Sri Hanuman Garhi/Gaddi
bhashpavari paripurna lochanam marutim namata rakshasantakam
Meaning: "We bow to Maruti, Sri Hanuman, who stands with his palms folded above his forehead, with a torrent of tears flowing down his eyes wherever the Names of Lord Rama are sung".
The above sloka gives us the significance of Lord Hanuman. In Ayodhya, we are in Hanuman Gaddi located on top of a small hillock with steep steps. Even today Lord Hanuman is revered by different names - Anjaneyar, Hanuman, Maruthi, Vayu Kumara, Vathathmajan, Sachivothama, Nava Vyakarana Pandithan (master of the nine sytems of grammar) and many more. Lord Hanuman is said to be here only, Didn't he leave along with Lord Rama to Vaikuntam.
When Sri Rama departed for Sri Vaikuntam, after His Avatar mission was over, He carried with Him entire population of Ayodhya. Purpa mudhal.... sung by Nammalvar, the verse goes as below...
narpal ayodhdhiyil vazhum characharam mutravum
narpalukku uyththanan nanmuganar petra nattule
Meaning: In the blessed Ayadhya, the land created by Brahma, -down to the meanest gross and insect without exception, he gives on exalted place to all the sentient and the insentient, so would any scholar study about a king other than Rama?
Lord Sri Rama showed us the simple way to achieve mukti (moksha). This is the quality of Lord Rama.
Goddess Parvati asks the Lord Parameshwaran:
patyate panditair nityam shrotumicchamyaham prabho."
Meaning: I desire to hear from my Lord the means by which scholars can read in an abridged (shorten) manner the thousand names of Lord Vishnu every day.
The answer is one of the most recited slokas:
sahasranama thatthulyam Rama nama varanane."
The essence of the response is that the name of Lord Rama is equivalent to the thousand names.
Why is Rama Nama so famous, even though we have many other Thirunamam's (Thiru - word representing sacredness + Namam - name = The Sacred name. It represents the 'Sacred name of God') like Narayana Namam, Vasudeva Namam, Vishnu Namam etc. Because Lord Rama was the one who gave moksham i.e. vaikuntam to everyone in a simple way.
Sri Rama recognising Hanuman's great devotion, all the help he rendered in finding Sri Sita and in the war with Ravana, asked Hanuman to accompany Him to Vaikuntam. For this Hanuman replied that you might have seen many Sanyasis (Holy Men) who have abandoned the man asai (desire for earth), pen asai (desire for woman) and pon asai (desire for gold). Even Sanyasis will love to go to vaikuntam, but let me even abandon the desire for vaikuntam i.e moksham. By this, Lord Hanuman rejects the offer of Lord Rama humbly, which is stated in below verse...
bhaktischa niyata vira bhavo nanyatra gacchati ||
Meaning: "My mind does not seek anything except eternal and constant devotion to You; all I wish for eternal service-minded dedication to You".
After seeing Sri Rama's form, his eyes would not like to see anyone else, be He even the Sri Vaikunta Natha's form. If Hanuman desired to see Sri Rama, he would visit Ayodhya. Pleased with his reply, Sri Rama agreed for Hanuman to stay in this world and be singing and praising Sri Rama's names. From that time Hanuman is present at Ayodhya or Srirangam or Tirumala or Badarikshram or anywhere else and listens to Sri Rama's story.
This temple is constructed according to North Indian tradition. We can worship Hanuman inside. Full view of the idol may not be possible. Surrounding Hanuman his prakaram or corridor. There is an Yagnashala, where daily yagna is performed. Throughout the day, Hanuman is offered with different 'Bhog' [eatables]. Apart from fresh preparations, Hanuman is also offered eatables, which is procured from outside. These are returned to us as prasadam. Hanuman lived for a long time in Ayodhya - he is still living in Ayodhya.
Offering prayers to Sri Hanumanji of Hanuman Garhi of Ayodhya is almost equal to offering prayers to Sri Rama, himself. ‘thumhare bhajan ram ko pavai; janma janma ke dukha bisaravai’. Pray on to Him and get rid of all the dukha for ages to come.
No comments:
Post a Comment