Hindu Mythology

Hanumān (Anjaneya)

Son of Anjana and Vāyu, also known as Hanumantha. Anjana was the wife of Kesari, a noble monkey who after several years of married life decided to go into solitude; and asked Anjana to pray to Vāyu. Anjana did that and one day Vāyu appeared before An-jana and gave her Shiva’s sperm which he was carrying and out of that Anjana gave birth to Anjaneya. Anjaneya mistook the Sun for a fruit and wanted to eat it, but Rahu intervened. Then Anjaneya wanted to eat Rahu who fled to Indra and told of the boy’s strength. Indra came to punish the boy on his elephant, Airavata. Anjaneya jumped on the elephant and Indra struck him with Vajra and that hit him on the hanus (cheek bones) and Anjaneya fainted. The name Hanumān comes from this incident. Vāyu saw this and was angry with Indra and removed himself from the world. The world had no air and complained to Brahma. Brahma saw what has happened and praised Vāyu. Vāyu returned with his son Anjaneya and all the Devas gave him lots of boons.

Hanumān wanted to learn from the Sun and asked the Sun to teach him. When Sun said he was always moving, he stood occupying east and west. Sun admired his strength and taught him. Hanumān was a scholar in music also. He became chief of staff to Sugrīva who was banished by Vāli. When Rāma was searching for his wife Sīta, Hanuman met him and took him to Sugrīva. Sugrīva said if Rāma could kill his brother Vāli and restore his kingdom of Kishkindha to him, he would help him find Sīta. From that meeting on, Hanumān was a faithful servant of Rāma. Rāma killed Vāli and Sugrīva sent troops in all directions to search of Sīta. Rāma knew from the beginning that Hanumān would be the one to find Sīta, so he gave his wedding band to Hanumān as proof for Sīta. They searched and searched but couldn’t find even a trace of her when Sampāti (a vulture) told them that Rāvana kidnapped her and took her to Lanka.

Ganesh is the most revered God of Hindu Mythology. Every Hindu ritual starts with Ganesh prayer. Why is Ganesh such a popular deity? Read on to learn more!

Parvati, Shiva’s wife was preparing to take a ceremonial bath. For a ceremonial bath, the body was smeared with sesame oil and scrubbed with rice flour paste containing turmeric and herbs. Parvati collected the droppings of the flour paste, made it into a little statue and put life in it. It became instantly a boy and Parvati ordered him to watch the front door and not let anyone in. Parvati finished her bath and wore a clean silk sari and waited for her husband, Shiva. In the meantime Lord Shiva came and asked to get into the house.

The boy said no. Shiva told him, “I live here, this is my place. Who are you?”

The boy said, “I don’t know you, Sir. Mommy said no one is allowed in and that means you too.”

An argument ensued and Shiva, losing his patience, used his trident to decapitate the boy. Shiva went in and greeted Parvati and asked who the boy was. Parvati replied with, “He is our son. I made him this morning — let me call him inside.”

Shiva said it was not possible because he had cut the boy’s head off. Parvati was crestfallen and began to cry. Shiva told her, “My darling, please don’t cry. I will find a solution.”  He called his Ganas (personal troops) and ordered them to go out and search for any animal sleeping with its head to North, upon which they were to cut that animal’s head and bring it to him.

The Ganas went looking for an animal sleeping with its head to North. They looked and looked with no luck. Suddenly they found an old elephant lying with its head facing the North. Promptly, they cut the elephant’s head off and brought it to Shiva. Shiva immediately scrubbed his hands, collected the necessary tools, and attached the elephant head to the boy’s torso. Everybody was waiting for the success of operation. Lo and behold, a few hours later, the boy opened his eyes, looked around and swung his trunk. All were happy, especially Shiva and Parvati. Shiva made him the leader of Ganas (the name GANESH means leader of Ganas).

Ganesh’s origin is unique; he did not come from a womb. He is a happy god, never angry and grants all wishes to those who are faithful. Ganesh loves to eat, especially sweets; does not demand sacrifices, carries no weapons and rides on a mouse. (The two most successful  businesses in the world, Microsoft and Apple use a mouse to operate their equipment and it is believed this is why they are so successful — Ganesh rewards them!)