Ramayana. 5

Aranyakand - 1

The Word Aranya in the Aranya Kanda means Forest. There are 28 chapters in this Kanda explaining the life of Rama, Lakshmana and Sita in the forest, besides the abduction of Sita by Ravana.

It begins with Rama getting clarification from his Kulapati on the uneasy atmosphere prevailing in Chitrakuta. Rama’s kulapati described the atrocities of forcing the Rishis to abandon the place. Rama was unhappy to stay in Chitrakuta not only because of the Rishis leaving the place but also due to painful memories that Bharata had left behind. 

They started their journey and had a meeting with the renowned Rishi Atri and his wife Anasuya, who herself was a great tapasvini. Anasuya was so pleased with Sita that she gave her blessings with all her heart and also gave her a few clothes, garlands and ornaments. Continuing their journey into the Dandaka Forest they had the first encounter with a Rakshasa by name Viradha, who reached heavens after being killed by the valiant brothers. 

They then reached the Ashrama of Sage Sarabhanga, who told Indra that he can come to Brahmaloka only after meeting Rama and entertaining him. Now the Rishis gathered around Lord Rama and expressed their happiness that their protector has decended on the Dandaka forest. This was followed by their visit to Sage Sutheekshana’s Ashram to pay their respects. They continued their life for the next 10 years wandering into the forest from one Ashram to another. 

Rama, who had heard about sage Agastya, was anxious to meet him. Taking directions from sage Sutheekshana, Rama reached the Ashrama and requested for an opportunity to dust the feet of sage agastya. Agastya was so happy in meeting Rama, Sita and Lakshmana that he gave Vishnu’s Dhanus designed by Vishvakarma along with inexhaustible quivers and silver sword. As suggested by Agastya, Lakshmana set up an Ashram for them to stay in a place called Panchavati. 

Ramayana should have ended here but for Shurpanaka’s desire for having Rama as her husband. She also threatened to eat up Sita. Lakshmana was so angered by this that he cut Shurpanaka’s nose and ear. 

Aranyakand - 2

Shurpanaka’s feelings were now converted to one seeking revenge and she provoked her brother Khara to fight with Rama and Lakshmana. At the end of a fierce battle, Khara, his commanders as well as an army of 14000 soldiers were killed single handedly by Rama. One Rakshasa escaped from the battlefield and narrated the tale of woes to Ravana whose first reaction was one of disbelief. The Rakshasa after describing the prowess of Rama suggested that Ravana abduct the beautiful wife of Rama, which will make Rama lose his life in sorrow. Ravana at this stage was dissuaded from doing so by his uncle Maricha.

Shurpanaka desperate by now to seek revenge succeeded in provoking Ravana by following two fold strategy. One, by telling Ravana that he is losing control over the forest to a man and Secondly, by describing the beauty of Sita devi and by creating a desire in Ravana’s heart to make Sita his wife. Ravana now made a plan and made his uncle Maricha take the disguise of a Golden Deer with Silver spots. When Sita spotted the golden deer, with silver spots and jewelled horns, she requested Rama to capture it alive so that she can have a playmate in the Ashram. Lakshmana warned Rama that it is all Maricha in disguise, however, Rama in his eagerness to please his wife and remembering Sage Agastya’s instructions to take care of sita in every way, goes after the deer leaving strict instructions to Lakshmana to guard sita. After a few minutes of frustrating chase luring Rama deep into the forest, Rama killed the deer (maricha) and as per instructions given by Ravana, Maricha shouted Ha Sita, Ha Lakshmana in a voice similar to that of Rama. Hearing this, Sita ordered Lakshmana to go and assist Rama. Lakshmana refused to go as his brother had instructed him to guard sita and he suspected that it is part of a deep scheme. More importantly, he was sure that Rama cannot be killed in a fight. However, sita devi in her anxiety and anger heaped insults on Lakshmana, accusing him of not helping his brother because of ulterior motives to make sita his wife. Finally, she threatens Lakshmana that if he did not go to help Rama she will kill herself. Lakshmana on the verge of tears, with great hesitation, looking back often took unwilling steps to the direction from where the noise came. Ravana who was hiding and seeing all this time came to the ashram under the disguise of a sanyasi and abducted her in his chariot. Ravana also killed Jatayu, the old eagle who tried to stop Ravana. Ravana, after reaching Lanka, tried convincing sita to marrying him. Sita not only refused but told ravana that his death at the hands of Rama and Lakshmana was certain. Ravana left sita with an ultimatum of 12 months to change her mind or else be killed.

Aranyakand - 3

 

Rama and Lakshmana by now returned to the Ashram and were shocked to find it empty. Rama was inconsolable by now and declares that he cannot live without sita. Lakshmana without overstepping his decorum of a younger man talking to his elder brother, tried to calm him down. After searching all over in vain, Rama was overcome with anger and declared that he will make all three worlds empty of all beings. Lakshmana was frightened to see his brother losing sight of dharma and talked in length to his brother. Rama listened to the sweetly spoken words of Lakshmana and asked lakshmana on what action is to be taken to find sita ? They then proceeded to search and met Jatayu in a pool of blood, who explained the events to Rama. While continuing the search of Sita, they meet a Rakshasa by name Kabandha, who gets a divine form as Dhanu on getting liberation from his curse and explains the six different factors which are needed to be learnt to know any truth. He went on to explain how the leader of monkey, Sukriva can help in finding Sita. As suggested by Dhanu, they visited the Ashrama of a great tapasvini, Shabari, which helps him to get rid of the agitation in his. However, Rama was totally taken by sorrow when he saw the beautiful surroundings near the pampa river, haunted by memories of Sita Devi. Lakshmana fully appreciating his brother’s feelings, aroused the inner strength of Rama by reminding him that a man’s sorrow can easily be overcome by observance of Dharma and performing one’s duty. All these words helped Rama overcome his despondency. They then proceeded to mount Rishyamooka to meet Sugriva.

 

Ramayana. 4

Ayodhyakand - 5

It was the sixth night after Rama had departed. Half the night had passed and the king was now wide awake. He was telling to Kausalya, "My queen, when a man does something, whether it is good or bad , he is sure to reap the harvest of his act."

Dasharatha had learned the art of archery. He could, by listening to the sound made by an animal, kill it with an arrow aimed from a distance. This is called ‘Shabdavedi’. King Dasharatha remembered the GHOR APRADH that he had committed - incident of killing Shravan Bal, an innocent son of blind parents, and their curse. Shravan’s father had cursed him saying," your death will also be similar to mine. you will die as a result of separation from your son.

For five nights the king had lived after Rama had left Ayodhya. On the sixth night he could not bear the pain any longer and died quietly.

Guru Vashishta sent a messenger to fetch Bharatha from Kekaya. On the night when the messenger reached the Rajgriha, the prince had a bad dream. Bharatha asked various questions to the messenger regarding the welfare of his father, mothers and brothers but the messenger were extremely careful in answering them.

Bharatha entered Ayodhya but was nonplused by its unusual appearance. he looked around and said, "Bad omens greet me when I enter the city". 

Kaikeyi heard him coming and rushed to meet him and welcome him. Bharatha asked his mother, "where is my father ? I want to see his face which I have been missing all these days. Kaikeyi could not grasp the extent of the misfortune which had befallen her. She spoke in a flat and unemotional voice, "Your father, the righteous Dasaratha, the refuge and solace of everyone who was in trouble, the father of this country, has attained that state which all living beings should attain one day.

Bharatha was surprised at the news that Rama was not in Ayodhya, when his father died. Kaikeyi said, "Bharatha my child, Rama has left for the forest Dandaka dressed in tree bark and with him have gone Lakshmana and Sita." His mind was sorely troubled. He asked his mother, "Why ? Why Mother ?Why was he sent to the forest by my father ?"

Kaikeyi spoke, "No Bharatha ,Ram did not commit any sin. I did not like nor want Rama to be crowned as the yuvaraj. I made the king grant me that Rama should be banished and you should be crowned as Yuvaraj".

Ayodhakand - 6

Bharatha was very angry with his mother Kaikeyi and said, "You banished Rama to the forest and you have been the death of your husband and to my lasting shame, I have to remember that I am your son, born of you. I will willingly kill you myself. I would have done so too, but then my revered brother Ram will not look at the me since he will attribute the sin of matricide to me. That is the only reason why I hesitate to draw my sword and kill you. Did you think, even for a moment, that I would accept the kingdom ? I would rather die than contemplate such a sinful act. I refuse to recognize you as my mother any more."

He further said, "I can not rest until I bring Rama back from the forest and make him accept the throne which is his"

Vasishsta Rishi then came to Bharatha and said, "Shed this grief, my son and perform the last rites for your father .

Manthara was entering the palace of Queen Kaikeyi. Shatrughna saw her, he was very angry and he wanted to beat her and punish her for her crooked plan. But Bharatha told him, "My dear brother, women should not be punished even if they deserve to be. They should be forgiven. I have not killed this Kaikeyi yet is because I am afraid of Rama. He is noble and will be displeased with me if he knows that I have killed a women and a mother at that. He will never talk to me or even look at me."

