Ram and Hanuman

An ardent devotee of Ram, Hanuman's devotion took him wherever he was required to help Ram tide over difficulties. Most famously, Hanuman searched and found Ram's kidnapped consort Sita, brought vital healing herbs from the mountain to make a seriously wounded Lakshman well, and acted as the commander of Ram's forces. Hanuman, therefore, is popularly referred to as the sankat mochan, resolver of problems, easy to please. He was born on Chaitra Shukla Purnima.

It is said that following churning of the ocean, gods and demons fought for the possession of amrit, celestial ambrosia. Vishnu took the form of enchantress Mohini to deflect the attention of demons. However, Shankar got attracted by Mohini's beauty and the resulting seed was implanted in the womb of Anjani. Since Hanuman was born of Shankar's seed, he is known as Shankarsuvan. Another legend says Hanuman was the incarnation of the 11th Rudra.

The 11 Rudras are all forms of Shiv. Ravan did penance to propitiate Shiv. He offered his 10 heads to 10 Rudras. He, however, left the 11th Rudra unpropitiated. Shiv, pleased with Ravan's tapasya, granted him the boon to become immortal. He could not be killed by anything other than monkeys and human beings. Shiv knew that Vishnu was soon to incarnate as Ram. Also wishing to witness Ram's lila, Shiv appeared on earth as a monkey, Hanuman....


Most Hindu families organise the recitation of the Sundar Kand, as part of Ram Katha; it is considered auspicious.