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For most of the people, Hanumaan is a character that appears in Raamaayan and most of us only know him as a devotee of Shree Raam. The complete life of Hanumaan is written in an ancient and now extinct scripture called Paraashar Sanhitaa. The word Paraashar is a very well known name for Mahaabhaarat readers and astrologers as well. Paraashar Sanhitaa deals with complete life of Hanumaan, which was not covered in Raamaayan. Unfortunately the text has lost its existence and now is has become extinct. The following new information about Hanuman is given here from Paraashar Sanhitaa (read also  Hanumaan Chaamar).

1. Hanumaan was not a Monkey.
2. Hanumaan took birth much before Lord Raam.
3. Hanumaan like Vishnu took various Avataar.
4. Hanumaan was the chosen one for Sanaatan Dharm protection by Maharshi Agastya much before the coming of Shree Raam.
5. Hanumaan was also a King and had his own Kingdom.
6. Hanumaan was worshipped as god by all Vaanar community even during the time of Shree Raam and many even offered him their daily prayers.
7. There is a separate Geetaa written by the then Vaanar on Hanumaan called as "Vaanar Geetaa"
8. Hanumaan is the giver of an Upanishad (among 108) also called as "Raam Rahasya Upanishad".
9. Hanumaan is married to an A-Janmaa Bramhchaarinee called Shree Suvarchalaa Devee - the daughter of Soorya Dev. Maharshi Paraashar had given the life history of Hanuman in 150 volumes. He describes Hanuman in his nine Avataar. The 6th Avataar is Suvarchalaa Aanjaneya Swaamee. The Sun God performed the wedding of his daughter Suvarchalaa with Hanumaan on Jyeshth Shukla Dashamee' day." It is said that the wedding was being performed in various Suvarchalaa Aanjaneya Swaamee temples in the country.
10. The Lord Indra regained his "Vajraayudh" only after worshipping Hanumaan. [when did he lose it, it is not mentioned anywhere].

Hanumaan's Education and Marrriage

Everybody knows that Hanumaan is a born Brahmchaaree, but nobody knows that he was a married - that is another matter that his wife is also Brahmchaarinee since birth. Her name is Suvarchalaa and she is the daughter of Soorya. . Suvarchalaa Hanumaan Kalyaanam is observed on Jyeshth Shuddha Dashamee, 10th day in Shukla Paksh of Jyeshth month.

Hanumaan's Education and Marriage
Hanuman was growing older. His mother told him - "Son, It is time to get educated. There is no better teacher than Soorya, the Sun god, who dispels all darkness. Go to him and gain knowledge." Even though he was omnipotent, Hanumaan obeyed his mother. He went to the Soorya Mandal and humbly prayed the Sun god - "O Soorya Dev, I want to learn Ved, Vedaang, and Upaang from you. Please teach me." Soorya replied - "O Boy of Anjanaa, I am always on the move, as ordained by Almighty, how can I teach you?" Hanumaan was angery. He blocked the path of Soorya. Soorya pacified Hanumaan. He said: "I have no objection to teach you. But you have to find a way to learn."

Hanuman stood facing the Sun and started walking backwards. Soorya was moving forward and was teaching Hanuman. Lord Shiv is said to know all and Hanumaan, who is Lord Shiv's incarnation, proved to be one who knows all as well. Within a week of his education, he astonished Soorya by his knowledge. Soorya praised Hanumaan very much. Hanumaan wanted to continue his education. Instead of walking backward, he put one foot on the rising hill and the other one on the setting hill to face the Sun god. Hanuman's interest and devotion pleased the Sun god. Soorya taught all that is to be taught to Hanumaan.

Suvarchalaa Hanumaan Kalyaanam -
Kalyaanam means "Marriage". Although Hanuman is known as the "Ajanma Brahmachaaree’ (eternal bachelor). It is stated in many scriptures and Puraan. "Paraashar Sanhitaa", written by Sage Paraashar, mentions the story or legend of Suvarchalaa Hanumaan Kalyaanam. Suvarchalaa is the daughter of Soorya and as "Guru Dakshinaa", Soorya asks Hanumaan to marry his daughter. Convinced by the pursuit of the divine marriage, Hanumaan agreed to marry Suvarchalaa. In spite of marriage with Suvarchalaa, Hanumaan remained Brahmchaaree because he was a born Brahmchaarinee with Yagyopaveet (sacred thread). So, on Jyeshth Shukla Dashamee Soorya offered his daughter Suvarchalaa in marriage to Hanumaan.

