STORY BEFORE HANUMANJIS BIRTH

Hanuman was the son of Anjana, an apsara cursed to take the form of a monkey, who married Vanar (monkey) king Kesari. Birth story of Lord Hanuman is very fascinating, for that lets first read the story of Mother Anjana long before Lord Hanumans birth.

Brahmas courtLord Brahmajis palace was a heavenly abode and beautiful apsaras lived in that palace. Among them was a beautiful apsara named Anjana. Happy with her services Brahmaji decided to reward her. He asked Anjana her desire and she replied hesitatinglyLord please remove my curse which was placed on me by a Rishi Agnirasa(sage). Brahmaji asked her to tell him about her curse and assured her that he will try to help her. Anjana started narrating her story, When I was a child I used to get bored of my luxurious lifestyle and in search of amusement one day I came down to earth to play with earths strange creatures. As I was wandering around to look for some friends, I saw a monkey meditating in a forest.

Rishis curseLittle did I know about this monkey, I started laughing and making fun of that monkey because he was seated with folded legs just like a lotus. Seeing that monkey pose like a human sage, I threw some pebbles and fruits at him.

Since I was a small child the Sage tried to ignore my foolishness at first but eventually he lost his temper. Soon his eyes opened and I could see anger in his eyes. He was not an ordinary monkey. He was a powerful sage who had disguised himself as a monkey to do his tapasya. My mischief had disturbed his meditation and in his thundering voice he said, Young apsara, you have committed a sin and you should be punished for that. Since you mocked me of being a monkey, I curse you that whenever you fall in love with someone you will turn into a monkey.

ApsaraI begged and cried in front of him. But sage Agnirasa said that the curse could not be changed but said that besides my monkey face someone will fall in love with me. Anjana said to Lord Brahma, This is my curse story, O Lord! please save me from this curse.

After hearing her story Brahmaji felt sad for her and uttered, I think I can help you in removing this curse. As per the curse go and live your life on earth, get married and youll remain this way until you give birth to an incarnation of Lord Shiva.

Lion fightAnjana was happy to learn that and followed Brahmas advice. Soon she took birth on earth and lived in Kunjar family one who dwells in forest. One day while returning home from forest she saw a man fighting a mighty lion. She stood there and watched that brave man fought. She looked at that man with love and admiration and after killing the lion when that man turned he saw Anjana standing there. The moment he looked at her,because of the curse Anjana turned into a monkey as she was in love with that man!

On seeing this transformation, Anjana covered her face and started to cry. Seeing her crying the man rushed towards her and inquired what the matter was.

Talk to me, O beautiful lady, face me, said the man.

Oh brave man, how can I you. I am cursed and as per the curse if I fall in love I will change into a monkey and I have, so please leave me alone and go, said Anjana.

That man said smiling,Look at me lady, I am not human but as per a boon from Lord Shiva I can take any form I want. Peeking through her fingers Anjana saw a monkey faced man standing in front of her. She was surprised. The man said, I am Kapiraj Kesari of Mount Sumeru, the king of monkeys. On seeing you I fell in love with you, I ask your hand in marriage will you marry me?Anjana accepted his proposal and thought that the Sages words came true. This man is willing to marry me besides my appearance.Later both of them got married in the forest.

But Anjana still wanted to get out of monkey body, she was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva and she started performing intense meditation to please Lord Shiva.After seeing her devotion Lord Shiva appeared and asked what she desired. Anjana requested Lord Shiva to be born as her son and free her from Sages curse. So pleased with her bhakti; Lord Shiva granted her, her wish.

Dasrath doing havanAt that same time King Dasharath was also performing the ritual of Putra kamana yagna (spiritual ritual in order to have children) in Ayodhya. As a result of that yagna, he received a sacred pudding (Kheer) to be shared by his three wives, leading to the births of Lord Ram, Lakshman, Bharat, and Shatrughna. While Dasarath was giving that prasad to his wife,a kite snatched a fragment of that pudding, flew over the forest and dropped it where Anjana was engaged in meditation. This all happened because of Lord Shivas boon. Lord Shiva commanded Vayu to deliver that prasad to Anjana. Vayu, the Hindu deity of the wind, delivered the falling prasad to the outstretched hands of Maa Anjana. Thinking it to be prasad from Lord Shiva, Anjana consumed it with delight. As a result,Hanuman was born to her and she was free from the curse of Sage Agnirasa. Kesari and Anjana were was very happy to see their monkey faced baby boy. He was named as Anjaneya or the son of Anjana. Hanuman was very intelligent and proficient in grammar and music. He was a ardent worshiper and devotee of Ram and believed in devotion and sacrifice. Exciting events from Hanumans life are presented here in simple and lucid language for children. As Hanuman was a child of both Shiva and Vayu, he had immense power and was very strong from other monkey children. As compared to other monkey kids Hanuman was very curious and very mischievous. We would like to share some of his childhood stories.