ஸ்ரீ அஞ்சநேயம்

"அஞ்சிலே ஒன்று பெற்றான்
அஞ்சிலே ஒன்றைத் தாவி
அஞ்சிலே ஒன்றாக ஆரியர்க்காக ஏகி
அஞ்சிலே ஒன்று பெற்ற
அணங்கை கண்டு அயலார் ஊரில்
அஞ்சிலே ஒன்றை வைத்தான்
அவன் நம்மை அளித்துக் காப்பான்"

Story of Sri Anjaneya
Sri Anjaneya who is praised as SRI RAMA SEVA DURANDHARA or the one greatly devoted to the service of Sri Rama, is known for his extra ordinary capabilities. He would not be universally worshipped if he were to be a mere servant. He has many temples dedicated to him.

Lord Brahma told Anjaneya: ”PRATI GRAMA NIVASASCHA BHUYADRAKSHO NIVARINE”(O Hanuma!, you would reside in every village to protect from devils, demons etc.,) Thus Anjaneya has temples dedicated to him in tiny villages also. Anjaneya is installed in every temple of Sri Rama. Temples are exclusively built for Sri Anjaneya. Sri Anjaneya is worshipped as the one who relieves his devotees from many problems peculiar to the Kali Age.

Sri Anjaneya has many specialties. By birth he belonged to Vanara (Monkey) race – a beastly tribe. He was with Sri Rama, Narottama or the best among human beings. Sri Anjaneya infact is God. There is a saying in Sanskrit, which proclaims that if one worships Sri Anjaneya, all Gods are worshipped (ANJANEYAH PUJITASCHET PUJITA SSARVA DEVATAH).

Sri Anjaneya is a personification of all that is divine. He is an extra ordinary state. Sri Anjaneya’s life is a divine message. By birth, every one is beastly. Every being could become divine, through refined living.
It is common perception that brain and brawn do not exist together. Body builders tend to eat more. They exercise well to get the food digested and sleep well. One who eats well and sleeps well may tend to become dull and stunted.

Like wise people dedicated to spiritual pursuits eat less and sleep less, thereby remaining bodily weak.
Sri Anjaneya is an exception. His strength is incomparable. He is said to be the storehouse of immeasurable strength, shinny like a mountain of gold (ATULITA BALA DAMAM SWARNA SAILABHA DHEHAM). He has been the idol of strong people. Even in modern age, body builders establish a Anjaneya Vyayama Sala (Anjaneya Gym) or Maruthi Vyayama Sala (Maruthi Gym). He eliminated many demons. Jambumali, Aksha, Kalanemi, Mainavana etc., were the demons slain by him. Since his strength cannot be measured, he was described as the one with immeasurable strength (ATULITA BALA DAMAM).

Sri Anjaneya is also bestowed with matching intelligence. He is described as the best among intelligent people and the first among the spiritual evolvers. (BUDHI matam varishtA, gynanena agraganyA)
Sri Rama himself recognized the intellectual brilliance of Sri Anjaneya. Sri Rama recognized Sri Anjaneya’s worth in their first meeting itself.

Sri Rama and Lakshmana reach the banks of Pampa, searching for Sita. Sugriva gets worried. Were they sent by his brother Vaali to kill him? Sugriva sends Sri Anjaneya to find out. Sri Anjaneya goes to Sri Rama and Lakshmana and puts a few questions to them. Sri Rama praises Sri Anjaneya’s intelligent speech. Sri Madhava Charya explains that the word Anjaneyatha denotes only an intelligent person. Thus Sri Anjaneya is an epitome of physical strength and intellectual capability.
There have been differences between Saivites (the devotees of Lord Siva) and Vaishanavites (the devotees of Lord Vishnu) in the past leading to great strife.

Many saints and poets tried to bring about harmony between the two sects. They proclaimed that in essence Siva was Vishnu and Vishnu was Siva; while Siva was the heart of Vishnu, Vishnu was the heart of Siva. Telugu Poets like Tikkana (One of the authors of Mahabharata in Telugu) and Nachana Somanatha dedicated their literacy works to Hariharanatha, the lord who is both Hari (Vishnu) and Hara (Siva). Both Saivites and Vaishanavites commonly worship Sri Anjaneya.

