturbed for some time. Then Hanuman forcefully administered a severe slap on the face of Ravana, the enemy of the Gods. This slap of Hanuman shattered Ravana as the universe felt tremors like an earthquake. The slapping of Ravana by Hanuman was witnessed by Rsis, monkeys, Gods and demons who were extremely rejoiced, Ravana recovered from the blow after some time.
D) AS A DEVOTEE OF RAMA (DASA ANJANEYA) .
In the ancient Indian literature, Hanuman is projected as a great devotee of Rama. His devotion, indeed, has no parallel in the vast Indian literature or even in the global context. Several texts in India concentrate on the devotional profile of His personality. But this veneration of Rama was achieved by Him gradually and not suddenly as testified by the Valmiki Ramayana. In the Kishkinda-kanda of this epic, Hanuman introduces Himself as a minister of Sugriva to Rama and Lakshmana.
When He reached Lanka, He introduced Himself to Sita as a minister of Sugriva. Even during His first meeting with Ravana He projected Himself as the messenger of Sugriva. Rama blessed Hanuman that so far as the story of Rama will be recited on earth, the latter's fame would last and He would never die.
Hanuman as a devotee appears quite frequently in this form holding both His hands in Anjali posture against the chest. Sometimes He appears seated in Dhyana-mudra engrossed in the devotion of Rama.
E) AS A VEHICLE OF RAMA.
The theme of Hanuman serving as a carrier to Rama and Lakshmana has also been quite popular with the artists. In this form both the Ayodhya princes, Rama and Lakshmana are depicted perched over both the shoulders of Hanuman; the club is held in the right hand and a lotus in the left one. A demon is placed under the feet of Hanuman; the tail is raised upwards.
According to many texts, Hanuman carrying Rama and Lakshmana on the shoulders is connected evidently with the Mairavana episode.
F) PANCHAMUKHA HANUMAN.
The five - headed Hanuman is of gigantic form having fifteen eyes and ten arms and grants all the desires. The eastern face is that of a monkey (Hanuman) which dazzles like millions of Suns; the southern face is that of Lion (Narasimha) which is a terrific one with protruding awe - inspring teeth; the western face is that of Eagle (Garuda) with a curved beak, which destroys the effect of snake and other poisons; the northern face is that of a Boar (Varaha) which removes fever and other ailments; the face on the top is that of a Horse (Hayagriva) which destroys all the enemies.
To write about this concept, it cannot be completed even in a year.
Photograph shows place called Panchamukhi near Mantralayam where Sri Raghavendra Swamy completed doing His tapas.
G) ELEVEN - HEADED HANUMAN.
( EKADASAMUKHA)
One of the rare form of Hanuman is His having eleven heads. The description of this form in the texts could not be traced, but in all probability it represents the form of eleven Rudras representing Siva.
In all probability, the eleven-headed Hanuman could represent the eleven Rudras. The number of Rudras were further multiplied to hundred as per the Satarudriya Samhitha of the Siva Purana but still the popularity of eleven Rudras never diminished. In certain texts Hanuman is considered as the Amsa of Siva or the eleventh Rudra. In the Rudra Samhita of Siva Purana, before the killing of Tripurasura by Siva, the Gods eulogized Siva, spelling out His Vibhutis, which include Hanuman as well.
H) VIRAT SVARUPA.
According to the testimony of the Valmiki Ramayana, Hanuman displayed His gigantic form before Sita in order to instil confidence in Her. He expanded His body to gigantic proportion.
According to chapter 150 of Vana-parva of the Mahabharata, Hanuman on a request from Bhima displayed the form in which He jumped across the vast ocean. He, therefore, assumed a gigantic form which both in length and breadth grew exceedingly huge. That descendant of Bhima seeing Hanuman's gigantic form was greatly astonished and the hair of His body again and again stood on end. Seeing them as glaring as the sun or golden mountain or the glaring sky, Bhima closed His eyes.
Hanuman said to Bhima, "you are capable of seeing My form up to this extent. I can go on swelling My body as long as I wish."
I) AS A PREACHER.
In the Adbhuta Ramayana, Rama displays before Hanuman His own Vishnu form and preaches Him Samkhya-yoga as well as Bhakti-yoga. In turn He imparted the knowledge to others. In the Vinayaka Patrika, Tulasidasa has concieved Him as having mastery over music and dance and has been called Samagayaka. The composition of a branch of astrology is also attributed to Him, besides the Hanumannataka, which became quite popular subsequently. The knowledge of various arts was naturally imparted by Hanuman to others and the artist did not fail to project Him in this form as well. In this form Hanuman is shown standing or seated with His right hand held against the chest and the left hand falling down or bent at elbow.
