Hanuman

Hanuman is bhakti made flesh — infinite strength placed entirely in service. He can leap across oceans, carry mountains, and burn cities, yet his power comes from one source only: his complete surrender to Rama. He is the reminder that devotion is not weakness but the ultimate strength.

Hanuman represents the pinnacle of bhakti — a devotion so complete that the devotee becomes inseparable from the divine. Known as Sankat Mochan (the remover of obstacles), Bajrang Bali (the one with a vajra body), and Pavan Putra (son of the wind), Hanuman's story teaches that true strength arises from surrender, not ego. In the Ramayana, Hanuman leaps across the ocean to Lanka, carries an entire mountain of healing herbs, and burns Lanka with his tail — all in service to Lord Rama. His famous declaration "I am a servant of Rama" is the essence of dasya bhakti, the yoga of devoted service. Hanuman is also considered a chiranjivi — one of the immortals — and is believed to be present wherever the Ramayana is recited and Ram Nam is chanted.

• **Anjaneya** (आञ्जनेय) — Son of Anjana • **Bajrang Bali** (बजरंग बली) — The one with a body strong as vajra • **Kesari Nandan** (केसरी नन्दन) — Son of Kesari • **Maruti** (मारुति) — Son of Marut (Vayu) • **Pavan Putra** (पवन पुत्र) — Son of the Wind • **Sankat Mochan** (संकट मोचन) — Remover of obstacles and suffering • **Vayuputra** (वायुपुत्र) — Son of the Wind God • **Mahavira** (महावीर) — The great hero • **Ram Doot** (राम दूत) — Messenger of Lord Rama

When Sita was taken to Lanka, it was Hanuman who leapt across the sea to find her. When the army needed the Sanjeevani herb, he carried the entire mountain. When asked to show his devotion, he tore open his chest to reveal Rama and Sita living in his heart.

Hanuman is perhaps the most actively worshipped deity in India today. Tuesdays and Saturdays, millions visit Hanuman temples, chant the Chalisa, and apply sindoor. For wrestlers, martial artists, and brahmacharis, he is the patron — strength, celibacy, and devotion in one form.