From a satsang with Paramacharya of SWAHA, H.H. Pt. Hardeo Persad
In Shree Raamcharitramaanas, we read of the invaluable role that Hanumanji played in Shree Raam’s katha. The purpose of His manifestation was to serve the Lord by carrying out his works. Hanumanji did not fail in his missions because he was focused on Shree Raam who symbolizes spirituality. No matter the challenge, Hanumanji taught us to put the Lord in front of us, with His name on our tongues and His image in our hearts as we go forward positively. This attitude of devotion that characterized Hanumanji always brought success to Him at all times.
Everywhere in the world, there exists some form of distress. Often, humans are their own worst enemies, committing atrocities against each other. There are three types of pain that burden all of us: daihik (associated with the physical body), daivik (caused by disease or the environment) and bhautik (caused by other living beings). What is the solution? To whom can we turn? We must first recognize that all types of pain occur because of our own karmas, our past actions and deficiencies. In times of adversity, we turn to Shree Hanumanji, the remover of pain, seeking His shelter and grace to remove the discomfort of all humans.
Shree Hanuman symbolizes the mind principle. If the mind is developed to its highest state, then we rise beyond all negativities. As Panch Mukhi Hanuman, Hanuman depicted with five faces, He represents kshiptam, mudham, vikshiptam, ekaagram and niruddham: the raving mind, forgetful mind, oscillating mind, one-pointed mind and the mastered or restrained mind. Hanuman depicted with one face (Ek Mukhi Hanuman) symbolizes the highest state of the mind. In that state, the mind is withdrawn from all negativities and the senses are pulled into the sushumna naadi, into the spiritual channel. At that point in time, we rise beyond all pain and duality.
Most humans are stuck in the lower states of mind. What state of mind are we in right now? Worship of Hanumanji can take us to the highest levels of the mind. He is the Indweller within us in the form of the mind principle. We perceive the world through the mind and if it is disciplined and controlled, we can rise beyond all negativities. The mind should be coloured with the wonderful qualities of bravery, courage, dutifulness and discerning power that Hanumanji represents. We need to imbue the mind with these qualities so that we can rise beyond negativity and win the battle of life. That battle is with the limited human personality that is within us, symbolized by Rawan. If we can gain victory in that battle against our limited human qualities and perceptions, by tapping into the powers that already exist inside us, then we will have no problems in the external world. We will then perceive the world from a point of strength and spirituality. When we meditate and reflect on the Lord, we often concentrate on a depiction of Shree Hanuman. Let us also steady the mind by depicting it as a pure mind without impurities (sattva) with no other focus than Shree Raam.
Thus, as we celebrate Hanuman Jayanti, let those divine qualities of Hanumanji advance us further on the spiritual path, as we manifest the higher states of mind to take us safely and successfully along this journey of life.