Vasishsta then said, "Bharatha , your father the king ,has left this land for you to rule .He was a righteous man and he acted thus because he did not want to be called an Adharmi. As for the reason your brother Rama left for the Dandaka forest with his wife and Lakshmana, it was the same. Ram did not want his father to be called untruthful.

The kingdom as well as myself are Rama’s to do what he will. Please do not ask me to remind you of the rule of the line of the Ishvakus, that the eldest son has the right to the throne and none other. I will go to the forest and bring Rama back , if I do not succeed , I will remain with him and serve him like my brother Lakshmana is doing.

Bharatha called for his chariot and it was at the doorway in no time. He told Sumantara to take them to the forest with his retinue. The queens also went with him . Many of the people of Ayodhya also went with Bharatha. Bharatha came to Bharadvaj Rishi"s ashram. The Rishi welcomed all the guests and inquired after their welfare.

Bharatha then said, "I have come to the forest in search of Rama, to fall at his feet, to offer the kingdom to him and to take him back to Ayodhya where he should be crowned as emperor. Can you help me by telling me where the king of Kosala is?"

Ayodhakand - 7

 

Rishi Bharadvaj entertained all the guests and the army accompanied by Bharatha. In the process of talking to the Rishi Bharatha condemned his mother Kaikeyi.

 

The Rishi said, " Do not condemn your mother, Bharatha . I can look in to the future and I can see that this exile of Rama is for the good of the world . It is going to benefit the rishis of the forest, the devas and all the divine hosts. Forbear from your censure of this women."

Bharatha took leave of the rishi and after collecting his army around him left for the ashram of Rama.

Rama ,Lakshmana and Sita were very happy in the ashraam on Mount Chitrakuta. Mother Nature was lavish in her bounty here, and Sita , who had always been fond of flowers and birds and deer, was very happy here. Every day ,something new would be discovered by them and they would talk about it and they succeeded in forgetting the fact that they were exiles and that they were denied the comforts of the city.

On that particular day when they were seated, they found a herd of elephants running around as though in panic. Rama looked at this strange scene and heard an unusual noise. He said, "Lakshmana , some king or prince has entered the forest. Lakshmana was disturbed and angry.

Rama was greatly distressed by the violent anger of Lakshmana. He tried to pacify him with his soft and gentle words. He said, "Lakshmana, if Bharatha is coming here, where is the need for us to take up arms against him?

Rama said, "I will tell you why Bharatha has come. Bharatha is very fond of his brothers . He must have heard about us living in the forest dressed in tree-bark . With pain in his heart with affection for us he has come to the forest to see us.

Ayodhyakand - 8

BHARATHA MEETS RAMA

Bharatha stood still for along moment. His limbs refused to bear him. He then rushed towards Rama . He could not see properly since tears were clouding his eyes. His sorrow was like the sea which had burst its boundary. My brother who should be seated in the court served by his myriad attendants and courtiers is now seated on the floor covered by darbha grass and attended by animals of the forest as his subjects. 

Bharatha with his face drenched in tears, advanced towards Rama but fell down even before reaching his feet. Shatrughna who was with Bharatha all the while fell along with Bharatha at the feet of Rama. Ram raised them up and embracing them, shed tears.

Rama inquired about his father King Dasaratha When he heard from Bharatha that his father was no more in this world he fell down senseless..

Bharatha said, "Rama, I appeal to you to absolve me of this sin. Please be gracious enough to come back to Ayodhya and accept the kingdom which is yours by right."

Ram replied, "Righteous men should respect their mothers just as much as they do their fathers. When such is the case, when both my father and my mother told me to go to the forest, how could I act otherwise? YOU have been commanded to rule the kingdom and I have been commanded to live in the Dandaka forest for fourteen years. Walk in the path of DHARMA which you have been following all these years and do what our father asked us to do. I will do the same. You can make my father truthful only if you go back to Ayodhya and rule the country. The debt I owe to my parents is infinite. It is not possible to return the love of one’s parents. Such a great man was Dasaratha, my father, and I will not disobey him. Your duty is to obey the command of our father and rule the kingdom."

Bharatha prostrated before Rama’s sandals and said, "My beloved brother ,remember I will live wearing these coarse tree -bark and deerskin for the next fourteen years and will retain these matted locks until you remove yours. I will wait for you to come back and I will live outside the city of Ayodhya. My food will be fruits and roots. I will enthrone these sandals and they will rule the kingdom as your symbols. I will rule the kingdom as your representative."

Ramayana. 3

Ayodhakand - 1
 

Rama was the very life of the men of Ayodhya. He was unparalleled in the qualities which makes a man great. He was a very brave young man and yet his bravery was combined with mercy. Even if someone spoke harshly to him, he would never reply in the same tone. If anyone did him any favor, even if it were a small task, he would always remember it with gratitude while his own good acts would be forgotten by him even if they were hundreds in number. Each man loved him as his own son.

Words can not describe the wealth of goodness that is Rama. He was well versed in the arts which a Kshatriya had to master and he was also very proficient in the knowledge of Vedas and all its Angas. In short, Rama was the home of all the virtuous qualities that can be enumerated and he was the beloved prince of the citizens of Ayodhya.

King Dasaratha had in his heart the great desire to make Rama the Yuvaraj. In prowess Rama was like Yama and Indra and in wisdom he was like the divine Guru Brihaspati . He was the best among men , a rare soul and he was the best suited to rule the kingdom. The People of Ayodhya approved the suggestion that Rama should be crowned as the heir . They were eager to see Rama, drenched with the waters of the abhisheka, with his face sheltered by the white umbrella, riding on the elephant.

He was the personification of all that is good and great. He would never swerve from the path of truth and dharma. The earth was eager to have Rama as her lord , endowed as he was with all the qualities needed for a ruler. When he heard the commands of his father, Rama spoke not a word but stood still. He prostrated once again before his father and ascended the chariot which had brought him to the court. The crowd also dispersed slowly, each man thinking only of the glad event which was to happen soon.

When the crowd had dispersed and when the king was alone in his chambers he thought of arranging the coronation of Rama the next day since it was the auspicious Pushya nashktra. Accordingly Ram was informed and he was asked to observe all the necessary rituals, guided by VasishTha Rishi.

After Rama had gone away, Dasaratha sent for VasishTha and spoke to him about the coronation which had to take place in the morning. The people were delirious with happiness and there was joy and nothing but joy in the hearts of everyone in Ayodhya.

Ayodhakand - 2

On the same evening Manthara, the servant maid of Kaikeyi rushed to Kaikeyi and informed her of Ram’s coronation and warned her that it was a great danger for her. Kaikeyi paid no attention to the words of Manthara. Manthara stood fuming with anger. After a while composing herself, she said, "Madam, the king is contemplating your destruction. He is planning to crown Rama as Yuvaraj tomorrow .You will be destroyed, my queen, and I have come to you hoping to find a way to save you. Look he is now granting all good fortune to Kausalya and not to you. You do not know it but the king is really your enemy."

Some how Kaikeyi was convinced by Manthara and was poisoned to such an extent that she decides to go to Dasaratha for her two boons. Kaikeyi approached King Dasaratha and requested the King to sanction her two boons at any cost. She said, "You have made all preparations for Rama to be crowned as the Yuvaraj. Let the preparations remain as they are. Only, I want Bharata to be crowned instead of Rama. As for the other boon, wearing deerskin and tree -bark, Rama should spend fourteen years in the Dandaka forest."

King Dasaratha said, "I can live without Kausalya or Sumitra. I am prepared to give up even my kingdom . But I can never give up Rama. When my eyes light on Ram’s face, my heart becomes full of Joy, and when he is not with me I am the most unhappy of all beings. The world may live without the sun but I will not be able to live once I am parted from Rama. Kaikeyi , tell me ,how did this sinful thought come to your mind? You have been born just for the purpose of destruction. When I tell Rama to go to the forest, he will not speak a word in protest! How can I bear to see his face after I tell him this? You are a cruel woman and your mind thinks up only sinful thoughts. I must have sinned in my previous birth and that is the reason why I have to listen to you and your sinful wishes. The elders in the court will now approach me with the desire to take me to the hall where the coronation is to be performed. With the waters collected for the abhisheka let Rama perform the funeral rites for me who will die very soon."

Ayodhakand - 3

 

Sumantara was asked to bring Rama again. Rama came with Laxmana to Kaikeyi’s quarters. Rama looked at his father. An unnatural silence pervaded the place. Rama stood for a long time looking at his father. Rama could not understand king Dasaratha’s silence. Kaikeyi explained everything to Rama, including the two boons sanctioned to her by king Dasaratha.

 

Rama looked at Kaikeyi and said, "But certainly, my mother, I will go at once to the forest dressed as you say. I will not let my father break his words. I am unhappy only about one fact: why does the king refuse to look at me with love as he always does ? Why has the king not told me this good news?"

