On Hinduism

In Hindu temples, homes, and countless folktales, you will hear of Hanuman, “the Monkey God”. What is important about him is neither that he’s a “monkey” nor that he is considered a divinity or “God”; he is revered as a powerful heroic figure filled with devotional surrender.  

Hanuman is one of the dearest deities in the Hindu tradition, imbued with valor, mischief, strength, and devotion. He is the personification of strength and devotion, and that is why his tales are loved all over the world.

Hanuman in Ramayana

It is his complete Devotion that sets him apart.  The story of Hanuman comes to us from Ramayana, the earlier of the two major epics in Hinduism (the other being the Mahabharata).  In the epic, Lord Sri Rama, (God incarnate in human form) is engaged in an epic battle with the king of Lanka, who has wrongfully kidnapped his wife.  Hanuman is part of a tribe of monkeys that meet Sri Rama, and this ragtag army of monkeys help Sri Rama (and his younger brother, Lakshmana) win against the rich, mighty and arrogant Ravana. 

Hanuman as Yogi

Hanuman is a complete yogi.  One of his names is  Bajrang (or Vajra-anga, the thunderbolt Bodied one), which is one of the highest achievements for a yogi, to have a thunderbolt energy body (in yoga the subtle body is an energy body).  He is the son of the Wind, a reference also to his mastery of the breath, which you know as Pranayama.  He has all the mystical powers that a yogi can acquire (there are eight siddhis, or yogic superpowers, such as the ability to be tiny, heavy, fly, and so on).  He is also the symbol of Bhakti Yoga, the yoga of devotion, being completely surrendered to his master. So Hanuman is the complete yogi, with excellence in all the yogas of Action, Meditation, and Devotion.

Hanuman Chalisa

Many western adherents to the Bhakti tradition (like the singer Krishna Das) make it a point to memorize the Hanuman Chalisa, the forty verses in praise of Hanuman.  Singing the Chalisa is a tradition followed all over India, and a large percentage of modern Hindus will be able to recite and chant along.  The chanting of the Hanuman Chalisa brings joy, relief, and a connection with a powerful-yet-surrendered Yogi. Something we should all aspire to become.

Sundar Kand

There are many fun stories associated with Hanuman.  Let me tell you just one. He was born with immense powers but was very playful as a child.  After one such naughty episode, he was cursed to forget all his powers. He would stay forgetful until someone reminds him.  As it happens, he is reminded of his powers at a pivotal point in the epic, when someone is needed to cross the Ocean to go to the island of Lanka to look for Rama’s wife. This is the beginning of some of the most beautiful poetry in the epic, and even today many Hindus chant the “Sundar Kand”, (beautiful chapter) which describes the exploits of Hanuman in Lanka. 

We all have powers that we don’t remember.  A mentor or coach can help us by reminding us of our own super-powers. Isn’t that a memorable story?

Ask for His help!

Hanuman is one of the few Chiranjeevis in the Hindu tradition (Chiran-jeevi means “lives forever”), and it is said that he still roams this Earth and comes to help when he is invoked.

Other reading material: Hindu God Hanuman,

Relevant videos:  Krishna Das on Hanuman Chalisa

Contributor: Gaurav Rastogi

Location of this post (2b): https://www.hinduspeakers.org/ufaqs/can-you-explain-more-about-the-monkey-god-hanuman/

Hindus see the Divine present in all forms of existence. Traditionally, Hindus have worshiped every aspect of nature—elements such as dawn, fire, rain, and oceans; abstract concepts like creation, preservation, and regeneration; and living beings, including animals. Unlike some traditions that discard earlier layers of belief, Hinduism has absorbed and integrated them, so that animal worship and symbolism remain an essential part of Hindu spirituality.

Animals are revered both symbolically and ecologically. Their qualities are used to teach moral, spiritual, and practical lessons. For example:

• Horse – swiftness and energy
  
• Bull – strength and endurance
  
• Tiger – courage and fierceness
  

In anthropomorphic form, this symbolism becomes even more profound:

• Ganesha (elephant-headed) – remover of obstacles, representing memory, group cooperation, and the joy of sharing (like sweets among friends).
  
• Garuda (eagle) – speed, vision, and protection.
  
• Hanuman (monkey) – devotion, strength, and humility.
  

Applying these animal qualities—such as building strong friendships, cultivating memory, or sharing joy—helps individuals navigate life’s challenges.

On an ecological level, reverence for animals fosters respect for biodiversity. For instance, honoring elephants not only safeguards them but also ensures the preservation of vast wild habitats that protect countless other plants and animals. In this way, Hindu traditions encourage ecological balance and highlight the interdependence of all life.

