the assistance of his army and chief demon Simhika who had the power to a lengthy search, Hanuman managed HANUMAN'S INFLUENCE counselor Hanuman. hold a person by his shadow. Hanuman to locate Sita in a glorious garden called Hanuman’s giant leap from the first thought of trying to use his Ashok Vatika and identified himself ON YOGA ASANAS southern shore of India to Lanka strength to fly away but soon realized as Rama's emissary of by showing her in search of Sita is symbolized by the futility of the effort; he realized Rama’s ring. Sita was overjoyed to learn MAYANK DHINGRA Hanumanasana. that he would have to go back and that Rama was searching for her high The Sundarkand section of the reclaim his shadow. As he flew towards and low but refused to let Hanuman Ramayana describes Hanuman’s leap: Simhika, she opened her mouth to carry her back to safety, as it would "In order to travel through the skies grab him. Hanuman again reduced his be a disgrace to Rama to win her back quickly, Hanuman, who had the power size at the last minute and went inside through such surreptitious means rather to increase his size at will, assumed Simhaka’s mouth and came back out by than defeating Ravana in war. a body of immense proportions. So slashing her vital organs. He was then Hanuman decided to meet Ravana great was the momentum of his leap able to continue his journey without to offer him a chance at peace. He that he carried along with him trees further incident and reach Lanka. realized the only way he could manage n Indian sacred scriptures, Hanuman inauspicious planet responsible for by fire. Surya gave him twosiddhi s in full blossom uprooted by the force. In Anjaneyasana, as we straighten an audience with Ravana was to Iis revered as the monkey-faced deity solar eclipses, was approaching the sun of yoga namely laghima and garima, Covered with different blossoms, buds the leading leg and feel the first stretch draw attention to himself; he started famous for his strength and devotion to swallow it. Hanuman clashed with enabling him to shrink or enlarge his and sprouts, Hanuman resembled to the hamstrings, it is tempting to uprooting the trees in Ashok Vatika and to Lord Rama. Hanuman was not only Rahu and defeated him. A wounded form at will. Seeing his godson receive a mountain himself. Soon the trees just stay there and go no further since destroying the garden. a central character in the Ramayana Rahu approached Indra, the king of so many auspicious blessings, Pavan- following Hanuman and the blossoms the rear leg is providing necessary Ravana’s solders tried to capture but also featured in the Mahabharata the devas, to help him. Indra set off on deva relented and returned to earth fell off into the sea making the ocean stability and comfort – similar to how Hanuman but were defeated. – the two famous epics of India which Airavata, his white elephant mount, to along with Hanuman. look even more beautiful." Hanuman’s journey was interrupted Ravana then sent his youngest son are classified as itihasas under the smriti deal with Hanuman. Anjaneyasana (anjaneya means son Seeing Hanuman flying across the by Mainaka who offered him a place Akshayakumara to detain Hanuman genus. Several yogasanas too are linked Hanuman knew no fear; as Indra of Anjana) is dedicated to this story of ocean, the ocean king asked Mainaka, to rest and tempted him with fresh but Akshayakumara was killed in the to the events in Hanuman’s life. approached, he took hold of Airavata’s Hanuman and represents his lunge to the mountain hidden under the seas, to fruits and food. But just as Hanuman ensuing battle. An enraged Ravana According to legend, Hanuman was trunk and was about to fling him when grab the sun. Hanuman took a powerful surface and provide relief to Hanuman brushed away the offer and stayed on asked his strongest son, Indrajit, to go born into the apelike humanoid race an enraged Indra threw his weapon, the jump to reach the sun and similarly, on by offering him a place to rest. course the practitioner has to continue defeat Hanuman. of Vanaras. His father, Kesari, was a vajra, at Hanuman. The thunderbolt a physical level, the aspirant should Hanuman, who had taken a vow not ahead. After a prolonged battle Indrajit monkey chief and his mother, Anjana, struck Hanuman on his jaw and he fell enjoy a powerful stretch in the asana. to stop until he reached Lanka, politely As you lift the knee of the rear leg managed to capture Hanuman by using was an apsara who was reborn as a back towards the earth unconscious. On a metaphysical level, the quest declined Mainaka’s offer. off the floor you encounter your first the divine weapon Brahmastra, which monkey as the result of a curse. Sage This is how Hanuman got the name for the sun can be understood as the The devas were very impressed ‘monster’ and you realize muscling bound Hanuman. Hanuman was in fact Agastya, Lord Shiva and Pavan-deva, most commonly associated with him pursuit of the spiritual source of energy with Hanuman’s commitment but your way through will