Rama then said, "Devi, Kaikeyi, you did not credit me one thing. I would have obeyed you if you had asked me to do this. Because of your lack of faith in me and in my love for you, you have approached the king." Rama looked like a great Sannyaasi who had renounced the world.

Rama then went to mother Kausalya and said, "Mother, a great misfortune has befallen you, my Sita and my beloved brother Laxmana. It happened just now and you do not know about it yet. What I need is an asana made of darbha grass. The time has come when I should abandon all this and go to the Dandaka forest and remain there. I must withdraw my mind from all thoughts of kingly comforts and live in the forest for fourteen years." 

Rama then said, "I am the last person to question my father’s action and the motives behind them. My father has never spoken an untruth and this incident should not prevent him from gaining a place in heaven."

Rama looked at mother Kausalya, whose face was bathed in tears and said, "Mother, my father has been deceived by Kaikeyi. Mother ,I do not have to tell you about the dharma of a Pativrata. Rama continued, "Bharatha is a righteous man and a very noble youth. He will walk only in the path of dharma."

Ayodhyakand - 4

Kausalya said, "Since fate has conspired against me , I am not able to change your mind. May that dharma protect you which you have been following so assiduously with a firm mind and with religious dedication."

Rama, Laxmana and Sita decided to go to the Dandaka forest without any further delay. Before that, Rama wished to give away all his belongings to brahmins and to the dependents in the palace. For Rama following the path of dharma was the only purpose in life and there was no disturbance in his mind since he knew that he was doing the right thing.

King Dasaratha tells Sumantara to take Rama, the noblest of men and leave him in the forest which is uninhabited by men. He realizes that even when a man follows the path of dharma, the acts he had performed in his previous birth will not leave him alone. 

Sumantara took his seat and the chariot began to move. Rama heard the wail of the king’s wives in the harem and the faint voice of his father. It came to the mind of the king finally that Rama had really left him and gone away. 

Dasaratha looked at Kaikeyi with burning eyes and said, "Kaikeyi you sinned against me and you have wished me ill. I do not consider you my wife any longer. I renounce you. Noble minded Bharatha has ever been devoted to his elders, and he has never swerved from the path of righteousness. If however, he should perchance be influenced by you ,and accept the throne won for him by you, he shall not perform the funeral rites for me. I will disown him too.

King Dashratha was carried to Kausalya’s palace and was placed on a couch covered with silk.

Rama then visited Bharadvaj Rishi’ ashram. When Rama was ready to leave that ashram the Rishi blessed them by reciting special verses meant for those going on a journey and he went with them as a father will. They reached the beautiful mountain Chitrakuta. It was full of birds, flowers, fruits and waterfalls.

They came across the ashrama of Valmiki and they visited him. He welcomed them and said, "Rama I know why you have come to the forest. I am glad that you have decided to live here where the Rishis have made their homes"

Sumantara came back to Ayodhya. It took him three days to reach city. King Dasaratha looked at him and his eyes were questioning. Sumantara recounted to him everything about Rama in detail.

Raamayana. 2

What have we to learn from Raamayana ?

The world today is in dire need of the message of the Raamayana. Jealousy, Hatred, disobedience, selfishness - all these evils has had bad influence on the society. Raama preached to the world the basic truth that the world is one family besides teaching the duties one should perform in everyday life in a society and towards a family. This triple stream of duties is the message of Raamayana. We need to perform our duty in the best possible manner like Lord Raama did.

Raama dwells in the heart of everyone. He is the indwelling spirit. When we sing " Atmaraama" week after week, this is exactly what we mean. Ayodhya, where Raama resides, symbolises our heart. Only if we keep our heart pure and firm, there will be room for Raama to stay forever. Among the many avataars of the Lord, the avataar of Lord Raama is also unique in the sense that the word "Raama" is not only a name but also a mantra in itself. Has not the Phalasruti we say in Vishnu Sahasranamam - Sri Raama Raama Ramethi….. been equated to reciting the entire sahasranamam ?

Lord Raama taught us how to remain unruffled in the presence of difficulties or joys, in pain or pleasure. A good man by his good conduct achieves greatness. These are the qualities, which everyone should cultivate. In fact the comparison of Sri Raama’s fortitude and strength to the Himalayas and the grace of his personality to the ocean- Samudra iva Gambheerye, dhairye Cha Himavaan iva portrays how his personality has been blended with the entire country.

When a Hindu’s acting in this world comes to an end, he is bid Raam Naam Satya Hai. Before we are bid such a farewell, let us atleast put into practice the teachings of Lord Raama. Vishnu Sahasranamam gives an assurance by saying Priyakrut Pritivardhana meaning when we stay in his path namely Dharma and Satya, he not only bestows all the desires but also takes the responsibility of keeping the devotee steadfast in his love and devotion towards him. Again the last reference to Sri Raama in the Vishnu Sahasranama is the word "Kshitisham" "Kshitisham" means a king. The Sahasranamam confirms Lord Ramaa to be our king and urges everyone to take the guidance of Ramaayana.

SRI RAMA JAYAM

Bala Kanda - 1

Dasaratha was the king of Kosala. The river sarayu flowed on the outskirts of the country. Ayodhya was the capital of Kosala. It was created by Manu. Dasaratha came under the scion of the Ishvakus. He was known for his wiseness, he has performed all the yagnas, and was a king loved by all.

Dasaratha has eight ministers who were all well versed in the art of advising the king in matters of importance. They were highly intelligent and were always interested in the well being of their king and his subjects. The ministers were Dhriti, Jayanta, Vijaya, Siddhartha, Arthasadaka, asoka, mantrapala and sumantra. The king has many priests to advise him on the matters pertaining to religion and religious rites and rituals. The chief of them were Vasishta and vamadeva. All the people in the kingdom were very happy and treasury of the kingdom was ever full and so was the granary.

Dasaratha was such a great king , but he was not at all happy. He had no son to make him happy. As he grew older, he was very much worried whether the line of Ishvakus will terminate after his death. At this time he thought of doing a Yaga by the name Ashwamedha. So he called for his able ministers and sent sumantra to call all the rishis and Acharyas like, Vasishta, Vamadeva Kashyapa etc. The king told them about his performing the Yaga and they also approved of his suggestion. The King told the ministers to take the advice of the rishis as to where the yaga is to be conducted. The yagnasala was to be built on the northern side of the river Sarayu.

Sumantra remembered that the famous rishi Sanatkumara had spoken about the birth of four sons to the king Dasaratha. He told the King to invite the sage Rishyashringa to preside over the yaga. Sage Rishyashringa was married to the daughter of Anga, whose name is Romapada. Dasaratha requested the king to allow his daughter and her husband (the great rishi) to come to his kingdom for the yaga. Very soon the seaon vasantha came, the rishi told the king to start the procedings of the yaga and to send the sacrificial horse for its sojourn around the Bharatvarsha. Dasaratha took the dust of the feet of sage Vasistha and prayed him to make the yaga a success. The king requested the sage Rishyashringa to perform the yaga by name of putrakama. The sage blessed him by performing the putrakama yaga as it is mentioned in the Atharva Veda.

Balakanda - 2

When the Ashwamedha yaga was going on, the Devas led by Indra went to Brahmaji the creator. They complained to him about the troubles and harassment done by Ravana. They complained to Brahmaji that your boons have made him very very powerful . He has frightened all the three worlds and he has threatened to insult me in my Amravathi. Because of his boons , the sun god is afraid to glows brightly and vayu does not blow hard, even the sea is frightened of him. Because of his boons he cannot be killed by any of the devas. 

Brahmaji listened to them and said , Yes, Ravana cannot be killed by any devas, or danavasor gandharvas, or yaksha, or any rakshasas. However because of his arrogance he forgot to get immunity to be killed by a man. And that his how he will be killed said , Brahmaji.

While they were talking thus, Lord Narayana came there with his shankha , chakra , he was seated on Garuda. Brahmaji requested to him to be born as a son to the king Dasaratha and also told that four sons will be born to the king. He requested Lord narayana let all the four sons be the Amsas of you. Your avatara will be of immense help to the mankind and also for us. 

Lord Narayana listened to the words of Brahmaji, and said that I have decided to be born in the world of men and I will destroy Ravana and his entire clan . After killing him, I will rule the world for 11,000 yrs. To assist me in this avatara, he told the devas that they will also be born in the world of men as Monkeys as ravana had forgotten to ask for immunity of death from monkeys.

The Putrakama yaga came to an end . From the fire came a divine form. The divine form held in his hands a bowl with a silver covering. It said , I am a messenger from Brahmaji. I have been commanded to hand over this payasa to you. Give it to your queens and your wish for sons will be fulfilled. The king prostrated before the divine form and took the payasa. The yaga came to a glorious end and the king took the blessings of all the rishis and came to the inner chambers of his palace and gave half the payasa to his eldest queen, kausalya, and then gave half of what was left to Sumitra, and again half of what was left to Kaikeyi, and when some more was left he gave it to sumitra again. 

