Maruti (Bal Hanuman)

Lord Shiva was born into this world as the Monkey God Hanuman (11^th Rudravatar) in Treta Yug during the India’s Greatest Epic Ramayan to serve Bhagwan Shri Ram.

Lord Hanuman’s parents were the Wind God Vayu (Pawan) and Devi Anjana. In his childhood, Bal Hanuman was a bundle of mischief. He was very active. So he had a very healthy appetite too. Most of the time he was hungry. He was ready to eat anything that was tasty and within his reach.

Every day, an hour before dawn, Devi Anjana went out to collect some flowers and fruits. Usually Maruti was asleep then so she would leave him at home and would return before he woke up.

One day, she was held up on her way back. Bal Hanuman woke up at the usual time. He was terribly hungry.

He called out to his mother, "Ma I am hungry." He waited for his mother to run to him perhaps that did not happen.

Where are you, Ma? Child Hanuman said loudly but still there was no reply.

He waited a while; then called again, "Where has Mama gone so early in the morning? I am so hungry." Grumbled Maruti.

When he found no sign of Mother Anjani, he decided to find food on his own. He went into the kitchen. There was nothing there that he could eat. All the pots & pans and baskets were empty. Little boy Hanuman was getting hungrier and hungrier every minute.

Why should not I go out and get fruits to eat?" Child thought.

He ran down the steps of his home. Then he noticed a red ball to the east. It was at some distance. It was the sun rising.

Bal Hanuman watched the sight. It was beautiful. The whole sky was aglow with morning twilight; the sun looked like a big juicy fruit. Maruti thought it was a big red ripe watermelon & yumm... I have never eaten this fruit. Mother has never got it for me. I shall get it by myself. It is very big and I am sure it is just what I need now. I can't stay hungry any more.

Child Hanuman took a big leap, determined and continued to fly towards the sun. That took him close to the sun. He reached out for it. He almost had grabbed it but he missed it.

He looked around. He noticed Rahu. Rahu hated the Sun and when so ever he got a chance, he caught the sun in its shadow. That was what he did now. This was what he had been doing since the time immemorial.

Today, he too reached out to cast his shadow on the sun. But Bal Hanuman beat him to it and held the son firmly in his hands. Rahu was furious. He tried to snatch the sun from Maruti but he failed.

Angrily he ran to Devraaj Indra, the King of all the Devatas of Swarg, and complained, Oh! Lord! You gave me permission to cast shadow on the sun, at will. Today, I wanted to do that. But a child monkey snatched it from under my nose in the nick of the time."

Lord of Heaven Indra thundered, "Who is this rascal? Who is this little monkey that has dared to send you back. I shall teach him a lesson."

Swarg King Indra went with Rahu. Both soon came to where Bal Hanuman was holding the sun and almost swallowed the surya.

Devraaj Indra got enraged. He drew (hit) his terrible weapon Vajrayudh and hurled at Maruti. It hit him below the chin. His cheek became swollen. (This is why he came to be known as Hanuman. In Sanskrit language ‘Hanu’ means cheek). He blacked out and fell on the ground with a big thud.

Pawan, the Wind God, saw him wounded, "Who have done this to my son?" he growled and turned. He saw the weapon returning to Devraaj Indra. He lost his temper. He screamed at Indra, "How dare you hit my son? He picked up his son Maruti and ran into a big cave in Patal Lok, the world below grounds of the earth. As the Wind God left the earth, there was no air in the world. Just like he gathered all the wind streams blowing in the universe and kept with him. The universe became empty airless. Not a whiff of wind moved anywhere. Soon it was impossible to breathe. People, animals, trees and all living things struggled to breathe and started to die. It looked as if all creations would come to The End.

"What brings you to me?" asked Lord Brahma.

"You know Lord," said the Devatas with folded hands.

"Yes I know. Didn't you know Indra that Maruti is none else but the Lord Shiva in monkey form? He has gone to the earth to serve and help Bhagwan Shri Ram in the battle against Demon King Ravan. How can you hurt him?" told Lord Brahma.

"I didn't know, Oh Lord! What should we do now?" asked Indra.

"Go to Maruti and ask for forgiveness. Also grant him some of your divine powers. Then Pawan will be happy," Lord Brahma suggested.

The Devatas realized their folly, "Oh! We were fools to annoy the Lord Shiva and Pawan Dev."

Devatas requested Lord Brahma to come with them. They hurried to the cave where Maruti and Pawan Dev were.

Amaravati King Indra muttered some mantras and drew back the effect of the Vajrayudh that still held Maruti unconscious. Maruti woke up. He found the Gods standing with folded arms. They sang his praise. They requested Maruti to release Lord Surya from his grip then after one by one, they gifted immense power to him.

Each god conferred a boon upon the little Maruti. Lord Brahma, the creator said, “you will be immortal (Chiranjeevi).”

“No any weapon will be able to kill him. His body become like my weapon Vajra (BAJRANG). My Vajra affected on his chin (Hanu) so from today his one name will be HANUMAN.” Indradev said to the boy Maruti.

“No any water can be drowned him.” Said Varun, the Water God.

“Fire (Agni) never burnt-out him.” Given boon to Maruti by Agni Dev.

This made Pawan Dev happy. He released the air streams and life returned again on earth.

Gods returned to Heaven. Lord Hanuman ran back to home. He found his mother, holding a basket with full of fruits. He enjoyed the fruits while Pawan Dev told to Anjani, "Know what? Your son has become very powerful. All the Gods came and gifted him some of their secret powers.”

Anjani smiled and saw the little Hanuman eating the last fruit in the basket and became happy.