only lead to immune to the powers of Brahmastra the wind god, played key roles in (hanuman means broken jaw). and life. Soon after leaping for the sun, decided to test his determination for injury. You need to start using your but out of deference to Brahma allowed the events leading up to the birth of Pavan-deva was furious at how Hanuman asked Surya, the Sun God, themselves. They asked Surasa, the intuitive intelligence. Just as Hanuman himself to be caught. Hanuman. grievously Hanuman had been injured; to be his spiritual preceptor. Likewise, mother of serpents, to take the dreadful shrank himself, you need to make On reaching Ravana’s court, Sage Agastya, pleased by Anjana’s he whisked him away and hid in a as the adept spreads his hands towards form of a female rakshasa and try to micro-adjustments to go further and Hanuman requested a seat befitting hospitality when he visited as a guest, cave in the netherworld. The world the sky in the pose he should seek a obstruct Hanuman's way. overcome this obstacle. the messenger of a king. A furious granted Anjana the boon to have a was bereft of air and the devas grew greater understanding of the self. Surasa, opening her mouth wide, And finally to complete the journey, Ravana refused to offer him a seat or mighty son who would be remembered alarmed. They approached Pavan-deva tried to eat Hanuman. Hanuman your thighs have to meet their shadows treat him as a royal emissary. Hanuman for his valor and service. He asked to seek his pardon. Pavan-deva was Hanumanasana immediately doubled his size. Surasa reflected below, just as Hanuman had remained unperturbed. He lengthened Kesari and Anjana to pray to Lord not in a mood to forgive and rebuked in turn increased her size to match to reclaim his shadow from Simhika. and coiled his tail, making a seat for Shiva to realize this blessing. Lord the devas for the excessive use of force hen Hanuman finished his his. Hanuman again increased his This last obstacle is the trickiest to himself. Hanuman’s seat was lofty and Shiva in turn was so delighted with against a small child. Wstudies with Surya he asked him size; this back and forth increase in overcome and requires patience and placed him higher than Ravana. This their devotion that he decided to be To appease Pavan, the devas offered what Guru-dakshina he could offer, size continued for a while. Finally, further micro-adjustments. Once angered Ravana even more and he reincarnated as their son; Pavan-deva to bless Hanuman with extraordinary how he could repay him. Surya asked when Surasa increased the size of her the practitioner has mastered this asked his soldiers to move his throne helped carry a magical fruit and land it powers. Indra blessed him with bodily him to go live with his son Sugriva and mouth to accommodate a Hanuman of last hurdle, he/she can continue with to a higher position. In response in Anjana’s lap to complete the cycle set strength and immunity to the effects help him. Sugriva, together with a few ninety yojanas (about 72 miles high), relative ease and raise the hands off the Hanuman made his tail grow longer, in motion and fulfill the boon. of the vajra (thunderbolt) weapon. followers, was hiding in the forest from Hanuman swiftly shrank himself to floor to complete the ‘journey’. this game continued for a while and Brahma gave Hanuman two boons: he his brother Vali, with whom he had the size of a human thumb, flew into at the same time Hanuman made an Anjaneyasana would be protected from any weapon had a falling out over kingship. While her mouth and out from her ear, before Utkatasana impassioned plea to Ravana to return in war and be able to change his form at in the service of Sugriva, Hanuman she could react. Surasa, very impressed Sita and make peace with Rama. By s a child Hanuman had a voracious will. From Shiva he obtained the boons met Ram and Lakshman who were with Hanuman’s intelligent handling hen Hanuman entered Lanka he this time Ravana was livid and asked Aappetite and Anjana had a difficult of longevity, scriptural wisdom and also in exile and searching for Rama’s of the situation, gave her blessings for Wwas surprised to see the splendor his soldiers to kill Hanuman. time keeping his hunger satisfied. the ability to cross the ocean. Varuna wife Sita, who had been kidnapped by his journey. and beauty of the city. Vishwakarma, Ravana’s brother Vibhishana inter- One day Hanuman mistook the sun blessed baby Hanuman that he would the demon King Ravana. Rama helped Hanuman continued on until the architect to the gods, had created vened, reminding Ravana that a for a ripe mango and leaped towards always be protected from water. Agni Sugriva gain his kingdom back from suddenly he felt he was being dragged a city of unsurpassed magnificence messenger should never be put to death. it. At the same time Rahu, an often blessed him with immunity to burning Vali and Sugriva in turn offered him down. He was being attacked by the which seemed to float in the air. After This would be against the rules of royal