Balakanda - 3

The king dasaratha was very happy and the month of chaitra was approaching and the vasanta rutu was nearing. The month was Chaitra and it wasShukla paksha , it was ninth day of the new moon, all the five planets were in the auspious position, the lagna was karkata and the planet Guru was rising with the moon. The star was Punarvasu. The Lord Narayana was being born in the world of mankind as a man for the benefit of mankind. When the next star pushya appeared under the Meena Lagna a son was born to the queen kaikeyi. Sumitra gave birth to twins when the star Ashlesha was born. All the four sons of Dasaratha were the amsas of the Lord and kausalya’s son Rama was Lord Narayana himself. There was so much joy in the whole of kosala and king Dasaratha was the most happiest man . The children grew up like the moon in the shukla paksha . Right from their childhood Lakshmana was very very attached to Rama. He was always with Rama and Shatrugna was attached to Bharata. 

The children grew up learning from their guru Sri Vasishta. They were well versed in the art of fighting like all the Kshatriyas and they were humble and softspoken . They were all liked by everybody and Rama was the darling of everybody. Of the four , Rama was the favourite of his father. The children were now of 16 years of age and Dasaratha was thinking in his mind about their marriage. At this time Sage Vishwamitra arrived at his palace. Dasaratha welcomed him with all shraddha and bhakti and with great humulity asked the sage about the purpose of his visit. Sage Vishvamitra told the king about the Yaga he was performing and the troubles he has to suffer from the rakshasas who could take any form any time. I cannot curse them because there is no place for anger when I am doing this yaga. Dasaratha asked what help do you need from me? I am willing to do anything to help in your yaga. When the king spoke like that, Sage Vishvamitra asked him to send rama with him . He said don"t worry about him and about his safety . He will be famed in the three worlds because of these good deeds . Dasaratha was worried now. He did not want to send rama with the sage. In his eyes rama was just a child and how can a child kill all the rakshasas? He pleaded with the sage , and even offered to go himself along with the sage and said I can fight the rakshasas . The king said my son is not even 16, and has not yet finished his education and then how can he help you? I cannot live a moment without seeing my beloved son rama. Rama is my very life and of all the four sons he is the most dearest to me. By now sage Vishvamitra patience was running out, He was very angry with the king who offered all the help and now he is going back on his words.The sage told the king that I am going back and you can live happily with all your kith and kins but you will be remembered as aking who did not keep his word and the you will be discredited by the world . The earth trembled when the sage spoke like this. Blinded as he was by his love for his son king dasaratha did not realise what he was doing. Sage Vasistha who was the kula guru then spoke to dasaratha, made him realise his mistake , he spoke about the prowess of the sage, thepowers of the sage and told him to get out of the delusion called Putrasneha. Finally the king realised his mistakes and fell at the feet of the sage and asked for forgiveness. He told the sage the Lakshmana is always with rama and they are always together. So Rama and Lakshmana went with sage Vishvamitra.

Balakanda - 4

When they reached the southern bank of the river Sarayu, sage Vishvamitra told rama to take water in his palms and he taught him the mantras Bala and Prabala. They are the daughters of Brahmaji, the creator. You will never feel tired nor hunger will trouble you nor thirst will trouble you. That night they rested and next day before dawn they were woken up by sage Vishvamitra. They reached the spot where river sarayu joins river ganga. There were many Ashramas and many rishis were performing all sorts of tapas. They crossed the river ganga and the forest that they saw was very very dense but there was no sign of any habitation there. Sage Vishvamitra told them that a terrible rakshasi by the name of Tataka lives here and she has been terrorising everybody. Sage Vishvamitra told rama to kill tataka and rama obliged him by killing her and the forest was freed from tataka. Vishvamitra blessed rama and gave all the divine astras of his to him and taught him as to how to use it and told him to teach lakshmana . 

Finally they reached the place where the yaga was to take place . Many rishis had gathered there . Rama and lakshmana paid obeisance to all of them. The rishis told them that the yaga will last for 6 days and sage Vishvamitra will observe vow of silence and they told them to guard the place very very carefully. The yaga proceeded with out any troubles for the first five days. But on the sixth day all of the sudden there was a lot of commotion . R and L knew that these are the works of the rakshasas. Rama took up the astra by the name manavastra and aimed it at the rakshasa by the name Marichi. The astra struck marichi and threw him about hundred yojanas in to the sea but it did not kill him . Rama then took up the other astra by the name Agneyastra and it killed subahu and the other rakshasas.

Balakanda - 5

After the yaga was over, Rama asked the sage as to what they should do now ? Sage Vishvamitra told rama and lak , we will go from here to the kingdom of Janaka , Mithila. The famed bow of Mahadeva is in Mithila and till date nobody has been able to lift it. They reached the kingdom of Mithila and the king on knowing about the arrival of sage Vishvamitra welcomed him with all honour and respect. He also asked about the purpose of his visit. 

The sage introduced the two princes to the king and told the king that they both are great archers and they are impatient to see the bow of Mahadeva and asked the king to make arrangement to bring the bow.

King Janaka narrated as to how the bow came to be with him , and he also spoke about his daughter Sita, who was found as a beautiful child from the mother earth, when he was preparing the earth for doing a yaga. That is why she is named Sita, and whoever is able to lift the bow, Sita will be their bride. 

Janaka made arrangements to bring the bow, and rama with the blessing of sage Vishvamitra lifted the bow as though it were just a sport. Rama held the bow straight with his left hand and he bent the bow with his right hand . The earth trembled at the noise, and many people fell down unconscious. King janaka was very very happy that Sita will be rama’s bride and she will be the bride of the house of Ishvakus. He made arrangements and send messengers to Kosala about the impending marriage of Rama and Sita. Dasaratha was very very happy and they all left for Mithila. King janaka told king Dasaratha, please accept my 2^nd daughter for your son Lakshmana. At this time Sage Vishvamitra spoke to the king Janaka, about his brother’s daughters and asked the king to get the two daughters to be given in marriage to Bharata and Shatrugna. 

When the star is in Uttara Phalguni let the marriage be performed.

Ramayana. 1

This is taken from www.hindunet.org/ramayana

Introduction

raamaayaaNa is one of the largest epics in the world, comparable to the Illiad and Odyssey. it originates form bhaarata (india) - the land of king bharata. raamaayaNa is one of the two itihaasa (historical account) scriptures of sanaatana dharma (Hindu-dharma), the other being the mahaabhaarata. It describes events that took place in ancient bhaarata around 7000 BCE (before common era - also known as B.C.) It contains the story of Lord raama the 7th avataara (incarnation) of Lord vishNu in the tretaa yuga (the silver age among the four ages in a mahaayuga which corresponds to a complete cycle of the earth's percession). The puraaNas, raamaayaNa and the bhagavada geeta are considered (both-independently and together) by many as a fifth veda. Among the four most popular sets of Hindu scriptures - the vedas, puraaNas, itihaasas and tantras, the itihaasas (raamaayaNa & mahaabhaarata) are the most popular among Hindus all around the world today. Among the numerous translations of raamaayaNa are shrii raama charita maanasa in avadhii language by tulasidaasa and kamba raamaayaNa in Tamil.
The original raamaayaNa was authored by r^shi (Seer, Sage) vaalmiiki in sanskr^ta. The interesting thing about it is that raamayaNa unfolded AFTER it was written. The incidents that were to happen around the seventh avataara of vishNu were revealed to vaalmiiki before they even took place. Another way of looking at is that vishNu simply played out a role as raama as dictated in the raamaayaNa. The significant thing however is that the role itself was of an ideal human being. r^shi vaalmiiki was originally a robber who later turned into a r^shi of the highest stature. He is credited to be the first human to compose poetry and is given the title aadikavi. Valmiiki himself appears in the raamaayaNa. In the last part of raamaayaNa when siitaa is sent to the forest by raama, it is r^shi vaalmiiki's hermitage where siitaa takes refuge.        


raamaayaNa stresses on bhakti yoga - the yoga of devotional love. raama represents the ideal man and siitaaraani the ideal woman. hanumaan is an epitome of a bhakta (devotee) with daasya bhaava (accepting God as the supreme master). Since raamaayaNa is about events in tretaa yuga, when the society was still mature, it represents the best of relationships among humans. Even the raakshasas (roughly translated as demons, but a better translation would be misguided or ignorant beings) of lankaa followed a strict code of conduct. Thus in the raamaayaNa we can find the ideal relationship between father and son in dasharatha & raama as well as in raavaNa and meghanaatha. The ideal couple is represented by raama & siitaa and raavaNa and mandodari. raama and lakshamaNa are the best of brothers and so are bharata and shatrughna. hanumaana and vibhiishaNa are the ideal devotees.
There are some interesting differences between raama and krishNa although both are avataars of vishNu. raama was born and died as a prince and king but lived as an ascetic, krishNa on the other hand was born in a prison and died due to a wound caused by a hunters arrow, but He lived as a king all his life. raama exemplifies the ideal human and is most loving and gentle. krishNa on the other hand has the most fun and lovable personality. In the form of raama, vishNu simply plays a part or role already assigned to Him by vaalmiiki whereas as krishNa he reveals that he is God incarnate.
raamayaNa is a religious, spiritual and historical manual. The tulasii raamaayaNa is one of the most popular scriptures authored during the bhakti era in medieval India.
The vaalmiiki raamaayaNa has the following kaanDas (chapters).

