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For this is a short and sweet Stotra, consisting of 9 verses in the Panch Chaamar meter. This Stotra is a prayer to Hanumaan to help one destroy the six internal enemies that appear an the obstruction on the road of spiritual progress. It seeks help to place one's mind at the feet of Lord Raam. So it is expected that the chant of this Stotra would calm the mind before proceeding for effective prayer and meditation. Indian mythology offers some unique characters who re not available in the mythologies of other cultures, for example Sage Vyaas, Naarad, Hanumaan etc.

Hanumaan is well talked in Puraan and our epics (Raamaayan and Mahaabhaarat). The most interesting thing about him is that all, from children to old people, love and venerate him. He is known for his erudition, bravery, valor and above all self effacing humility. His life account occurs in Chapter 35 and 36 of Uttar Kaand of Vaalmeeki Raamaayan. Agastya Jee has narrated it to Shree Raam. Hanumaan is also referred in Shiv Puraan, Brahm Puraan, Bhaagvat Puraan, Bhavishya Puraan, and Mahaabhaarat. According to Bhaagvat Puraan Hanumaan stayed behind after Raam left Ayodhyaa for His exile. He stayed in Kimpurush Varsh where he is still living listening to Raamaayan which is sung by the denizen of that place and he himself also joins them in singing.

Kimpurushe varshe Bhagavantam Aadipurusham
Lakshmangrajam Seetaabhiraamam Raamam Tachchraasam Nikarshaabhiratah
Parambhaagvato - Hanumaan saha Gandharvair anugeeyamaanam Param Kalyaaneem
Bhartri Bhaagvat Kathaam Samupashrinoti Swayam Chedam gaayati ||
[V-Raamaayan, 5/19/1-2]

A complete account of his life may be found in Paraashar Sanhitaa. The Sanhitaa are that portion of the Ved that contain prayers. Mantra are set to appropriate Chhand (meters) and rituals to propitiate the God. They are given out by sages who received them as revelation through Divine grace. The author of Paraashar Sanhitaa is not that Paraashar who was the father of sage Vyaas Jee; rather he was the third generation disciple of Vyaas; Vyaas-> Pail-> Baashkal-Paraashar who learnt Rig Ved. It deals Hanumaan's story in detail. (see also  Unknown Information About Hanumaan)

It says that Aanjaneya is the 9th incarnation of Hanumaan. It contains a Sahastra Naam also. Interestingly, one of the 108 names of Hanumaan is "Om Bhavishya Chaturaananaaya Namah". This means that he will succeed present Brahmaa as the Creator in the next ---

According to the Sanhitaa this boon was granted to Hanumaan by Brahmaa himself when Hanumaan visited Brahm Lok, although Vaalmeeki Raamaayan doesn't mention this at all. Aanand Raamaayan clearly states that Hanumaan was born with an aspect of Shiv. According to Vishnu Puraan, Vrish-Kapi is the name of one of the 11 Rudra. This name appears in Shiv Sahastra Naam also. Brahm Puraan refers to Hanumaan by this name. Besides the 3rd Yajus in the 7th Anuvaak of Shree Rudram reads - "Namo Dootaaya cha Prahitaaya cha."

Doot means messenger who can normally conveying the message and also gathering the information. Prahitaa is one deputed by his master on a specific occasion for a specific duty. The commentators say that god Agni is meant here to be the messenger of the gods. he is also the Prahitaa, or special agent of the Yajamaan. Thus the Lord himself acts as a messenger to his devotees and protects them in that capacity. We may say that it was the Lord as Krishn who acted as a messenger to the Paandav. In the same way we may also say that it was the Lord who as Hanumaan acted as a messenger and conveyed Raam's message to Raavan, also gathered information about Lankaa that will be useful to Raam while invading Lankaa. Shiv incarnated as Hanumaan to demonstrate the value of Bhakti and the characteristics of a true devotee.

