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This story explains the line in the Hanuman Chalisa about Hanuman's presence in all four yugas, highlighting how his role extends across the ages, demonstrating his existence beyond time.
Characters in the story:
Lord Hanuman: Lord Hanuman is a revered deity in Hinduism, known for his unwavering devotion to Lord Rama and his incredible strength, symbolizing courage, loyalty, and selflessness.
Lord Rama: Lord Rama is one of the most revered deities and is the seventh avatar of Lord Vishnu. He is known for his virtues of righteousness, courage, and devotion, and is considered a symbol of ideal human behavior and the victory of good over evil.
Lord Krishna: Lord Krishna is one of the most popular and revered deities in Hinduism. He is worshiped as the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu and is known for his divine teachings in the Bhagavad Gita and for his role in the epic Mahabharata.
Kalki Avatar: Kalki Avatar is the final incarnation of Lord Vishnu in Hindu philosophy who emerges to restore righteousness and bring an end to darkness in the world.
Lord Vishnu: Lord Vishnu is one of the three major deities in Hinduism, known as the preserver of the universe and the protector of dharma (righteousness). He is often depicted with four arms holding a conch shell, a discus, a mace, and a lotus flower.
Lord Shiva: Lord Shiva holds significant prominence in Hinduism as a prominent deity, revered for his role as the vanquisher of malevolence and the catalyst of universal change. Depicted in various forms, he is often portrayed as a tranquil ascetic engaged in deep meditation or as the divine dancer, adorned with a third eye, an entwined serpent around his neck, and a trident grasped firmly in his hand.
Lord Vayu: Lord Vayu is a prominent deity in Hindu scriptures, revered as the god of wind and the vital life force that sustains all beings.
In the Hanuman Chalisa, there is a line that often causes confusion: “Charon Yug partap tumhara” (All through the four ages, your magnificent glory is acclaimed far and wide); “Hai persidh jagat ujiyara” (Your fame is radiantly acclaimed across the cosmos).
We know from scripture that Hanuman was born in Treta Yuga to Kesari and Anjani. He became a devoted follower of Lord Rama and played a crucial role in defeating Ravana and rescuing Sita. So, if Hanuman was born in Treta Yuga, why did Tulsidas write this line? Here’s an explanation of that verse.
Two key points to remember are: first, our yugas (ages) are cyclical, not linear, with each leading into the next; second, Hanuman is an incarnation of Shiva himself.
Satya Yuga: Hanuman’s presence in Satya Yuga is a continuation of events from the end of Kali Yuga. As Kali Yuga ends with the defeat of the demon Kali by the Kalki avatar, Hanuman takes the form of Rudra (a fierce aspect of Shiva) to help establish the principles of Satya Yuga and usher in the golden age. In this form, he ensures the well-being of the people.
Treta Yuga: In Treta Yuga, Hanuman is born to Kesari and Anjani with the blessing of Lord Vayu. This birth was destined by Lord Shiva, who had vowed to aid Vishnu in his incarnation as Rama to defeat Ravana. Shiva and Parvati took the form of vanaras, and after their union, Parvati became pregnant. The fetus was then transferred by Vayu to the womb of Anjani, who gave birth to Hanuman. This also fulfilled a boon given to Anjani by a sage, that she would bear a child who would be Shiva himself. In this yuga, Hanuman was a devout follower of Rama, aiding him in the battle against Ravana, and was granted immortality by Rama as a reward for his unwavering devotion.
Dwapara Yuga: After fulfilling his role with Rama, Hanuman refused to accompany Vishnu back to Vaikuntha, choosing instead to remain where people would continue to sing Rama’s praises. Hanuman retreated to Gandhamadana Mountain (also known as Rama’s Footprints, located in Rameswaram) and meditated there until he encountered Bhima and Arjuna. Following a series of events, he decided to become the flag bearer on Arjuna’s chariot, whose charioteer was Krishna himself.
Kali Yuga: After Krishna’s departure and the advent of Kali Yuga, Hanuman returned to Gandhamadana. Some believe he moved to the divine city of Shambhala, near Mount Kailash in Tibet, where he awaits the arrival of Vishnu’s tenth avatar, Kalki. Hanuman is destined to assist Kalki in defeating the demon Kali to bring about the next Satya Yuga.
In conclusion, Hanuman’s presence across all four yugas reflects his timeless and eternal nature, embodying divine strength and unwavering devotion. His enduring role serves as a reminder of the cyclical nature of time and the perpetual power of faith.
