HANUMAN'S CHARACTER-VALUE

 HANUMAN

Hanuman is a Hindu deity, who was an ardent devotee of Rama according to Hindus legends. He is a central character in the Indian epic Ramayana, and also finds mentions in several other texts, including Mahabharat, the various Puranas and some Jain texts. A vanara (ape-like humanoid), Hanuman participated in Rama's war against the demon king Ravana. Several texts also present Hanuman as an incarnation of the Lord Shiva. Hanuman was like Lord Shiva who held the powerful poison in his throat and save the universe.

The Sanskrit texts mention several legends about how Hanuman got his name. One legend is that Indra, the king of the deities struck Hanuman's jaw during his childhood. The child received his name from the Sanskrit words Hanu ("jaw") and -man (or -mant, "prominent" or "disfigured"). The name thus means "one with prominent or disfigured jaw". Another theory says the name derives from the Sanskrit words Han ("killed" or "destroyed") and maana (pride); the name implies "one whose pride was destroyed". Hanuman spent his childhood on an island called Hanuruha, which is the origin of his name.

Other names of Hanuman include:

• Anjaneya, Anjaniputra or Anjaneyudu  (Telugu), all meaning "the son of Anjana.  
• Kesari Nandan ("son of Kesari).
• Maruti ("son of Marut") or Pavanputra ("son of Pavan"); these names derive from the various names of Vayu, the deity who carried Hanuman to Anjana's womb
• Maharudra ("the great Rudra"), from the theory that Hanuman was an incarnation of Shiva  (also known as Rudra).
• Bajrang Vali, "the strong one (Vali), who has limbs (anga) as hard as a  Vajra (bajra)"; this name is widely used in rural North India

In addition, Hanuman has received several epithets, including:

• Manojavam, the one who is swift as mind (appears in Rama Raksha Stotra).   
• Maarutatulyavegam, the one who has a speed equal to the wind God (appears in Rama Raksha Stotra).   
• Jitendriyam, the one who has complete control on his senses (appears in Rama Raksha Stotra).
• Buddhimataamvarishtham, the one who is most senior among intellectuals (appears in Rama Raksha Stotra).
• Vaataatmajam, the one who is the son of wind God (appears in Rama Raksha Stotra).
• Vaanarayoothamukhyam, the one who is the chief of Vanara army (appears in Rama Raksha Stotra). Similar in meaning to - Vaanaraanamadheesham.
• Shreeraamdootam, the one who is the messenger of Rama (appears in Rama Raksha Stotra).    
• Atulit Bal Dhaamam, the one who is the repository of incomparable strength.
• Hemshailaabh Deham, the one whose body resembles a golden mountain.
• Danujvan Krushanum, the one who is the destroyer of forces of demons.
• Gyaaninaam Agraganyam, the one who is considered foremost among knowledgeable beings.
• Sakal Gun Nidhaanam, the one who is the repository of all the virtues and good qualities.
• Raghupati Priya Bhaktam, the one who is the dearest of all devotees to Lord Rama.   
• Sankat Mochan, the one who liberates (moc) from dangers (sankat)

Hanuman was born to the humanoid creatures called the vanara. His mother  Anjana was an apsara who was born on earth as a female vanara due to a curse. She would be redeemed from this curse on her giving birth to a son. The Valmiki Ramayana states that his father Kesari was the son of  Brihaspati and that Kesari also fought on Rama's side in the war against Ravana. Anjana and Kesari performed intense prayers to Shiva to get a child. Pleased with their devotion, Shiva granted them the boon they sought. Hanuman, in another interpretation, is the incarnation or reflection of Shiva himself.