Hanuman Namaskar Mantra

Who Hanuman ji is

Hanuman is the vanara hero of the Ramayana — the most devoted follower of Lord Ram and the very embodiment of strength, courage and selfless service (seva). He is the son of Anjana and the vanara chieftain Kesari, and is also called the son of Vayu, the wind god, whose speed and power he carries — hence his names Anjaneya, Maruti and Pavanputra. He is one of the eight Chiranjivi (immortals) said to still walk the earth, which is why he is regarded as so immediately accessible: sincere devotion is enough, and no elaborate ritual is needed. As Sankatmochan he is the remover of difficulties, and he is worshipped especially on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

What the mantra means

This shloka is one of the invocatory verses (mangalacharan) that open the Sundarkand of Tulsidas's Ramcharitmanas — the book of Hanuman's leap to Lanka. It asks for nothing; its whole content is a description of who Hanuman is, offered as a salutation (namaskar). Phrase by phrase:

• Atulita-bala-dhamam — the abode of unequalled strength,
• Hema-shailabha-deham — whose body shines like a golden mountain,
• Danuja-vana-krishanum — a fire to the forest of demons,
• Jnaninam agraganyam — foremost among the wise,
• Sakala-guna-nidhanam — the treasury of every virtue,
• Vanaranam adhisham — lord of the vanaras,
• Raghupati-priya-bhaktam — the beloved devotee of Raghupati (Ram),
• Vatatmajam namami — to the son of the wind, I bow.

In two lines it gives a remarkably complete portrait: strength, radiance, wisdom, virtue, leadership and — as the crowning quality — devotion to Ram.

How to do the jaap

1. As an invocation: Its most common use is to recite it once or three times before beginning the Sundarkand path, the Hanuman Chalisa or any Hanuman puja.
2. As a daily practice: Recite it 11 or 21 times in the morning after bathing, facing a picture of Hanuman ji, with a lamp lit.
3. Day: Tuesdays and Saturdays are especially favoured.
4. Manner: It is in the flowing Malini metre; recite it slowly and let each phrase call up the quality it names, rather than rushing the Sanskrit.
5. Close: Bow, and offer a flower or sweet to Hanuman ji.

Benefits traditionally associated with it

• Strength and courage, drawn from meditating on the "abode of unequalled strength."
• Wisdom and clear judgement — Hanuman is "foremost among the wise."
• Protection from fear and negative forces, which Hanuman burns away like fire through a forest.
• Growth in virtue and in devotion, since it holds up Hanuman as the model of both.
• A focused, respectful start to longer prayer, so that the path that follows is done with attention.

Why people do it

Most people meet this verse at the start of Sundarkand path, where it is recited as the salutation before the story begins, and many then keep it as their daily namaskar to Hanuman. It is short enough to memorise quickly, and because it describes rather than requests, it suits every day — not just days of trouble. Students often learn it for its prayer for wisdom and strength together; others recite it simply as a greeting to Hanuman ji before any devotional act, the way one greets an elder before a conversation.