Certainly! Hanuman is a prominent figure in Hindu mythology, known for his unwavering devotion to Lord Rama and his incredible feats of strength and courage. While many people are familiar with the well-known aspects of his character, there are some lesser-known facts and stories about Hanuman:
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Hanuman's Birth: Hanuman was born to Anjana, a monkey deity, and Kesari, a vanara (monkey-like humanoid) king. His birth was the result of the blessings of various gods, including Lord Shiva, Vayu (the wind god), and Lord Indra.
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Childhood Pranks: As a child, Hanuman was mischievous and playful. Legend has it that he once mistook the sun for a ripe fruit and tried to swallow it. This act of youthful exuberance led to his chin being scarred, giving him the name "Hanuman," which means "one with a disfigured jaw."
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Swallowing the Sun: In another story, young Hanuman, wanting to outdo Lord Indra, flew up to catch the sun. When he reached the sun, he mistook it for a fruit and attempted to swallow it. The gods intervened and prevented him from extinguishing the sun. This incident demonstrated his incredible powers even as a child.
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Boon of Immortality: Hanuman received a boon of immortality from Lord Brahma, but with a twist. While he cannot be killed by any weapon, he can be harmed or weakened. This unique boon makes him an enduring character in Hindu mythology.
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Devotion to Lord Rama: Hanuman's unwavering devotion to Lord Rama is well-known. He carried Lord Rama and his brother Lakshmana on his shoulders and played a pivotal role in the search for Sita and the battle against Ravana in the epic Ramayana.
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Shrinking and Expanding: Hanuman could change his size at will. He used this ability to shrink to the size of a mosquito to enter Ravana's palace unnoticed and then expanded his size while in the battle.
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Ramayana Version by Hanuman: According to some versions of the Ramayana, Hanuman himself is said to have composed a version of the epic by inscribing the story on leaves with his claws. This version is known as the "Hanumad Ramayana."
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Flying Mountain: In the epic, Hanuman is sent to the Himalayas to bring the herb Sanjeevani to heal Lakshmana. Unable to identify the specific herb, he carries an entire mountain back to Lanka, a feat that showcases his immense strength and dedication.
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Devotee of Lord Shani: Hanuman is also known for his devotion to Lord Shani, the Hindu deity associated with the planet Saturn. It is believed that those who worship Hanuman are protected from the adverse effects of Saturn in their astrological charts.
These lesser-known stories and facts about Hanuman reveal the depth of his character and his significance in Hindu mythology and culture.
- Hanuman’s original name was Maruti, which means “son of the wind”. He was given the name Hanuman by his mother Anjana, who was a celestial nymph cursed to be born as a monkey 1.
- Hanuman had five brothers, who were also the sons of Kesari, the king of the monkeys. Their names were Matiman, Shrutiman, Ketuman, Dhritiman, and Supratika. They were all married and had children 2.
- Hanuman once swallowed the sun thinking it was a ripe mango. This caused a great darkness in the world and angered the sun god Surya. To appease him, Hanuman’s father Vayu, the god of wind, requested him to teach Hanuman the Vedas and other sacred scriptures. Surya agreed and Hanuman became his disciple 3.
- Hanuman had a son named Makardhwaja, who was born from a fish that swallowed his sweat. Makardhwaja was a loyal and brave warrior who fought alongside his father in the war against Ravana, the demon king of Lanka 4.
- Hanuman was once cursed by a sage named Matsyendranath to forget his divine powers. The curse was lifted only when he met Rama, the incarnation of Vishnu, and helped him in his quest to rescue his wife Sita from Ravana. Hanuman then realized his true potential and performed many heroic deeds 4.
Krishna
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