Shri Hanuman Chalisa

shrī guru charan saroj ruj, nij man mukuru sudhari।
baranau raghuber bimal jasu, jo dayaku phal chari॥

Explanation-

Word-wise interpretation-

• charan- foot
• saroj- lotus, unattached, pure and blissful
• ruj- dust

1. Importance of feet– Hands, head or other extremities are not revered?
   To understand the concept, we will see a parable, the Guru of Guru. We will read about the story of the Guru of Hanuman Ji. There is an interpretation that Hanuman Ji’s Guru was Surya Dev.
   juga sahasra jojana para bhānū।
   līlyo tāhi madhura phala jānū॥ 18//
   We are aware about a common anecdote that He went up in the air and engulfed the sun, seeing it as a sweet fruit. (18)
   When He was in childhood, He asked His mother about His identity, the aim of life.
2. He was a very strong child, his powers were majestic. As we saw that we reached the sun, to devour it, that too in childhood. His mother was worried about the extravagant strengths of her child and constantly prayed to Lord Shiva, to render Him a Guru.
   She told him that his strengths made him devour the sun. She asked Him to go to Surya Dev and pray to him for blessing Him with Eternal Knowledge. He went to the Sun.
3. He paid His respects to Surya Dev and began pleading before him to be His Guru. He beseeched before the Sun Lord and asked him to guide Him in the path leading to the Final Destination. The past incident of being engulfed generated goosebumps in Sun God and denied his own capabilities. Hanuman Ji begged deeply and emphasized the notion that His mother had told Him, about Surya Dev‘s knowledge. The obstinate replies made Surya Dev drop to a trick.
4. He told Hanuman Ji that he had to move persistently and the rotational motion could not make the exchange feasible. Hanuman Ji nodded innocently and said that he was ready to move along the circumference as His Guru would.
5. Surya Dev told Him that he had to surrender Himself before His Guru and remain at the lower level to receive the knowledge as would be rendered. Hanuman Ji agreed.
6. Then, there was also a criteria of visibility. The Divine feet of Guru was ought to be visible to the Shishya, for He could revere it.
7. Hanuman Ji came to a clever solution and said that He would walk ahead of His Guru. His Guru was unhappy with the response, and that was violating the norms of Guru Shishya Parampara. Hanuman Ji elaborated that He would walk ahead of His Guru, in backward pace. (When a toddler learns to walk, his parents walk before the child in backward pace, to make him move more towards the parents). Guru felt very happy, and agreed.
8. His Guru said that he remained awake all the time, as his job was to be in motion incessantly. He thought his shishya might become fatigued. But, Hanuman Ji convinced him that He would remain awake as His Guru. The practice began.
9. All was sorted. The Guru and Shishya began revolving in a circular path, with Guru Ji walking with backward pace and Shishya pacing towards him. Then, Surya Dev asked Him to listen to the knowledge with utmost focus. He was asked to renounce His monkey-mind.
10. As Hanuman Ji lifted His head to see His Guru, He was blinded by the intense radiations. He was asked to look down. Then, He could keep His eyes open, receive the knowledge and stay focused.
11. This practice went on for a week, ceaselessly. For seven days and nights, they moved along the circumference and Hanuman Ji received the knowledge. He realized the notion that Surya Dev and He himself were not different entities, but One Eternal Existence.
12. The term tejas descended unto Him.
    
    

shrī guru charan saroj ruj,….

Means, The Tejas is the Shakti. The literal meaning is ‘full of light’. This ‘light’ is not an indication of a torch or fire, but the Eternal Illumination. Guru is tejasvi. The transcendental light perishes the thoughts of the person receiving instruction. Such is the Guru. We can’t see the eyes of the Guru in initial stages, thus we begin from feet. Surrendering at the Divine feet bestows blessings.