1.   baala
2.   ayodhyaa
3.   araNya
4.   kishkindhaa
5.   sundara
6.   yuddha
7.   uttara

Where in lay the secret of this unique greatness in Raama’s personality? He is called Maryadha Purushottama- the great one who never deviated from the norms of Dharma. In the eyes of a Hindu, the touchstone of human excellence is Dharma. Devotion to Dharma came first in Raama’s life. It was his supreme commitment to putra-dharma that made Raama smilingly depart to the forest for fourteen years. Again He did not budge from the path of Dharma when he was made the future emperor of Bharat. Don’t we recite in Vishnu Sahasranama that Raama is Dharma himself :

Ramo Viramo Viraj, Marg Neyo Neyonayah
Veera Shakthimathan Shresta, Dharmo Dharmavidhutamma

Lord Raama was ready to forsake everything else to uphold his kingly duties - Rajdharma and take care of his countrymen. In fact he once told Sitadevi that he would not hesitate to sacrifice even her if the welfare of the people of Ayodhya required it.

Sneham dayaam cha soukhyam cha, yadi vaa jaanakimapi
Aaraadhanaaya lokasya, munchate naasti me vyatha.

However, the most crucial test came when Lakshmana violated the orders of Lord Raama and admitted Durvasa’s presence with a view to averting the destruction of Ayodhya by Durvasa’s curse. Raama stuck to the Law of the land and awarded death sentence to Lakshmana- one whom he loved dearer than his own life. Such was Lord Raama’s intense adoration and love for the motherland and this is revealed in the following legendary couplet

Janani Janmabhoomischa Swargaadapi Garreyasi

This means that the mother and motherland are greater to me than the heavens themselves.

Sri Raama’s role as one of the first and foremost national unifiers of Bharat is also unique and extraordinary. He embraced Guha, the boatman and also enjoyed the fruit offered with devotion by Shabari, a tribal lady without any hesitation. Lord Raama has become so much identified with all the good, great and virile qualities of a human being that expressions such as "Us me Ram nahi Hai" have become common usage.

 

Famous Hanuman Devotees

Sri Vyasaraya Tirtha (1447 - 1539)

Dvaita, the philosophy propounded by Sri Madhwacharya, has been graced by several divine personalities. Vyasaraya was a prominent figure in what is considered as the golden-age of Karnataka. He was born at Bannur on the banks of the Kaveri River in Karnataka in 1447. The baby grew up under the care of Bramhanya Tirtha and later, he was sent to Sripadaraya Swami, a great saint, for further training in philosophy. He is regarded as the incarnation of Prahlada. Devotees also believe that he re-incarnated as Sri Raghavendra Swamy.

He was the Royal Pontiff to the emperors of Vijaynagar; Sri Krishnadevaraya, the great emperor of Vijayanagar was his staunch devotee. Once, Vyasaraya foresaw that the emperor would come under the bad influence of planets known as Kuha Yoga. The king sought guidance from his spiritual mentor, who advised him to ‘give away’ the kingdom to him during the specific period. To protect his devotee, and the empire, he himself ascended the throne during those evil moments. The king obeyed and the saint occupied the throne. The upper garment of Sri Vyasaraya caught fire and he threw it away. The ill effect of the planets was thus warded off and the king was saved from the clutches of death. Hence in recognition of this gesture, even today a court is being held daily in the evenings in the Math established by the saint. Later, he handed the empire back to the emperor.

He cast off his mortal body in 1539, at the ripe old age of 92 years. His resting place is Nava-Vrindavana, located on an island in the Tungabhadra River, near Anegondi, very close to Hampi.

He wrote Pranava Nodirai, Mukya Prana Padirai, and Sadguna Charita on Sri Hanuman. He has also given 732 instances (prana prathikas) like Varijavadana samiraja kapi nrupa dvijana bhavi ajana explaining the three manifestations of Sri Madhwacharya. He went on a padayatra (pilgrimage on foot) and installed 732 idols of Sri Anjaneya in different parts of the country. The Anjaneya Temple at Nallattur in Tiruttani Taluk in Andhra Pradesh is one such temple. He blessed Sri Purandara Dasa and Sri Kanaka Dasa and made Dvaita philosophy to spread all over through Kannada language.

Saint Tulsidas (1532 – 1623)

Tulsidas was born in 1532 to a Brahmin family in the town of Rajapur. His father Atmaram was an official in the ministry of Akbar, the mughal ruler. He suffered separation from his parents at a very young age and was not taken care of by relatives. He met some saints who advised him to surrender to Lord Rama. He got associated with a Hanuman temple and ate whatever was given to him. He got married to a woman named Ratnavali. Once his wife went to stay with her parents for a while. Tulsi, unable to bear the separation, hurried to meet her. Ratnavali admonished him that he should have loved Sri Rama with the same fervour instead of being lured by flesh. Tulsi contemplated on this remark and left all connections with the family life.

While seeking alms, he came to the house where his wife and father-in-law lived, but he could not recognize them. Recognising him, his wife food. When she insisted that he partake spices like pepper, salt etc, he replied that he had spices in his possession. Early next morning, when Tulsidas was preparing to leave the house, his wife requested him to take her with him. But he said that he had renounced family life. Ratnavali remarked in anguish that he was a strange renunciate who carried spices with him but not his own wife. He recognized the folly of being attached to food, and threw away all possessions and migrated to Kashi.

Scholars opine that the Ramacharitamanas would never have been written but for Ratnavali's remarks. Atlast he had the vision of Sri Hanuman and Sri Rama along with Sita Devi, Lakshmana, Bharata, and Satrughna. Sri Rama advised Tulsidas to narrate His story with the help of Sri Anjaneya. He wrote the famous Ramacharitamanas, also known as the Tulsi Ramayan, and Hanuman Chalisa.

Nabhaji, the author of Bhaktamala, writes that Tulsidas was an incarnation of Sage Valmiki born again to explain the Ramayana in the vernacular language. The Ramacharitamanas and the Ramayana are both biographies of Lord Rama and naturally, there should not be major differences between the two. Tulsi is an independent poet who created a world using metaphors and similies which though overall consistent with Valmiki's rendition differs considerably in many places. 

Sri Raghavendra Swami (1595 – 1671)

He belongs to the Dvaita tradition established by Sri Madhwacharya. He was the head of the Math during 1623-1671 and was a prolific writer on the scriptures and works of the Dvaita school. He is believed to be the reincarnation of Sankukarna who offered flowers for Brahma's worship of Lord Narayana in His divine abode. The Lord willed that the glory of this faithful devotee be known to the world. In the Krita Yuga he was born as Prahlada, in Treta Yuga as Vibhishana and in the Dwapara as king Bagaliga. In Kali Yuga, he was born as Vyasaraya first and then as Raghavendra. Named as Venkatanatha by his parents, he joined the service of the Math when Sudindra Theertha was the pontiff. He became known as Raghavendra Swami and entered Jiva samadhi on the banks of the Tungabhadra River at Mantralayam in 1671. The Panchamukha Anjaneya idol at Mantralayam was consecrated by him.

Bhadrachala Ramadas (1620 –1688)

It is said that Lord Rama once appeared in the dream of a woman called Pokala Sammakka and informed her about the existence of idols on Bhadragiri. To her astonishment, the idols were found on the hill and she got a modest structure built at the place. The temple, dedicated to Lord Rama, is situated on the left bank of the Godavari River at Bhadrachalam in Khammam District. The uniqueness of the temple is that the deity here is a combination of two incarnations - Sri Rama with kodandam (bow) and Vishnu with his shanku (conch shell) and chakra (discus, a symbol of destruction of evil).

Later, Gopanna, a Tahsildar in the court of Abdul Hassan Tana Shah, spent the tax revenues lavishly to renovate the temple to its present form. He was a fervent devotee of Lord Rama. In order to embellish the temple, Gopanna used the money from the royal treasury. As a punishment, he was arrested and confined to a dark cell in the Golconda Fort. Even in solitude, Gopanna's devotion to Lord Rama was undeterred. It is believed that his prayers were soon answered when Lord Rama appeared in Tana Shah's dream and repaid the money taken from the royal treasury. The king was awestruck and released Gopanna from prison and also restored his position as Tahsildar. Tana Shah also announced annual grants to the temple. Some of the jewels which Gopanna adorned the deities with can be seen at the temple. He became famous by the name Bhaktha Ramadas and Bhadrachala Ramadas.

Saint Tyagaraja adopted Sri Ramadas as his role model and admired the latter for his devotion to Sri Rama and efforts to propagate Rama Nama Siddhaantha. Saint Tyagaraja referred to himself as the servant of Ramadas.