J) THE COMPOSITE FORM.
The composite forms of the monkey head and human body of Hanuman is stated to be available from the earliest times, traces of which could be witnessed in the Indus Valley civilization. Such specimens have been interpreted to represent the Vrasakapi form of the deity, which finds mention in the Rigvedic text.
Here He is represented in human form, wearing Kundalas, necklace and armlets, besides the upper and lower garments. He is shown flying in the air, while engaged on the task of bringing the medicinal herb to save the life of Lakshmana.
K) RAMA - DARBAR.
The Silpasastra prescribes that Hanuman, the faithful servant of Rama, should be shown seated or standing in the Rama - Darbara scene, a little in front and also to the right of Rama and should be so high as to reach the chest, hip or navel of Rama.
It should be represented only as having two hands, the right of which is placed upon the mouth in token of loyalty and the left is made to hang down so as to reach the knees, for this is the attitude which has to be assumed by servants in the presence of their masters.
L) AS AN ATTENDANT OF DURGA.
There is a local tradition in Himalayan regions, in which Hanuman serves as an attendant of the goddess Durga appearing in various forms. Under this tradition at the time of the adoration of virgin girls (kumari puja) a small male child is also revered as a representative of Hanuman and is called Launkara Bira.
The tradition of Hanuman serving as an attendant of Durga seems to have been restricted to the north - west parts of Himalayan ranges covering parts of Himachal and Jammu and Kashmir regions.
N) VANARA MURTY.
According to Parasara Samhitha in Naimisaranyam Lord Hanuman appeared before a tribal name Galudu who was suffering from leprosy in this form and blessed with good health and moksha.
O) CHATURBHUJA MURTY.
In this form Hanuman blessed a vedpandit, named Kapila. Hanuman has four hands in this form including Abhaya and Varada hasthas.
P) VIMSATHI BHUJA MURTY.
Lord Brahma prostrated Hanuman in this form.Hanuman appeared in Brahma Loka in this form to Brahma and Saptarishis. In this form Hanuman has twenty hands with weapons.
Q) SUVARCHALA HANUMAN.
In this form Hanuman with his concert Maa Suvarchala Devi. He blessed one discipline named Dhwajadatta in this form with prosperity.
R) ASHTADASA BHUJA MURTY.
Hanuman has eighteen hands and eighteen weapons in this form. Maha rishi Durvasa prostrated Hanuman in this form.
S) DVA TRIMSA BHUJA MURTY.
Hanuman has thirty two hands and thirty two weapons in this form. A king named Somadatta, worshipped this form and gained back his lost kingdom. One of the ugra form.
T) SHANMUKHA MARUTI.
In this form Hanuman has six faces. East face Hanuman, south Nrusimha, west Garuda, north Varaha, oordhva Hayagreeva, pataala Agni. In this form Hanuman has thousand hands with thousand weapons.
Karthaveeryaarjuna worshipped this form and gained nine khandams and eighteen islands. It is also called NAVA KHAND HANUMAN.
INTRODUCTION:
Prior to the medieval times, the exclusive images of Hanuman are rarely found, though He was at times adopted on Rama-tanka coins, in the company of Rama and Sita. But His popularity, possibly as a deity became widespread during the medieval period when the country was in turmoil due to continued foreign invasions and Muslim rule which disturbed the Hindu psyche to a considerable extent. In the Hindu scriptures and religious thought, Hanuman is possibly the only deity who came to the rescue of one and all. The writers of the medieval times, therefore, found in Hanuman a Saviour par excellence who could rescue them from the precarious situation they had to face politically, socially or economically and held Him in high esteem and reverance.
SOME FORMS OF HANUMAN.
A) SANKATAMOCHANA.
The Sankatamochana aspect of Hanuman became so popular with the masses that Tulasidasa the greatest of Hindu poets, composed a Sankatamochana Stotra in praise of Hanuman, which has become a matter of faith with many people in the present day India.
In this form, Hanuman is portrayed in swift movement carrying a mountain in one hand and a club in the other. The right foot is placed over the prostrate body of a demon and the left over a demoness. Alternatively, He carries the mountain in the left hand and the club in the right; the right foot is placed over a prostrate demon (apasmara -purusha); Hanuman's body is twisted towards left.
