Lord Hanuman, revered in Hindu mythology, is known by various names, each of which reflects different aspects of his divine personality and his role in the epic Ramayana. One of the most prominent titles is "Maruti Nandan."
But why is Hanuman called Maruti Nandan? To understand this, we need to delve deeper into the origin of this name and understand its significance in the context of Hanuman's divine lineage and characteristics.
Who is Maruti Nandan?
To fully understand who Maruti Nandan is, it is important to recognize Hanuman's qualities and powers. As Maruti Nandan, Hanuman is a symbol of unwavering devotion, immense strength, and indomitable courage.
He is revered not only for his physical strength but also for his intellectual and spiritual wisdom. Hanuman's devotion to Lord Rama, an incarnation of Vishnu, is legendary.
He played a key role in the Ramayana, helping Rama in his quest to rescue Sita from the demon king Ravana. Hanuman's strength, attributed to his divine father Vayu, was instrumental in his crossing the ocean to reach Lanka, lifting mountains, and defeating powerful demons.
As Maruti Nandan, Hanuman is also seen as the protector of the weak and the destroyer of evil forces.
Meaning of Maruti Nandan
The name "Maruti Nandan" has a deep symbolic meaning. The word "Maruti" is another name for the wind god, Vayu, and "nandan" means "son" or "descendant". Therefore, "Maruti Nandan" essentially means "son of Maruti" or "son of the wind god, Vayu".
This title emphasizes Hanuman's divine heritage as the offspring of Vayu, one of the most powerful gods in Hindu cosmology.
Divine Birth of Hanuman
Hanuman's birth is surrounded by divine mystery and miraculous events. According to Hindu mythology, Hanuman's mother Anjana was an apsara (a divine nymph) who was cursed to live on earth as a vanara (a creature with monkey-like features).
She prayed to Lord Shiva to bless her with a son who would be a great devotee of Lord Vishnu.
Pleased by her devotion, Lord Shiva granted her wish. When King Dasharath of Ayodhya performed a yajna to beget a son, a portion of the sacred kheer (payasam) meant to be consumed by his queens was carried away by an kite.
The kite dropped the kheer in the hands of Anjana, who ate it. As a result, she gave birth to Hanuman, who was blessed with divine strength, intelligence and the ability to change forms at will.
The wind god played a key role in this miraculous birth. It is believed that it was he who gave the sacred kheer to Anjana, making Hanuman the spiritual son of Vayu.
It is because of this divine intervention that Hanuman is called Maruti Nandan, underlining his connection to the wind god.
Symbolism of Maruti Nandan
The title "Maruti Nandan" is not just a reference to Hanuman's lineage; it also symbolizes the qualities that the wind god Vayu represents - swiftness, strength, and an all-pervading force that sustains life.
Just as the wind can be both gentle and powerful, Hanuman embodies both compassion and strength.
In Hindu tradition, calling Hanuman as Maruti Nandan is a way to invoke his power and protection.
Devotees believe that chanting his name can help them overcome obstacles, gain courage, and receive the blessings of wisdom and devotion.
Conclusion
In short, Hanuman is called Maruti Nandan because he is the divine son of the wind god. The meaning of Maruti Nandan highlights his divine lineage and the divine qualities he inherited from his father.
Hanuman as Maruti Nandan is not only a powerful god in Hinduism, but also a symbol of devotion, strength, and protection. Understanding who Maruti Nandan is gives a deeper insight into the rich fabric of Hindu mythology and the qualities represented by Hanuman.
By calling Hanuman as Maruti Nandan, devotees try to imbibe the same qualities of strength, devotion and unwavering commitment to righteousness in their lives.]
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