Hanuman Pancharatnam

Hanuman Pancharatnam

वीताखिल-विषयेच्छं जातानन्दाश्र पुलकमत्यच्छम् ।
सीतापति दूताद्यं वातात्मजमद्य भावये हृद्यम् ॥ १॥

vītākhila-viṣayecchaṃ jātānandāśra pulakamatyaccham .
sītāpati dūtādyaṃ vātātmajamadya bhāvaye hṛdyam .. 1..

I now call to mind Hanuman, the son of the wind god, gladdening to contemplate, who is free of all sensual desires, who sheds tears of joy and is filled with rapture, who is the purest of the pure and the first of Rama’s messengers.

तरुणारुण मुख-कमलं करुणा-रसपूर-पूरितापाङ्गम् ।
सञ्जीवनमाशासे मञ्जुल-महिमानमञ्जना-भाग्यम् ॥ २॥

taruṇāruṇa mukha-kamalaṃ karuṇā-rasapūra-pūritāpāṅgam .
sañjīvanamāśāse mañjula-mahimānamañjanā-bhāgyam .. 2..

I think of Hanuman, whose face is like the lotus, red like the rising sun, the corners of whose eyes are full of the feeling of mercy, who is life-giving, whose greatness has the quality of beauty, who personifies Anjana’s good fortune.

शम्बरवैरि-शरातिगमम्बुजदल-विपुल-लोचनोदारम् ।
कम्बुगलमनिलदिष्टम् बिम्ब-ज्वलितोष्ठमेकमवलम्बे ॥ ३॥

śambaravairi-śarātigamambujadala-vipula-locanodāram .
kambugalamaniladiṣṭam bimba-jvalitoṣṭhamekamavalambe .. 3..

I seek refuge in the one who flies faster than the arrows of madana, whose eyes wide as the petals of the lotus are filled with kindness, whose neck is smooth and well-formed as the conch shell, who represented good fortune to the wind god, and whose lips are bright-red like the bimba fruit.

दूरीकृत-सीतार्तिः प्रकटीकृत-रामवैभव-स्फूर्तिः ।
दारित-दशमुख-कीर्तिः पुरतो मम भातु हनुमतो मूर्तिः ॥ ४॥

dūrīkṛta-sītārtiḥ prakaṭīkṛta-rāmavaibhava-sphūrtiḥ .
dārita-daśamukha-kīrtiḥ purato mama bhātu hanumato mūrtiḥ .. 4..

May the form of Hanuman come resplendent before me, the one that dispelled Sita’s grief, that brought out the glory of Shri Rama’s prowess, that tore Ravana’s reputation into shreds.

वानर-निकराध्यक्षं दानवकुल-कुमुद-रविकर-सदृशम् ।
दीन-जनावन-दीक्षं पवन तपः पाकपुञ्जमद्राक्षम् ॥ ५॥

vānara-nikarādhyakṣaṃ dānavakula-kumuda-ravikara-sadṛśam .
dīna-janāvana-dīkṣaṃ pavana tapaḥ pākapuñjamadrākṣam .. 5..

I saw the leader of the Vanara (monkey) populace, the one who was (inimical) like the sun’s rays to the (night-blooming) lily of the Danava people (the demonic race), who is dedicated to the protection of those in distress, who was the culmination of the accumulated penances of Vayu.

एतत्-पवन-सुतस्य स्तोत्रं यः पठति पञ्चरत्नाख्यम् ।
चिरमिह-निखिलान् भोगान् भुङ्क्त्वा श्रीराम-भक्ति-भाग्-भवति ॥ ६॥

etat-pavana-sutasya stotraṃ yaḥ paṭhati pañcaratnākhyam .
ciramiha-nikhilān bhogān bhuṅktvā śrīrāma-bhakti-bhāg-bhavati .. 6..

He who recites this hymn to Hanuman, will become one with the devotees of Shri Rama after enjoying for long the pleasures of this world.

Description

Garland of five gems on Shri Hanuman composed by Shri Adi Shankaracarya.

Hanuman Pancharatnam – Meaning, Devotion, and Spiritual Essence

The Hanuman Pancharatnam is a short yet very powerful devotional hymn dedicated to Lord Hanuman, one of the most revered deities in Hindu tradition. It is traditionally associated with the teachings and devotion expressed in the sacred epic Ramayana, where Hanuman is shown as the perfect example of strength, humility, and unwavering service to Lord Rama.

The word “Pancharatnam” means “five gems,” and this hymn is composed of five beautiful verses. Each verse highlights a different divine quality of Lord Hanuman, making the prayer compact yet deeply meaningful. It is believed that reciting or reflecting on this hymn brings courage, clarity of mind, and protection from negativity.

At the heart of the Hanuman Pancharatnam is devotion. Hanuman is not worshipped only as a powerful figure but as the ideal devotee. His entire life is dedicated to serving Lord Rama with complete surrender and selfless love. This teaches that true strength is not in pride or power, but in humility and dedication to a higher purpose.

Each verse of this hymn describes different aspects of Hanuman’s greatness—his intelligence, strength, fearlessness, wisdom, and purity of heart. Together, they form a complete picture of an ideal being who combines physical power with spiritual discipline. This balance is what makes the Hanuman Pancharatnam so significant in devotional practice.

In the Ramayana, Hanuman’s role is central to many key events, especially his leap across the ocean to find Sita and his service during the war in Lanka. These actions reflect his determination, courage, and unwavering focus. The Hanuman Pancharatnam captures this spirit and transforms it into a devotional reflection.

Spiritually, this hymn is not only about praising Hanuman but also about self-transformation. It encourages individuals to develop similar qualities within themselves—fearlessness, focus, discipline, and devotion. By meditating on these five “gems,” a person gradually strengthens their own character and mindset.

Another important aspect of this hymn is its calming and stabilizing effect on the mind. Regular recitation is believed to reduce fear, anxiety, and confusion. It helps the mind become more centered and focused. In this way, it acts as both a devotional prayer and a tool for mental well-being.

The teachings found in the Ramayana further enhance the meaning of this hymn. Hanuman’s life shows that true success comes from selfless action and complete surrender to righteousness. His strength is always guided by dharma, making him a symbol of ideal action without ego.

The Hanuman Pancharatnam also emphasizes protection. Devotees believe that remembering Hanuman through these verses creates a sense of spiritual safety. It strengthens faith and builds inner confidence to face challenges in life. This belief encourages positivity and resilience in difficult times.

In conclusion, the Hanuman Pancharatnam is a compact but deeply powerful devotional hymn that reflects the divine qualities of Lord Hanuman as described in the Ramayana. It teaches that true greatness lies in humility, devotion, courage, and disciplined action. By reflecting on its five verses, a devotee can develop inner strength, peace of mind, and a closer connection with spiritual wisdom.