Hanuman plays an even greater role
in theRamcharitmanas(a vernacular
version of the Ramayana written by
Tulsidas), in which he is transformed
from a powerful monkey servant to the
devotee (bhakta), whose only aim is to
serve Rama with loving devotion. This
devotion precludes any type of worldly
attachment, including marriage and
family, and Hanuman remains a model
for a religious lifestyle stressing celibate
asceticism. In Indian culture, celibacyis
perceived as a source of power, since it
prevents the loss of a man’s vital forces
that takes place with ejaculation.
Yet for Hanuman’s devotees, his
greatest virtue is not his strength, but his
ability to act as an intermediary to
Rama, who is usually perceived as far
more remote from human affairs.
Because Hanuman is also a devotee,
people feel an affinity and kinship with
him, even though his powers are far
greater than theirs. In fact, they believe
that messages conveyed by Hanuman
have a better chance of reaching Rama’s
presence and getting action. In a text
aptly named the “Letter of Petition”
(Vinaya Patrika), the poet-saint
Tulsidas appoints Hanuman as his mes-
senger, in the full confidence that his
plea will be heard in the divine court.
Hanuman’s intimate access to divine
power, his own undeniable strengths,
and his perceived accessibility and sym-
pathy have all combined to make him
one of the most widely worshiped
deities in India, and one who crosses
sectarian boundaries.
Because of his service to Rama, he
is usually counted as a Vaishnavaor
devotee of the Vishnu. Yet in an
interesting twist, Hanuman is also
considered to be an avataror ”incarna-
tion” of the god Shiva, and is thus
revered by the Shaivites, Shiva’s
devotees. As a protective deity,
Hanuman is often worshiped on
astrologically inauspicious days, to
keep these inauspicious forces at
bay. His prodigious strength, celibate
lifestyle, and single-minded devotion
have made him the patron deity
of Indian wrestlers, who strive to imitate
him as they train.
Finally, he plays an important role as
a healer and sustainer. On one hand, he
is famous as an exorcist, helping people
get rid of evil spirits. On the other, he
preserves life for those who know his
special mantra, which gives them the
power—as he had—to choose their time
of death. Given his importance in mod-
ern Hindu life, Hanuman is only now
receiving the attention he deserves. For
more information see Sudhir Kakar,
Shamans,Mystics,and Doctors,1982.Hanuman Chalisa
(“Hanuman’sforty”) Forty poetic stanzas
in praise of the god Hanuman, written in
Hindi. A signature line (bhanita) at the
end of the text attributes it as written by
the poet-saint Tulsidas (1532–1623),
best known as the composer of the
Ramcharitmanas, a vernacular version
of the epic Ramayana.
Short texts like the Hanuman Chalisa
are often sung as a devotional act, or as
an established part of worship, and in
many cases people can recite the text by
heart. The text is written in the chaupai
meter, the predominant meter in the
Ramcharitmanas.
The text begins with a description of
Hanuman’s physical features, then
relates his devotion to Rama and
his heroic deeds in the Ramayana. The
closing verses reiterate Hanuman’s
power, promise benefits as a result of the
recitation of the verses, and reclaim
Tulsidas’s wish that Hanuman will reside
in his heart.Hanuman Jayanti
Festival of the god Hanuman’sbirthday.
In southern India, this is celebrated on
the full moonin the lunar monthof
Chaitra (March–April), whereas in
northern India it is more commonly cel-
ebrated on the fourteenth dayof the
dark (waning) half of the lunar month of
Kartik(October–November). This latter
date reflects the date of Shivaratri, theHanuman Chalisa