Hanuman in Mahabharata

We are all familiar with Hanuman's extremely important role in Ramayana. But only a few of us know that Lord Hanuman also appears in the epic Mahabharata, twice.

It is a well-known fact that Lord Hanuman is one of the 'Chiranjeevis'. Chiranjeevis are the people who are supposed to be immortals. Hanuman, being one of the Chiranjeevis has been granted with the boon to live forever. So, we find Lord Hanuman being mentioned in Mahabharata.

Lord Hanuman is also considered the brother of Bhima as they have the same father, Vayu. Therefore the first mention of Lord Hanuman in Mahabharata comes when He meets Bhima during the Pandavas exile and the second time when Lord Hanuman protected the chariot of Arjuna throughout the battle of Kurukshetra by residing in Arjuna's flag.

Bhima's Encounter With Hanuman

When the Pandavas were in exile, once Draupadi asked Bhima to get the Saugandhika flowers for her. Bhima set out in search for the flowers. On his way, Bhima came across a huge monkey lying on the way, taking rest. Irritated by this, Bhima asked the monkey to clear the path and let him pass. But the monkey requested him that he is very old and cannot move on his own. So, if Bhima wishes to pass, then he must push the tail aside and move ahead.

Bhima was filled with contempt for the monkey and tried to push the tail with his mace. But the tail would not even move an inch. After trying hard for long, Bhima realised this was no ordinary monkey. So, Bhima gave up and asked for pardon. Thus, Lord Hanuman came in His original form and blessed Bhima.

Arjuna's Chariot

In another incident in the Mahabharata, Hanuman met Arjuna in the form of a normal monkey in Rameshwaram. On seeing the bridge built to Lanka by Lord Ram, Arjuna expressed his wonder as to why Lord Ram needed the help of monkeys to build the bridge. If it were him, he would have built the bridge himself with arrows. Hanuman, in the form of monkey criticised Arjuna that the bridge built with arrows would not suffice and will not bear the weight of even one person. Arjuna took it as a challenge. Arjuna vowed that if the bridge built by him did not suffice, then he will jump into fire. So, Arjuna built a bridge with his arrows. As Hanuman stepped on it, the bridge collapsed. Arjuna was dumbfounded and decided to end his life.

Just then Lord Krishna appeared in front of them and with His divine touch, re-built the bridge. The He asked Hanuman to step on it. This time the bridge did not break. Thus, Hanuman came in His original form and promised to help Arjuna in the war. Therefore, when the war of Kurukshetra commenced, Lord Hanuman perched on the flag of the chariot of Arjuna and stayed till the end of the war.

On the last day of the Kurukshetra war, Lord Krishna asked Arjuna to step out of the chariot first. After Arjuna stepped out, Lord Krishna thanked Hanuman for being there till the end. So, Lord Hanuman bowed and left the chariot. As soon as Hanuman left, the chariot caught fire. Arjuna was amazed to see this. Then Lord Krishna explained to Arjuna that the chariot would have been burnt long ago if Lord Hanuman was not protecting it against the celestial weapons.

Jai Sri Ram

Hanuman's Education

Hanuman selected Surya, the sun god as his preceptor, and approached him with the request to teach the scriptures.

Surya agreed and Hanuman became his disciple, but had to face his constantly moving guru by traversing the sky backwards at equal pace, while taking his lessons.

Hanuman's phenomenal concentration took him only 60 hours to master the scriptures.
Surya considered the manner in which Hanuman accomplished his studies as his tuition fees, but when Hanuman requested him to accept something more than that, the sun god asked Hanuman to assist his son Sugriva, by being his minister and compatriot.

 Jai Sri Ram

Hanuman Art

Jai Sri Ram

Lord Hanuman meeting Kaalnemi Raakshas

When Lakshmana was hurt in the war, Hanuman was on his way to the Himalayas to bring the sanjeevani Buti. 

In the meantime a spy informed Raavan about this. Raavan immediately sent one Kaalnemi named Raakshas to stop him bringing those herbs. Kaalnemi said to Raavan - "Who has burned your whole Lankaa, who can stop him from doing Lord Ram's work? Meditate upon He who controls Kaal. Who can win Him?" But Raavan didn't like his advice. So Kaalnemi thought it was better to die from Raam's messenger's hand instead of this Raakshas. 

Kaalnemi raakshas in the form of a muni (sage)

So he went and built a beautiful Maayaa Aashram and a pond in it, and he himself stayed there in the form of a Muni. Flying over that Aashram Hanumaan saw it, so he thought, "let me drink some cool water here and take rest then I will proceed further", so he got down and went to Muni and asked some water. Muni gave him some water from his Kamandal, but Hanumaan was not satisfied with such a small amount of water, so Kaalnemi pointed towards the pond for more water. 

Lord Hanuman meeting Kaalnemi raakshas

Hanumaan entered the pond, that a she-crocodile caught his feet. Hanumaan killed her. She changed into an Apsaraa. She said - "My all sins are washed away today after having your Darshan and my Shaap (curse) is also cleared. 

Hanuman drinking water in the pond

She-Crocodile turns in to an Apsara

Listen, this is not a Muni but is a Raakshas, believe Me." and went away. Hanumaan came back and killed that Raakshas and headed towards his destination.

Hanuman Kills Kaalnemi 

Lord Hanuman proceeds to bring Sanjeevani Buti

Jai Sri Ram

Significance of Hanuman Gada (Mace)

Hanuman Gada (Mace) is carried in the right hand of Lord Hanuman. It is a symbol of self-sovereinty, the authority of governance and the power to rule. The gada is the main weapon of the Hindu god Hanuman. 

The mace represents concentrated prana (life). Like earth moves around sun and gathers life force from it and stores it, similarly mace also moves around the body to gather life force to be used by its practitioner. It is considered a sign of bravery, immense physical strength, virility and radiance like the sun. 

The Mace that Hanuman is adorned with is not a physical weapon, but is symbolic of one who is the embodiment of moral and spiritual values. It is carried in the right hand as a symbol of self-sovereignty, authority of governance and the power to rule. 

To be adorned with this ornament, one must have complete control over the five organs of action, the five organs of perception and the five vices of anger, greed, ego, lust and attachment. 

When the mace is held in the right hand of the beholder in the upraised position, it means that there is agitation judgmental and controlling power is required to bring the situation to normalcy. 

When the mace is lowered and held relaxed from the right hand with its pointed tip just in front the right instep, it signifies that there is orderliness and contentment in the society. 

When the beholder sits in the meditative lotus position with the mace resting by his right side on the ground with the pointed end in full view, it is said that there is total peace, prosperity and happiness, where everyone is contented and there is an abundance of everything. 

There are vertical and horizontal lines on the mace of Lord Hanuman. The vertical lines represent the raja component, whereas the horizontal one's represent the tama component; thus the mace is a symbol of raja-tama, supported by sattva. A combination of raja-sattva signifies a warrior-spirit. That Lord Hanuman always carries a mace means His warrior-spirit is always active. The mace is also a symbol of Dissolution.

Jai Sri Ram