….. nij man mukuru sudhari।

Word-wise interpretation-

• nij- own, belonging to self
• man-heart
• mukuru- mirror
• sudhari– to clean

• Let us imagine a mirror before us. We will see our reflection on the mirror. Then, let us consider that an insect is crawling on the forehead, will we be able to remove it, but shaking the mirror? No, we have to strike over our head to remove it, rather than shaking the mirror or the reflected image. Similarly, if we have to adorn ourselves, we cannot put flowers on the reflected image, or embellish the mirror. We have to put the flowers or headgears on ourselves.

Explanation- When we will clean our mind (man), we shall see Lord, in the mirror of heart. If we will cleanse the mirror with love, the Self shall be unveiled.

• To understand this theory of mirror, let us see another anecdote. Whenever elephant passes by a village in India, along with mahaut (the one who takes care of the elephant), children rejoice and clap their hands. The elderly people bow before it, for paying respects. The elephant walks in frolic, unstirred by the praises. When it crosses the village, the dogs, menacing on the streets, begin barking, and meander swiftly across the nooks of the hamlet. Still, the elephant walks lightly, making merry with itself.
• The attribute of merrymaking with the Self is possible only when we go beyond the jurisdictions of praises and critics. The power of attorney of Identity is retained, and frolic manifests.

• The Guru renders this frolic. How is this made possible? Let us go to another anecdote..
• We have often seen musicians in orchestras. They appear with tabla, drums, violins, guitars and many more instruments. When the musician has to perform in the orchestra, it tunes the instruments, either by hitting the membrane of the tabla or by adjusting the knobs of the guitar, for it may emit melodious sounds. The hammering or the adjustments are not extreme, the tuning is done so as to make it better.
• Similarly, Guru tunes our knobs and makes us ready to receive the knowledge. He ensures that the Oneness is realized by His shishya, and he does not runs after idols or deities for carrying out rituals. It is said, “Jaki rhi bhavna jaisi, prabhu murat dekhe vo vaisi’.
• This merrymaking brings Moksha.
• Sadhu (an ascetic) is mukta (free). He is unstirred by praises or blames. The people who praise him, carry his punya (fruits of good deeds) with them. And, the critics carry his paap (fruits of bad deeds), making the man, free of fruits.

baranau raghuber bimal jasu, jo dayaku phal chari॥

Word-wise interpretation- baranau raghuber bimal jasu, …..

• baranau- (varanana) to explain
• raghuber- Lord Rama
• bimal- pure
• jasu- everything as it is, without contamination

• When we see the Self, the Oneness descends, we become capable of explaining about Eternity. Nothing remains to be known, after It is known. Mirabai, Kabir Das Ji, Tulsi Das Ji, and the rest could elaborate about the Self, in its purity, as they realized it. The explanation which rises from Within is not bookish, but Ultimate Truth.

…. jo dayaku phal chari॥

• The four fruits of Life (Purushaartha chatushtaya) shall descend unto us, once we are free. Despite we might have not received the Grand state, but the journey needs to be enjoyed. All the underlying four assets are achieved:
• Dharma– Righteousness
• Artha– Financial bounties
• Kaama– Desires
• Moksha– Salvation

jaya hanumāna gnyāna guna sāgara।
jaya kapīsa tihu loka ujāgara॥ 1 ॥

Word-wise interpretation-

• jaya hanumāna– Hail Hanumaan Ji, the one who has executed his ego (maan kā hanan)
• gnyaana guna saagara- one who is the ocean of Eternal knowledge (gyana) and attributes (guna)
• jaya kapīsa– Hail kapīsa, the monkey king; there is another interpretation as the mind is also compared with monkey and its unstable traits. He was the one who stabilized the fluctuations at the Divine feet of Lord.
• tihu loka ujāgara– If Mother Sita is considered the Earth, Lord Rama as the sky and Lakshmana Ji as that of the underworld (being an incarnation of Giant Serpent King, Sheshnaaga), Hanumaan Ji has illuminated all the three realms of existence.

