Anjaneya is known by so many names, a few of them being Maruti, Vayu Putra, Kesari Nandan, and the most popular name being Hanuman. Do you know how he got this name? The answer traces back to the wonderful story of Hanuman and the Sun.
Hanuman and the Sun – The temptation
Hanuman was a playful and strong vaanar since birth. One morning, he woke up feeling famished. He rubbed his eyes and chubby cheeks, and looked around, but could not spot his mother, Anjani. Suddenly he noticed something high above the trees, shining in a golden-orange colour. Believing it was a delicious ripe mango, Hanuman’s mouth began to water. He decided to fetch it himself and relish the king of fruits. He jumped from tree to tree, to reach the mango. Each time he looked at the mango, it seemed larger and brighter.
He did not realize, it was not a mango, but Lord Surya, the Sun God! Hanuman decided that even if the ‘mango’ was sky-high, he must try his best to pluck it. As he was the Vayu Putra, blessed with the speed of the wind, he took a giant leap and flew into the sky, on a sunny expedition to gobble the sun. However, his temptation and the misunderstanding, had a different experience in store for him!
The sunny expedition’s unseen danger!
Lord Indra watched from heaven and noticed someone flying, and feared that a stranger was moving towards Lord Surya to attack him.
Lord Indra, the God of rain and storm, hurled his powerful weapon – the Vajra, the ‘thunderbolt’ – towards Hanuman. As the Vajra hit the vaanar child, disfiguring his jaw, he screamed in pain and fell from the sky. Lord Vayu, the God of Winds, rushed and seized his beloved Vayu Putra in his arms, and went into a cave. Lord Vayu had blessed Anjani with this adorable baby, and now the innocent child lay still on Lord Vayu’s lap. Enraged, Lord Vayu withdrew all the air from Earth, and all living beings started feeling breathless.
‘Hanuman and the Sun’ – The story of a new name for the Vayuputra
All the Gods gathered around Lord Vayu. Lord Indra said, “Please forgive me, I did not realize I was harming the Vayu Putra.”
Lord Vayu released the air back into Earth. As the Gods showered their blessings, Hanuman slowly opened his eyes. He smiled lovingly at Lord Vayu, and humbly joined his hands in prayer. Lord Indra blessed him and said, ” My blessings, you will be the strongest, and no weapon shall harm you.”
This is how the Vayu Putra was revived and given a new name – ‘Hanuman’ (meaning the one with a disfigured jaw).
Hanuman returns home
Lord Vayu lifted Hanuman into his arms and said, “Now let me take you home.” Back home, Anjani was worried that her mischievous child was nowhere to be seen. When she noticed Lord Vayu carrying her child, she was grateful! She kissed her baby and lovingly asked, “Where were you, my son?”
Lord Vayu said, “Your boy has returned after a sunny expedition. He is hungry after the long-distance travel. Ask him what he would like to eat. ”
Hanuman looked at Anjani and mischievously giggled – “Maa… Mango!”
To read more such excerpts of Hanuman ji, kindly click on Hanuman short stories