40 Issue 18 Fall/Winter 2013 41 conduct. Ravana could, however, punish close to Rameshwaram in southern as he continued on his path towards thunderbolt (vajra or bajra). Amongst conduct) and niyamas (self-disciplines). since Surya's constant movement was Hanuman for his impunity. Ravana India. This is the same mountain from the Saugandhika flowers which were all his exploits of strength, one of the His personification of the niyamas in not suitable for teaching, Hanuman heeded his brother’s words. He ordered which Hanuman took his leap to Lanka guarded by Kuber’s demons. He also most interesting is his duel with his own particular is worth emulating for any decided to keep pace with Surya by that Hanuman be paraded through the in search of Sita.) advised him that to treat another being son Makardhwaja. yoga student. facing him and constantly walking streets of Lanka with his tail set on fire. Gandhamadana was the site where based on his appearance was shallow During Ram and Lakshman’s The first niyama issaucha , cleanliness backwards in the rhythm set by the sun. Having received the boon of the celestial sages Nara and Narayana and not worthy of a noble prince like battle with Ravana, Ravana’s brother and purity. This represents not just The fourth niyama is swadhyaya, immunity to fire from Agni and, in performed severe penance and the woods him. Ahiravana managed to kidnap the physical cleanliness but elimination of study of the scriptures. Hanuman was addition, through Sita’s prayers for his in that area contained many exotic Bhima acknowledged his mistakes brothers and hold them captive in his our impurities like pride and arrogance. an erudite scholar and grammarian. He safety, Hanuman remained unburned. plants and flowers (gandhamadana and asked to be pardoned. He also kingdom in Patala, the netherworld. Despite his phenomenal physical mastered the four Vedas, the six systems Freeing himself from his captors, he ran means intoxicating fragrance). The asked Hanuman to show him the form He kept them unconscious by a strength and knowledge of many yogic of philosophy (darshanas), the sixty- about setting fire to Lanka, jumping Pandavas decided to rest there for a few he took to cross the ocean to Lanka. powerful spell and wanted to sacrifice siddhis, Hanuman always conducted four arts or kalas and the one hundred from roof to roof. weeks. One day Draupadi chanced upon Hanuman obliged and grew himself to them at his altar at an auspicious hour. himself with humility and grace. and eight occult mysteries of the tantras. Hanuman’s encounter with Ravana a rare flower named Saugandhika and a gigantic size. Bhima stood in awe and In hot pursuit of Ahiravan, The fifth niyama is Isvara is illustrated through Utkatasana. In was mesmerized by its sweet fragrance. Hanuman then reduced himself to his Hanuman finds the entrance pranidhana, surrender of the self English this pose is mistakenly called She asked Bhima to find some more normal proportions and hugged Bhima. of Ahiravan’s kingdom guarded to God. Hanuman epitomized chair pose or awkward chair pose but Saugandhika flowers for her to give to With that embrace Bhima felt a surge of by Makardhwaja, a mighty this niyama by his complete the correct translation in Sanskrit the other brothers. Bhima was only too strength and protective energy entering creature who is half vanara surrender to his divine master, (utkata means fierce) gives a better happy to oblige and set out in search. him. With Hanuman’s blessings he (ape) and half makara (reptile). Rama. He was completely understanding of the essence of the Bhima went deeper and deeper into continued on his way. He was able to Makardhwaja introduces immersed in his devotion to pose. It symbolizes both Ravana’s fierce the forest but was unable to locate overcome the obstacles and challengers himself as Hanuman’s son. He Rama and to prove his merged attachment to his ego and his agitation the flowers. In agitation he started that he encountered and successfully relates how, when Hanuman identity with the lord he tore at being unable to best Hanuman. uprooting trees and frightening the gather the Saugandhika flowers for placed his tail into the ocean open his chest to show Rama Visually, the asana is similar to how a animals he came across. Hanuman, who Draupadi. to douse the flames set by seated in his heart. monkey appears when he jumps and was residing in the forest at that time, Hanuman, by physically obstructing Ravana’s soldiers, a drop of his the pose can be seen as a representation heard the ruckus and grew concerned Bhima’s path, was able to enlighten sweat fell into the sea and was ny student on the yoga of Hanuman jumping from building to about his brother’s attitude. He realized him and help him reduce his pride and absorbed by a mighty reptilian Apath would only deepen his building setting Lanka on fire. that he would need to guide and protect arrogance. Remembering this, the adept fish; Makardhwaja was born practice by reading Hanuman’s As the adept stabilizes himself in him. (Both