rāma dūta atulita bala dhāmā।
anjani putra pavanasuta nāmā॥ 2 ॥

Word-wise interpretation-

• rāma dūta– The messenger of Lord Rama
• atulita– incomparable
• bala– strength
• dhaama– full of cosmic energy

• We are aware of the story that Hanumaan Ji exposed His identity as Raama Doota, before Mother Sita, and also before Ravana, when He was summoned in his court. This indicates that ego was absolutely absent. Despite being the incarnation of strength, ego was zero. sūkshma rūpa dhari siyahi dikhāvā। bikata rūpa dhari lanka jarāvā॥ 9 ॥ (He has Lord in His heart, and he gathers a tiny form before Mother Sita, and a scary form, burnt Lanka.)
• Some people might think the phrase “rāma dūta atulita bala dhāmā” is the reflection of hidden ego. But, He asserts that the strengths are not his, but belong to Lord Rama.
• He gave a beautiful illustration to explain the notion. Let us consider a room, filled with gold. Does room has the right to claim the gold as its own? The gold belongs the man who owns the gold. Similarly, once we surrender ourselves at the Divine feet of Lord, everything belongs to Him, nothing remains as ‘ours’.
• He said that His body and mind belonged to Lord Rama. He tore his chest and showed that Lord resided within His heart. (rāma lakhan sītā sahita hridaya basahu sura bhūpa॥)

…. anjani putra pavanasuta nāmā॥ 2 ॥

Word-wise interpretation-

• anjani putra- Son of Mother Anjani. She was a great ascetic. Pavan Dev came to Her and told Her that Lord Shiva has asked Him to send the Shivtatva (Essence of Lord Shiv) through the auditory path, and Hanumaan Ji was born. The term anjani needs further elaboration. The ancient practice of medicine prescribed use of collyrium in eye disorders. We all are blind for Eternal knowledge. So, to overcome the disease, collyrium of Lord’s Name needs to be applies, to cure the cataract due to raga (attachment) and dwesha (jealousy). The collyrium of gyaan and vairaagya is important.
• pavanasuta nāmā– Son of Lord of Winds. There is another interpretation of ‘winds’. We can survive without food and water, for a certain time, but, we cannot thrive for longer durations, without air. Similarly, without the Pavanputra (Hanumaan Ji), we can’t survive, we shall be dead. ‘Being in the present moment’ is the practice needed for the day.

• We discussed that we are ought to clean the mirror to see the Self. If we will apply the collyrium preparation rendered by Mother, and weep for the Lord, we shall be able to clean the mirror and the Self shall be unveiled.
• Mother can only help us to attain it. So, Guru is the One. Tvameva Mata Cha Pita Tvameva, Tvameva Bandhushcha Sakha Tvameva. Tvameva Vidya Dravinam Tvameva, Tvameva Sarvam Mama Deva Deva.

mahāvīra vikrama bajarangī।
kumati nivāra sumati ke sangī॥ 3 ॥

Word-wise interpretation-

• mahāvīra-

This link will tell us about the real beauty of Sundar Kanda.

This link will illustrate the true strengths of Ravana and Bali.

• vikrama– valour, another phrase proves it, chāro juga para tāpa tumhārā। hai parasiddha jagata ujiyyārā॥ 29 ॥
• bajarangi- the one whose body is stronger than steel. This is possible only when Aatmabala manifests within.
• kumati nivaar sumati ke sangi- We pray to Lord that He destroys our negativities, and enhance the righteousness within.

kanchana barana birāja subesā।
kānana kundala kunchita kesā॥ 4 ॥

• kanchana barana– the one whose is as pure as purest gold, the one who has Rama in His heart
• biraj subesa- the one who carries out the acts, in his original garb, disguised froms are not exhibited. We know that Hanumaan Ji was summoned in the court of Ravana for destroying the Ashoka vatika, he portrayed himself in the same garb as He was before Mother Sita. The one who has surrendered himself at the Divine feet of Lord, attains this state.
• kaanan kundala– the ears are embellished with beautiful earrings, but this interpretation needs some editing. The one who always fosters in the Name of the Lord is the correct meaning. (prabhu charitra sunibe ko rasiyā।)
• kunchita kesā– the one with curly hair, another way, the one who brings back his mind at the Divine feet, irrespective of innumerable thoughts.

