[Chaturamnaya] Stories from the Shiva Purana - 15 (Shiva’s Incarnation as Hanuman)

[S Jayanarayanan]

(Continued from the previous post. Hanuman, who plays an important role in the Ramayana, is considered to be an Incarnation of Shiva:
https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/shiva-purana-english/d/doc226416.html
Section 3, Chapter 20)
 
 
Out of love, Lord Shiva rendered great help to Rama. Shiva was born in the form of a monkey named Hanuman. He had great strength and exploit.
Even as a child, the lord of monkeys, Hanuman was very powerful. Early in the morning, he took the disc of the sun for a small fruit and wanted
to eat it. At the request of the gods he left it. Knowing him to be an Incarnation of Shiva of great power, the gods and the sages granted
him boons.
 
The excellent monkey, a part of Shiva, approached Sugriva, a part of the sun, at his behest, after getting the permission of his mother.
Sugriva who had been exiled by his elder brother Vali who enjoyed his (Sugriva’s) wife, stayed on the mountain Rishyamuka along with Hanuman.
The intelligent monkey born of a part of Shiva became Sugriva’s minister and did everything beneficial to him in every respect. He made him
enter into a pleasing alliance with Rama who came there along with his brother and who was sad because his wife had been abducted by Ravana.
Rama slew the powerful monkey Vali who was a sinner as he enjoyed his brother’s wife and who professed to be a great hero.
 
Then at the behest of Rama, the intelligent and leading monkey Hanuman went out in search of Sita along with many monkeys. On knowing that
she was in Lanka, the leading monkey quickly jumped across the ocean, never before crossed by any and reached Lanka. There he performed
wonderful exploits and handed over the excellent token of recognition of his lord Rama to Sita. Narrating the endeavours of Rama for the
protection of her life, the heroic leader of monkeys dispelled the sorrow of Sita. Taking a token from her, he turned back to go towards Rama.
On the way, he broke Ravana's park and killed many Rakshasas. The rapid and excellent monkey Hanuman reached Rama’s side without delay and
handed over the crest-jewel of Sita.
 
At his behest, the powerful hero gathered many mountains through the hosts of monkeys and built a bridge in the ocean. At the time when he was
about to cross the ocean, Rama installed a phallic image of Shiva and worshipped it with a desire to be victorious. Securing his boon of victory,
he crossed the ocean, surrounded Lanka with the monkeys and fought against the Rakshasas. The heroic Hanuman slew many Asuras and protected
Rama’s army. He enlivened Lakshmana by the medicinal herb Sanjivani when he was wounded by Meghanada’s javelin. He slew the demon Mahiravana
and brought Rama and Lakshmana from his place to their own after guarding them well.
 
Himself a leader of devotees, he made Sita and Rama happy. He, the lord of monkeys, established the cult of devotion to Rama in the world.
Indeed he was the Incarnation of Shiva the Lord and uplifter of devotees. He was the life-saviour of Lakshmana and the destroyer of the
arrogance of all Daityas. He was the heroic Hanuman who carried the tasks of Rama always. In the world he is called Rama’s messenger.
He is favourably disposed to his devotees. He who listens to this or narrates this with devotion and purity of mind enjoys all desires here
and attains liberation hereafter.
 
 
(To be Continued)