Hanuman and Bhima were should aim to surrender his ego as he as a result. He asks Hanuman legend and understanding the Utkatasana he should reflect on how born through the grace and divine lies prostrate in the pose. Hanuman’s for his blessings but states that significance and symbolism of his we humans violently cling to our egos assistance of Pavan-deva and hence are complete surrender of his identity to he is duty-bound to guard the character. As Swami Sivananda and the barriers and stress we create for considered brothers). Rama should be the inspiration as entrance and Hanuman can wrote: ourselves by doing so. Sublimating the Hanuman decided to teach Bhima one assumes the asana. Mimicking only enter by defeating him. ego helps us not only to connect better a lesson; he changed his appearance Bhima’s effort at lifting Hanuman’s A fierce battle ensues and He had Bhakti, Sakti, Vidya with others and the universe but also to that of an old haggard monkey and tail, the practitioner should attempt Hanuman is finally able to and Seva-Bhava, Brahmacharya brings a sense of serenity and peace. lay on the path (adhva). When Bhima vajramayasana (vajramay translates as vanquish Makardhwaja and and Nishkamya-Bhava. He When we manage to conquer or reached him he arrogantly asked him to hard as a diamond). With arms extended rescue Ram and Lakshman never boasted of His bravery and control our lower nature, which is move aside. Hanuman replied in a feeble out and feet pointed back, the adept from Ahiravan’s clutches. intelligence. He said to Ravana, nothing but a manifestation of the ego voice that he was too weak to move and should stiffen the muscles from the tips Hanuman is often depicted "I am a humble messenger of Sri in myriad emotions like pride, greed, if Bhima needed to cross he could move of the fingers to the toes and try and lift siting in Virasana and it Rama. I have come here to serve envy, etc., and let our higher nature Hanuman’s tail aside and that would the body up a few inches. The attempt is the wrestler's favored Rama, to do His work. By the shine through, we defeat our internal give him enough space to proceed. will be as futile as Bhima’s exertion but pose when relaxing. When command of Lord Rama, I have demons – our very own Ravanas. Bhima scoffed at the challenge but, the subsequent surrender will also be resting in Virasana, the yoga come here. I am fearless, by the to his shock, he was unable to lift the as complete as Bhima’s renunciation of practitioner should reflect grace of Lord Rama. I am not Advasana tail when he tried to pick it up. Bhima false pride. on the Sundarkand chapters afraid of death. I welcome it, if it could not believe what was happening from Ramayana which tell the story The second niyama is santosha, comes while I am serving Lord Rama." dhva means path in Sanskrit. The and tried using all his strength but the Virasana of Hanuman or recite the Hanuman contentment. Hanuman never had any Mark here how humble Hanuman was! Astory of Advasana has its roots in tail would not budge. He soon realized Chalisa, a devotional hymn dedicated to need for physical comforts or material How devoted He was to Lord Rama! He the Mahabharata. that he was in the presence of a higher ue to his many acts of valor Lord Hanuman. possessions. When Rama gave him a never said, "I am brave Hanuman. I can During their period of exile, the divine being. Dand bravery, Hanuman is pearl necklace as a token of gratitude do anything and everything." Pandava brothers decided to visit the Realizing his mistake, he prostrated called Mahaveer in the Ramayana. anuman is considered the for his help in the war with Ravana mythical Gandhamadana Mountain, and asked the monkey to reveal his true Mahaveer translates as most courageous. Hreincarnation of Lord Shiva – the he split open each pearl to see if it purportedly located in the northernmost self. Hanuman appeared before Bhima Hanuman is also the presiding deity original yogi. As such, his nature reflects contained Rama’s name and discarded it Mayank Dhingra is a philanthropically Himalayas, close to Mount Kailash. It is in his real form. He warned Bhima that in the traditional Indian akharas or many yogic traits. Besides the asanas as worthless when he realized it didn’t. inclined yoga teacher and a graduate of the adobe of several devas and a favored the arrogance he was demonstrating wrestling gymnasiums. He is venerated his life story has inspired, he is also The third niyama is tapas, fervent Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers. He is dwelling place of Hanuman. (Another due to his physical strength was a there as Bajrang Bali or the one whose an embodiment of the first two limbs commitment. When Surya initially currently working on his book on Yoga Gandhamadana Mountain is situated mistake that could cost him dearly limbs (ang) are as strong (bali) as a of the yogic path – the yamas (social refused to take Hanuman as his student Mythology. www.yogasmriti.com

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