HANUMAN

"We bow to Hanuman who is the son of Maruta, the Wind-god, devotee of Rama, the brave among the Vanaras, the friend of Sugriva, destroyer of Lanka, the one who crossed the vast ocean, the remover of the agony of Sita by carrying the ring of Rama to her, who prescribed the death of Ravana and the one who is Paramatma"
Naradiya Purana, P. Kh 79.32-34


Upon entering the main mandir, the one of the first deity who appears is Hanuman, god of the Puranas. Hanuman, the monkey-god, is the ideal servant as portrayed in the epic the Ramayana, where he is the most faithful helper to Lord Rama in his efforts to find and rescue Sita, the consort of Rama, who is kidnapped by the demon Ravana.

Hanuman is the epitome of power and strength, capable of fantastic physical feats. The scriptures state that his form is as vast as a mountain and as tall as a tower. He is the god who inspires courage and strength in his devotees and the Hanuman Chalisa is chanted by those who wish to obtain his blessing. Hanuman clutches his mace, the weapon of close combat, in his left hand as prescribed by the Mantramaharnava, his right hand in the chin-mudra position which signifies the giving of an explanation or exposition. One envisages the mighty Hanuman kneeling before Lord Rama, reporting to him after returning from Lanka, the brutal mace used to vanquish demons now resting at his side.

Hanuman is also a repository of great wisdom: he is unequalled in his knowledge of the Shastras and in comprehension of the scriptures, he is the ninth author of grammar.

Brave, powerful, red-cheeked, with a tail of infinite length, Hanuman is one of Hinduism's most popular deities.


Mantra

Om Shri Hanumate Namah

Sloka

Manojavam maruta-tulya-vegam
Jitendriyam buddhimatam varistham
Vatatmajam vanara-yutha-mukhyam
Shri-rama-dutam saranam prapadye

Translation:
I find refuge in Lord Rama's Messenger,
who is swift as thought, powerful as the wind,
in control of his senses, supremely intelligent,
commander of the army of forest creatures,
and son of the wind-god.