Legend of Hanumat Kalyaanam – Birth of Suvarchalaa and Her Marriage to Hanumaan
Soorya was married to Sangyaa (or Sanjanaa), a daughter of Vishwakarmaa. Sangyaa was a devoted wife but was unable to bear the heat emanating from the Sun's rays. She was suffering with anguish. Her mother noticed the daughter's plight and sought to know as to what the problem was. Sangyaa explained her problem to her mother. Her mother in turn told Vishwakarmaa of Sangyaa's problem. Vishwakarmaa told Soorya that he would polish off some of his luminescence. Soorya agreed. Vishwakarmaa was able to polish off some luminescence of his son-in-law. The luminescence thus separated took the form of young woman. Her beauty and grace astonished even gods. Indra wanted to know as to who would marry that shinning brilliant young women. Brahmaa Jee thought for a while and replied - "Hanumaan who is essence of Shiv's fiery power will marry this young woman. Since Hanumaan tried to grab the ever glowing Sun god, he alone can bear this glowing young woman too."

Soorya remembered Brahmaa Jee's utterance. By than Hanuman's education was complete. He was ready to graduate. He bowed to Soorya and said - "O My Divine Teacher, Thanks to you I am educated now. I would like to take your leave now. I would like to offer you an appropriate fee as Guru Dakshinaa. Kindly order me." Soorya immediately replied - "O Hanumaan, you are the incarnation of Lord Shiv who bore the poisonous Halaahal (poison) to save the universe when the ocean was churned. You are also son of Agni, the fire god. Vishwakarmaa separated a part of my luminescence and the world is unable to bear it. You are the only one who can bear it. So I want to offer you my daughter Suvarchalaa formed from my "Varchas" (luminescence), in marriage. Marry my daughter. Since husband is the one who is to bear, you also bear my "Suvarchas" by marrying Suvarchalaa. Your marrying her shall be my Guru Dakshinaa."

Hanuman listened to his teacher and replied politely - "O Lord, I have decided to follow Brahmacharya throughout my life. How can I marry?" Soorya replied - "O Hanumaan, this Suvarchalaa is a divine one, A-Yonijaa (who is not born normally from vagina). She would be a devoted wife to you. I am giving you the boon that you would still be a Brahmchaaree even after marriage. You would continue to be a Prajaapatya Brahmchaaree. Your marriage is only for the welfare of the Universe and it would not affect your chosen course of celibacy. You were a born Brahmchaaree with a Yagyopaveet (Sacred thread). Brahmacharya will be your eternal pursuit. Since you are going to be a Brahmaa in future, Suvarchalaa will then occupy the place of Vaanee (Saraswatee)."

Hanumaan obeyed his preceptor's advice. Soorya presented Suvarchalaa to Hanumaan. It is stated in Paraashar Sanhitaa, that Soorya offered his daughter Suvarchalaa in marriage on Jyeshth Shukla Dashamee. It was a Wednesday under the star Uttaraa.

Why Hanumaan married Suvarchalaa - Suvarchalaa is the daughter of Soorya. She was born from the luminescence (Varchas) of Soorya and the world was unable to bear the luminescence of the Sun. At the same time, Hanuman had completed his Vaidik studies from his Guru Soorya. Hanumaan requested him for a Guru Dakshinaa, but Soorya refused to take anything from him saying that, "It is very difficult to get a Shishya like you at any time. I am very satisfied with your Guru Bhakti so you may go just like that." But Hanumaan insisted to give Guru Dakshinaa to Soorya, as in those days the education was not regarded complete until the Guru Dakshinaa was given (even Krishn also gave it). So Soorya said to him - "I have my son Sugreev on Prithvi, you go and take care of him. And marry my daughter Suvarchalaa." "Paraashar Sanhitaa" states the legend of Hanumaan’s marriage.

