Shri Hanuman Chalisa - an attempt to explanation - 2

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 Shri Hanuman Chalisa
By RahulKSaini - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=113402769

In the previous article, I started providing an introduction to Shri Hanuman Chalisa as written by Goswami Tulsidas. 

As We understand that Shri Hanuman Chalisa is actually not 40 chaupai verses but 43 - 2 Dohas at the beginning and 1 doha at the end of the 40 verses. 

A Doha is a couplet with 2 lines, often conveying moral lessons, spiritual insights, or reflections on life. They are characterized by their simplicity and depth. Each line usually consists of 24 syllables, split between 13 in the first half followed by 11 in the next. 

A Chaupai is a quatrain (four-line verse) that can vary in syllable count but typically has a rhythmic and lyrical quality. Chaupai are often devotional reflecting themes of reverence and love.

In our daily matters, we often try find ways to start a small talk before getting into the think of the things. And then after the business is done, we depart with another small talk with a promise for followup. 

The Hanuman Chalisa starts with the 2 Dohas, before the poet proceeds to worship Lord Hanuman. The 2 Dohas are like invocation of Lord Hanuman. Until the Bhakti movement gained momentum, the invocations and all rituals related to worship were in the hands of the Brahmins who understood Sanskrit and could recite the mantras. Goswami Tulsidas created Shri Hanuman Chalisa in the colloquial dialect of Hindi so that it could reach masses and help all who can read it. 

श्रीगुरु चरन सरोज रज निज मनु मुकुरु सुधारि
बरनऊं रघुबर बिमल जसु जो दायकु फल चारि

In the opening Doha, the poet prepares the mind to be able to invoke Lord Hanuman. 

The poet says I would use the earth from the feet of the teacher that has the potency to bloom my mind into a flower. In the initial words the poet uses the word "श्री" before the teacher. According to some learned people, they refer to this being a depiction of the Lord Hanuman's devotion to Sita Ji or Shakti. 

The poet says that with the use of the blessings from my teacher, I would want to expand my mind and decorate it as a temple to invoke Lord Hanuman. I want to invoke Lord Hanuman by talking about the stories of Lord Ram who is utmost example of purity. With this invocation I request Lord Hanuman to give me the four most sought after fruits - Dhrama, Artha, Kama and Moksha. 

The four fruits sought from Lord Hanuman have a very special connotation - 
  • Dharma - Ability to follow a discipline to run your life using the rules that help you and others
  • Artha - Ability to work with economics to keep the life and family running
  • Kama - Ability to enjoy the gifts of life
  • Moksha - Ability to detach oneself from the circumstances and ability to handover the control to others
All of these traits are possible from no other than Lord Hanuman as he is an embodiment of knowledge, strength, devotion and practice. He is no doubtedly the greatest Servan to Lord Rama who is devoted to him and seeks nothing in return. 

This devotion and servitude is what we all need in life. The detachment from the rewards is what shall make us better every time. 


Comments

  1. AnonymousDecember 21, 2024 at 12:16 AM

    Jai Shree Ram! Totally agree with the sentiment and knowledge. :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousDecember 21, 2024 at 7:21 AM

    Nice explanation

    ReplyDelete

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