Hanumaan as the Incarnation of Mukhya Praan
He is known as Vaayu-Putra also. The great philosopher Madhwaachaarya explained that Vaayu, in this context, refers not to Vaayu Dev but to Mukhya Praan - the first of Vishnu's creation, also known as Hiranyagarbh. Besides he represents not the Vyashti (individual) Praan, but the Samashti (total) Praan. That is why all Devtaa depend on him for their survival and for the same reason he is more powerful than all Devtaa and Sarvagya (Omniscient) too. That is why he was able to perform such deeds which nobody else could do.

It was Jaambvaan who reminded him about his powers - strength, wisdom and courage; then only he could cross the sea. Raam Himself has accepted this fact that whatever Hanumaan had done was impossible for anybody else to do.

kritam Hanumataa Kaaryam Sumahad Bhoovi Durlabham
Manasaa Api Yadanyen na shakyam Dharanee tale.
[V-Raamaayan, 6/1/1]

Madhwaachaarya Jee has quoted extensively from Rig Ved, Skand Puraan, and Vaayu Puraan to prove that Mukhya Praan took three incarnations - Hanumaan, Bheem and Madhwaachaarya himself. Hanumaan is described in Rig Ved as --

Hanu Shabdo Gyaanaanavaachi Hanumaan Matishabditah
means - the word Hanumaan means one who has perfect knowledge or who is intelligent.

Hanumaan as the Care Taker of Sugreev
Hanumaan obtained all his education from Soorya Dev himself and he was always on move, that is why Hanumaan also had to always on move while he was learning. He was flying backward all the time in front of his Guru, as he could not have his back facing Guru. he learnt all the Ved and the six Vedaang in a very short time. Hanumaan wanted to give Guru Dakshinaa to his Guru after his education was over, but considering Hanumaan's Bhakti, sincerity and hard labor Soorya refused to accept any Dakshinaa from him saying to him  that one can get such a student once in a while and he was very proud of him, but when Hanumaan insisted, Soorya Dev asked him to take care of his son Sugreev who was living on Earth with his brother Baali. He did not have good relationship with Baali because Baali was more powerful than Sugreev, so he asked him to care of him. So Hanumaan stayed with Sugreev all the time as his friend, philosopher and guide.

Hanumaan was a great master of Vyaakaran (science of grammar), that is why he is known as Nava Vyaakaran Pandit (master of the nine systems of grammar). Hanumaan has been described as "Vaakya Kovidah" in V-Raamaayan, 4/2/13. "Vaakya kovidah" means who is skilled in constructing sentences, this clearly means good at grammar. Another time Vaalmeeki Jee calls him "Vaakyagyo Vaakya Kushal" in V-Raamaayan, 4/3/24. When Hanumaan first meets Raam and Lakshman (V-Raamaayan, 4/3/5-24) Raam is very happy with his speech and says to Lakshman that he is "Vaakya Gyam Madhurai: Vaakyai:" skilled in sentences and has sweet speech. All this shows that even Raam admired his grammar skills.

Then in 4/3/28-29, Raam admires his knowledge of Ved and grammar like this - "Who has not read Rig Ved, or Yajur Ved or Saam ved, cannot speak like this. Definitely grammar is severally and comprehensively learnt by him... and though much is said by him not a single word has gone amiss of verbiage ..." (see below "Method of Recognizing Proper Speech According to Ved)

It is notable here that all this has been said by Raam Himself who Himself is skilled in all kinds of Ved and Shaastra etc. Actually Naarad had already told this to Vaalmeeki that Raam was "Vaagmee" (eloquent),  "Vedavedaantee Tattwagyaanah" (knows the truth of Ved and its six auxiliary sciences), and "Sarv Shaastraarth Tattwagyaanah Smriteemaan Pratimaanavaan" (knows the real meaning of all the real scriptures, has a sharp memory and possesses quick wit.

Agastya Jee has also mentioned to Raam, "Seetaa also paid compliments to Hanumaan's qualities of speaking, this was when he conveyed to Her Raam's victory over Raavan." (Yuddh Kaand, 113/26) She said - "You alone are competent to speak such words endowed with the mark of quality, sweet expression, adorned with virtues, alert in mind that is characterized by eight excellences. (Buddhi is awakened by alert mind and these eight excellences are given in Neeti Saar Kamandak - "keenness to hear discourse especially on spiritual topics, readiness to hear such topics, receptivity, retentive powers, reasoning for and, against proposition, the faculty of comprehension and realization of the truth.)