"O Hanumaan, Suvarchalaa is A-yonijaa and Soorya's Varchas' Putrikaa (who was born from Varchas of Soorya). The world is unable to bear her. Her husband will be the only one who can bear her, you can bear her so you marry her. You are also the Agni-Putra (Son of Agni). Only you can bear her. This would not disturb your Brahmcharya (celibacy) too. Along with my daughter,  I will give you a boon also that you would still be a Brahmchaaree even after marriage. You are a born Brahmchaaree and you would continue to be a Prajaapatya Brahmchaaree even after marrying my Suvarchalaa", said Soorya. He continued, "This marriage is only for Vishwa Kalyaan (welfare of the world). You can continue your eternal celibacy". Lord Hanumaan got convinced with the words of Soorya and accepted to offer him Guru Dakshinaa by taking care of Sugreev and marrying Suvarchalaa. On Jyeshth Shukla 10th day (in bright half of Jyeshth month), Hanuman married Suvarchalaa.

Others say - When Hanumaan was learning from Soorya, he was not eligible to learn Nava Vyaakaran (Nine Grammar) as it required a status of a Grihasth. In order to complete his education, the trio gods (Brahmaa, Vishnu and Shiv) approached Soorya and created a beautiful girl Suvarchalaa, an A-Yonijaa and Aajanm Brahmchaaree, from the Sun's rays and married him without being his Brahmcharya affected. You are going to be Brahmaa in future she will be Vaanee (Saraswatee) with you.

Hanumaan Has a Son

Another legend says that a demigod named Matsyaraaj (also known as Makaradhwaj or Matsyagarbh) claimed to be his son. Matsyaraaj's birth is explained as follows: a fish (Matsya) was impregnated by the drops of Hanuman's sweat, while he was bathing in the ocean. Read also Hanumaan meets His Son. In fact, Hanuman himself did not know about this development. He come to know only about this when he has to fight with his son to win over Ahiraavan, who was the master of Makaradhwaj. Hanumaan defeated his son, killed Ahiraavan and reinstated his son as the king of nether world.

Hanumaan in Other Raamaayan

Paumachariya (also known as Pauma Chariu or Padmacharit), the Jain version of Raamaayan written by Vimalasuri, mentions Hanuman as a Vidyaadhar (a supernatural being), who is the son of Pavan-gati and Anjanaa Sundaree. Anjanaa gives birth to Hanumaan in a forest cave, after being banished by her in-laws. Her maternal uncle rescues her from the forest. While boarding his Vimaan, Anjanaa accidentally drops her baby on a rock. However, the baby remains uninjured while the rock is shattered. The baby is raised in Hanuruha, his great uncle's island kingdom, from which Hanuman gets his name.

In this version of Raamaayan, Hanumaan is not a celibate. He marries princess Anang Kusum, the daughter of Kharadooshan (it seems that in this Raamaayan Khardooshan is one name while normally they were two brothers Khar and Dooshan) and Raavan's sister Chandranakhaa (not Shoorpanakhaa). Raavan also presents Hanumaan one of his nieces as a second wife. After becoming an ally of Sugreev, Hanumaan acquires a hundred more wives. Hanumaan is originally enraged at Raam for murdering his father-in-law Kharadooshan. However, he becomes a supporter of Raam after meeting him and learning about Seetaa's kidnapping by Raavan. He goes to Lankaa on Raam's behalf, but is unable to convince Raavan to surrender.

Ultimately, he joins Raam in the war against Raavan and performs several heroic deeds. After the victory and subsequent celebrations, both Raam and Hanumaan become Jains and achieve salvation. Later Jain texts such as Uttara Puraan (9th century AD) by Gunabhadra and Anjana-Pavananjaya (12th century AD) repeat the same story with some modifications.

Hanumaan in Other Raamaayan

The non-Indian versions of Raamaayan, such as Thai Ramakien, mention that Hanumaan had relationships with multiple women, including Swayam Prabha, Benjakaya (Vibheeshan's daughter), Suvannamaccha and even Raavan's wife Mandodaree.

According to these versions of the Raamaayan, Macchanu is the son of Hanumaan borne by Suvannamaccha, daughter of Raavan. The Jain text Paumacariya also mentions that Hanuman married Lankaa Sundaree, the daughter of Lanka's chief defender Vajramukh.

Note
How Hanumaan is Agni Putra? Even Soorya says it, anybody knows how?

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