hātha bajra au dhvajā birājai।
kādhe mūnja janeū sājai॥ 5॥

• hatha bajra- the term bajra means time. We all are the slaves of time. We are unawre about our death. The one who has gone beyond time and death is Hanumaan Ji.
• dhvaja viraaje- In the hands lies a flag of victory of Lord’s Name. Guru is the holder of the flag in all eras.
• kadhe munja janeu sajai- He is a grave celibate. Anyone (irrespective of caste and gender) who recites his Name, shall be blessed immensely. (jo yaha parhai hanumāna chālīsā। hoya siddha sākhī gaurīsā॥ 39 ॥)

shankara swayam kesarī nandana।

• Meaning- Hanumaan Ji is an incarnation of Lord Shiva.

• Why Shiva Ji took an incarnation of Hanumaan Ji?

1. One day, Narad Ji was meditating. After several years of penance, he conquered his lust. He rejoiced. He was just sitting, people approached him and began praising him. He felt more elated with the praises. Ego arose.
2. He went to Shiva Ji (c) and told him about his achievement. But, Narad Ji asked him not to tell anyone about his victory. He said that as he thought that his victory might lower the status of Shiva ji.
3. Then, Narad Ji ran to Narayana and told him the same. Narayan stood up and hugged him, for the first time. Ego rose more. Narayana appreciated him, and told him about the praise unfurling in all the three worlds. Humbleness disappeared.
4. When Narad Ji left the Vaikuntha (dwelling place of Lord Vishnu), Narayana ordered His maya (delusion) to work. Narad Ji saw a beautiful palace, in a magnificent town on the earth. He was attracted by the beauty and descended on the Earth.
5. He asked about the where-abouts of the place. People told him that that was the place of a most beautiful girl on the planet. He inquired about the name of the girl. They told him, Vishvamohini. A swayamvar (a ceremony in which the bride selects her groom) was going to be organized. Narad Ji thought that he could get married to the most beautiful girl on the planet, despite he had conquered his lust. He asked the mortal inhabitants about his external smartness, and if he was capable of marrying her. People denied and suggested that the probability was least.
6. Narad Ji ran to Vaikuntha and asked Narayan for helping him. Narayan imitated that he was unaware about the incidents. Listening the discourse, Narayan smiled. Narad Ji requested Him to give him the form, beneficial for him. Narayan grinned and gave a monkey face to Narad Ji. Narad Ji was unaware about the form rendered, rejoiced over his beauty, and left for Earth. (He thought that he had become the perfect match for Vishvamohini.) The face could be seen only by Narayan and Vishvamohini.
7. Lord Shiva sent Nandi to visualize the scene. He requested Narayan to render him the ability to seen the face of Narad Ji, as he was deputed by Shiva Ji to convey the infromation. The power was rendered. He saw the face and began laughing silently. He was standing by Narad Ji’s side.
8. When Vishvamohini came to him, she turned her face and moved to the next aspirant. Narad Ji could not believe it. He tried his best to lure her with his smart look, but in vain. He became very furious. He asked Nandi about the cause of disapproval. Nandi asked him to see his image in water. As he saw himself, he puffed up with anger.
9. He ran to Narayan, and asked about the reason of making him a fool. Narayan called his maya back and told Narad Ji that the maya was impermanent. Narad Ji was not satisfied with the response. Narayan said that Narad asked him to render the form which would benefit him. He should have remained in the state of bliss, after conquering the lust. Instead, he was trapped in the meshes of maya. Narad Ji was extremely annoyed and cursed Narayan that he would be forced to take human birth, and would lose her wife, or she would be snatched away.
10. This curse made Narayan to take birth as Rama, and his divine consort, Mother Sita was kidnapped by Ravana.
11. On Kailash, Nandi narrated the episode and Shiva Ji dropped to beautiful conclusion. He went to Narayan and asked him if he could descend on Earth as His devotee. (d) Narayan agreed.