Sri Anjaneya is a devoted Vaishnava. He is recognized as the one born with the aspects of Siva. Sri Anjaneya is the greatest devotee of Sri Rama (an incarnation of Lord Vishnu). Every hair follicle on Sri Anjaneya’s body is said to chant Sri Rama’s name. Vaishnavism recognized the importance of service devotion (DASA BHAKTI). Sri Anjaneya is great example of Dasa Bhakti. We find his idol installed in temples dedicated not only to Sri Rama but also to other incarnations of Lord Vishnu. Sri Anjaneya is worshipped with many names. One of them is “OM RUDRA VEERYA SAMUDBHAVAAYA NAMAHA” (The one who is born with the aspect of Rudra). Sri Anjaneya is an incarnation of Lord Siva (or Rudra). Panchamukha Anjaneya (Sri Anjaneya or Anjaneya with five faces) is recognized as the complete incarnation of Sri Siva. Like Siva, Sri Panchamukha (Five faced) Anjaneya has three eyes on each of his faces. Some Saivites temples also have the idols of Sri Anjaneya.

Lord Vishnu is said to be fond of ornaments and adornment while Lord Siva is said to be fond of bathing (Abhishekham) (ALANKARA PRIYO VISHNU ABHISHEKA PRIYO SIVA). Sri Anjaneya is described as the one fond of “Alankara” (Adornment) and “Abhisheka” (Bathing). Sri Anjaneya grants many a boon, if bathed with the chanting of “Manyu Sukta”.

Sage Saunaka observed: “Where there is a Bhoga (Enjoyment), there is no Moksha (Bliss or Salvation) and vice versa. But those who worship Sri Anjaneya are blessed with Bhoga and MOKSHA”. Is there any thing more a human being can aspire for?

Sage Parasara asserted that the worship of Lord Anjaneya ensures happiness and prosperity.
In an ancient age named Radhantara Kalpa, there lived a Brahmin named Kasyapa. He was a Vedic scholar and a pious person. His wife Sadhya was a pious woman. Kasyapa and his wife went to Kailasa, the abode of Lord Siva, where Kasyapa performed a penance, bearing heat and cold. Kasyapa’s penance attracted the fire God “Agni” and the wind God “Vayu”, and they began providing him with food and material for worship. Lord Siva was pleased with the penance of Kasyapa. He appeared before Kasyapa in his fire faced form, along with his concert Parvathi. Lord Siva sought Kasyapa to seek any boom of the latter’s choice. Kasyapa who was overwhelmed with joy, said with folded hands: “Lord!, I want you to be born as my son”. The benevolent Siva said: “Yes. I shall be born to you as your son with the name of Anjaneya”. Agni and Vayu who were present their sought Lord Siva to bless them with a similar boon. Lord Siva promised that he would become their son as well. Kasyapa reincarnated as Kesari, a vanara (monkey). His wife Sadhya took birth as Anjana, the daughter of sage Goutama and his wife Ahalya.
There was a demon by the name “ Gardhaba Nisvana”. He performed a great penance and Lord Siva was pleased with it. The demon sought a boon that no God or demon or yaksha should kill him. Siva granted the boon. Siva’s boon emboldened the demon Gardhaba Nisvana (the one who brays like a donkey). The demon used to bray very loudly killing the listeners. He tormented sages and disturbed their holy activities

Unable to bear the deeds of Gardhaba Nisvana, many sages and Indra (the Lord of heaven) went to complain Brahma, the creator of the universe. Brahma said that since the demon was a devotee of Lord Siva, it is better to seek Lord Siva’s advice. Lord Siva said that he couldn’t kill the demon devoted to him. The sages Indra, Brahma and Siva than went to Lord Maha Vishnu. Lord Vishnu assured them that he would kill the demon. Lord Siva interrupted: “It would be difficult to kill the demon Gardhaba Nisvana as he is protected by my grace”. Lord Vishnu replies: “The demon’s strength is diminishing, due to his misdeeds and I shall surely kill him”.

Lord Siva said emphatically: “It would be impossible to kill Gardhaba Nisvana. If you do kill him, I shall serve you”. Lord Vishnu replies: “If I don’t kill the demon, I shall become the servant of the Siva and stay at Kailasa it self”.

After these proclamations, Lord Vishnu once again took the form of Mohini, the celestial beauty. Lord Vishnu in his female form, entered the garden where Gardhaba Nisvana was resting, carrying a vessel filled with an intoxicating drink. The demon was attracted by Mohini and sought her to be with him. She sought him to drink the wine she was carrying as a prelude to their enjoyment. The demon started drinking and soon fell down, unconscious. Lord Vishnu left his form as Mohini and took the form of a Wolf and tore the abdomen of the Gardhaba Nisvana, killing him instantaneously.

Having lost his wager, Lord Siva got ready to serve Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu dissuaded Lord Siva, saying that their wagers were intended for the welfare of the universe. “You will serve me incarnated as a Kapi Veera (Monkey Hero) when I incarnate as Sri Rama in Treta Yuga”, asserted Lord Vishnu.
Thus Lord Siva incarnated as Sri Anjaneya to serve Sri Rama, to fulfill his word to serve Lord Vishnu.

