Table of Contents
Highlights of Lord Hanuman’s Sankatmochan Ashtakam
In this video post, we shall discuss the following aspects of Sankatmochan Hanuman Ashtakam.
1. Symbolic Explanation of each Stanza and their hidden benefits
2. How should we pray to Lord Hanuman as we chant the Sankatmochan Ashtakam
3. A detailed process of chanting the Hanuman Sankatmochan Ashtakam
The Hanuman Ashtakam, known as Sankatmochan Hanuman Ashatakam, describes the pastimes of Lord Hanuman. Every stanza has a symbolic interpretation. Within every stanza, there is a hidden benefit.
The All roundednes of Hanumanji’s Power
Sankatmochan literally means the one who ends all trouble. This form of Lord Hanuman is exceptionally merciful to those troubled by Maya. Now let us see who composed the Hanuman Ashtakam. The Sankatmochan Hanuman Ashtakam was composed by Goswami Tulasidas, the author of Ramcharitmanas. So, the Ashtakam is very potent and is imbued with devotion.
Reciting the Hanuman Ashtakam on Hanuman Jayanti is most beneficial. Lord Hanuman is the eleventh Rudra avatar of Lord Shiva. He is a reservoir of energy. He is both powerful and compassionate. It is hard to find such qualities simultaneously. He excels in all three spheres- physical, mental, and emotional.
Why Hanumanji is easily Approachable?
Bajrang Bali is physically strong, intelligent, and as innocent as a child. He is physically present on the material plane, so it is easy to please him. Thus, He is very much accessible to us. So He responds to the devotee quickly. However, other devatas take time to respond.
Other Devatas are at a greater distance from the material plane. This distance is not physical but dimensional, an aspect of subtlety. Hanumanji is physically present on the earthly plane. He has a direct presence on this plane, only that he is not visible to the naked eye.
Hence, for those who are in deep trouble, Lord Hanuman is the only refuge. The Sankatmochan Hanuman Ashtakam starts with the fire element, the sun god. According to the first stanza Lord Hanuman swallowed the sun in his childhood. Later, he set the sun free, blessing the people of the earth.
Here, the Sun god symbolizes knowledge and perfect character. Chanting the first stanza is ideal for students who want to secure good marks and garner a powerful personality. The stanza improves cognitive abilities and spreads the brilliance of knowledge like the sun. It is interesting to note that In his later life, Lord Hanuman accepted the Sun god as his teacher.
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A Detailed Understanding of the Sankatmochan Hanuman Ashtakam
For renunciants, the first stanza helps develop jnana or discrimination in life. The second stanza is ideal for those who are perturbed by materialism. It describes the episode of Hanumanji Maharaj meeting Lord Rama.
It shows the compassion of Hanumanji for the Vanara king Sugreeva. Sugreeva represents the individual soul or Jeeva, the one fearful of material energy in the form of Vali. Just as Hanumanji united Sugreeva and Lord Rama, He brings about a meeting of the individual soul and Paramatma. Thus through the lord, Hanumanji helps souls tormented by external conditions.
For such people, Lord Hanuman is the only savior. It is best to chant the Ashtakam on a Saturday. This is a remedy to all material troubles.
Hanumanji’s Mission in Lanka
The third stanza talks about Hanumanji going to Lanka for a dangerous mission. Lord Hanuman made the impossible possible. Nobody knew the location of Lanka. Yet, He found out the whereabouts of mother Sita and brought joy to Lord Rama.
Chanting this stanza improves willpower and confidence. By repeatedly chanting the Ashtakam, one gains the grace of Lord Hanuman with ease. Lord Hanuman helps such a devotee during trying times. To know the symbolism of Lord Hanuman’s visit to Lanka you can watch our video Significance of Hanuman meeting Mother Sita in Lanka | Bhakti, Jnana, Karma in a Householder’s Life
The Importance of Hanumanji Maharaj
Why should we worship Hanumanji?
Hanumani is perhaps the only form of Bhagawan who is a Devata, a perfect devotee and the Lord Himself. Still Hanumanji never takes the position of the Supreme Being, because He reserves that place for His Ishta Sri Rama. When we pray to Hanumanji and worship him, we shall be ensured of all round growth, in all spheres of life, without fail. Lord Shiva’s Amsha-Avatara, Sri Hanuman is Bhata Shiromani who is the epitome of humility and Veerta (Bravery and Courage). Moreover he is easily accessible to the sincere sadhaka and makes Himself available at all times, even if the sadhaka thinks of the great form of Rudra with devotion and surrender.
What are the two broad forms of Lord Hanuman?
