Hanuman the devout Rama baktha is the embodiment of courage, loyalty and bravery. In all his deeds, he inspires us to brave the odds and face all the hurdles life throws at us. The origin of the Panchmukhi Hanuman can be traced to the greatest epic of our country, the Ramayana. In the battle between Rama and Ravana, Ravana being the vile rakshas gains the help of Mahiravana who is the ruler of the underworld. Mahiravan tricks Rama and Lakshamana with his deceiving appearances and holds them captive in his underworld prison. Hanuman being the faithful devotee he is, undertakes the mission of rescuing them back safely. But he is quite perplexed when he reaches the underworld and realizes that the only way to save them was to kill Mahiravana, Mahiravana being the master of trickery and deceit carefully has his lives split in all 5 directions, 3 of which were in lamps. So hanuman took the form of a Panchamukhi Hanuman, (with five faces). The faces were namely Hanuman, Hayagriva, Garuda, Varaha and Narasimha. And they successfully vanquished the enemy and saved Rama and Lakshmana.

Hanuman is a great yogi (mystic) having transcended the five senses (Pancha Indriyas). In Kamba Ramayanam (in Tamil), the significance of number five is beautifully narrated as follows:

The son of one of the five elements (son of wind – Pavana Thanaya)

crossed one of the five elements (water – the ocean),

through one of the five elements (sky),

met daughter of one of the five elements (daughter of earth – Sita Devi)

burnt down Lanka by one of the five elements (fire).

This is probably the reason why it is advised to go around the hanuman idol five times or 14, 23, 41. The sums of the digits give five.

There is a belief that one of the faces of the Panchmukhi Hanuman is actually lord Vinayaka. The face of Adyanta is actually a conglomeration of Vinayaga and Hanuman. The combination of two gods depicted in the same sculpture is not new to Hinduism. As observed earlier, Ardhanarishvara is a popular depiction of lord Shiva where in he is part Shiva and part Shakthi. Sri Sankaranarayana is also a combination of lord Shiva and Vishnu. Adyantha is also represented as aadiyantha which translates to the beginning and the end. This makes perfect sense owing to the fact that it is Vinayaka and Hanuman. As lord Ganesha is one of the first gods we worship when we enter a temple. He is belovedly known as “muzhu muthar kadavul” which means the first and foremost god. There is a Tamil saying that says that start with Ganesha and end with Hanuman. Also what makes the deity more special is that hanuman and Vinayaga are the only two gods who are completely free from the influence of the planets.

Panchmukhi is also the name of the place where the god first came into being. It is located on the bank of the river Tungabhadra where present day Mantralayam is located. Raghavendra is known and revered across the country; Raghavendra temple at Mantralaya is thronged by devotees from all walks of life. But most of us are unaware of the relation between Panchmukhi Hanuman and Raghavendra. It is legend that Panchmukhi Hanuman, lord Venkateshwara of Tirupathi and Kurma avathara appeared in front of Raghavendra swami and blessed him. Raghavendra observed a penance for 12 years at that place where his devotees built a Samadhi for him.

Benefits of Worshiping Panchmukhi Hanuman

The benefits of worshiping Panchmukhi Hanuman are manifold.

The east facing anjaneya fulfills the wishes of the person. Which can sometimes be selfish and of personal nature. The south facing anjaneya grants wishes for the welfare of all. The west facing hanuman offers soubhagya or the favor of good luck. The north facing one offers the gift of prosperity and wealth. The Hayagriva mukha faces the Sky. Haygriva guarantees the complete welfare and happiness of the world.

Panchamukhi Hanuman Stuti

The Panchmukhi Hanuman Stuti is a potent stotra meant to praise each of the five forms. This stotra helps to alleviate troubles and keep evil forces away. It serves as a protection to devotees who chant with utmost faith.

Om namo bhagavathe panchavadanaaya poorva kapi mukhe Sakala shatru samhaarnaaya swaaha The east facing form of Lord Hanuman protects devotees from problems caused by enemies. He provides happiness and fulfills wishes. Om namo bhagavathe panchavadanaaya dakshina mukhe Karaala vadanaaya Narasimhaaya sakala bhoota praeta pramadanaaya swaaha The south facing form of Lord Narasimha removes all types of fear, sins, unfavorable influences of spirits and demons, and fulfills our wishes. Om namo bhagavathe panchavadanaaya paschima mukhe Garudaaya sakala visha haranaaya swaaha The west facing form of Lord Garuda removes all types of ailments, negativities, black magic, poison, and fear. Om namo bhagavathe panchavadanaaya uthara mukhe Aadivarahaaya sakala sampatkaraaya swaaha The north facing form of Lord Varaha provides the ashta aishwarya (eight different forms of wealth). Om namo bhagavathe panchavadanaaya oordhwa mukhe Hayagrivaaya sakala jana vasheekaranaaya swaaha The upwards facing form of Lord Hayagriva helps devotees attract the goodwill of people. The words of His devotees turn into reality. He bestows them with advancement in seeking knowledge, good company of friends, intelligence, good children, and salvation.

The panchmukhi hanuman is considered most auspicious gods in Hinduism. He is said to protect his devotees from evil forces, enemies and even negative thoughts. Hanuman is easily considered one of the strongest and mightiest gods and for that reason he is worshipped in times of distress and trouble. Just like hanuman saves sita Devi in distress, he is also always there for his devotes offering them support and motivation to pull through all the hurdles in life.

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