In Treta Yuga, there lived a Vanara Veera (Monkey Warrior) by name Kunjara. He was married to Vindhyavali. The couple was unhappy, as they had no children. With a view to get progeny, Kunjara set to perform a penance, worshipping Lord Siva. Lord Siva was pleased with the penance of Kunjara. When Kunjara sought progeny, Lord Siva said: “you are not destined to have children. But due to your good luck, you would get a foster daughter and your clan will be blessed through her progeny”. Having thus blessed Kunjara, Lord Siva disappeared. Kunjara told Vindhyavali of Lord Siva’s blessing and was eagerly waiting for his foster daughter.

Sage Gowtama and his wife Ahalya had two children – a son named Satananda and a daughter named Anjana. Gowtama cursed Ahalya, as she was duped by Indra and Surya (The sun God). Gowtama was worried about the upbringing of his young children.

Sage Narada visited Gowtama and told him: “O! sage no one can change destiny. You may not in position to bring your children up. You send your son to the philosopher king Janaka, so that your son can become Janaka’s state priest. There is a monkey warrior by name Kunjara. He is child less. Let your daughter Anjana become Kunjara’s foster daughter.” Sage Gowtama acted as advised by Sage Narada. Anjana became the foster daughter of Kunjara and was brought up fondly. As days went by she became a beautiful maiden.

There was a Kapi Veera of eminence in those days named Kesari, the monkey warrior helped the gods by slaying the demon known as “Samba Sadana”. He also helped the sages by killing two rogue elephants, Sankha and Sabala. The gods and sages wanted to suitably help Kesari, who was leading a life of celibacy. It was felt by them that Anjana would be the ideal wife of Kesari. They made Kesari to agree to get married. Then, they went to Kunjara and told him of Kesari. Thus, Kesari wed Anjana. They were a very happy couple.

As years passed by lack of progeny was bothering Kesari and Anjana. Anjana wanted to perform a penance, seeking children. She sought Kesari’s permission for her endeavor. He agreed. She took his leave as she was proceeding to perform penance, Sage Matanga appeared before her. Knowing of her resolve, he advised her to go to Vrishabhadri (the present Tirumala Hills) to perform penance. She used to take bath in Akasa Teertha and was worshipping the Almighty. The Wind God Vayu, used to give her a fruit every day. One day he dropped a special fruit in the hands of Anjana. It was no ordinary fruit for it contained the essence of the aspects of all Gods, passed on by Lord Siva to his consort Parvathi, who in turn gave it to the fire god Agni, from whom Vayu took it.

Anjana was not aware of the specialty of the particular fruit. As was her practice, she ate the fruit provided by Vayu. As a result she became pregnant. She was greatly worried as she was the devoted wife f her husband. She was ashamed as well. A terrible fear engulfed her.

A divine voice (Aakasa Vani) told Anjana: “ O! Anjana, your sanctity is intact. You have nothing to feel sad. By the Almighty’s grace, you are going to deliver a great person”.Anjana narrated her experience to Kesari. The couple was very happy...

Lord Anjaneya is also known by other popular names like Anjaneya, Bajrang Bali, Pavan Suta, Sanjeevi, Chiranjeevi, Mahavir, Sankat Mochan, Hanumat, Anjaneyat, etc. He is worshipped in all parts of India. The popular days for his worship are Tuesday and Saturday. On these days devotees recite Anjaneya Chalisa and Sankat Mochan Anjaneya Ashtak with great fervor. In South India, Anjaneya is visualized as a five headed and multiple armed God.

The character of Anjaneya Ji is very important in Ramayana. He is portrayed as a perfect devotee of Lord Rama. On one hand he represents the ideal of service and on the other he represents endless strength and courage, striking the whole world with awe. He has no hesitation in sacrificing his life for the good of Rama. Service to Rama was his supreme motto. His dedication and devotion to Lord Rama is remarkable in the history of mankind. He was born in the monkey race as the son of Anjana and Kesari. Anjana had the blessings of Pavan Dev (the Wind God) and for that reason he is known as Pavan Sut or Pavan Putra (son of Wind God). The word 'Hanu' means 'jaw'. Thus the word 'Anjaneya' means one with a thick jaw. According to the scriptures Anjaneya was short, stocky, and golden brown in color. As a child he leapt for the Sun. The King of Gods 'Indra' used his 'Vajra' to stop little Anjaneya. He fell down on a hill and broke his jaw. Thence forth he was known as 'Anjaneya' the 'one with a thick jaw'.