This link shall take us to the story which will tell us the way Shiva Ji conquered lust. (c)

This link shall unveil a beautiful Guru-shishya parampara between Rama and Shiva. (d)

• Spiritual interpretation- If we become a puppet in the hands of our Guru, we shall be redeemed.
• The monkey-mind fixed at the Divine feet of Lord, is redeemed.
• The birth of a vaanar (monkey) through a nar (human) is magnificently embodied in Hanuman Ji.
• Hanumaan Ji was lust-free from the beginning as he was aware about his ugly physical appearence. He was Kaamjeet.

teja pratāpa mahā jaga bandana॥ 6 ॥

• teja prataap- glories
• maha jag bandana- the entire world prostrates before him, and Lord Rama prays to him as well (Lord Vishnu prays to Shiv Ji).

vidyāvāna gunī ati chātura।
rāma kāja karibe ko ātura॥ 7 ॥

• vidyavaan- the Eternal knowledge; we all are vidvaan (education), being vidyavaan (the one who brings peace and humbleness) is inevitable. Education enhances ego. Ravana was the most educated in that era, but destroyed the harmony.
• rama kaj karibe ko aatur- the true disciple is ever ready to serve His Guru. The aspects of solace for Guru become the priority of the shishya. The shishya is ready to sacrifice himself, for the happiness of his Guru. Hanumaan Ji summoned himself in Ravana’s court, faced humiliations, for the Guru (Rama).
• aatur- wise

• Lord Shiva was the Guru of Ravana. Hanumaan Ji tried through saam (agreement), daam (bribery), danda (punishment), bheda (division), to convince Ravana to free Mother. But, Ravana was the only shishya, who never bowed before his Guru, he rather sacrificed his heads at the alter as bali. Prostrating before Guru is important.
• We will see the words of Hanumaan Ji to Ravana with respect to Saam, daam, danda, bheda.
• SAAM– Hanumaan Ji tried to explain the treaty with humbleness, and bowed before Ravana seeing Lord within him.
• DAAM- He lured him, for he surrendered his futile efforts, Ravana could remain he king for ages.
• DANDA- He even tried to force him to surrender himself, terrorized him of his dwindling fortune.
• BHED- He burnt the Lanka. (refer link- Quintessence of Lila)
• When the Lanka was ablaze, Ravana even ordered Megha (Lord of Clouds) to extinguish the fire, but pavanputra didn’t help in stabilizing the clouds, and fire went on incessantly.
• Being wise is vey important. There is a good parable to illustrate it.
• There lived four brahmin friends. They were educated but not wise. They were passing through a forest. They saw a corpse of a lion. One of them said that he could cover the corpse with a beautiful skin. The other suggested that he could assemble the bones, in anatomical proportions. The other could organize the flesh, and the last one introduced life in the corpse. The lion woke up and killed all the four.

prabhu charitra sunibe ko rasiyā।
rāma lakhana sītā mana basiyā॥ 8 ॥

• Rama, Mother Sita and Lakshman always dwelt in his heart.
• Also, Lord Rama prayed to Shiv, being his Guru. Mother got the mudrika (ring) from Hanuman Ji, and Lakshmana thrived back from illness, due to Hanumaan Ji.
• In another sense, all the three cherished the Eternal Energy (Shiv) in their forms.

sūkshma rūpa dhari siyahi dikhāvā।
bikata rūpa dhari lanka jarāvā॥ 9 ॥
bhīma rūpa dhari asura sahāre।
rāmachandra ke kāja savāre॥ 10 ॥

• He did everything to serve his Guru. He took a tiny form before Mother, a scary form while demolishing Lanka, and powerful from, killing the demons.