Hanumaan Was Fit to Be a Messenger
Hanumaan was of such a character, so he was fit to be a messenger. he had all those qualities which Manu has described in a messenger - "who is expert in scriptures, who could read the intentions from gestures, physical appearances and features; who is a man of character, clever and belongs to a high family. he should love his king, be pious, dexterous, intelligent, should feel easy at any place, time or circumstances, handsome and strong-built, fearless and a good orator." For the same reason, although Raam introduced themselves as the princes of Kosal Desh, but Hanumaan immediately recognized Him and surrendered to Raam's feet.

Hanumaan As a Devotee
Prahlaad has mentioned nine qualities of a real devotee to his father Hiranyakashyap when he asked him what did he learn at his Gurukul - (1) hearing the name, glories and stories of the Lord; (2) to chant them; (3) to remember Him, His stories and names; (4) to wait upon Him; (5) to worship Him; (6) to offer salutations to Him; (7) to offer one's actions to Him; (8) to cultivate friendship with Him; and (9) to offer one's own body and belongings to Him. Hanumaan comes under the 7th category of devotees - Daasya Bhaav. he does not even try to hide it, he proudly proclaims this to Seetaa and to Raavan when he faced Raavan in his copurt - "I am the servant of Raam."

He is the only devotee of his kind. Whenever one gives example of this type of Bhaavanaa, he has to take Hanumaan's name, no other name comes to his mind. This type of devotee just surrenders to his Lord, he has no ego. His intensity of this Daasatwa was so much that it crossed all boundaries of all the 9 types of devotions. He became the friend of Raam. He wanted to be in His company as much as possible (read the story " Hanumaan's Love for Raam") His love for Raam has been mentioned in Kath Upanishad also - "Yamevaish Vrinute Ten Labhyah" (2-23)  - He is attained only by the one whom He chooses.

The problem with the 4th, 7th, 8th and 9th types of devotees is that it involves the acceptance of the other party (of your Lord). One himself cannot say that he is his Lord's friend or servant unless the other party accepts him. Raam unhesitatingly acknowledges his services. He says - "no other person can do what you have done for me." and accepts him as His younger brother Bharat (Tum mam priya bharatahi sam bhaaee).

After the coronation of Raam, when all had gone back, Hanumaan asked Raam to be His Bhakt forever and live till His Kathaa will be told on this Earth. In reply Raam says - "You have so done so much for me that I can never repay you. Let this condition continue that I can never think of repaying you, let there be no occasion of for me to repay your services, for one deserves to be requited for services rendered only when one is in trouble." Can there be better way of acknowledgement to the services rendered by Hanumaan?

Raam gave a pearl necklace to Seetaa, and asked Her to give it to whoever had the following qualities - "sharpness, firmness, renown, dexterity, competence, modesty, prudence, virility, prowess and intelligence are ever present" (V-Raamaayan, 6/128/82). And Seetaa gave it to Hanumaan. "Buddhirbalam Yasho Dhairyam Nirbhaya Twam Rogataa;  Ajaadyam Vaakpatutwa cha Hanumat Smaranaad Bhavet". In North India he is called Bajarang Balee (variation of Vajraang Balee) means "whose body parts are made of Vajra", at the same time he is also known for his humility - "Daaso aoham Kosalendrasya Raamasya (I am the humble servant of Koshal King Raam). He was present in Dwaapar Yug and helped Paandav by sitting on the flag of Arjun's chariot, and he had the opportunity to listen to Bhagvad Geeta - first hand as it flowed out of the sacred lips of the Lord.

Muktikopanishad says that he learnt Upanishad from Raam Himself in Ayodhyaa. Geetaa is the milk drawn from Upanishad. Krishn milked the cow Arjun as the calf.

Sarvopanishado gaavo dugdhaa gopaal nandanah
Paaretho vatsah sudheer Bhoktaa dugdhaan geetaamritaan mahat

As Hanumaan had already studied the Upanishad at the feet of Raam, listened to the teaching of Geetaa from the Lord (as Krishn) with rapt attention and could understand the purport of Geetaa without difficulty. The saint composer Thyagaraja says in his song Gitartamu that the true meaning of Geetaa was grasped only by Hanumaan.