Anjaneya Temples in various places Tamil Nadu
Sri Veera Anjaneya Temple of Mylapore, Chennai,
Sri Mukhya Praana (Anjaneya) Temple of Triplicane, Chennai
Sri Veera Mangala Anjaneya temple, Nallatore village, Tiruttani taluk, TN
Sri Yoga Anjaneya temple, Solingar, Tamil Nadu
Sri Jaya Veera Anjaneya Swamy at Tanjavur, Tamil Nadu
Sri Sitarama Dasa Anjaneya Temple of Dharmapuri, Tamil Nadu
Sri Veera Anjaneya Temple of Chengalput, Tamil Nadu
Sri Sanjeevirayan Temple of Iyenkulam, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu
Sri Veera Anjaneya Temple of Ananthamangalam, Tamil Nadu
Sri Anjaneya of Namakkal Digambara Temple, Tamil Nadu
Sri Jaya Anjaneya of Lalapet, Karur, Tamil Nadu
Sri Kallukuzi Anjaneya Temple of Trichy, Tamil Nadu
Sri Veera Anjaneya Temple of Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu
Sri Anuvavi Anjaneya Temple, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.
Sri Anjaneya Swamy temple near nalu kal mandap in Tanjavur,
Sri Anjaneya temple [Bunk] of Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu
Sri Dasa Anjaneya of Sri Pattabirama Temple, Pudhu Agraharam, Thiruviyaru, T Nadu.
Sri Pratapah Veera Hanumar or Moolai Anjaneyar Temple, T Nadu.
Sri Rama Baktha Anjaneya Temple, Saidapet, Chennai.
Sri Veera Anjaneya Temple, Bawa Swami Agraharam, Thiruviyaru,
Sri Anjaneya temple, North Bank, Potramarai tank, Kumbakonam,
Sri Anjaneya Swami temple, Bazzar Street, Kumbakonam,
Sri Twin Anjaneya, Pattiswaram, Kumbakonam, T Nadu
Anjaneya Temple, Nagari, near Tirutani

Andhra Pradesh
Sri Dasanjaneya of Machavaram, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh
Sri Nettikanti Anjaneya Temple, Kasapuram, Andhra Pradesh.
Gandi Veera Anjaneya of Gandi, Cuddapah, Andhra Pradesh.

Kerala
Sri Anjaneya of Haumarambalam, Payyanur, Kerala.
Sri Kote Anjaneya Temple, Palaghat, Kerala.
Sri Hanuman Ambalam of Alathoor, Malappuram, Kerala

Karnataka
Sri Karanji Anjaneya Temple of Basavangudi, Bangalore, Karnataka
Sri Gali Anjaneya Temple of Mysore road, Bangalore, Karnataka
Sri Kere Anjaneya Temple of Sringeri, Karnataka

New Delhi
Sri Pracheen Hanuman Mandir of New Delhi

Himachal Pradesh
Sri Digambara temple of Hanuman at Sidhabari, Himachal Pradesh
Sri Hanuman Mandir,Jakhoo hill. Simla, Himachal Pradesh
Sri Hanumana Mandir of Mankey point at Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh

Maharashtra
Sri Viswaroopa Anjaneya Swamy at Nerul, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra
Sri Hanuman Mandir,Jakhoo hill. Simla, Himachal Pradesh
Sri Hanumana Mandir of Mankey point at Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh

Orissa
Sri Mahavir Temple, Sirulee, Puri Dist, Orissa

Uttara Pradesh
Sri Panki Hanuman Temple of Panki, Kanpur, Uttara Pradesh
Sri Hanuman badi temple (Old) of aliganj of Lucknow,Uttara Pradesh
Sri Hanuman badi temple (New) of aliganj of Lucknow, Uttara Pradesh
Sri Sankata Mochana Hanuman of Varanasi, Uttara Pradesh

M Pradesh
Sant Kamali ka Sri Hanuman Temple of Bhopal, M Pradesh
Sri Chola Hanuman Temple of Bhopal, M Pradesh
Sri Sankata Mochan Hanuman Mandir of Jaivilas Palace, Gwalior, M Pradesh

Shree Anjaneya Ashtothram
Anjaneya Dhyanam
Ullangya sindho: salilam saleelam
Yeh: Sohkalahnm janakathmajaayaa
Aadaaya dheniva dadaaha langaam
Namaami dham pranjalira anjaneyam
Shree Anjaneya Ashtothram

O m Angenayaya namah
Om Mahaveeraya namah
Om Hanumate namah
Om Marutatmajaya namah

