The Story of Hanuman

Born of the wind god Vayu and blessed by the gods, Hanuman is revered in tradition as the eleventh of the Rudra avatars, a descent of Lord Shiva himself, come to serve Lord Rama in his earthly avatar.

A child of boundless strength, he once leapt toward the sun mistaking it for a fruit. In Rama’s service he crossed the ocean in a single bound to find Sita, carried a whole mountain of healing herbs, and stood as the bravest and most faithful of all.

Yet his greatest power is his devotion: in Hanuman, immense strength and perfect humility are joined, and his heart holds Rama and Sita forever.

The Meaning

Hanuman, counted among the Rudra avatars of Shiva, is the very ideal of bhakti, devotion that is selfless, fearless and strong. He teaches that true power lies in service and surrender, and that nothing is impossible for one whose heart is fixed on the Lord. He is the remover of fear and the swift protector of all who call on his name.