B) PRATHIHARI.
In this form, Hanuman holds the club in the right or left or in both hands, standing in Sampadasana or seated. Sometimes the club is held upside down. This reflects the position obtaining after the killing of Ravana, which made Hanuman quite relaxed. He is, therefore, projected in a relaxed mood. In some cases He is also projected in this form, trampling over a demon or an Apasmara-purusha. This type of image occasionally projected Him seated in Virasana placing the club over the right or left shoulder. The images of Hanuman available in the Hanuman-goada in Nepal and Bantesri come under this category in which the deity is shown placing an axe like object over his shoulder and seated in Virasana. A bronze image of this type is available in the Madras museum.
C) ASURA - SAMHARAKA.
In this form Hanuman is depicted holding a club in the left hand and the right hand is in the pose of administering a slap. This posture seems to be an offshoot of the episode in which Hanuman administered a slap to Ravana as testified by the Valmiki Ramayana.
When Ravana struck Hanuman with His fist, the latter was disturbed for some time. Then Hanuman forcefully administered a severe slap on the face of Ravana, the enemy of the Gods. This slap of Hanuman shattered Ravana as the universe felt tremors like an earthquake. The slapping of Ravana by Hanuman was witnessed by Rsis, monkeys, Gods and demons who were extremely rejoiced, Ravana recovered from the blow after some time.
D) AS A DEVOTEE OF RAMA (DASA ANJANEYA) .
In the ancient Indian literature, Hanuman is projected as a great devotee of Rama. His devotion, indeed, has no parallel in the vast Indian literature or even in the global context. Several texts in India concentrate on the devotional profile of His personality. But this veneration of Rama was achieved by Him gradually and not suddenly as testified by the Valmiki Ramayana. In the Kishkinda-kanda of this epic, Hanuman introduces Himself as a minister of Sugriva to Rama and Lakshmana.
When He reached Lanka, He introduced Himself to Sita as a minister of Sugriva. Even during His first meeting with Ravana He projected Himself as the messenger of Sugriva. Rama blessed Hanuman that so far as the story of Rama will be recited on earth, the latter's fame would last and He would never die.
Hanuman as a devotee appears quite frequently in this form holding both His hands in Anjali posture against the chest. Sometimes He appears seated in Dhyana-mudra engrossed in the devotion of Rama.
E) AS A VEHICLE OF RAMA.
The theme of Hanuman serving as a carrier to Rama and Lakshmana has also been quite popular with the artists. In this form both the Ayodhya princes, Rama and Lakshmana are depicted perched over both the shoulders of Hanuman; the club is held in the right hand and a lotus in the left one. A demon is placed under the feet of Hanuman; the tail is raised upwards.
According to many texts, Hanuman carrying Rama and Lakshmana on the shoulders is connected evidently with the Mairavana episode.
F) PANCHAMUKHA HANUMAN.
The five - headed Hanuman is of gigantic form having fifteen eyes and ten arms and grants all the desires. The eastern face is that of a monkey (Hanuman) which dazzles like millions of Suns; the southern face is that of Lion (Narasimha) which is a terrific one with protruding awe - inspring teeth; the western face is that of Eagle (Garuda) with a curved beak, which destroys the effect of snake and other poisons; the northern face is that of a Boar (Varaha) which removes fever and other ailments; the face on the top is that of a Horse (Hayagriva) which destroys all the enemies.
To write about this concept, it cannot be completed even in a year.
Photograph shows place called Panchamukhi near Mantralayam where Sri Raghavendra Swamy completed doing His tapas.
G) ELEVEN - HEADED HANUMAN.
( EKADASAMUKHA)
One of the rare form of Hanuman is His having eleven heads. The description of this form in the texts could not be traced, but in all probability it represents the form of eleven Rudras representing Siva.
In all probability, the eleven-headed Hanuman could represent the eleven Rudras. The number of Rudras were further multiplied to hundred as per the Satarudriya Samhitha of the Siva Purana but still the popularity of eleven Rudras never diminished. In certain texts Hanuman is considered as the Amsa of Siva or the eleventh Rudra. In the Rudra Samhita of Siva Purana, before the killing of Tripurasura by Siva, the Gods eulogized Siva, spelling out His Vibhutis, which include Hanuman as well.
H) VIRAT SVARUPA.
According to the testimony of the Valmiki Ramayana, Hanuman displayed His gigantic form before Sita in order to instil confidence in Her. He expanded His body to gigantic proportion.
