Deity Hanuman - The epitome of Dasya Bhakti

To enable devotees obtain the maximum spiritual benefit from Hanuman Jayanti, spiritual knowledge such as the history of Hanuman Ji’s birth and the benefits obtained from His worship, rangoli designs that attract the Hanuman Principle, chanting of Hanuman ’s Name, etc. are given here.

Objective in worshipping Hanuman

Hanuman has more manifest energy (72%) as compared to other Deities who have approximately 10% manifest energy. The following reasons (based on concepts of energy) inspire devotees to worship Hanuman :

1. To overcome problems caused by negative energies, influence of Shani, etc.

2. To overcome obstacles in the path of activated Kundalini (Spiritual energy) and to channelise it in the appropriate direction.

1. Tithi

A special feature of Hanuman Jayanti is that according to some Almanacs, the birthday of Hanuman Ji is on Ashwin Krushna Paksha Chaturdashi (fourteenth day of the dark fortnight of the lunar month of Ashwin), while according to others it is on Chaitra Purnima. In Maharashtra, Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated on Chaitra Purnima. Accordingly, this year, Hanuman Jayanti is on 2nd April 2026.

2. Importance of celebrating Hanuman Jayanti

On this day, Hanuman’s Principle is a thousand times more active when compared with other days. On this day, chanting ‘Shri Hanumate Namaha’ and worshipping Hanuman with bhav (Spiritual emotion) helps in getting maximum benefit of His Principle.

3. Method of celebration

On this day, spiritual discourses are held at dawn. Hanuman was born at sunrise, when the birth celebrations begin. Hanuman’s Idol is worshipped and Prasad is distributed to everyone.

(Reference : Sanatan’s Text – ‘Spiritual benefits of Religious festivals and Vowed observances’)

Method of worship

Prevalent practice : Maharashtrians consider Saturday as the day of Hanuman, whereas in other places in India it is Tuesday and Saturday.

There is a custom of offering oil and sindur (Vermilion) to Hanuman on this day. At some places, the practice of breaking a coconut is a part of the worship. For spiritual progress, people worship Hanuman facing the left side, that is the ‘Vamamukhi (Vama = left, mukha = face)’ Idol.

The reason for offering oil, sindur, leaves of rui unto Hanuman : One objective of Idol worship is that the Idol imbibes Chaitanya (Divine consciousness) and facilitates the worshipper’s spiritual progress. For the Idol to imbibe Chaitanya, the offering unto the Idol should have greater ability to attract Pavitraks (Subtlemost particles containing Divine consciousness) of that Deity. Oil, sindur and rui (Giant milkweed [Calotropis]) leaves have maximum ability to attract pavitraks of Hanuman. This is why oil, sindur and rui leaves are offered to Hanuman.

Hanuman and Shani’s sadesati (Unfavourable period of seven and a half years) : Hanuman is worshipped to alleviate suffering due to sadesati. Take a cup of oil. Add fourteen grains of black gram (Udid) to it and see your reflection in that oil. Then offer this oil to Hanuman.

Hanuman – A Deity that responds to devotees’ vowed observances : Even today, upon taking a Vrat (Vowed religious observance), many men and women perform daily circumambulations around Hanuman’s Idol with the faith that He is the Deity who fulfils promises.

Rangolis that attract and emit the Hanuman Principle

Draw sattvik rangolis that attract and emit the Hanuman Principle at home or in the temple, before worshipping Hanuman and on Hanuman Jayanti.

Fill sattvik colours in the sattvik rangolis. Due to such rangolis, the Hanuman Principle is attracted and emitted into the environment. The environment then gets charged with the Hanuman Principle and the devotees benefit from it. Here are 2 types of rangolis.

A. Tarak (Saviour Principle) rangoli : From the dot in the centre, draw 4 dots each in 8 directions.

B. Marak (Destroyer Principle) rangoli : From the dot in the centre, draw 5 dots each in 8 directions. Draw this to ward off distress from negative energies.

(Reference : Sanatan’s Booklet – ‘Sattvik Rangolis’)

Attributes and mission of Hanuman

1. Omnipotent

Among all Deities, it is only Hanuman who cannot be troubled by distressing energy. Millions of demons in Lanka could not harm Him. A tale says that Hanuman leapt forward to devour the Sun as soon as He was born. From this it is evident that Hanuman, the son of Wind, was one who could win over the sun (Fire Principle). ‘Son of the Wind’ means born of the Air Principle. Among the five Principles – Earth (Pruthvi), Water (Apa), Fire (Tej), Air (Vayu) and Ether (Akash), the Air Principle is more subtle, more powerful than the Fire Principle.

2. Ideal devotee

Even today, Hanuman’s devotion unto Shriram is cited as an example of Dasyabhakti (One of the nine types of devotion, an attitude of servitude). He was ever ready to sacrifice His life for His master Prabhu Shriram. Even Shivatva and Brahmatva (Attaining the states of Deity Shiva or Deity Brahma respectively) were insignificant to Him when compared to serving His master. Hanuman Ji is a wonderful blend of a servant and a soldier !

3. Constant vigilance and spiritual practice

When the battle in Sri Lanka was in progress, Hanuman would spare time to meditate. Even then, He would remain alert with His tail resting on His Gada (Mace).

4. Intelligent

None could match Hanuman in the precepts of Grammar, the Sutravrutti (A complex formation requiring resolution or ex-planation), Bhashya (Commentary on the sutras), Vartik and Sangraha. (Uttararamacharit 36.44-46) Hanuman is considered to be the eleventh originator of Grammar.

5. Expert Envoy and Negotiator

On many occasions, not only Sugreev (The King of Vanars), even Shriram followed Hanuman’s advice. When Bibhishan (Ravan’s brother) wanted to leave Ravan and join Shriram, Hanuman advised Shriram to accept Bibhishan in His fold despite opposition from other warriors. Shriram accepted His advice.

The following examples illustrate Hanuman’s astute intellect and expertise in psychology :

1. In His very first meeting with Seeta in Lanka, He was able to win Her faith and confidence immediately.
2. By burning Lanka, He was not just attacking, He was weakening the morale of Ravan’s subjects.
3. Being used as an envoy by Shriram to assess Bharat’s feelings about Shriram’s return to Ayodhya.

6. Mastery over the senses

Hanuman’s mental state when He went to search for Seeta in Ravan’s inner apartments is indicative of His noble character. At that time, He reaffirms His own purity, saying that although He saw thousands of women, including wives of celestial beings, His mind was not affected by lust, proving His vow of Brahmacharya (Celibacy) and dedication to Shriram. (Valmiki Ramayan, Sundarkanda 11.42-43) Many Saints have acclaimed Hanuman as the one who has mastery over His senses, thus advising society to follow His example.

7. Mastery over literature, philosophy and the Art of oratory Please read points on ‘The bhav-enriched meeting of Prabhu Shriram’ and ‘Other qualities and characteristics of Hanuman’.

8. Promoter of the Science of music

Hanuman is considered to be the chief promoter of the Science of music. Perhaps His association with Rudra is responsible for this. Rudra is one of the forms of Deity Shiva. Since sound originated from Shiva’s Damaru (A small hourglass shaped drum), He is considered to be the originator of music. Hanuman’s inborn talent in singing must have made Samartha Ramdas Swami confer the title of ‘Sangeet Dnyanamahanta’ on Him.

Importance of celebrating Hanuman Jayanti

For more information visit : Sanatan.org/en

One objective of Idol worship is that the Idol imbibes Chaitanya and facilitates the worshipper’s spiritual progress !