Other reading material: Short answers to real questions about Hinduism

Relevant videos:Contributor: Raman Khanna, Sandeep Tiwari

Location of this post (2h): https://www.hinduspeakers.org/ufaqs/why-are-so-many-hindu-gods-associated-with-an-animal/

Every Hindu prayer begins with Om, the sacred sound in Hinduism that holds a lot of spiritual significance. This is followed by an invocation to Lord Ganesha, the giver of auspicious beginnings and remover of obstacles: Om Śhrī Mahāgaṇapataye Namaha.

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These are selected Sanskrit prayers for the Welfare of the World:

• Om sarve bhavantu sukhinaha. Sarve santu niraamayaaha. Sarve bhadraani pashyantu. Maa kaschid dukha bhaag bhavet “May all beings be happy. May all beings be healthy. May all beings experience prosperity. May none in the world suffer.”

• Lokaah samastaah sukhino bhavantu “May all beings be always happy”

• Om shanti, shanti, shantihi “Om, peace, peace, peace”

Many Hindus meditate on this Sanskrit word, “Shanti,” thereby invoking inner peace and radiating the same in external circumstances. 

A popular hymn chanted in times of fear, danger, and uncertainty is the Hanuman Chalisa, forty verses that glorify Lord Hanuman, the giver of strength, courage, and protection.

Advanced practitioners chant these Sanskrit mantras and stotras (devotional hymns) to seek the grace of various deities in the Hindu tradition. Chanting these prayers with utmost faith is the key to reap their full benefits. These are specifically for good health, expedited healing, and the elimination of disease:

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Prayers to Lord Vishnu:

Om Achyuta Ananta Govindāya Namaha 

Salutations to Achyuta Ananta Govinda! (These are all names of Lord Vishnu.)

Stotra: Śhrī Sudarśhana Ṣhatkam, śhloka 3

Srākārasahitam Mantram

Paṭhantam Śhatrunigraham

Sarvarogapraśhamanam

Prapadyeham Sudarśhanam

I salute Lord Sudarshana, who destroys all enemies,

and cures all diseases of those who chant his mantra “Sra”.

Stotra: Śhrīman Nārāyaṇeeyam, daśhakam 8, śhloka 13

Asmin Parātman Nanu Pādmakalpe

Tvamitthamutthāpita Padmayonihi

Anantabhūma Mama Rogarāśhim

Nirundhi Vātālayavāsa Viṣhno 

Oh Supreme Lord of incomprehensible powers, 

you made Lord Brahma emerge from the lotus.

Oh Lord Vishnu who has manifested in the temple of Guruvayoor,

Please cure all my diseases. 

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Prayer to Lord Shiva: 

Stotra: Śhrī Vaidyanātha Aṣṭakam, śhloka 4

Prabhūtavātādi Samastaroga

Pranāśha Kartre Munivanditāya 

Prabhākarendvagni Vilochanāya 

Śhrī Vaidyanāthāya Namah Śhivāya

I bow to that Lord Shiva, who is the king among physicians, who cures all great diseases like rheumatism and arthritis, who is worshipped by great sages, and to whom, the Sun, Moon and God of Fire are eyes.

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Prayer to Goddess Devi: 

Stotra: Śhrī Lalitā Sahasranāmāvali, 551 & 552

Om Sarvavyādhi Praśhamanyai Namaha (Salutations to the goddess who cures all diseases)

Om Sarvamrtyu Nivāriṇyai Namaha (Salutations to the goddess who removes all types of death)

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Prayer to Lord Kārtikeya, also known as Sharavana Bhava: 

Om Śharavaṇa Bhavāya Namaha (Salutations to Lord Sharavana Bhava)

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Prayer to Lord Rama: 

Āpaduddhāraka Śhrī Rāma Stotram, śhloka 1

Āpadām Apahartāram

Dātāram Sarvasampadām

Lokābhirāmam Śhrīrāmam

Bhūyo Bhūyo Namāmyaham 

I respectfully bow down again and again to Shri Rama, who removes all obstacles, blesses one with all types of wealth, and pleases all in the world.

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Prayer to Lord Hanuman:  

Āpaduddhāraṇa Hanumat Stotram, śhloka 5

Ādivyādhi Mahāmāri Grahapīḍāpahāriṇe

Prāṇāpahartre Daityānām Rāmaprāṇātmane Namaha

I prostrate before Lord Anjaneya, who is the destroyer of worries (ādhi), illnesses (vyādhi), chronic illnesses (mahāmāri), evil effects from the changes in the position of planets (grahapīḍā); he is the annihilator of demons, he is the protector of living beings. 

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Other reading material:Relevant videos: Health & Healing Mantras for Coronavirus Protection, Swami Nikhil Anand Hinduism Q & A: Does God Answer Our Prayers (this one is general on prayer, not covid)

Contributor: Lakshmi Subramanian

Location of this post (3j): https://www.hinduspeakers.org/ufaqs/what-is-hindu-prayers-for-covid-19-situations/