From Baroda Art Museum
|
| Date |
pre-1945 |
| Source |
http://www.barodaart.com/oleographs-ramayana.html |
| Author |
Anant Shivaji Desai |
The tallest Hanuman, 85 feet Murti outside of India, located in Trinidad and Tobago
Hanuman, the mighty ape that aided
Lord
Rama in his expedition against evil forces, is one of the most popular idols
in the Hindu pantheon. Believed to be an avatar of
Lord
Shiva, Hanuman is worshiped as a symbol of physical strength, perseverance
and devotion. Hanuman's tale in the epic
Ramayana
- where he is assigned the responsibility to locate Rama's wife Sita abducted
by Ravana, the demon king of Lanka — is known for its astounding ability
to inspire and equip a reader with all the ingredients needed to face ordeals
and conquer obstructions in the way of the world.
Worshiping the Monkey God
On
Tuesdays
and in some cases,
Saturdays,
many people keep fast in honour of Hanuman and give special offerings to him.
In times of trouble, it is a common faith among Hindus to chant the name of
Hanuman or sing his hymn ("
Hanuman
Chalisa") and proclaim "Bajrangbali Ki Jai" — "victory
to thy thunderbolt strength". Once every year — on the full-moon day
of the Hindu month of Chaitra (April) at sunrise — Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated
to commemorate the birth of Hanuman. Hanuman temples are among the most common
public shrines found in India.
The Power of Devotion
The character of Hanuman teaches us of the unlimited power that lies unused
within each one of us. Hanuman directed all his energies towards the worship
of Lord Rama, and his undying devotion made him such that he became free from
all physical fatigue. And Hanuman's only desire was to go on serving Rama. Hanuman
perfectly exemplifies 'Dasyabhava' devotion — one of the nine types of
devotions — that bonds the master and the servant. His greatness lies in
his complete merger with his Lord, which also formed the base of his genial
qualities.
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