Hanuman is the great devotee — son of Vayu, the wind, and an emanation of Shiva himself. In him, every quality a seeker hopes to grow is already perfected: boundless strength laid humbly at the feet of God, and a love so single-pointed that it becomes its own kind of power.
In the Ramayana
When Sita was carried away to Lanka, it was Hanuman who leapt across the ocean to find her, who carried Ram’s ring as a token of hope, and who later bore the whole mountain of healing herbs when he could not tell which single plant was needed. Again and again he does the impossible — not for himself, but because his Lord has need of it. This is why devotees turn to him: “Grant me strength, intelligence and wisdom, and remove my sorrows and shortcomings.”
Why Maharaj-ji pointed to Hanuman
Neem Karoli Baba built Hanuman temples across India and would not allow devotees to touch his own feet — touch Hanuman’s feet instead, he would say. He did not want to be the destination; he wanted to be a finger pointing at the moon. Wherever his dhams stand, from Kainchi to Taos, a murti of Hanuman stands at their heart. To love Hanuman, Maharaj-ji taught, is to learn the only thing worth learning: how to love and serve completely.
Sankat Mochan — remover of troubles
Across India, Hanuman is beloved as Sankat Mochan — the one who lifts away difficulty and fear. Tuesday and Saturday are his days; on them, in homes and temples everywhere, devotees light a lamp and sing his praises, and feel their worries grow a little smaller. It is said that wherever his name is sung with love, Hanuman himself is quietly present, listening.
Why we sing the Chalisa
The forty verses of the Hanuman Chalisa, composed by the poet-saint Tulsidas, are the heartbeat of our Tuesday gathering. You need not follow every word — the names do their own work. To sing them together is to borrow a little of Hanuman's courage, and a little of his devotion. You can join us on a Tuesday, or take the Chalisa home from the card below.
