Hanuman is unmistakable: the face and the tail of a monkey fused with the humanoid body of a man. Also known as Bajrangabali, Maruti, and Ajaney, Hanuman is more than just a god of the monkeys, also holding the domains of courage, strength and devotion. Due to his involvement in various stories, he has been gifted various gifts by the Hindu pantheon, including his own name, immortality, immunity to fire, water, disease, and celestial weaponry, and his weapon of choice, the mace (gada).
The newly released Lord Hanuman Sculpture Limited Edition is a rendition that is full of intricate details, from the flower garland made of 112 white flowers, 166 leaves, and 5 roses, all handcrafted petal-by-petal, to the accessories, crown and mace finished in 24k gold lustre. This new masterpiece is only available in 499 numbered units.
Here are five important facts about Lord Hanuman:
1. Origin of a Name
Believed to be a spiritual offspring of the wind god Vayu, Hanuman found himself hungry one day. Thinking the sun to be fruit, he soared through the air, seeking to grab it. Feeling threatened by that feat of strength, Indra, the king of heaven, struck him down back to the ground with a thunderbolt. Upon seeing the seemingly lifeless body of his son, he withdrew the movement of air necessary for the sustenance of life. To prevent cosmic disaster, Brahma eventually revived Hanuman. Hanuman's name is derived from hanu (jaw) and man (prominent), referencing the broken jaw incurred from the fall, and is a reminder that unguided power can often result in dangerous consequences.
2. Strength and Devotion
When asked about Hanuman's primary attributes, scholars and devotees point to Hanuman's unparalleled strength (shakti/bal) and his undying spiritual devotion (bhakti). He once lifted the entire Mount Dronagiri back to the bed-stricken Lahskhmana because he wasn't sure which was the correct herb for the cure. Every akhara (training ground) has at least one shrine devoted to Hanuman due to his limitless strength, and his worship is an integral part of every wrestler's daily regiment.
Hanuman is always depicted as kneeling when in the presence of Lord Rama, Sita and Lakshman as a sign of his eternal devotion. This can be seen in Lladró's Rama and Sita, and Lakshman and Hanuman sculptures.
Compared to major deities like Rama and Krishna, who embody metaphysical absolutes as transcendental beings, Hanuman uniquely represents a method by which spirituality is attained rather than a spiritual goal. He provides a practical model for living a virtuous and devoted life. This is why Hanuman is often depicted tearing open his own chest, revealing Rama and Sita dwelling where his heart should be, and often seen kneeling with reverence before Rama, Sita and Lakshman.
3. Celestial Protection
In the Mahabharata, Hanuman appears before Arjuna to teach him a lesson about pride and humility as orchestrated by Lord Krishna. Lord Krishna then requested Hanuman to protect Arjuna's chariot, and he did so by installing himself as a flag on top of his chariot. At the end of the 18-day war, Lord Krishna thanked Hanuman for his service. Hanuman bowed and came down from the roof of the chariot as it burst into flames, surprising Arjuna. Lord Krishna explained that without Hanuman's protection from celestial weapons, the chariot would have been destroyed long before the war ended.
Hanuman's flag and guard post on the top of Arjuna's chariot is faithfully represented in Lladró's Gita Saar Sculpture Limited Edition, a masterpiece creation that also features Lord Krishna and his legendary horses.
4. Covered in Vermillion
Lladró's Hanuman - Orange Figurine is a recreation of the traditional Hanuman imagery covered with sindoor.
One day, Hanuman asks Sita about the red mark on her forehead. She explains that she applies sindoor (a traditional vermillion reddish-orange powder) on her forehead to ensure the long life of her husband, Lord Rama. Inspired by this new knowledge, Hanuman immediately covered his entire body with sindoor, making him appear bright reddish-orange. When asked about his action, Hanuman explained that because Sita is a goddess, a small amount of sindoor would work for her, but because he is a mere monkey, he needs more of it to make his Lord immortal. This is why traditional idols of Hanuman are covered in sindoor, and men offer sindoor to Hanuman statues as a devotion. Females worship him but do not touch Hanuman because he is a celibate.
5. Jasmines and Roses
The flower wreath on Lord Hanuman Sculpture Limited Edition celebrates the favourite flowers of the monkey god.
Despite Hanuman's martial prowess and feats of strength, he loves the jasmine and rose flower. It is believed that Hanuman loves roses because it reminds him of the colour of sindoor, which he applied on himself to extend Lord Rama's life. However, the flower most associated with Hanuman is the jasmine flower, which symbolises purity, humility and devotion. Devotees offer five jasmine flowers (known as chameli) during prayer rituals or during larger celebrations like Hanuman Jayanti (Hanuman's birthday) to gain blessings of strength, courage and protection against evil.
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