Samartha Ramadas (1608 – 1681)

Saints played a prominent role in Maharashtra and they had a large following. Prominent among the followers are the Varkari sect, who worship Vishnu in the form of Vittal, the Dattatreya, who worship a combination of Vishnu and Siva, and the Samarth, founded by Ramadas (a devotee of Sri Rama). Ramadas gave special importance to Sri Hanuman. A religious teacher of Chatrapathi Sivaji, he encouraged gymnastics and the martial arts among his devotees and wrote many religious treatises. 

Chatrapathi Sivaji (1627 – 1680)

Chatrapathi Sivaji, the great Maratha warrior, who fought the Mughals, Turks of Bijapur, the Portuguese, the English, the Dutch, and the French was an ardent devotee of Sri Hanuman. His teacher was Samartha Ramadas another ardent devotee of Sri Hanuman. Sivaji is characterised as adventurous, intrepid, polite, magnanimous, intelligent, ambitious, disciplined, an expert strategist, a good organiser, and far sighted.

Saint Tyagaraja (1767 – 1847)

Saint Tyagaraja was an ardent devotee of Sri Rama. It is believed that he recited the Thaaraka Naamam of Sri Rama ninety six crore times and had the fortune of darshan of Sri Rama with Sita Devi, Lakshmana, and Sri Anjaneya in front of his house on the Thirumanjana Street in Thiruvaiyaru.

Sri Ramakrishna Paramahans (1836 –1886)

Born in a rural village outside Calcutta, Sri Ramakrishna was attracted to spiritual life even as a boy. When he became a temple priest, he was seized by an unquenchable thirst for God realisation, and he immersed himself in intense meditation and spiritual practices. He was constantly absorbed in the thought of God. He would often go into high spiritual states and would merge with the Infinite Reality. For him, the vedantic teaching of unity of all existence was more than theory; he literally saw, and knew, this to be true. His life was a testament to truth, universality, love, and purity.

In his thirst for the divine, Sri Ramakrishna followed different religious paths including Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity, and experienced the same divine Reality. He concluded, based on his direct experience that all religions lead to the same goal. His exposure to Sikhism and Buddhism further confirmed his experience of the universality of spiritual truth. He often said that human beings were the highest manifestations of God. His disciples saw this love firsthand, and the monastic order inspired by him achieved the distinction of being the first order in India to serve humanity.

Sri Ramakrishna Paramahans has stated that at the peak of his devotion he identified so closely with Sri Anjaneya that his vertebra almost started growing as if to form a tail.

Swami Vivekanand (1863 – 1902)

Swami Vivekanand was the foremost disciple of Sri Ramakrishna and a world spokesperson for Vedanta. His lectures, writings, letters, and poems are published as The Complete Works of Swami Vivekanand. He represented Hinduism at the first World Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1893, and subsequently he was invited to speak all over America and Europe. He was a man with a great spiritual presence and great intellect. After his first visit to the West, Swami Vivekanand returned to India and founded the Ramakrishna Order in 1898.

Swami Vivekanand used to inspire his disciples and audience with the story of Sri Anjaneya. Anjaneya was his childhood idol and hero. Once he happen to attend a discourse on the Ramayana during the course of which the narrator said that Anjaneya was fond of plantain and that He frequents places where plantain abounds. He returned home and visited a plantain grove nearby and waited there hoping that Anjaneya would visit the grove! He advised his disciple Saratchandra Chakraborty to follow the ideals of Sri Anjaneya in life.

Sri Shirdi Sai Baba (1838 - 1918)

Akkalkot Swami, considered as an incarnation of Dattatreya, reincarnated as Sri Shirdi Baba in Pathri, 16 kms from Manmad Railway Station in Maharashtra. According to a biography, Sri Shirdi Sai Baba was born in the Bhusari family whose family deity was Sri Hanuman of Kumbharbawadi, on the outskirts of Pathri. It is recorded that Baba had great admiration and respect for Sri Rama and Sri Hanuman. There is atleast one recorded instance of Sri Shirdi Baba appearing as Sri Hanuman to a devotee. 

Sri Madhwacharya (1238 - 1317)

Among the philosophers of the Vedantic tradition, Madhwacharya propounded the Dvaita system of philosophy. He took to a life of recluse at a very young age and established eight Maths in Udipi. The icon of Sri Krishna in Udipi installed by him is believed to be the one worshipped in Dwaraka. Madhwacharya was born in 1238. It is believed that Sri Hanuman, Bheema and Madhwa are the three manifestations of the Wind God, Vayu. As Anjaneya, He was present on the flag of Arjuna in the Kurukshetra battlefield and listened to the Lord's sermon, the Bhagavad Gita. According to him, Lord Hari is the Supreme Reality; the universe is absolutely real; the groups of souls are His servants; moksha is liberation from rebirths and the enjoyment of inherent bliss; pure devotion is the means to secure salvation and the Lord can be known only through scriptures

Note: This blog ends the series of articles posted with subject Legend of Lord Hanuman. Hope these series of blogs helped you understand Lord Hanuman better. We will repeat this series once again after another 6 months so that we will continue to remember Lord Hanuman and His Glory. Starting next e-mail we will post Ramayana - Story of Rama in a series which is always the favorite of Lord Hanuman.

Temples and Places Associated with Sri Hanuman

Millions of people have heard of Sri Hanuman, the eternal servitor of Lord Rama. He is celebrated in many cultures, and different versions of His story appear in many languages. In China, He is known as Shun Wu Kong, the Wind Monkey. In Thailand, He is a central character in the Ramakiya, Thailand's most popular folktale. People know His history, and where He came from or how He came to have wonderful powers. There are many stories associated with Sri Hanuman but these millennia-old texts reveal His extraordinary life in bits and pieces. When the pieces are brought together they convey the story of a timeless superhero.

Pictures and idols of Anjaneya are found in Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Laos, Cambodia, China, Mauritius, Thailand, Burma, and Bali. In Cambodia, the story of Sri Rama is popular as Ramakirthi. The story of Anjaneya is enacted in Thailand. However, there are some minor differences in the folklore in these countries. In India separate Hanuman shrines are found in most temples dedicated to Sri Rama, Sri Krishna, and Sri Vishnu. 

Andhra Pradesh (India)

Rishyamooka Mountain - This is situated near Hampi on the Bellary Highway. The mountain is visible a little away from the Sri Virupaksha Temple situated at the middle of Hampi. According to legend, Sugriva stayed here along with Anjaneya out of fear of his brother Vali. It was here that Anjaneya introduced Sri Rama to Sugriva. The Tungabhadra River flows here in the shape of a bow. At Chakratheertha there is a temple devoted to Sri Rama, Sita Devi, Lakshmana, and Anjaneya.

Kishkindha - The Anegondi village on the banks of the Tungabhadra River is considered to be the Kishkindha mentioned in the Ramayana. It is believed that Sri Rama killed Bali on his battle with Sugriva on the other side of the river. There is a cave near the place where it is believed that Sri Rama and Lakshmana took rest after killing Bali. Behind the cave there is a mountain peak known as Hanuman Mountain. It is also believed that Anjaneya visits the mountain peak on Chitra Pournami and special days and many people have reportedly heard the roar of Anjaneya from this peak. Near this mountain peak there are three other peaks known after Sugriva, Thara, and Angada.

There is yet another belief that Hampi in Karnataka, the 14^th century capital of Vijayanagara kingdom in the Deccan heartland was the Kishkindha. It is notable that this place is inhabited by large number of monkeys.

Anjaneya Shrine in Sri Seetharamachandra Swamy Temple at Bhadrachalam in Khammam District. The temple, dedicated to Lord Rama, is situated on the left bank of the Godavari River. The uniqueness of the temple is that the deity here is a combination of both incarnations - Sri Rama with kodandam (bow) and Vishnu with his shanku (conch shell) and chakra (discus, as a symbol of destruction of evil). Also, unlike in other temples Sita Devi is seated on Sri Rama's lap. This shrine was visited by Kabir. This temple is called the Kaliyuga Vaikuntam.

The temple is associated with puranic and historic facts. According to a legend, a sage named Bhadra did intense penance until Treta Yuga was over and Lord Rama, who was an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, was back to his original avatar. Pleased by Bhadra's devotion, He as Lord Rama as per Bhadra's wishes granted him liberation. This precisely explains the above mentioned description of the deity at Bhadrachalam. The hillock on which Bhadra Maharishi did penance and attained liberation got the name Bhadragiri or Bhadrachalam.

A few kilometers away from the temple is the Ushnagundam. It is said that from here Lakshmana had brought hot water for Sita Devi to bathe. Legend has it that Sri Rama's hermitage in exile was situated here at Bhadrachalam. Parnasala, 32 kms from Bhadrachalam is said to be the site of the hut where Sri Rama, Sita Devi and Lakshmana lived in exile and where Sita Devi was abducted by Ravana. This temple underwent renovation in the 17^th century. 