Method of Recognizing Proper Speech According to Ved
The whole admiration of Hanumaan's speech etc takes 6 Shlok, Kishkindhaa Kaand, 3/28-33.

Because in Rig Ved every letter has too many phonetically deflected variations, in many ways to mean many things. It is practically impossible to contain that knowledge, unless the recitalist has complete control over it. Hence the word, "vineet", "well trained" is used. In Yajur Ved many Anuvaak or passages occur recursively, with different utilization. Remembering not to mix one with the other is a difficult process. Hence the recitalist has to have enormous remembrance. In Saam Ved the pitch and duration of the rendering is of high importance, as such it requires a scholarly bent to control vocal notes. The three words, "vinaya", schooling; and "Dhaarana", remembrance and "Vedanaa" knowledge are required to each of the above Ved.

Atharva Ved, on the other hand, has no recital performance other than the above. Hence, it is not quoted by Raam. Hanumaan said - "you two are eligible to rule the earth" as in 4/3/15, which tantamount to the quote "Brahmaa vaa idam ekaeva agra aaseet..." from Rig Ved Aitareya. Next he said that you are deities in human form at 4-3-13, which has its bearing on the Yajur Ved quote "Ajaayamaano bahudhaa vijaayate..." Then Raam is said having lotus-petal like eyes, at 4/3/11, taking clue from Chhaandogya of Saam Ved, "myathaakapyaasam pundareekam evaakshiNee...." Hence these utterances of Hanuman are said to have direct base in the Ved.

After admiring his knowledge of Ved, Raam has admired the knowledge of his grammar, in 4/3/28, which is the essential part of Vaidik learning is analyzed. Without the knowledge of subsidiary scriptures of Ved, like, Vyaakaran, Nirukt, Shikhshaa, Chhand, the study of Ved and its ancillaries itself is futile. Reading and reciting the Vaidik hymns is of no use in practical life, for the knowledge learnt therein is to be implemented in the society. A simple recitalist is known as chaa.ndasa orthodox fellow, while the user of that knowledge for the good of society is "Vyavahaart" (or Vyavahaarik) practical fellow. Hence Hanumaan is implementing the grammar and training received originally as a Vaidik scholar, because he is a practical one.

In 4/3/30, his behavioral niceties as a Vaidik scholar are being analyzed in this way - "On his face or eyes, or on forehead or brows, or on other faculties of expression no fault is found... even at the least.... In fact the Shikshaa part of Ved imposes certain rules while reciting the hymns. There will be some Paatak Atham, Reciters, the worst. (Undue stretching, quickening the pace, nodding the head, reading by seeing written texts without memorizing,  not knowing the meaning, and weak-voiced, are the six sorts of worst reciters of Vaidik hymns).

Again in 4/3/31, Raam admires his speech as "Unexpanded, un-doubtful, un-delaying and non-dissonant is the tenor of his speech, and it comports in his chest or throat in a medium tone... Because reading scriptures with (1) doubting, (2) fearing, (3) shouting, (4) unclear, (5) nasal, (6) shrieking, (7) high-pitched, and like with (8) improper sounds placement, (9) melody-less, (10) rudely, and also (11) letters torn apart, (12) rendering negative meaning, (13) chaotic, (14) labiovelar, are the fourteen reciting mistakes.

In 4/3/32, "He has orderly refinement in speech that is remarkable and un-delaying, and he speaks propitious words that are heart-pleasing..." Because only best reciters will render phonetics as below, as contained in Shikshaa of Ved (with sweet voice, enunciated syllables, properly parting the words, quick and confident, and rhythm included are the six best qualities of best reciters).

In 4/3/33, He again says - "His speech is generated in three places is enthralling... and whose heart that is disenchanted, even that of an enemy after raising his sword at him, on hearing his speech [will be made friend easily]..." Because there are three places to generate speech are Urashi means at chest, Shirasi means at head, and Kanth means at throat. A real speaker of his mind has to generate his speech in these three areas, without rendering any lip service. Again this is the rule of Vaidik Shikshaa namely the training.

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