Hanumanji has two fundamental forms, although at a subtler level he is available to us in many diverse forms. His two broad forms are Tantrika and Bhakta. The Tantrika Form is fierce and used by people with material desires, to manifest their Rajasika intentions. But Hanumanji himself does not like it when this form is summoned. He tests the sadhaka to such an extent that if the processes are not done to perfection, under a bona fide guru, the sadhaka can either become insane or lose his life. This is because Hanumanji here, is a representative of Devi, as described in the Devi Mahatmyam. The other form is the Bhakta form of Hanumanji which is desirable to attain through Bhakti and Sharanagati. In this forms Lord Hanuman is like a brother, father, even a mother and stands by the devotee, because the devotee expects nothing from Bhagawan, except His infinite love and exchanges the mood of divine love. This is the most benevolent form of Hanumanji Maharaj.
What is the most important aspect in Hanuman Sadhana and who can perform it?
Hanuman Sadhana can be performed by both men and wome, married or unmarried. However, there are some fundamental considerations. Celibacy and food control is the most important aspect in Hanuman Sadhana. No non-veg/meat/eggs/smoking/intoxicants/onion/garlic. An unmarried person has to be a perfect celibate. The married person has to practice celibacy during the period of sadhana, maybe 7 days, 21 days, 41 days or 90 days. The goal in Hanuman Sadhana is to come to the stage of perfect continence. Having interaction with one’s spouse should only be for producing devotee children and for no other purpose. Guru has a pivotal role to play in Hanuman Sadhana. No one should take up Hanuman sadhana without the guidance of an expert Guru.
Hanumanji Delivers Sri Rama’s Ring to Devi Sita
The fourth stanza reveals how Hanumanji delivers the ring of Lord Sri Rama to Sita Devi, the universal mother. Ravana had terrorized Mother Sita. However, Hanuman ji arrived in the middle of the night.
Thus Mother Sita came alive with hope. He thus united Prakriti and Purusha. Seekers eager to know the secret of the universe derive immense benefits from this doha. The feminine energy, the personification of material energy Seeta Devi blessed Lord Hanuman.
Thus, Lord Hanuman can grant the eight siddhis and nine nidhis. To know more do watch our video Fraum Beej Mantra Benefits | How to Chant Hanuman Mantra.
Hanumanji Saves Sri Laxmana
The fifth stanza describes the pastime of Lord Hanuman lifting the Sanjeevani mountain. He revived Lord Lakshmana by bringing Vaidya Sushen and the Sanjeevani mountain. Hanumanji crossed all hurdles to rescue Lord Lakshmana.
Similarly, He shall personally attend to a sincere devotee and cure his ailments, however, grave the disease would be. He shall thus relieve one from all physical, mental, and emotional pain. Those who are afflicted by ailments should chant the Hanuman Ashtakam on Tuesdays.
The Devotee Saves The Lord
According to the sixth stanza, Hanumanji Maharaj saved lord Rama and Lakshman from the serpent attack by bringing Garuda, the divine vehicle of Lord Vishnu. Those suffering from Sarp Dosha can immensely benefit from this stanza. The seventh stanza glorifies Lord Hanuman, who rescued Rama and Lakshmana from the clutches of Ahiravan and Mahiravan in Pataal Lok.
It indicates that Lord Hanuman shall never let his dear ones suffer in hell or lower domains. By offering Nishkaam Seva to Lord Hanuman, one certainly secures an eternal place in Saket Dham, the spiritual abode of Lord Rama.
A Sincere Prayer to Lord Hanuman
In the eighth stanza, the devotee pleads thus. You have fulfilled the mission of Lord Rama. Similarly, kindly end all my troubles. You know everything. You are the only one who can end my misery. Kindly free me of all misery. Lord Hanuman is brave and courageous. He gives you the qualities of confidence and boldness as a blessing.
Who forgets the greatness of the lord named Sanaktmochan or the destroyer of trouble? The refrain of the Hanuman Ashtakam brings goosebumps. One should pray to him sincerely without worrying about the result. This mood shall please Lord Hanuman and invite him into our life.
Process of Chanting Hanuman SankatmochanAshtakam
Now let us see the process of chanting the Hanuman Ashtakam. Sit on a red woolen asana, keeping a kamandalu by your side for achaman. Jasmine flower is very dear to Lord Hanuman. One should try and arrange Jasmine flowers, a garland of Tulsi leaves for Lord Hanuman. Place a photo of Lord Hanuman and Lord Rama in front of you. Using Hanuman sindur, apply tilak on the photo of the lord.
Take a Sankalpa to chant the Hanuman Ashtakam daily. If there are time constraints, fix 21 days for the sadhana. However, one should not take a break in the middle of the 21 days. Light three incense sticks and chant the Hanuman Ashtakam with love for Lord Hanuman. Pray to him for overall well-being and freedom from misery. After this, chant the Hanuman Chalisa once.
To learn more about Hanuman Chalisa, you can watch our video Benefits of Chanting Hanuman Chalisa | Why Read Hanuman Chalisa? You can then offer the jasmine flowers and tulsi garland. Thus the Sankatmochan Hanuman Ashtakam is a hymn to unburden the living entity from all his problems and surrender to Hanumanji Maharaj.
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