Koormakshetram located 14 kms from Srikakulam has Sri Varahamoorthy as the main deity. It is believed that Adi Sankara, Ramanuja, and Madhwacharya visited this temple. There are eight ponds around the temple of which the third one by name Chakratheertha is believed to be the place from where the second avatar of Vishnu, as Varaha appeared. On the banks of this pond there is a separate temple for Veera Hanuman.

Guthenadeevi Temple at Mumbhidivaram Taluk on the banks of Godavari River in the East Godavari District initially had only an Anjaneya idol. It is believed that the walls of the temple started shaking as Anjaneya used to dance. After astrological consultations, some twenty-five years back, idols of Sita Devi and Sri Rama were also installed after which Anjaneya became calm. It is believed that the temple was consecrated by Sage Gautama.

Suparihanuman Temple in Aurangabad. The East facing Anjaneya idol here is swayambhu (uncreated or self-formed) and is believed to be growing.

Malyavan Mountain - This mountain is located northeast of the Srivirupaksha Temple. It is believed that Anjaneya handed over the Choodamani gem given by Sita Devi to Sri Rama at Pravarshanagiri, a place located on this mountain. 

The towering statue of Sri Anjaneya on the Tirumala Hills

Veera Anjaneya Ganddi Kshetram, Chakrayapettah, Vemballi Via, Cuddappah

Sri Prasanna Anjaneya Swamy Temple, Pannamgadu Village, Tada Mandalam, Nellore District

The 62 feet statue at the outskirts of Samalkote

The idol at Mangalagiri with Lord Narasimha

At Kamalapuram near Hospet, there is a village by name Madhuvan which is believed to be associated with Sugriva. 

Sanghi Temple - Located about 25 kms from the heart of Hyderabad city is located the picturesque Sanghi Nagar, an industrial suburb. Seen from several kilometers away is the Sanghi Temple complex with its 15 feet tall sacred Raja Gopuram. This beautiful temple complex atop the hillock Paramanand Giri exudes an aura of divinity and provides a panoramic and breathtaking view. At the foot of the hillock there are three Gopurams towering into the blue sky. Before ascending to the temple complex on top is the Shrine of Lord Anjaneya, red-faced. Lord Venkateswara, known as the bestower of piety and plenty, is the presiding deity of the complex. The nine and half feet tall idol of the deity is a true replica of the one at Tirumala and resides in the imposing sanctum sanctorum in the center of the complex. There are shrines dedicated to Goddess Padmavathy, Lord Siva, Goddess Aadilakshmi, Goddess Durga, Lord Karthikeya, Lord Rama, Sita Devi, Lakshman, Sri Hanuman, Lord Vijayganapathi, and Navagrahas.

Andhra Pradesh

Veera Mangala Anjaneya Temple at Nallattur, Tiruttani Taluk. The site is located 99 kms from Madras and 13 kms from Tiruttani. This is believed to be one of the 732 Anjaneya idols consecrated by Vyasaraya Tirtha, guru of King Krishna Devaraya in different parts of the country when he went on a padayatra. The idol, in the form of a child, is unique in many respects. The tail has a bell, the left palm holds a Sougandhigam flower, and the right hand is in a blessing posture. The neck is adored with a navaratnamala, the legs with the neck and the head carries the name Sri Rama. The background depicts the dasavatharas. It is understood that there is a similar idol in the Sreekatu Hanumantharaya Swami Temple at Dharapuram in Karur, Tamilnadu.

Sri Rama Temple in Kondapur near Madhapur Village in Hyderabad. The temple has a Chaturbhuja Rama idol. That is, Sri Rama with four hands with conch and disc in two hands, and bow and arrow in the other two, with Sita Devi on His left lap (Vamangasthitha Janaki) and Lakshmana as He appeared to Sage Bhadra at Bhadrachalam. Hanuman is placed in an aestheically built Hampi-style chariot facing the main deity in a standing posture with hands folded. This temple is hailed as the Bhadrachalam of Hyderabad. 

Assam

Anjaneya Temple in Bhimapur District in Assam

Bihar

The Aanjana village in Ranchi is believed to be the place where Anjana Devi lived. It is believed that she gave birth to Anjaneya in a cave five kilometres from the village. Devotees worship idols of Bala Hanuman and Anjana Devi in that cave. A tribe by name Uraamva living in the village claim that they are the descendents of Sri Hanuman.

There is a Lakshmikara idol of Hanuman in Hanuman Nagar in Janakpur.

Calcutta

Anjaneya Shrine at Kalighat in Calcutta

Anjaneya Shrine at Alipore in Calcutta

Anjaneya temple in Hanuman Gali near Harrison Road in Calcutta. This temple is also called the Sidhapeetham.

Delhi

Anjaneya Temple at Connaught Place in New Delhi

Karnataka

A modern temple has been built on Hanumantharayanagudda (Hanumanthnagar) which has imposing statues of Sri Rama and Hanuman locked in an embrace atop the shrine. 

Hanuman Temple at Tekal near Kolar

Hanuman Temple at Annigeri near Hubli

Ragigudda Anjaneya Temple

Anjaneya Temple at Mahalakshmi Layout in Bangalore

Hanuman Temple at Seshadripuram, Bangalore

Anjaneya Shrine in Sri Balkrishna Temple in Udipi consecrated by Sri Madhawacharya

Anjaneya Shrine in Mookambigai Temple

Anjaneya Temple at Tulsigiri in Bijapur District. The trayodasi festival in November – December is important.

Hanuman Temple at Dharwad

Panchamukha Anjaneya idol (swayambhu) at Mantralayam consecrated by Sri Raghavendra Swami

Anjaneya Temple at Palaguru on the Sholapur – Hubli Railway line near the Alamatti Railway Station

In Nanjudeswara Temple at Nanjangud, the idol of Sri Hanuman on a pillar is believed to be growing over the years.

Kerala

Sri Rama Temple at Triprayar in Thrissur District. The idol of Sri Rama is believed to be the one worshiped by Lord Krishna.

Sri Ramadasa Ashram, Chengottukonam, Trivandrum

Anjaneya Shrine in Thiruvilvamala on the banks of Bharathapuzha near Lakkidi Railway Station

Bhaktha Anjaneya Shrine in Thiruvangad Temple near Tellicherry

Anjaneya Shrine in Pampa on the way to the Sabarimala Tmple

Anjaneya Temple at Konathukunnu, near Irinjalakuda in Trichur District

Anjaneya Shrine at Tirumala Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple nearly one kilometre from the Narasimha Swami Temple at Thuravur in Shertalai Taluk in Alleppey District. Devotees pray here for curing diseases and mental imbalances.

Maharashtra

Hanuman Temple at Kumbharbawadi is the family deity of Sri Shirdi Sai Baba.

Anjaneya Temple at Rahata, five kilometres west of Shirdi where Sri Shirdi Sai Baba appeared as Sri Hanuman to a devotee.

Anjaneya Shrine at Sri Venkateswara Balaji Temple at Walkeshwar in Bombay

Manipur

Anjaneya Shrine in Mahabali Ashram in Manipur

Orissa

Anjaneya has five shrines in Jagnnathpuri Temple. At the main entrance is the Makaradhwaja Hanuman Shrine. According to a legend, Kamdev entered the temple without the permission of Anjaneya and when he was stopped by Anjaneya, Kamdev engaged Him in a battle. Kamdev was defeated and had to flee from the place. The idol depicts a sword in the right hand and the left palm displays a victory sign. 

The shrine to the east of the temple depicts Hanuman as Bhaktha Hanuman, the shrine to the west of the temple as Veera Hanuman, and as Jnana Hanuman in the shrine north of the temple.

Hanuman is considered the caretaker of the garden in Puri Temple. Anjaneya here is known as Suranga Hanuman. It is believed that Lord Jaganath visits the garden on akshaya trithiya day with the permission of Sri Hanuman. 

Hanuman Temple in Bauda District

Gandhamadana Hills, 74 kms from Bolangir, is believed to be a part fallen from the Sanjivini Mount carried by Sri Hanuman. The Hill is abundant with herbs.

Rajasthan

Bharath Anjaneya Mandap, Sadachar Mandir, Pilani

Hanuman Temple at Bhangarh near Alwar

Tamil Nadu

Sri Vikraman Swami Puja Mandiram, Nanganallur, Madras

Yoga Anjaneya Temple at Kadikachalam, Sholinganallur. This is a rare idol of Anjaneya with four hands holding the Conch, Disc, and weapons. According to legend, Lord Vishnu deputed Anjaneya with His Conch and Disc to help King Indradyumna in his battle with the Kalakeya demons. The Sundays in Vrischika month (November-December) is of special importance here. Persons afflicted by evil spirits get cured by praying at this temple. There are over 300 steps to this temple. Facing the temple is the Yoga Narasimhar Temple situated on another hill just opposite.

Aadhivyadhihara Bhaktha Anjaneya Temple at Nanganallur, Madras. The granite idol is 32 feet tall and weighs over 90 tonnes. The base has a Panchamukha Anjaneya yantra. Aadhivyadhihara means one who destroys diseases.