Om Tatva-gnyana-pradaya namah
Om Sita-devi-mudhra-padraya kaya namah
Om Ashokavani-kaachetre namah
Om Sarva-maya-vibham-janaya namah

Om Sarva-banda-vimokthre namah
Om Raksho-vidhvamsa-karakaya namah
Om Para-vidhya-pariharaya namah
Om Para-shourya-vinashanaya namah

Om Paramamtra-niraakarte namah
Om Parayantra-pradbedakaaya namah
Om Sarwagraha-vinaashine namah
Om Bhimasena-sahayakrute namah

Om Sarwa-dukhaharaaya namah
Om Sarwa-lokachaarinye namah
Om Manojavaaya namah
Om Paarijaata drumulasdhaya namah

Om Sarwa-mantra-swarupine namah
Om Sarwa-tantra-swarupine namah
Om Sarwa-yantratmakaaya namah
Om Kapeeshwaraaya namah

Om Mahakaayaaya namah
Om Sarwa-rogaharaaya namah
Om Prabhave namah
Om Balasiddhikaraaya namah

Om Sarwa-vidya-sampatpradaa-yakaaya namah
Om Kapisenaa-naayakaaya namah
Om Bhavishya-chatu-rananaaya namah
Om Kumaara-bramhachaarine namah

Om Ratna-kundala-deeptamate namah
Om Sanchala-dwala-sannaddha-lambamaana shikhojwalaaya namah
Om Gandharwa-vidya-tatwagnyaya namah
Om Mahabala-paraakramaaya namah

Om Kaaraa-gruha-vimoktre namah
Om Shrumkhalaa-bandhamochakaaya namah
Om Saagarottarakaaya namah
Om Pragnyaya namah

Om Raama-dhutaaya namah
Om Prataapavate namah
Om Vaanaraaya namah
Om Kesaree-sutaaya namah

Om Seetaa-shoka-nivaaranaaya namah
Om Amjanaa-garbha-sambhutaaya namah
Om Baalaarka-sadrushaananaaya namah
Om Vibhishana-priyakaraaya namah

Om Dhashagreva-kulaamtakaaya namah
Om Lakshana-pranadaataaya namah
Om Vajra-kaayaaya namah
Om Mahadyutaye namah

Om Chinrajeevine namah
Om Raamabhaktaya namah
Om Daitya-kaarya-vighatakaaya namah
Om Akshahamtre namah

Om Kaancha-naabhaya namah
Om Pancha-vaktraya namah
Om Maha-tapaaya namah
Om Lamkhinee-bhamjanaaya namah

Om Srimate namah
Om Simhaka-pranabhamjanaaya namah
Om Gandha-maadana-sailasdhaya namah
Om Lankaa-puravidaahakaaya namah

Om Sugriva-sachi-vaaya namah
Om Ddhiraaya namah
Om Shuraya namah
Om Daityakulamtakaaya namah

Om Suraarchitaaya namah
Om Mahatejaaya namah
Om Raama-chudaa-manipradaaya namah
Om Kaama-rupaaya namah

Om Pingalakshaya namah
Om Vaardhi-mainaaka-pujitaaya namah
Om Kabali-kruta-martamda-mamdalaaya namah
Om Vijitem-driyaaya namah

Om Raama-sugriva-samdhaatre namah
Om Maha-raavana-mardhanaaya namah
Om Spatikaabhaya namah
Om Vaagadhishaya namah

Om Navavya-kruti-panditaaya namah
Om Chatur-bahave namah
Om Deena-bandhave namah
Om Mahatmaya namah

Om Bhaktha-vastalaaya namah
Om Sanjeeva-vanaanna-graaharthe namah
Om Shuchaye namah
Om Vaagmine namah

Om Drudavrataaya namah
Om Kaalaneme-pramadha-naaya namah
Om Hari-markata-markataaya namah
Om Damtaaya namah

Om Shantaaya namah
Om Prasanaatmane namah
Om Shatakanta-madaapahrute namah
Om Yogine namah

Om Raamakadhalolaaya namah
Om Seetaanveshana-panditaaya namah
Om Vajra-damstraya namah
Om Vajranakhaya namah

Om Rudhra-veerya-samudbavaaya namah
Om Indhra-jitpra-hitaa-mogha bramhastra nivaarakaaya namah
Om Paardha-dhwajaagra-samvaasine namah
Om Shara-panjara-bhedhakaaya namah

Om Dashabaahave namah
Om Lokapujyayaa namah
Om Jaamba-vatpri-tiva-rdhanaaya namah
Om Seetaa-sameta sreeraamapaada sevaa Duramdharaaya namah

Om Naanavidha parimal pathra pushpaani samaypyaami!!