According to chapter 150 of Vana-parva of the Mahabharata, Hanuman on a request from Bhima displayed the form in which He jumped across the vast ocean. He, therefore, assumed a gigantic form which both in length and breadth grew exceedingly huge. That descendant of Bhima seeing Hanuman's gigantic form was greatly astonished and the hair of His body again and again stood on end. Seeing them as glaring as the sun or golden mountain or the glaring sky, Bhima closed His eyes.
Hanuman said to Bhima, "you are capable of seeing My form up to this extent. I can go on swelling My body as long as I wish."
I) AS A PREACHER.
In the Adbhuta Ramayana, Rama displays before Hanuman His own Vishnu form and preaches Him Samkhya-yoga as well as Bhakti-yoga. In turn He imparted the knowledge to others. In the Vinayaka Patrika, Tulasidasa has concieved Him as having mastery over music and dance and has been called Samagayaka. The composition of a branch of astrology is also attributed to Him, besides the Hanumannataka, which became quite popular subsequently. The knowledge of various arts was naturally imparted by Hanuman to others and the artist did not fail to project Him in this form as well. In this form Hanuman is shown standing or seated with His right hand held against the chest and the left hand falling down or bent at elbow.
J) THE COMPOSITE FORM.
The composite forms of the monkey head and human body of Hanuman is stated to be available from the earliest times, traces of which could be witnessed in the Indus Valley civilization. Such specimens have been interpreted to represent the Vrasakapi form of the deity, which finds mention in the Rigvedic text.
Here He is represented in human form, wearing Kundalas, necklace and armlets, besides the upper and lower garments. He is shown flying in the air, while engaged on the task of bringing the medicinal herb to save the life of Lakshmana.
K) RAMA - DARBAR.
The Silpasastra prescribes that Hanuman, the faithful servant of Rama, should be shown seated or standing in the Rama - Darbara scene, a little in front and also to the right of Rama and should be so high as to reach the chest, hip or navel of Rama.
It should be represented only as having two hands, the right of which is placed upon the mouth in token of loyalty and the left is made to hang down so as to reach the knees, for this is the attitude which has to be assumed by servants in the presence of their masters.
L) AS AN ATTENDANT OF DURGA.
There is a local tradition in Himalayan regions, in which Hanuman serves as an attendant of the goddess Durga appearing in various forms. Under this tradition at the time of the adoration of virgin girls (kumari puja) a small male child is also revered as a representative of Hanuman and is called Launkara Bira.
The tradition of Hanuman serving as an attendant of Durga seems to have been restricted to the north - west parts of Himalayan ranges covering parts of Himachal and Jammu and Kashmir regions.
N) VANARA MURTY.
According to Parasara Samhitha in Naimisaranyam Lord Hanuman appeared before a tribal name Galudu who was suffering from leprosy in this form and blessed with good health and moksha.
O) CHATURBHUJA MURTY.
In this form Hanuman blessed a vedpandit, named Kapila. Hanuman has four hands in this form including Abhaya and Varada hasthas.
P) VIMSATHI BHUJA MURTY.
Lord Brahma prostrated Hanuman in this form.Hanuman appeared in Brahma Loka in this form to Brahma and Saptarishis. In this form Hanuman has twenty hands with weapons.
Q) SUVARCHALA HANUMAN.
In this form Hanuman with his concert Maa Suvarchala Devi. He blessed one discipline named Dhwajadatta in this form with prosperity.
R) ASHTADASA BHUJA MURTY.
Hanuman has eighteen hands and eighteen weapons in this form. Maha rishi Durvasa prostrated Hanuman in this form.
S) DVA TRIMSA BHUJA MURTY.
Hanuman has thirty two hands and thirty two weapons in this form. A king named Somadatta, worshipped this form and gained back his lost kingdom. One of the ugra form.
T) SHANMUKHA MARUTI.
In this form Hanuman has six faces. East face Hanuman, south Nrusimha, west Garuda, north Varaha, oordhva Hayagreeva, pataala Agni. In this form Hanuman has thousand hands with thousand weapons.
Karthaveeryaarjuna worshipped this form and gained nine khandams and eighteen islands. It is also called NAVA KHAND HANUMAN.
Thank you for the wnderful and beautiful information about Lord Hanuman ji
ReplyDeleteIt was so informative. Jai Ran, sri ram kothanda ram
Brother can you tell me the Story of Saptmukhi Hanuman
ReplyDeleteBrother please tell me something about Saptmukhi Hanuman
ReplyDelete