Anjaneya Temple at Alwarpet, Madras

Anjaneya Temple at Royapettah, Madras

Anjaneya Temple at Triplicane, Madras

Aadyantha Maha Prabhu idol depicting half Vinayaka and half Anjaneya at the Madhya Kailas Temple in Adyar, Madras

Anjaneya Shrine at Vadapalani Temple, Madras

12 feet Anjaneya Temple at 53^rd Street, Ashok Nagar, Madras

The South facing Anjaneya Shrine in Mallikeshwarar Temple, inside the Police Training College campus, Ashok Nagar, Madras

 

Panchamukha Anjaneya Shrine in West Mambalam, Madras

Anjaneya Shrine at Siva Vishnu Temple, T.Nagar, Madras

Anjaneya figure carved on a pillar (depicting Anjaneya sitting on a seat made of His tail) near the entrance at the Parthasarathy Temple, Triplicane, Madras

Anjaneya figure carved on a pillar near the shrine of Azhagiasingar inside the Parthasarathy Temple, Triplicane, Madras

Anjaneya Temple at Valsaravakkam, Madras

Anjaneya Shrine in front of the Parthasarathy Shrine, Triplicane, Madras

Anjaneya figure carved on a pillar near the entrance to the Tiruvatteswaran Temple, Triplicane, Madras

Anjaneya Temple, Mosque street and Perumal Koil street junction, Saidapet, Madras

Sri Ramanjaneyar Temple on GST Road, Tambaram Sanatorium, Madras

Anjaneya Temple, Masudi street, Mylapore, Madras

Bhaktha Anjaneya Temple at Korattur, Madras

The Satya Hanuman idol on the Chengelpet Fort wall

Anjaneya Temple at Padappa on Vandalur-Sriperumpudur Road

Anjaneya Shrine facing Kailasanathar, Kanchipuram

Sri Rama Bhaktha Veera Anjaneya Temple, Road around the Arunachala Hill, Thiruvannamalai

Anjaneya idol, in child form, near the Navagraha Shrine in Sri Arunachala Temple, Thiruvannamalai

Anjaneya Shrine at Srimushna, North West of Varahaswami Temple in South Arcot District. Here Anjaneya appears reading the Ramayana.

Anjaneya idol in Sri Rama Temple at Kumbakonam in a sitting posture on a pedestal made of His tail

Hanuman Temple at Ambasamudram in Tirunelveli

Sreekatu Hanumantharaya Swami Temple at Dharapuram near Karur

Anjaneya Temple at Hanumanthapuram six miles east of Sri Narasimha Swami Temple, Chengelpet

Sri Anjaneya Sthanumalayaswami Temple at Suchindram near Kanyakumari which has an idol 16 feet tall.

Sri Sundaravaradaraja Perumal Temple at Uttaramerur, 85 kms from Madras, dedicated to Lord Vishnu has Sundaravaradaraja (also known as Soundarya Varadaraja) Perumal as the presiding deity. The shrine of Sri Veera Anjaneya is right opposite. The idols of ulsavamurthis placed in front of the presiding deity include that of Sri Hanuman. Bhrigu, according to legend, had performed his tapas in Uttaramerur. There are two Dwarapalikakals instead of Dwarapalakas found usually in temples which symbolise the Ganges River and the Yamuna River. Just as the Prayag in Allahabad in the north, Uttaramerur is called Dakshina Prayag.

The Anjaneya idol carrying Sanjivini Mount at the entrance of the Kanyakumari Temple

The Anjaneya Temple at the foot of the Marutuamala Mount on Trivandrum – Kanyakumari Road. It is believed that this mount was formed when a portion of Rishabadri carried by Anjaneya fell down. The holy fire lighted here on the Karthika day in Vrischika month (November-December) is very famous.

Anjaneya Temple, Kallukuzhi, Trichy

Veera Anjaneya Temple on Putlur Road, Kakkalur

The 18 feet Anjaneya Temple at Namakkal, Salem

Anjaneya Shrine in Balaji Temple located 7 kms from Valparai - 64 kms from Pollachi.

Anjaneya Shrine in the Ramanathar Temple at Rameswaram. The idol, eight feet below the sea and eight feet above the sea, is believed to be a swayambhu (uncreated or self-formed). The temple is one of the twelve sacred Jyotir Linga sites located throughout the sub-continent of India, where Lord Siva is said to have manifested as a towering column of fire. Unlike the other eleven Jyotir Linga sites, Rameshvaram has two sacred Lingas instead of just one. Following a terrific battle on the island of Lanka in which Sri Rama killed Ravana, Sita Devi and Sri Rama returned to India. At the site where they landed, Sri Rama decided to install a Siva Ling to absolve him of the sin of destroying Ravana who was a Brahmin by birth. Lord Rama sent Hanuman to Mount Kailash to get a lingam from Lord Siva. Hanuman's journey took longer than expected however, and as the auspicious time of worship neared, Sita Devi quickly fashioned a lingam out of sand. When Hanuman arrived with a lingam from Kailash He was disappointed to find another lingam already installed. To please Hanuman, Sri Rama installed the stone lingam beside the sand one and ordered that all worship should henceforth be given first to the Visvalingam brought by Hanuman, and only then to the Ramalinga made by Sita Devi.

 The temple, near the seashore, has 100-feet towers, and is renowned for its magnificent corridors with massive stone pillars. It is understood that more than ten thousand pilgrims visit the temple daily, making it one of the most visited sacred sites in Asia.

Jaya Veera Anjaneya Temple at Sethukkarai, Ramnad District

Anjaneya Shrine in Sankara Math near the sea shore at Rameswaram

Saakshi Hanuman Temple at Ram Jharokha, on the way to Ramarpadam at Rameswaram is open 24 hours where soondal (cooked black gram) is given as prasad (food sanctified by offering to the deity) 24 hours. According to legend, it was here that Lord Hanuman informed Sri Rama that He met Sita Devi at Lanka. Hence the name of the temple. Saakshi means witness.

Adi Jagannatha Temple at Tiruppullani near Ramanathapuram in Ramnad District forms a part of the Sethusthalam associated with the Ramayana and it enshrines Sri Rama in a reclining pose on a bed of darba grass. Its praise has been sung by Saint Tirumangai Alwar. Adjacent to the idol of Sri Rama is a beautiful idol of Anjaneya. 

Thallakulam Anjaneyar Shrine in the Prasanna Venkateswara Temple in Ramanad District

Near Palayamkottai, Tirunelveli, there is an oblong stone which is believed to be and worshiped as Sri Hanuman’s tail. It is believed that it was here that He kept His tail on the path of Bheema.

Three faced idol of four feet high at Anantamangalam in Tanjore

Panchamukha Hanuman in Chakrapani Temple in Tanjore

Anjaneya Temple at Santhaveli near Valangaiman, about 20 kms from Kumbakonam in Tanjore District

The eight feet idol of Sri Hanuman at Dharapuram, with His tail facing up

 

Uttar Pradesh

Hanuman Ghat Anjaneya Temple at Ayodhya on the banks of the Sarayu River. There are two mounts named after Sugriva and Angada south of the temple. 

Jnana Hanuman Temple at Hanuman Baug

The swayambhu (uncreated or self-formed) Anjaneya idol in the temple near Triveni Sangam at Prayag.

Sri Hanuman Guffa at Tulsi Mandir, Tulsi Ghat

Sankatamochana Hanuman Temple near the South Hindu Vishwa Vidyalaya in Varanasi. Chitra Pournami is observed as a significant day here.

Hanuman Temple near the Sri Vinayaka Temple in Badrinath

Bala Hanuman Temple, known as Hanuman Pathak, on a mount North West in Varanasi. The temple is believed to be consecrated by Sant Tulsidas.

Five kilometres from Koditheertham is Hanumandhara (also called Patala Ganga Theertham) at Chitrakutam in the midst of mountain ranges. Water flows down the mountain, fills two ponds and falls over an idol of Sri Anjaneya, hence the name Hanumandhara. According to a legend Sri Rama asked Anjaneya to cool his tail in Chitrakutam which was still hot after He burnt down Lanka.

Anjaneya Mela at Aligarh in Lucknow. Lucknow was originally called Lakshman Puri. Hindus and Muslims participate in the Mela. According to a local legend, the temple was built by Muhammed Ali who ruled Lucknow as a mark of gratitude for being blessed with a child. The ruler who did not have a child was advised by his spiritual mendicant, Sri Baba Swami, to pray to Anjaneya.

Anjaneya Temple at Sri Simhapuram at Vrindavan. It is said that when Aurangazeb ordered demolition of the temple, Govindadevaji, the person in charge of the temple, prayed to Anjaneya and scores of monkeys appeared on the walls of the temple. The soldiers ran away scared and Aurangazeb not only withdrew the order but also gave assistance for the development of the temple.

Ayodhya – Allahabad – Chitrakoot – Bithur is called the Ram Van Vaas route.